The Global Phoenix - Issue 2 April - June 2017 | Page 31

Trondheim was the nation’s first capital. With the
spectacular Nidaros Cathedral in its centre it was,
and still is, a popular place of pilgrimage. The city
boasts a fantastic array of museums as well as being
home to Norway’s renowned Technical University,
NTNU.
Stavanger on the South West coast is very much
associated with the oil fairy tale and is sometimes
referred to as the “Oil Capital of Norway”. With many
of the operating oil companies based in the area,
the city has a cosmopolitan, multinational feel, yet
has retained its historical beauty. This is in large part
due to the 18th and 19th century wooden houses
around the city that are nationally protected and are
a charming reminder of the city’s cultural heritage.
The capital Oslo has been experiencing a rapid
period of growth and development. An increasing
number of the country’s population are moving
to the city for greater opportunities. The result has
been seen in significant property development and
greater investment in the general infrastructure. This
has increased Oslo’s strength as the commercial
and administrative capital of the country. The city
is a vibrant international mix, offering an exciting
and varied cultural milieu, and contains some of
the most important monuments, museums and
cultural exhibitions in the country. Oslo is small in
comparison to other capital cities in Europe but this
also makes it particularly attractive in giving the city a
special welcoming atmosphere.
The country has a modern transport infrastructure
that provides easy access to the main cities
throughout the country by means of an intercity train
network and bus system. Inner cities offer a bus and
tram network and in Oslo there is a central metro
system.
CENTRE OF INNOVATION AND
ENTERPRISE
The Norwegian government is an active supporter
and investor in innovation, and actively promotes
new industries and enterprises. This can be seen
in and around the capital Oslo, which is one of the
most rapidly developing cities in Europe and the
main location for knowledge-based industries, with
the largest section of research and development
activity in the country.
With this growth and
development comes the need
for skilled workers. With a small
population but expanding
industries, Norwegian
organisations must look
abroad to fill the gap. For the
foreign worker, there are many
advantages to living and working
in Norway. The main cities offer
all that the foreign worker will
need to settle and function in
the country.
APPLYING TO NORWAY
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
administers all applications for work and residence
permits via a centralised online system. Applicants
apply online in addition to sending in supporting
paper documents. Applications can take 3-4 weeks
to process. Once approval has been received the
applicant must apply for an entry visa to Norway.
Note that some countries do not require an entry
visa. Click to learn more.
ARRIVAL TO NORWAY
Upon arrival to Norway, the worker must effectuate
their permit and order their residence/work permit
card. A national ID number and tax card must also
be ordered.
The ‘Service Centre for Foreign Workers’ is a
joint centre in major destinations, where the
Labour Inspection Authority, the police, the Tax
administration and the Directorate of Immigration
are all located. This facilitates the provision
of guidance and assistance in one location
and thereby reduce the time for processing
applications.
Service Centres are located in Oslo, Stavanger,
Bergen, Trondheim and Kirkenes. Appointments
are required for the police to effectuate permits.
Queue numbers are provided for the Tax Authority.
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