NB: this website is directed towards international students who have received an invitation letter for prospective PhD scholar from NVH.
Residence permit
You must apply for a residence permit (or visa) at least two months in advance of your date of arrival at the Norwegian foreign service mission closest to you. Exception: EU/EEA/EFTA nationals may enter Norway and apply from here. The letter of invitation from the school must be submitted with the application.
How to be granted a residence permit to study or attend school in Norway. Please read the fact sheets in the right hand blue column on the UDI website.
Scholars on salaries should apply for work permits.
Department of Finances and Human Resources is responsible for sending out a letter, contract and practical information.
Documentation of financial support
Self-financing PhD-students outside EU and EEA need to document a certain amount (presently NOK 85 000 for one academic year) in a Norwegian bank account in order to be granted a student residence permit/visa in Norway. Information about SiO deposit account.
Quota and NUFU students: your letter of invitation will function as your documentation of financing.
Accommodation
Scholars, who will be living on a student grant, or the equivalent, are eligible to apply for subsidized student housing at the Foundation for Student Life (SiO) in Oslo. Scholars/Students must apply themselves here. How to fill in the application form, please see the link “transport from the airport/transport to the school” below.
We advise you to arrive during the weekdays between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the students residence reception desks at Kringsjå (Sognsveien 218) and SiO center (Kristian Ottosens hus at Blindern) are open. Housing information from SiO.
All scholars/students who live in student accommodation must pay a semester fee to the student organization once they have arrived (approx. NOK 440 pr semester). Dept of Academic Affairs (SFA) issues the semester fee giro/invoice.
Scholars who will be employed at the school and receive a salary are not entitled to use student accommodation. Accommodation must be sought on the private market.
The school has a limited number of bedsits on campus for short term stays. Only the department may apply for such bedsits.
Travelling and practical matters
Scholars are expected to make their own way from the airport to their accommodation and the school. Some academic departments/advisers, however, may arrange to pick up new arrivals at the airport.
Transport from the airport/transport to the school
We advise you to bring some Norwegian currency (approx. 2000 NOK) with you when arrive in Norway, or to exchange money at the airport. You will need to pay for the transportation to Oslo city center.
Airport Express Train
Getting around Oslo: By bus or tram
We strongly advise you to take out travel insurance before you leave your home country and to insure all valuables against theft in Norway.
Here are some links to information concerning studying and living in Norway:
http://www.studyinnorway.no/
http://www.uio.no/english/student_life/budget.html
http://www.visitoslo.com/en/
http://www.norway.info/
Maps
Map of Oslo
Map of NVH
What to do once you have arrived
In the links below you will find step by step information about what to do once you have arrived Oslo:
PhD and staff
NUFU-students
Quota-students
Self-financing students
Health Insurance
Non-EU/EEA Students: If you have a residence permit for 12 months or more in Norway you automatically become insured under the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden) when you register as a student and as a resident in Norway. This entitles you to social security coverage with regard to health insurance. If you are staying in Norway for less than 12 month you must apply to be a member. We advise you to apply before arrival in Norway.
Read more about the National Insurance Scheme here.
EU/EEA Students: You must have health insurance coverage from your home country. Bring your European Health Insurance Card with you to provide evidence that you are entitled to necessary medical treatment.
The Foundation for Student Welfare in Oslo – SiO
SiO is a welfare organization for students. When you pay the semester fee you have access to a wide range of their services.
Presentation of SiO's welfare services.
The health service has general practitioners (GP) for students as well as psychologists, social workers and dentists. The dental service offers reasonable prices for treatment. Payment to the health service may only be made with debit/credit cards.
Information from the Student Health Services.
You are recommended to submit a Medical History Form to the Student Health Services so that they can provide you with the best possible medical services.
The Medical History Form.
You may use the Student Health Care as your GP. Submit the form “Skjema for fastlegeordningen” (“Form for the regular GP scheme”) after you have been issued a Norwegian personal identity number. This form is available at the Dept. of Academic Affairs, but you must send the form yourself to: Student Health Service, SiO, Blindern Campus, PB 94, 0314 Oslo. Please note: Until you are assigned a GP as your regular doctor at the Student Health Service, you must pay NOK 100 for each consultation. After you are assigned a GP at the Student Health Service, consultations are provided at no charge, but there is a fee for blood tests, vaccines and health certificates. Please see the SiO website for more information: www.sio.no.
International students must also undergo a mandatory examination consisting of a chest x-ray and tuberculosis test within the first two weeks after arriving in Norway. The examination is performed at Ullevål University Hospital. Map.
Renewal of Residence Permits
You are responsible for applying for a renewal of your student residence permit each year. The academic department is responsible for writing the letter which you will need when you re-apply. The application must be submitted to the police in the district where you live. At present, due to heavy work-load, it can take up to six months to get a renewal. For more information, please see the UDI website
If you have further questions or need help, please get in touch with "Studieavdelingen"/ Department of Academic Affairs and Research Administration on the second floor, building one.
Mail: studieavd@veths.no
Tel: +47 22962415