Before Your Program Starts

Travel within the Schengen Area (such as Sweden) prior to the start of your program is possible, but not recommended. You will arrive in Norway as a tourist and must apply for your study permit within 90 days of entering Norway. Site staff will assist you in applying for your study permit. Because of the limited window, we do not recommend personal travel within the Schengen region prior to the start of the program.

During Your Program

While your study permit is valid, you can travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Always carry your passport and proof of your Norwegian residence status (documentation of acceptance to the program and your study permit)

After Your Program Ends

You are required to leave Norway and the Schengen Area no later than the expiration date of your study permit. There is no automatic grace period after your permit expires. Staying beyond this date without proper authorization may lead to legal consequences.

If you wish to stay in Norway or elsewhere in Europe after your program ends, you must leave the Schengen Area and re-enter on a short-stay tourist visa or under the visa-free 90/180 rule, if your nationality allows it. Note that this option typically requires leaving the Schengen Area (to, for example, the United Kingdom) and re-entering after the expiration of your study permit, and it’s not guaranteed.

A visa is stamped or sealed in your passport; it is NOT a separate document. It is official permission from a country to stay in that country. The type of visa indicates how long and under what circumstances you can be in a country.

IMPORTANT! CGEE students will apply together for group visa processing after we have all arrived in Norway.  DO NOT attempt to apply for the visa without CGEE’s detailed instructions and documentation! Applying on your own will delay or prevent your visa from being granted.

In preparation for applying for your study permit/visa once you arrive in Norway, please ensure you have the following information completed and readily accessible:

• A passport that is valid for six months after the end of your program.

• A printed admission letter from our partner institution, Østfold University of Applied Sciences (CGEE will guide you on how to apply to ØUAS)

• A printed document that shows that you have sufficient funds for the period you are in Norway (CGEE will provide this for you)

• A printed confirmation of your secured housing at SiO. (CGEE will prompt you to apply for housing)

Additionally, you will need to hand in the following documents in Norway (CGEE will help you with this in Norway):

• • Your passport and a copy of all used pages in your passport: View explanation

  • A signed signature form from the Application portal (or application form):  View explanation

  • UDI's checklist, filled out and signed (this list)

Note: Visas are typically valid until the end of February for the Fall semester and the end of August for the Spring semester.

Documentation for US Citizens: You must have a valid passport for participation in CGEE's study abroad programs. Your passport must be valid at least six months beyond the end date of the program. 

Documentation for students from outside the US: If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States and your passport is not valid for at least six months past the end date of the program, you will need to renew your passport. Contact CGEE immediately if you are applying for or renewing your passport.

Documentation for Independent Travel: It is your responsibility to know about and obtain any additional documentation you need for travel outside the areas you visit with your CGEE program. CGEE cannot assist you with travel or visa arrangements to destinations not directly related to the program. 

Passports

Be sure to obtain a passport if you do not have one. If you have one, be sure that it is valid until at least six months past your departure from the program.

To obtain a new passport, you will need to submit materials at an in-person appointment:

• Follow the Steps to Apply for a Passport In Person on the U.S. Department of State Website.

• Along with submitting materials, you will also need to pay for the passport fee. To see the most up-to-date costs please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html 

To renew your passport, you can renew by mail:

• Follow the steps to Renew (Your Passport) by Mail on the U.S. Department of State Website.

• Along with submitting materials, you will also need to pay for the passport fee. To see the most up-to-date costs please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html 

For complete information and application forms, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html    

Once you receive your passport, make a copy of the photo page to carry with you (in a separate place from your passport) when you travel. You will also need to upload a copy to your Global Gateway account (Passport Information questionnaire).

As a further safeguard, we require that you also bring a certified copy of your birth certificate (see above where this is described) in case you need to reapply for a lost passport during the semester. 

If you are under the age of 18 or are not a U.S. citizen, please contact our Minneapolis office, as there are special documentation procedures you will need to follow.