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Last modified: 2026-10-02

# Studying in Norway as a Russian Citizen: Study Permit via VFS, the Below-Master's Restriction, Fees and Degree Recognition

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A Russian citizen can study in Norway, but the realistic level is a master's degree. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) states that, because of the situation in Russia, Russian citizens may find it difficult to obtain a study permit below master's level, with each application assessed individually; the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow adds that without exceptional circumstances such a permit is hard to obtain. The application is registered online, the $561 (NOK 5,400) fee is paid by Visa or Mastercard, and documents are submitted at a VFS Global visa centre in Russia. Since autumn 2023 study has been fee-paying for non-EU/EEA citizens: $5,194–30,647 (NOK 50,000–295,000) a year, plus $17,699 (NOK 170,368) for living costs in 2026/27, which must be placed in a Norwegian account. There is no recognition agreement with Norway, but four Norwegian universities are on Russian list No. 186-r.

| At a glance | Position in October 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| Study document | Study permit (studietillatelse) |
| Who decides | UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration |
| Where Russian citizens submit documents | In person at a VFS Global centre in Russia, by appointment; application and fee online |
| Programme level | Below master's: UDI says a permit may be difficult to obtain, and the embassy says it is hard without exceptional circumstances; master's is the workable route |
| Fee | $561 (NOK 5,400), under 18: $281 (NOK 2,700); Visa or Mastercard only |
| Living funds 2026/27 | $17,699 (NOK 170,368) per academic year, in a Norwegian or university deposit account |
| Tuition | $5,194–30,647 (NOK 50,000–295,000) a year; medicine costs more |
| Recognition in Russia | No agreement; the University of Bergen, NTNU, the University of Oslo and UiT are on list No. 186-r |

A historic University of Oslo building in the city centre, March 2008. Photo: Andy Mitchell / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:University_of_Oslo_(2327908238).jpg), [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0).

## What this guide covers and where the rest lives {#section-1}

This page covers what differs for a Russian citizen: UDI's position on programme level, filing through VFS and paying the fee, moving money into a Norwegian account, the end of exchanges and recognition at home. Deadlines and university requirements are in [applying to Norwegian universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-norwegian-universities), the full permit checklist in [the Norway study permit guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-norway-study-permit), and master's programmes and fees in [master's in Norway](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-norway). The country overview is on [Study in Norway](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-norway).

## Routes after grade 9, grade 11, college or a degree {#section-2}

| Starting point | Realistic route | What to keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grades 9–10 | For most pupils from Russia there is practically no route; UDI makes one exception for Russian nationals living in the Barents region, who can get a permit for a general upper secondary programme | Everyone else runs into UDI's position on study below master's level, and a bachelor's later still needs a year of university on top of the certificate |
| Grade 11 certificate | First a year or more at a Russian university; a Norwegian bachelor's remains unlikely because of UDI's position | Under Norway's GSU list, the Russian certificate counts only together with a year of university |
| College diploma (Russian SPO) | Individual assessment by HK-dir; the permit-level problem is the same as for a bachelor's | College does not automatically replace the university year |
| Bachelor's or specialist degree | An English-taught master's | Applications in October–December a year ahead; a completed degree is required |
| Student at a Russian university | Exchange is not an option at present | Exchanges between Norwegian and Russian universities are suspended |

Russian citizens may apply for bachelor's programmes on general terms, and a university may admit them. But UDI decides on the permit separately, and its position for that level is unfavourable. Weigh the risk of a permit refusal before paying bachelor's tuition.

## Why the master's level works {#section-3}

A Norwegian master's is 120 credits, two years, and most programmes for international students are taught in English. Points for graduates of Russian universities:

- Early deadlines. For non-EU/EEA applicants, portals open around 15 October and close between 1 November and 1 December a year before the start; the 1 March and 15 April dates apply to EU/EEA citizens.
- A completed degree. UiT states that it only accepts completed education by the application deadline from non-EU/EEA applicants, and NTNU allows spring graduates to submit documents later only if they are EU/EEA citizens. In practice many apply after graduating, with a gap year.
- Funds in the application itself. NTNU, the University of Bergen and UiT require proof of funds when you apply to the programme, and UiT rejects applications without it.
- Official translations. UiT does not accept self-made or AI translations and does not consider applications from agencies: applicants register themselves.
- English. Most programmes at the University of Oslo and NTNU require IELTS Academic 6.5 in each part, TOEFL iBT 90+ or PTE Academic 62+, with results no older than two years.

## The study permit from Russia: steps and pitfalls {#section-4}

1. Tuition paid or waived. After admission the university sends an invoice: the University of Oslo, for example, expects payment within two weeks and only then issues confirmation for the permit.
2. Living funds in a Norwegian account. UDI accepts funds in a Norwegian account or in a deposit account named by the university: SiO in Oslo, Sammen in Bergen, the university's own account at NTNU. Money in a Russian or other foreign account does not count.
3. Online application and fee. The application is registered on the UDI portal and the fee is paid by Visa or Mastercard. The Norwegian Embassy in Moscow warns that if neither you nor your contact person in Norway can pay online, you cannot apply. So decide well in advance who will pay the fee and with which card.
4. Submission at VFS. Documents are submitted in person at a VFS Global centre in Russia by appointment; you cannot go to the embassy or post documents. Appointments are scarce and waits can run to weeks.
5. UDI decision. Processing times vary through the year; the University of Bergen advises applying by 1 July for the autumn semester. A refusal comes with written reasons and can be appealed.
6. Entry and police. After approval a visa sticker is placed in the passport; in Norway the police take your photo and order the residence card.

Citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Armenia may also file in Russia. In Kazakhstan, VFS accepts applications and the Norwegian Embassy in Ankara handles them; UDI decides in every case.

## What has changed for Russian citizens since 2022 {#section-5}

- On 22 September 2022 Norway suspended the visa facilitation agreement with Russia.
- Since 29 May 2024 entry of Russian citizens for tourism has been restricted. The Norwegian government clarifies that the restriction does not apply to those travelling to study or work or to residence permit holders.
- The European Commission's decision of 6 November 2025 on multiple-entry visas concerns short-stay Schengen visas and does not apply to study permits.
- Exchanges between Norwegian and Russian universities are suspended, so an exchange semester from a Russian university is not currently an option.

## Money: tuition, the deposit and transfers from Russia {#section-6}

For 2026/27, public institutions charge non-EU/EEA citizens from $5,194 (NOK 50,000) to $30,647 (NOK 295,000) a year, and medicine at the University of Oslo costs $59,113 (NOK 569,000). From 1 August 2026 institutions may price below cost, but the duty to charge remains. On top comes the $17,699 (NOK 170,368) living deposit, which is paid back in instalments after arrival. The first year of a master's costs roughly from $28,000 at a regional university to $49,000 or more in Oslo.

The transfer from Russia is the tightest point in the timeline: two large sums in kroner must be sent within a few weeks between admission and the permit application. The Bank of Russia confirms that residents may pay for study abroad but warns of delays and returns by foreign correspondent banks. Lawful options are a transfer from a Russian bank that has confirmed it can pay this recipient, or from an account of the student or a relative at a bank in a third country. Test the route with a small transfer early; details are in [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia), and the annual budget in [the cost of studying in Norway](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-norway).

## Will Russia recognise a Norwegian degree? {#section-7}

Russia and Norway have no intergovernmental agreement on recognition of education. List No. 186-r (version of 19 February 2026) includes four Norwegian universities: the [University of Bergen](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-bergen), the [Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-ntnu), the [University of Oslo](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-oslo) and UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Their degrees are recognised in Russia without a procedure. Degrees from other Norwegian institutions, including university colleges, are recognised by Rosobrnadzor on application via Gosuslugi, with a state fee of RUB 6,500.

## Plan for a master's starting in autumn 2027 {#section-8}

| When | What a Russian citizen does |
| --- | --- |
| September–October 2026 | Choose programmes, take IELTS or TOEFL, arrange official translations |
| 15 October – 1 December 2026 | Apply on the university portal; proof of funds if the university requires it |
| February–April 2027 | Results; decide in advance how tuition, the deposit and the UDI fee will be paid |
| April–June 2027 | Tuition, living deposit, housing, UDI application, VFS appointment |
| By 1 July 2027 | Submit documents at VFS to be in time for the semester |
| August 2027 | Entry, police appointment, residence card |

## Common mistakes by Russian applicants {#section-9}

- Paying bachelor's tuition without accounting for UDI's position on levels below master's.
- Keeping the funds in a Russian account. UDI accepts only a Norwegian account or the university's deposit account.
- Not deciding in advance how to pay the UDI fee. Without online card payment the application cannot be filed.
- Following deadlines meant for Europeans. For non-EU/EEA applicants applications close months earlier.
- Applying with an unfinished degree where only completed education is accepted.
- Postponing the VFS booking: free slots are few.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Can Russian citizens study in Norway in 2026?

Yes, primarily at master's level. Universities admit Russian citizens on general terms, but UDI decides on the permit, and UDI warns that Russian citizens may find it difficult to obtain a permit for study below master's level.

### Can I go to Norway right after grade 11?

Not directly: under Norway's GSU list the certificate must be supplemented by a year of university study. In addition, UDI warns that a bachelor's-level study permit may be difficult for Russian citizens to obtain, so the realistic route is a master's after a Russian university degree. The university decides on admission and UDI on the permit.

### Is study in Norway free for Russian citizens?

No. Since autumn 2023 public institutions charge non-EU/EEA citizens: for 2026/27, $5,194–30,647 (NOK 50,000–295,000) a year. Any fee waiver is granted by the university under its own rules.

### Where does a Russian citizen apply for a Norwegian study permit?

The application is registered online on the UDI portal, and documents are submitted in person at a VFS Global centre in Russia by appointment. The fee is paid online by Visa or Mastercard, and UDI makes the decision.

### How much money is needed for a Norwegian study permit?

$17,699 (NOK 170,368) for the 2026/27 academic year, or $1,609 (NOK 15,488) a month. The money must be held in a Norwegian account or the university's deposit account; tuition and the $561 (NOK 5,400) fee come on top.

### Does Russia recognise a Norwegian degree?

Degrees from the University of Bergen, NTNU, the University of Oslo and UiT are on list No. 186-r and are recognised without a procedure. For other Norwegian institutions, Rosobrnadzor decides on application via Gosuslugi, with a state fee of RUB 6,500.

## Sources {#section-11}

- [UDI: study permit for Russian citizens](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/studies/studietillatelse/?c=rus) and [UDI fees](https://www.udi.no/en/about-the-udi/fees/), from the StudyU Norway permit guide, checked 29.09.2026; UDI's position on study below master's level and the Barents region exception re-read 02.10.2026
- [Norwegian Embassy in Moscow: studying in Norway](https://www.norway.no/ru/russia/service-info/studying/), [applications and fee payment](https://www.norway.no/ru/russia/service-info/visitors-visa-res-permit/), from StudyU guides, checked 29.09.2026
- [Norwegian government: entry restrictions for Russian citizens, Q&A](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokument/dep/jd/strammer-inn-innreisemulighetene-for-russiske-borgere-sporsmal-og-svar/id3040438/), from the StudyU permit guide, checked 29.09.2026
- [HK-dir: GSU list of foreign entrance qualifications](https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/lists-and-databases/higher-education-entrance-qualification-gsu), from the StudyU admission guide, checked 29.09.2026
- University requirements, deadlines and fees: [University of Oslo master's admission](https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/index.html) and [tuition](https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/tuition/index.html), [NTNU how to apply](https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/imp/how_to_apply), [UiT admission](https://en.uit.no/admission), [University of Bergen first-time study permit](https://www4.uib.no/en/studies/admission-and-application/first-time-study-permit), [Study in Norway: cost and requirements](https://studyinnorway.no/cost-and-requirements), from StudyU guides, checked 29.09.2026; the NOK 170,368 figure re-checked 02.10.2026
- [Bank of Russia: cross-border transfers (updated 01.06.2026)](https://www.cbr.ru/faq/w_fin_sector/transgranichnie_perevodi/), checked 02.10.2026
- [Russian Government Order No. 186-r](http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202302020018), as amended by [Order No. 103-r of 22.01.2024](https://www.garant.ru/products/ipo/prime/doc/408329851/), Order No. 126-r of 27.01.2025 and [Order No. 298-r of 19.02.2026](http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202602200041)
- [Rosobrnadzor: recognition of foreign education and the state fee](https://obrnadzor.gov.ru/gosudarstvennye-uslugi-i-funkczii/gosudarstvennye-uslugi/priznanie-inostrannogo-obrazovaniya-i-ili-inostrannoj-kvalifikaczii/), checked 02.10.2026

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rates of 01.10.2026: €1 = $1.1298 and €1 = NOK 10.875.

If you want to work through your route, send a [request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply): document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Studying in Norway for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-norway)
- [Applying to Norwegian Universities: Requirements, Deadlines and Steps](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-norwegian-universities)
- [Norway Study Permit: Requirements and Process for Russian and CIS Applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-norway-study-permit)
- [Master's Degrees in Norway: English-Taught Programmes, Requirements and Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-norway)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Cost of Studying in Norway in 2026/27: Tuition, Living Costs and a Full Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-norway)

Updated: October 2026