tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post4985399019069767634..comments2023-11-25T20:42:10.499+01:00Comments on From Freeways to Fjords: A Slightly Frustrated Ex-patriate: That's Me.Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935491606962392161noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-22531095753576213982012-01-30T23:16:55.899+01:002012-01-30T23:16:55.899+01:00It 's very surprise me how immigrants encounte...It 's very surprise me how immigrants encounter the same sort of problems in Norway and Sweden.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-75560174240020464952012-01-18T13:36:41.034+01:002012-01-18T13:36:41.034+01:00The States is probably better at recieving immigra...The States is probably better at recieving immigrants. thats to be expected when you look at how the USA came to be, really.<br /><br />Norway is fairly new to the concept of people actually wanting to move in. And sadly, being a rich first-world country, Norway is high on the list of desirable destinations, and gets a lot of pressure from third-world immigrants. So the system is _designed_ to be difficult, and resistant to shortcuts I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-81076651948278219582012-01-14T03:47:49.613+01:002012-01-14T03:47:49.613+01:00Oh gosh, sounds awful! We almost moved to Norway s...Oh gosh, sounds awful! We almost moved to Norway several years ago and I had a feeling I'd be dealing with all of those issues on my own (with 2 small kids in tow, of course) while my husband sat at his new job... Looking back, we may or may not have made the right decision not to move, but I'm glad I didn't have to experience the hassle, at least!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08780558580790539719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-12429907203060425992012-01-12T09:40:08.412+01:002012-01-12T09:40:08.412+01:00UiO has a resource for foreign employees that give...UiO has a resource for foreign employees that gives good guidance for the process of setting up in Norway http://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/international-researchers/arrival/. <br />If you're with a Norwegian often they get a much better response from the authorities than you will. When the police in Bergen lost my application, I had phoned repeatedly and got fobbed off, one call from my wife and they then looked properly and admitted they couldn't find it. In general though it's the getting registered that's the pain, once you're in the system it becomes easier with being able to change GP's through the internet, do tax returns and so on.<br />If you want to see the contrast in the way Norwegians are treated vs. immigrants then look at the passport office next to the Immigration office in Bergen central police station, spot the lack of queues, the seating areas and the number of staff on duty.<br />In fact that's why the queue at the tax office goes fast compaired with the one at the immigration office.Maximus Decimus Meridiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16158455233427436467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-34148361757825272632012-01-11T07:50:53.336+01:002012-01-11T07:50:53.336+01:00There is so much paperwork here, and the different...There is so much paperwork here, and the different departments do not seem to talk to each other - so bring every form you have, every time, no matter who you are talking to! I didn't realise how difficult it was until my husband moved here and I had to help him through the processes. Once it is all done, and you have your real social security number it does get easiser, and things will start to happen automatically... Good luck!Asta Burrowshttp://quintessentiallyburrows.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-39596218886550141282012-01-10T18:27:20.804+01:002012-01-10T18:27:20.804+01:00Goodness that sounds like an awful lot of drama ju...Goodness that sounds like an awful lot of drama just to get the bank number thingy sorted (I'm still struggling with mine so I can sympathise!) I'm getting married to a Norwegian this year, my work is ran threw England (Graphic design so its done over the internet at the moment.) so I cant get it through work and UGH. <br /><br />Other places may be worse however Norway seems so much more choatic when it comes to paperwork. <br /><br />I just having to keep reminding myself that given the choice - I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13017839511376953409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219175630745017261.post-17597801156048630932012-01-10T17:03:55.144+01:002012-01-10T17:03:55.144+01:00Alyssa,
I totally understand. I came here for m...Alyssa, <br /><br />I totally understand. I came here for my husband's work contract. He got a temporary number almost immediately and a "permanent" number once we had an address. However, since I am not working. They won't even give me a temporary number, and said that my immigration papers don't have priority. <br /><br />So, I asked about getting assigned a GP; "yah you don't get a doctor until you have a number." I said, I wanted to work, and the lady said "enjoy the time off and drink." I went back, with yah, but I am an oilfield engineer, I can get a good job pretty easy and quick, if you just get me a number. And she said "You are NOT allowed to work until you have a number, because you are in process for a family visa not a visa based on work. Enjoy the time off." They said my number should be here shortly, haha. I'm lovin' it here too, except for the bureaucracy, and the fact that if you ask 2 people the same question you get different answers. I wish they had a more clean cut process, also. But, yes, I'm loving it here. Hope your card comes quickly!!!Tifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125216314433861509noreply@blogger.com