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Before arrival checklist

Visa and residence permit

All international students moving to Norway must apply for a study permit.

How to apply for a study permit depends if you are an EU/EEA national, or a non-EU/EEA national. 

Students from non-EU/EEA countries 

  1. Non-EU/EEA national must apply for the visa immediately after you receive your Letter of Acceptance from UiA. 
  2. Non-EU/EEA nationals from visa-free countries can enter Norway without a visa and apply for the study permit from Norway. 

How to apply for non-EU/EEA nationals

  1. Register an application for a study permit online. 
    • Submit your application online. 
    • Pay the application fee (in 2022: NOK 5900,-) 
    • Book an appointment to hand in your documents at your nearest Norwegian Embassy/Consulate 
  2. Print out UDI’s checklist and gather the required documents
  3. Hand in the application at your nearest Norwegian Embassy/Consulate 
  4. Register at the Police Station in Kristiansand after arrival (this meeting will be organized by UiA in cooperation with the local police) 

Applicants who cannot register their application online must fill in the application form for a first-time residence permit and apply through the nearest Norwegian Embassy/Consulate in the country of residence. 

If you are unsure what rules apply to your situation, contact the Norwegian Embassy or Consulate General in your home country for information on procedures or check the webpage of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). International Education Office cannot answer any questions in regard to the visa process. 

Always check the latest application procedures for your country on UDI’s website. 

How to apply for non-EU/EEA visa-free nationals 

  1. Register an application for a study permit online. 
    • Submit your application online and choose to apply from Norway
    • Pay the application fee (in 2022: NOK 5900,-) 
    • Book an appointment for a date as soon as possible after your arrival at the Police Station in Kristiansand or Arendal.
  2. Print out UDI’s checklist and gather the required documents
  3. Hand in the application at the Police Station in Kristiansand or Arendal

Residence Card 

A residence card is a plastic card that proves that you have been granted a residence permit in Norway. The police will order your residence card after you have been to the police and this will be sent to your Norwegian address. 

Students from EU/EEA countries 

EU/EEA students have to register with the Police if staying in Norway for more than 3 months. Please register online as soon as possible after you arrive. Please note that you should not name a reference person in your online application as this will delay the process. 

As part of the registration process, you are required to hand in the required documents in person at the Police Station in Kristiansand. This meeting will be organized by UiA in cooperation with the local police and you will receive more information about the procedure during orientation. 

If you are unsure about the registration process, you are advised to contact the nearest Norwegian Embassy/Consulate or check the webpage of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Insurance

All students from EU/EEA countries must bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), obtainable in their own home countries, which entitles them to medical care under the Norwegian National Health Scheme. Expenses related to dental care and illnesses contracted before arrival in Norway are not covered.

International students from other parts of the world must be covered by insurance from their home countries in order to apply for reimbursement after receiving Norwegian health services. However, as a student in Norway you may also apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme on arrival in Norway. More information about the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

It is the student's responsibility to make insurance arrangements for any accident, illness, injury, loss or damage to persons or property resulting from, or in any way connected with, the study period in Norway. We recommend that all students staying more than one year also obtain insurance to protect them against any damage that may occur in the student residence. Students staying more than one year must be enrolled in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme and may choose a primary doctor. More information about the primary doctor arrangement will be given when the student obtains a Norwegian identity number.

Accommodation

SiA Housing - official student housing

Student housing in Kristiansand and Grimstad is offered by The Student Association of Agder (SiA). 

All exchange students can apply for student housing at SiA and you will receive information on how to apply once you have been accepted as a student. 

International students from outside EU/EEA who are spending a minimum of one semester at the University of Agder are guaranteed student housing in shared or single rooms.

Learn more about student housing. 

Private Accommodation

In order to find private accommodation in Kristiansand and Grimstad, students can browse through different websites. The two main ones are hybel.no and finn.no. These two websites are in Norwegian but can be translated with a translator extension or tool. Airbnb could offer some options as well.

Students might also receive housing options on their respective UiA Facebook group.

Although rent may vary considerably from one option to another, the average prices can range between NOK 3900 to NOK 5000. Please note that certain rooms might not be furnished entirely, so it’s best to check beforehand.

Other things to take into consideration are potential deposits, proximity to the university campus and proximity to the city centre. Please contact the International Office if you have any questions.

Living costs and money

Moving to a new country can be challenging and exciting. To assist with the planning of your living expenses during your stay in Norway, we have below provided you with some examples to give you an idea of the living expenses for a student in Norway:

  • Student housing (SiA Housing): from NOK 3900 per month
  • Public transportation card for students (one month): NOK 520
  • Textbooks (one semester): NOK 1600-3500
  • Dinner (student cafeteria): NOK 40-100
  • Dinner (inexpensive restaurant): approx. NOK 120-160
  • Cinema ticket: approx. NOK 150
  • Gym membership NOK 399 (student price at Spicheren Gym)
  • Trips with Erasmus Student Network, from NOK 1100 for a weekend

There are no tuition fees at the University of Agder. Exchange students are also exempt from the semester fee, but International degree seeking students must pay a semester fee of approximately NOK 800 per semester.

How to get to Kristiansand

By air:

  • Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik (KRS) is situated about 12 kilometres from the centre of Kristiansand. The airport offers international connections to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Gdansk. In addition, there are daily connections to Norwegian cities, such as Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger. More information and schedules are available at Avinor.

There are regular airport buses into the central bus station (Rutebilstasjonen) and the trip takes about 30 minutes and costs NOK 50 for students. Check out AKT.no for schedules

  • Oslo Torp (TRF) is situated about 220 kilometres from Kristiansand. The airport offers daily international connections to many European cities, such as London, Warsaw, Milano and Amsterdam. Cheap airlines, such as www.ryanair.com have daily schedules to Torp. More information about Torp

Many bus companies operate between Torp and Kristiansand, and the trip takes about 3,5 hours and cost around NOK 200 for students. The following bus company has one scheduled bus per day straight from Torp Airport to Kristiansand a day www.laprisekspressen.no, and these companies have several buses a day from Fokserød (about 3 kilometres from the airport, a local bus is available, otherwise take a taxi) www.nor-way.no and www.konkurrenten.no

By ferry:

Color Line (all year) and Fjordline (summer only) offers frequent departures between Hirtshals (DK) and Kristiansand. Travelling by boat may be less expensive than travelling by air, and you have a larger luggage allowance. 


Additionally, there is also the option to travel by ferry from the Netherlands (Eemshaven, Groningen) to Kristiansand. More information can be found here. 

To obtain student discounts on transport, please show your admission letter.

By car:

For driving instructions to Kristiansand from any of the main cities, please consult one of the many route planners, such as this one. Campus Kristiansand is easily accessible and well signposted from the main road. Parking is free outside the student accommodation (except Kristian IV's gate).

By rail:

Kristiansand is a main station on the train line between Oslo and Stavanger. For schedules and prices, please consult Vy.

Arrival service:

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN)  organize Arrival-service for new international students at the beginning of each semester. The service includes students arriving at the central bus-station at downtown Kristiansand and transportation to your accommodation.

How to get to Grimstad

By air:

  • Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik (KRS) is situated about 40 kilometres from Grimstad. The airport offers international connections to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Gdansk. In addition, there are daily connections to Norwegian cities, such as Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger. More information and schedules are available at Avinor.

There are regular airport buses from the airport to Grimstad and the trip takes 50 minutes and cost about NOK 100 for students. Check out AKT.no for schedules.

  • Oslo Torp (TRF) is situated about 180 kilometres from Grimstad. The airport offers daily international connections to many European cities, such as London, Warsaw, Milano and Amsterdam. Cheap airlines, such as www.ryanair.com have daily schedules to Torp. More information about Torp

Many bus companies operate between Torp and Grimstad and the trip takes about 2,5 hours and cost around NOK 200 for students. The following bus company has one scheduled bus per day straight from Torp Airport to Grimstad a day: www.laprisekspressen.no. These bus companies have several buses a day from Fokserød (about 3 kilometres from the airport, a local bus is available, otherwise take a taxi): www.nor-way.no and www.konkurrenten.no

By ferry:

Color Line (all year) and Fjordline (summer only) offers frequent departures between Hirtshals (DK) and Kristiansand. Travelling by boat may be less expensive than travelling by air, and you have a larger luggage allowance. The Kristiansand bus terminal is next to the ferry terminal and there are frequent buses to Campus Grimstad.

To obtain student discounts on transport, please show your admission letter.

By car:

For driving instructions to Grimstad from any of the main cities, please consult one of the many route planners. Campus Grimstad is easily accessible and well signposted from the main road. Parking is free outside the student accommodation.

Pick-up service:

Students to Campus Grimstad will be met by a buddy from the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) or a representative from the International Education Office. The Erasmus buddy will let you know where the meeting point is before your arrival.

What to bring

Essential items to bring with you to Norway:

  • Valid passport (even though you can enter Norway with an ID card, this is not accepted if you want to open a bank account)
  • Copies of passport
  • Passport photos
  • Tickets/travel documents
  • VISA/Master Card/ACCESS 
  • Phone numbers and e-mail addresses of emergency contacts at home and at UiA
  • Visa granted by UDI (if applicable)
  • Your Letter of Admission from UiA
  • European Health Insurance Card / private insurance documents
  • Insurance arrangements for any accident, illness, injury, loss or damage to persons or property
  • Translated prescriptions for medications you take and a fresh supply of prescription medicines. Please note that the exact prescription drug may not be available for you in Norway

Other items to pack:

  • Necessary items for the bedroom like bed linen/sleeping bag (can also be purchased at IKEA/Jysk at a reasonable price)
    • Please note that pillows and duvets are not included in SiA Student Housing. 
  • Clothes and shoes that are suitable for cold weather in the winter
  • Adapters for electrical appliances, if necessary (Norwegian standard outlets use 230 volts)
  • Favourite recipes and items for sharing your culture with others: music, photographs etc.
  • Don't forget your camera!

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