Research Visa for Norway

If you are a researcher with your own funds (for example, paid by a foreign employer or grant) and you will conduct research at a Norwegian university, university college, institute or similar, you can apply for a residence permit for researchers with own funds. If you already have a Norwegian employer, you should instead apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker. Researchers and lecturers staying up to three months may not need a residence permit. Work rights with this permit include part-time work up to 20 hours per week (including remote work) alongside your research, and full-time work during holidays. Time on this permit does not count towards permanent residence.

• Relationship to a host institution/host agreement: You must carry out research at a Norwegian higher education or research institution (university, university college, institute or similar).

• Contract/offer requirements: You are not employed by a Norwegian employer under this route; if you are, use the skilled worker route.

• Minimum qualifications: A master’s degree and the activity must be research.

• Financial means/maintenance thresholds: You must have at least NOK 15,169 per month (or NOK 166,859 per year for the academic year 2025/2026). This can be a foreign salary, grant (Norwegian or foreign), own funds, or a combination.

• Accommodation: You must have somewhere to live in Norway.

• Returnability: Circumstances must indicate you can return home when your research ends.

• Health insurance and criminal record: Not specified on the scheme page.
  

Identity & civil documents

• Valid passport and any evidence of legal stay where you apply/attend.

• Any UDI checklist items applicable to your case.

Academic/research documents

• Proof you are a researcher (master’s degree) and plan to conduct research at a Norwegian institution (e.g., invitation/confirmation from the host).

Financial proof

• Evidence of funds meeting the NOK 15,169/month (2025/26) maintenance requirement (grant letters, bank statements, or foreign salary confirmation).

Accommodation

• Evidence that you have a place to live in Norway.

Biometrics & photos

• You must provide biometrics for the residence card (photo and fingerprints, with age-based rules).

Translations/legalisation/apostille

• Information not available on official sources.

1. Prepare your case: Confirm you fit “Researcher with own funds” (not employed by a Norwegian employer) and gather documents showing research activity, funds and accommodation.

2. Apply online: Register your application via UDI’s online system for the relevant scheme.

3. Pay the fee: Pay the application fee for this permit (see Fees section).

4. Book an appointment:

   • Outside Norway: book at the responsible embassy or VFS application centre to hand in documents and give biometrics.

   • In Norway: book with the police or Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA).

5. Attend & give biometrics: Provide fingerprints and photo; submit required documents.

6. Wait for a decision: Monitor UDI’s waiting time page for indicative timelines.

7. Residence card: After approval, the police order your card; you’ll receive it by post after biometrics have been taken and the card is produced.
   

• What is collected: For a residence card, applicants over 10 years provide photo, fingerprints and signature (age-based rules apply for minors).

• Where to go: Embassy/VFS abroad or the police/SUA in Norway—book in advance.

• ID to bring: Your passport and the documents on your checklist.

• Rescheduling/missed appointments: Follow the police or embassy/VFS appointment policies; UDI does not book or change appointments.

  
  

• While on this permit, you may work part-time up to 20 hours per week (including remote work) in addition to your research, and full-time during holidays.

• This permit does not allow you to work as a skilled worker for a Norwegian employer; if you become employed in Norway, you must change route to the skilled worker permit.

  
  

• Who qualifies: Your spouse or cohabitant and children can usually apply to live with you in Norway; applications can be submitted at the same time as yours.

• Family members follow family immigration procedures.

• Initial validity: Information not available on official sources (not specified on the scheme page).

• Extensions/renewals: You must meet the same requirements as for the first permit; your work/research situation must be unchanged, and you must pay the fee.

• Permanent residence: Time on this permit does not count towards a permanent residence permit.

• Switching: If you obtain a Norwegian employer, apply for a skilled worker permit.
  

• Residence card: This proves your right to reside in Norway; keep it with your passport. The card is generally valid for the same period as your residence permit and is sent by post after it is ordered by the police.

• Registration numbers, tax, healthcare: Information not available on official sources (scheme page).

• Your residence card (with your passport) is what you show when travelling. Unless otherwise stated on the card, it also proves your right to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

• If you do not yet have the card, travel may be risky; UDI notes the card documents your permit.

• Applying under this route while employed by a Norwegian employer (should be skilled worker route).

• Insufficient funds (below NOK 15,169/month in 2025/26) or not evidencing grants/balances clearly.

• No accommodation evidence in Norway.

• Missing or delaying biometrics/appointment (UDI cannot book this for you—use police/embassy/VFS channels).

• Assuming the permit counts towards permanent residence (it does not).

• I am a researcher with own funds (not employed by a Norwegian employer).

• I hold at least a master’s degree and will conduct research at a Norwegian institution.

• I can show NOK 15,169/month (2025/26) or equivalent annual funds, and I have accommodation.

• I have gathered identity and research documents per the relevant UDI checklist.

• I have paid the fee and booked an appointment at the police (in Norway) or embassy/VFS (abroad).

• I understand my work rights (20 hours/week; full-time in holidays) and that time on this permit does not count for permanent residence.

Q1. I have a Norwegian employer. Can I still use this route?
A. No. If you have a Norwegian employer, you must apply as a skilled worker.

Q2. How much money must I show?
A. At least NOK 15,169 per month (or NOK 166,859 per academic year in 2025/26).

Q3. Can I work alongside my research?
A. Yes—up to 20 hours/week (including remote work) and full-time during holidays.

Q4. Does time on this permit count towards permanent residence?
A. No, it does not count.

Q5. How do I book my appointment?
A. Book with the police (in Norway) or embassy/VFS (abroad) as instructed; UDI does not book appointments.

• Researcher with own funds: A person with at least a master’s degree conducting research in Norway without a Norwegian employer; funded by own funds, foreign salary or grants.

• Skilled worker (permit): Route for those employed by a Norwegian employer.

• Residence card: Credit-card-sized proof of your residence permit; used with your passport and generally valid for the same period as your permit; evidences Schengen 90/180 travel rights unless stated otherwise.

• SUA: Service Centre for Foreign Workers, where many applicants in Norway attend appointments.
  
  

This guide was written by Modoante using original research and information gathered from official education and immigration resources. Always verify deadlines and requirements on the official university or government portal before submitting your applications/documents.

Visit UDI: Immigration Directorate of Norway

This guide summarises official information from https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/ as accessed on 3 October 2025. Immigration rules change; always check the official website before applying. This is not legal advice.