So, you’ve finally decided to leave the country and start a new life internationally, and you’ve chosen Norway as your destination. Congratulations! Whether you’re seeking new opportunities or you’re getting away from the dumpster fire that is the American economy and politics, you’ll find Norway to be a fantastic change of pace. There’s a reason so many people who immigrate here find a home.

 

The culture here is completely unique and radically different to anything you’ve known before, and that’s definitely a compliment to the nation. You’ll quickly see why so many folks are proud to live in one of the best and most delightful countries in Europe, if not in the entirety of the world.

 

Scandinavian life isn’t something most people can jump right into without a tiny bit of preparation. Luckily for you, this guide is here to help you make heads and tails of what life is going to be like for you, and to help you figure out what steps you need to take to actually make it happen.

 

You can’t just hop on a plane, get your boots on Norwegian soil and expect to be fine. Getting there and getting settled is a process. While you’d be forgiven for wanting to cast off and start your Norwegian adventure right away, there are a few things you need to keep in mind and some planning you’ll need to do. Here’s what you need to know.

Obtaining a Residence Permit

Immigration to Norway isn’t as difficult as other countries in Europe – or, for that matter, in the rest of Scandinavia – but it also isn’t straightforward, either. As the name might suggest, the Directorate of Immigration, also called the UDI, is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to immigration in the country. Their rules, regulations and guidelines are many, but the foundation to almost everything is the requirement that you must have a residence permit. Residence permits are special visas that allow you to legally stay in the country for a period of time. These permits are granted under three circumstances, which we’ll go over next.

 

The most common way to obtain a residence permit is through a work visa. Typically, you’re expected to already have a job offer from a Norwegian company or a stable job that requires you to relocate to Norway in order to live there for employment reasons. In the case of the latter, your company will likely take care of all of the arrangements for you with little work on your part.

 

You may fill out some forms, and you may need to make sure your passport and other documents are in order, but any corporation worth their salt that needs you in Norway is going to make sure everything is lined up for you. Otherwise, you’ll need to have an offer from a Norwegian company or a business of your own.

 

You can also immigrate on an education visa, though this has a few different caveats. Scandinavian education is world renowned for being top notch and low cost, sometimes even completely free. Norway is one of those countries that don’t charge any tuition, even to foreigners. The difficulty with student visas, however, is that competition for places in their universities is fierce. Furthermore, time spent in Norway under a student permit does not count towards the mandatory three year residential period required for permanent residence.

 

Finally, you can get in if you have family members who are citizens, or if you plan on marrying a citizen. If you plan on marrying, you must provide documented proof that you intend to marry within the next six months, and that you and your spouse intend to live in Norway together after being married.

Daily Life

Once you’re settled, you may be surprised to find that life in Norway is similar to what you know, but drastically happier. It’s true! Norway consistently ranks among the top five happiest nations in the world, rivaled only by Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland – all fellow Scandinavian countries. The economy is based in what some call ‘cuddly capitalism’, which is a market economy with a wide, robust social safety net to help people out.

 

Business there is friendly, not cutthroat like it is in the United States. You can enjoy most of the same trappings, such as coffee shops and theatres, and if you’re looking for a credit card you can find a robust list of them at kredittkortinfo.no. While not as steeped in the usual American amenities as its neighboring Sweden, you’ll find a lot of familiarity here.

 

You’ll find that the people are warm and accepting of others. While American politicians bicker about whether LGBT+ people deserve to be alive, Scandinavian countries have embraced the wide range of diversity among people. Pride events in Norway are among the most cheerful and fun in the entire world. Equality protections are enshrined in law, and this region of the world was among the very first to recognize same-sex marriage, gender equality, and transgender rights. In fact, when the World Health Organization was taking too long to approve removal of being transgender from the European list of mental illnesses, our government decided that they would do it themselves! We have always been at the forefront of equality and acceptance, and we always will be.

 

There are a thousand little things that set us apart, too. There are plenty of places to explore a rich history of the Viking age, and to enjoy a cuisine unlike any other. You’ll find just as much to do in the big cities as you will in the  beautiful, diverse country. It’s a testament to just how wonderful a place Norway is that, even though the nights are long and the winters are cold, even though the taxes are higher and the cost of living is comparable to the most expensive U.S. cities, the people here are happier than anywhere else in the world.

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September 27th, 2022 by financetwitter

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