đšđ©đ§đŠ Students with family, accommodation, childcare, finances, and support services available to UiT students
Planning to bring your partner and/or children to Norway? This page provides practical information about family immigration, accommodation, childcare, and support services available to UiT students.
đ Quick overview
- Check the family immigration requirements.
- Make sure you can meet the financial requirements.
- Apply for family accommodation as early as possible.
- Review childcare and school options.
- Contact the Student Counselling Centre if you need support or advice.
â ïž Important immigration information
UiT cannot make decisions about residence permits, visas, or family immigration applications. If you have questions about your application, please contact the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), a Norwegian Embassy, or a Norwegian Consulate directly.
Family immigration applications can take a long time to process, often 5-9 months or longer. Make sure all required documents are submitted correctly and as early as possible.
Family immigration applications are processed by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
To bring family members to Norway, you will normally need to document:
- Sufficient income
- Suitable family accommodation
- The required family relationship documentation
The minimum income requirement is currently approximately NOK 368,683 before tax per year (subject to change by UDI).
đĄ Recommendation: If possible, submit your family immigration application at the same time as your student residence permit application and before travelling to Norway.
Applications submitted after arrival may take around 12 months to process and may not be completed during your study period.
UiT and the Student Counselling Centre cannot influence or prioritise applications processed by UDI.
UiT's housing guarantee, as stated in the Letter for Visa Purposes, applies only to single student rooms. It does not apply to family apartments.
If you plan to move to Norway with family members, contact the Housing Department as early as possible and begin exploring alternative housing options.
â ïž Important: Family apartments are very limited and often have long waiting lists. We strongly recommend considering private housing options as well.
Norway has a relatively high cost of living compared to many other countries. Before bringing your family, we strongly recommend preparing a realistic budget.
Remember to include expenses such as:
- Housing and utilities
- Food and daily expenses
- Childcare and school-related costs
- Transportation
- Insurance
The Arctic Student Welfare Organisation operates several kindergartens for children aged 0-6 years.
Kindergarten places are not free of charge, but reduced parental fees may be available depending on your family's financial situation.
If you are pregnant and have questions about starting your studies, we recommend contacting the Admission Office as early as possible.
Email: admissions@uit.no
Depending on your situation, it may be possible to apply for deferred admission.
â ïž Please note: Eligibility for parental and social benefits in Norway depends on several factors. In many cases, students must have lived or studied in Norway for a period of time before qualifying.
Many international students choose to leave their partner and/or children at home while completing their studies in Norway.
Temporary separation can be emotionally challenging. If you need support, free and confidential counselling is available.
The Student Counselling Centre offers free and confidential support to UiT students.
Counsellors can provide guidance on:
- Family reunification questions
- Financial support and benefits for families
- Childcare and kindergarten options
- Personal wellbeing and adjustment to life in Norway
â Final tip: Planning early is the key to a successful move with your family. We recommend researching immigration requirements, accommodation, childcare, and living costs well before your departure to Norway.
Last changed: 30.07.2026 13.18
