Moving to Norway: from the idea to residency

A new life in Norway: letting go of the familiar

I never thought about leaving Russia, but fate had other plans, and I found myself in a foreign land. After living in St. Petersburg, graduating from university, and working as an eyelash extension master, I met my future husband from Lithuania, named Simonas. Frequent trips to Europe changed my perspective on life.

Norway's Choice: Key Motives

We began to discuss the possibility of moving to Norway, where we had relatives and acquaintances. The high standard of living, social protection and good business prospects attracted us. We didn't limit ourselves long preparations for the move - we just made a decision and left.

Adaptation in a new country

My husband already had European Union citizenship, so he didn't need a visa to enter Norway. We didn't encounter any major issues with the paperwork, and we began to adapt to our new life. My husband started a construction company, and the most challenging part was finding skilled workers.

Challenges and new opportunities

I found a job at a beauty clinic, and I also decided to start doing eyelash extensions at home. We registered as a sole proprietorship so that I could work officially. The tax burden in Norway is certainly high, but the income here is significantly higher than in Russia.

Obtaining a residence permit

Especially in the northern regions of the country, where there is a high demand for eyelash extension specialists. I had planned to obtain a residence permit through work, but it turned out that a work visa requires a higher education degree in engineering and at least 4 years of work experience.

Key event

And so, when I started to think about what to do next, I found out that I was pregnant. This became the key to obtaining a residence permit in Norway. So now I have the opportunity to build my career and future in this beautiful country that has welcomed me with open arms.

Obtaining residence permits in Norway

To obtain the necessary residence permits in Norway, we had to provide an extensive package of documents, including copies of passports, a pregnancy certificate, X-ray images, as well as proof of no marriage in our home country and the legal presence of the child's father in Norway on a work visa. Presenting supporting materials that confirmed our relationship, including a rental contract for housing in Russia, played an important role in obtaining the documents.

Creating a fake contract and replacing information

We had to develop a fictitious contract in photoshop through a real estateagency, using the the real owner of the apartment because the original contract didn't exist. If necessary, the information from the contract can be replaced with official correspondence and bank statements.

The process of obtaining residency and a residence permit

The entire process of obtaining residency took about four months, but due to my pregnancy, I was allowed to stay in the country.

Improving language skills and the necessity of knowing the Norwegian language

My level of English was quite modest when I arrived, but in the year I have been here, I have improved my language skills considerably. I have improved my language skills considerably. To live a full life in Norway, it is also important to be able to speak of the Norwegian language. The language has two main variants: southern and northern, but the most common among the population is bokmål. Some regions may communicate in the local dialect of nynorsk. Understanding the language opens up new opportunities to communicate and adapt to life in this wonderful country.

Raising our daughter is our top priority.

In our daily lives, we pay special attention to raising our daughter! Living in the small town of Setermoen, with its 2,500 residents, can sometimes seem boring. Here, apart from going to the shops, there are practically no entertainment options, and that's not an exaggeration.

My Instagram blog about real life in Norway

To diversify my life, I decided to create my own blog on Instagram, which has become my way of relaxing. My profile is different from the standard pages filled only with beautiful photos and optimism. I prefer to candidly talk about the real downsides of life in Norway and even discourage people from moving here.

Search for entertainment in the surrounding cities

We are not alone in our opinion about the dullness of life here; both my husband and I think so, and even our dog! We often find our "entertainment" in the cities of Narvik and Tromsø. Narvik is the largest city nearby (by the country's standards), with a population of 18,000. It takes us just over an hour to get there, but even there, it's not always easy to find something interesting. The other city, Tromsø, is two and a half hours away and much larger, with a population of 75,000.

Social life and support through the internet

As for communication, we haven't made any local friends yet, and to be honest, we're not really striving for that. We have plenty of opportunities to connect with our old friends who have been living in Norway for many years. We also keep in touch online with those who stayed in Russia.

Searching for housing in Norway

On the issue of accommodation, the best option is to look for it through acquaintances, as otherwise landlords often require a three-month deposit. In case you don't know anyone, the website "Finn.no", the Norwegian analog of "Avito", offers a wide range of accommodation and various things as furniture. analog of "Avito", offers a wide range of housing and various things, such as furniture, which will come in handy, as many houses are rented empty. as many houses are rented out empty.

Useful communities on Facebook

We shouldn't forget about the benefits of Facebook: there are several active communities on this platform where you can get help from fellow countrymen. I'm familiar with the groups: "Russian Speakers in Norway," "Russians in Norway," and "Russian House in Norway."

Our experience with renting accommodation

We are already living in our second place. At first, it was a small house for $725 a month, including internet - which is considered cheap for locals. Currently, we are renting a three-room apartment. This is rare, as mostly private houses are built here. The rent is almost $900, plus payment for internet and electricity. We found this place by chance while looking at commercial spaces for rent, and we chose it because of its proximity to friends and family.

Comparison of housing costs in different cities in Norway

Otherwise, for the same apartment in Tromsø, you would have to pay twice as much, plus a three-month deposit. In total, the initial payment would be around $5050.

Norwegians: a friendly and smiling people

Norwegians- This is a people known for their friendliness and smiles. They value learning about the diversity of life and the experiences of others. A great love for their homeland, admiration for the mountains, walks, and the atmosphere of tranquility give them a special charm. Ecology and the cleanliness of water resources are held in the highest regard in Norway, adding a unique character to this country.

Ecological purity of water in Norway

Ecologically pristine water is one of the key advantages of this area, which cannot leave anyone indifferent. The blessed natural resources make life here exceptionally cozy and comfortable.

Meetings and medicine in Norway

Norwegians often start personal meetings with strangers with a greeting or a smile, which creates an atmosphere of hospitality and warmth.

Childbirth in Norway

I became a mother in Norway, and I can share that the experience of giving birth here is truly unique. The maternity ward is filled with care and attention to every detail. My husband was by my side, along with many midwives ready to help at the most crucial moments, easing contractions and offering pain relief. The cesarean section was performed professionally, and the stitching was done perfectly. Interestingly, many midwives are also breastfeeding consultants; they help establish the feeding process right in the maternity ward. Additionally, there is a one-time payment of 83,000 kroner (over $9,000) for each newborn, and the government provides monthly payments of 1,000 kroner ($110) until the child turns 18.

Safety in Norway

Safety in Norway is not just words. If you accidentally lose your phone, the chances of getting it back are very high. You can leave your car unlocked and running outside a store or gas station, even if your wallet is inside. The crime rate here is extremely low, and a traffic violation can make the news in the local newspaper. However, it is worth noting that this is a northern country with a smaller population, while in the south, the police face a higher crime rate, including theft.

Moving to Norway

If you are considering moving to Norway, it's important to weigh the pros and cons. Norway may not be suitable for everyone. It has stunning landscapes, high incomes, and a clean environment, but the infrastructure can seem modest, medical services are not always of high quality, and the tax burden is very high. Moving to another country or city with a child is a serious challenge, as you have to start everything from scratch, including buying furniture and developing new business projects.

Moving to Canada

My husband and I are considering the possibility of moving from Norway to Canada. For us, Norway has become just a temporary stage, as the country has disappointed us more than it has impressed us. We are looking for new horizons and hope for better conditions for our family in another part of the world.

Moving to Norway: the author's story

I never dreamed of emigrating from Russia. I lived in St. Petersburg, earned a degree in engineering. in aeronautical instruments and measuring and computer systems, and worked as an eyelash extension artist. But then I met my future husband Simonas from Lithuania, who was doing business in Russia.

Motivation for moving

Frequent trips to Europe changed my perspective on moving, and we started considering Norway, where we have relatives and a few acquaintances. It wasn't just our loved ones that attracted us to another country, but also the high standard of living, social guarantees, and good opportunities for business development.

Moving to Norway

I can't say that we prepared in any special way for the move. It went like this: we decided, packed our things, and left. The process was made easier by the fact that Simonas is an EU citizen, so he didn't need a visa for Norway. At that time, I had a regular tourist Schengen visa for 90 days, and I planned to sort out a work visa once we got there.

Work in Norway

Upon arrival, my husband opened a construction company, and surprisingly, the biggest challenge turned out to be finding good workers. I, on the other hand, received a job offer at a cosmetology clinic right after moving. The taxes are, of course, very high – from 30 to 50%, but the prices here are also higher than back home. Additionally, in northern Norway, where we live, there is a shortage of eyelash extension specialists, so the demand is high!

Obtaining a residence permit

The issue with the documents was still open, and I was planning to get a residence permit with the help of a job offer. offer. But as it turned out, I could only apply for a work visa if I was employed as an engineer. as an engineer. This was a strong enough argument to get the authorization paper, even though we were not officially married. even though we weren't legally married.

To obtain a residence permit, we submitted a fairly standard set of documents, which included copies of our passports, a confirmation of my pregnancy issued by a local doctor, copies of ultrasound images, and certificates stating that we are not married in our home country. All of this was translated into English, even without an apostille. In addition, we attached confirmation that the child's father is legally in Norway (in our case, for work).

Well, the most interesting part was that we had to confirm that we were a couple and had been in a relationship for a long time. For this, a joint rental agreement for our apartment in St. Petersburg would suffice. We really lived together, but of course, we didn't keep any contract. I had to improvise: I found a standard contract online in English and added a colored stamp from a real estate agency using Photoshop.

Results

Since moving, my English has improved significantly. If you plan to stay in Norway forever, you need to learn Norwegian, which, by the way, is divided into two languages – southern and northern.

Moving to another country is always challenging and requires adaptation, but in the end, it has given me new perspectives and opportunities to broaden my horizons.