PR in Norway for Indians in 2025: Requirements, Process, Cost

What happens after graduating from Norway? After completing your studies, can you obtain Permanent Residency (PR) in Norway? Many Indian students have this question. Let us understand how to get PR for Norway after studying. 

There is a procedure for getting a permanent residence in Norway after studying in Norway, and it is essential to follow it thoroughly. In 2024, approximately 1,179 applicants from India received a PR for Norway within a month. Thus, getting a PR for Norway is easy and hassle-free. This article will explain the Norwegian PR pathway, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and practical advice for Indian nationals. Check out how to get a PR for Norway after studying for Indian students in this article. 

Norway Permanent Residence Highlights

What is a PR for Norway?

Considered an upgrade in status for all non-EU and non-Norwegian applicants, a PR, or permanent residence in Norway, is a permanent residence card in Norway. But, how to get a permanent residence status in Norway? The process of obtaining PR in Norway for Indian applicants is completely step-by-step, takes several months, requires specific documents, and retains an application non-refundable fee. A person can get this after he/she finish studying, and it is also a post-study work permit user benefit in Norway. This can be done after you complete your studies and have availed the post-study work permit benefits in Norway. You must find a full-time job or be self-employed to apply for a Norwegian PR. Studying in Norway and then applying for a PR has multiple benefits. Check out the following sections for details. 

Top Reasons Indians Choose to Study in Norway

Here's a brief look at the reasons Indian students are drawn to Norway before getting into the PR process:

• Norwegian universities rank some of the best in the world for their research focus, practical training, and flexible educational system. 
• Public universities in Norway offer free education to international students. The low or no tuition costs make Norway a good choice for students from countries with student fees and high tuition costs! Check out: How to Study for Free in Norway
• Norway offers a very high standard of living, world-class public healthcare, and excellent social benefits, as well as a comprehensive welfare system.
• Additionally, Norway is one of the safest countries for studying and ranks among the top 20 safest countries in the world. 
• Norwegian universities also attract students because they offer English-taught programs. With English widely spoken throughout the country, communication and integration are smooth and accessible.

Students in the long term aiming to get PR for Norway from India after studying can consider these takeaways before applying to study and living there permanently. 

How to Get PR for Norway After Studying: Step-by-Step

Are you an Indian student who has graduated from a top Norwegian university and wants to get PR for Norway? Check out the process below

1. Complete Your Ptogram and Apply for a Job-Seeker Visa

After graduation, international students (including Indians) need to apply for a Job Seeker Visa. This visa is valid for a year ot up to 12 months. This allows you to stay in Norway while looking for a job relevant to your field. Norway PR requirements for latest applicants after studying coming from India as well are as follows:

• Valid passport
• Completed a degree from a Norwegian institution
• Proof of funds (~NOK 139,347 as of 2025)
• Health insurance
• 6.5 or above IELTS score for Norway 

2. Get a Skilled Worker Job and Apply for a Residence Permit

Once you get a full-time, skilled job in Norway, you can only then apply for a Skilled Worker Residence Permit. This permit is crucial for your PR journey. Eligibility for Skilled Worker Residence Permit:

• Job offer in a skilled field (e.g., IT, healthcare, engineering)
• Salary must meet Norwegian standards (usually NOK 456,000 or more annually)
• Education must match the job requirements
• Once you have this residence permit, the countdown to PR begins.

3. Live and Work in Norway for 3 Years Continuously

To be eligible for PR in Norway, you must live and work continuously for at least 3 years on a valid residence permit (not including the job-seeker visa). Conditions to fulfil Norway P requirements for Indians are:

• You must not stay outside Norway for over 7 months during the 3 years.
• You must continue to work or have sufficient income to support yourself.
• You must learn the Norwegian language (A2 level minimum) and pass a social studies course.

4. Apply for Norwegian PR

After completing 3 years of stay in Norway (continuously), you can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit (permanent oppholdstillatelse). The Norway PR requirements for Indian nationals are listed below. Documents Required for PR in Norway are:

• Proof of residence in Norway for 3 years
• Employment contracts and tax documents
• A2 language level achievement for Norwegian and social studies course certificates (Check out why Norwegian is the Easiest Language to Learn after English)
• Valid passport and biometrics
• Police clearance certificate or PCC (if applicable)

The PR application processing time in Norway is 2–3 months. Once approved, you’ll receive a PR card that allows you to live, work, and study in Norway indefinitely.

5. Submit PR for Norway Application Fee

For international applicants or applicants applying as job seekers, they can pay the following fee:

The fee is dynamic and can change without prior notice. Thus, you must check the application fee for PR in Norway when applying.

Benefits of Norway Permanent Residence

If your application for PR in Norway gets accepted, here is a host of benefits permanent residency would offer:

• You can reside, live, and work in Norway permanently as an EU citizen. You can come and go from Norway without notifying anyone to maintain your residency in Norway.
• You would not be deported from Norway if you possess a valid residence permit for Norway, even if you are financially unable to support yourself.
• Since Norway has a robust social welfare system, individuals holding permanent residence in Norway are fully eligible.
• Another benefit of obtaining a PR in Norway is that individuals with a PR can also sponsor their family members for a Norwegian PR.
• Since Norway's healthcare and education systems are exemplary, they can be a significant advantage for Norwegian permanent resident cardholders.

Ideally, these are some of the key benefits of holding a PR in Norway for Indian applicants who have studied there.

Extra Tips for Indian Students Before Applying for Norwegian PR

Since Norway is one of the best countries to work for Indians, applicants can also look at the following tips to get a PR for Norway. To get a sure-shot approval on PR for Norway, Indian applicants must note the following tips:

• Start learning the Norwegian language during your studies. While many jobs require English, speaking Norwegian increases your chances of employment and integration, especially if you want to apply for a PR in Norway.
• Organise all your employment letters, tax returns, contracts, and permit approvals. You will need these documents during your PR application. 
• Other companies have experience in employing foreign workers and can facilitate your work permit applications and help you adapt to the Norwegian workplace culture.
• Being late for a visa renewal or language course can restart your PR eligibility clock. Schedule reminders on your calendar or use reminder apps.
• Once you acquire PR, numerous Indians tend to apply for Norwegian citizenship. Dual citizenship is permitted in Norway (as of 2020), so you do not necessarily have to surrender the Indian passport. But dual citizenship is not permitted by India but rather OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) status only.

Note: You can apply for Norwegian citizenship after 7 years of legal stay, which includes your time on a study and work permit.

To summarise, the PR for Norway for Indian applicants or Indian students in Norway, the road to permanent residency is clear but requires strategic planning. PR becomes a realistic and rewarding goal by studying in a high-demand field, securing a skilled job, and staying compliant with visa rules. 

Norway offers a degree and a long-term lifestyle opportunity, making it one of the best destinations for Indian students who want to study, work, and settle in Europe.