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Hei Thomas,
No offense:) I'm not sure if I can answer you precisely. But just 2 points:

a. No job is ordinary, at the end of the day we buy or sell services, products, anythg which certainly demands skills . I'm sure you are referring to the way UDI classifies it.

b. Secondly, my personal view is right if they are flexible towards certain jobs and rigid for some bczz they have to protect the interest of their own people.


Now, some of the possibilities I can think for you:
- take a short education course, so u can work part-time, study and stay longer with your gf.

- Work out a pay package such that, your employer helps you with the Visa...I'm sure this could be a weird option

- Just wondering, is there a possibility for your gf to invite you for a definite/indefinite stay?

- At the UDI they have a counter for counseling and I'm sure they can come to your rescue.


good luck !!
-vineet.

hi vineet!  thanks for responding! 

youre correct, i was referring to the way UDI classifies jobs.  Tryvann agreed to hire me a few years ago working for their snow park, a job which i have alot of experience and expertise.  when i went to UDI, the representative literally told me it was a waste of my money to pay the application processing fee and that i would not be granted a visa for working there, regardless if i had an employer signature or not.  he told me, as i had researched before, that i need to find a job in which im considered a specialist (by means of an education) that promises full time (20 hrs) at minimum wage. 

at this time i also had an internship at a recording studio.  i graduated from an audio-technology school in NYC, and therefor studio work would be considered my specialty...  however, an internship does not qualify if it doesnt meet the wage requirements.  i asked about being able to do both, having an internship as a specialist and paid work by a different willing employer... but they were not into it!

i am more or less asking which jobs, as you put, are more flexible with UDI and do not stress the interest of the norwegian people?  i went to the embassy and asked if they had any lists or resources of where to find out which jobs, if any, UDI would be most flexible about... but i left without much more information than i went with. 

I have been actively looking into going back to school, both to put an end to the visa problem and to get a broader education! i have found one school that suites me and my credits and i plan on applying!  super stoked. 

and as far as UDI coming to my rescue, i have yet to feel (after 8 years) that UDI wants to help me in any way... its been difficult not only for me, but members of my family from the states as well!

thanks again for the response! 

cheers,
thomas

Hey Thomas,

I'm currently a student who is studying music technology in Montana (basically audio production, but I can compose music, design sounds, mix/master etc).  It looks like you are having an adventure trying to become a Norwegian citizen!  Best of luck to you in that regard.

Anyway, as you are someone who is going through this ordeal, would someone with my skillset be able to perhaps entrepreneur a studio in Oslo (or anywhere in Norway, for that matter)?  This is only a hypothetical situation as I do not plan on going there right away (if I go at all), but it would be awesome to get perspective from someone who is already doing something very similar to what I plan on doing.

Thanks and good luck becoming a Norwegian!

- Joe

ps I happen to be 50 percent Norwegian, maybe that's why I am drawn to the country...

Hi Thomas, I don't know if I can help cos I'm still looking for a job. You sound young so I think you can afford to go for further studies. I think when your gf mentions hair salons and bakeries, some countries like Australia and Norway consider these as "specialist tradesmen" who need some training to get such jobs. They usually have a easier time getting a visa (for some strange reason) maybe because Norway lacks such tradesmen. You can always try to take a hairdressing course or baking course to be certified as a proper tradesman, haha.

I think if your gf is Norwegian, sometimes one option we (my fiance and I) have considered is: to get hired as domestic help. That would mean that as an individual, your gf, or her parents are hiring you to be a gardener, a housekeeper etc. With that contract, you may go to the police and get a work permit (beware that you have to pay a fee of 1100kr for administration) and while you stay here for the duration of the contract (which can be up to six months or more, I think) you can also apply and look for other jobs.

You can also explore the option of being an au pair if you are below the age of 30.

What I'm doing:
I'm a non-EEA (European) foreigner but I have the legal right to stay here in Norway for 6 mths as a job-seeker, as of 1 Jan 2010. I was a TV producer in Singapore but it's damn hard to look for any media jobs in Norway. But now I have the chance to volunteer in NRK for a project, so I'm doing that and crossing my fingers for a job after making contact.

Important documents to have:

*D-number (apply through applying for a new bank current account, no deposit needed, 2-3 weeks of processing)

*NOKUT (certifying your educational equivalent in Norway)

*Letter that shows you have registered for language course from Voksenopplæring Service Centre

*a typed letter from the police (of the area/kommune you live in) to say you are legal to stay here to look for a job until so-and-so date. Shouldn't cost anything for that.

*With D-number, register at nearest NAV office as a job-seeker, and look for jobs on nav.no.

Hope this helps...