https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Norway in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Navigating Norway's immigration laws can be complex. Fortunately, several organisations provide free guidance to people facing immigration challenges. https://www.thelocal.no/20240213/explained-where-to-get-free-immigration-advice-in-norway Tue, 13 Feb 2024 11:02:18 +0100 explained-where-to-get-free-immigration-advice-in-norway The UN rights chief said on Saturday he deeply regretted the European Union's new migration rules, which allow much broader detention powers and the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc. https://www.thelocal.no/20260620/un-rights-chief-troubled-by-new-eu-migrant-return-rules Sat, 20 Jun 2026 13:42:14 +0200 un-rights-chief-troubled-by-new-eu-migrant-return-rules European lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to tougher migration rules that will grant authorities much broader detention powers and allow for the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc. https://www.thelocal.no/20260617/eu-lawmakers-approve-return-hubs-migration-reform Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:42:53 +0200 eu-lawmakers-approve-return-hubs-migration-reform People think of Norway as a country with a tiny population scattered across a vast, empty wilderness. Yet according to the latest projections from Statistics Norway, this reality is starting to change. What role will foreigners play? https://www.thelocal.no/20260612/immigration-to-drive-norways-population-to-6-2-million-by-2050 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:39:33 +0200 immigration-to-drive-norways-population-to-6-2-million-by-2050 A new declaration for newly arrived refugees will clearly outline the rights, obligations, and expectations in Norwegian society from the start of the integration process. https://www.thelocal.no/20260601/norway-sets-tougher-new-integration-requirements-for-refugees Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:57:15 +0200 norway-sets-tougher-new-integration-requirements-for-refugees Losing your residence card or letting it expire is more than a minor hassle. Without it, you lose your main proof of legal status and the document you need to re-enter Norway after travelling. https://www.thelocal.no/20260226/how-much-does-it-cost-to-order-a-new-residence-card-in-norway Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:42:03 +0100 how-much-does-it-cost-to-order-a-new-residence-card-in-norway Norway is growing sceptical of immigration as a new report revealed that half of the population is now reluctant to accept more immigrants and increasingly concerned about its impact on national identity. https://www.thelocal.no/20260528/revealed-half-of-norwegians-want-a-block-on-accepting-more-immigrants Thu, 28 May 2026 15:27:28 +0200 revealed-half-of-norwegians-want-a-block-on-accepting-more-immigrants With governments across Europe tightening citizenship and residency requirements, language and country knowledge tests are often framed as measures of integration. But are governments really talking to domestic political audiences? https://www.thelocal.no/20260523/are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing Sat, 23 May 2026 10:24:29 +0200 are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing After a recent survey by The Local showed the difficulties foreigners in Norway face while waiting for answers from immigration authorities, we asked UDI for the hard numbers. How many cases are still open, and how long have people been waiting? https://www.thelocal.no/20260522/revealed-the-number-of-people-in-norway-still-trapped-in-udi-limbo-in-2026 Fri, 22 May 2026 10:54:14 +0200 revealed-the-number-of-people-in-norway-still-trapped-in-udi-limbo-in-2026 The number of people refused entry to the EU and Schengen area has risen dramatically, according to new statistics, while thousands of US, UK and Indian nationals have been found to be illegally present in EU/Schengen countries. https://www.thelocal.no/20260518/trend-will-continue-number-of-people-refused-entry-to-europe-on-the-rise Mon, 18 May 2026 15:58:26 +0200 trend-will-continue-number-of-people-refused-entry-to-europe-on-the-rise After a recent survey by The Local revealed the harsh reality that foreigners face while waiting for residency permits in Norway, we asked the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to respond. https://www.thelocal.no/20260515/we-are-aware-norways-udi-responds-to-criticism-over-residency-permit-delays Fri, 15 May 2026 11:26:59 +0200 we-are-aware-norways-udi-responds-to-criticism-over-residency-permit-delays Norway has increasingly positioned itself as a top destination for international workers, yet a major new report revealed that the "career ladder" is significantly harder to climb for those with an immigrant background. https://www.thelocal.no/20260507/foreigners-in-norway-face-60-percent-lower-chance-of-promotion Thu, 07 May 2026 16:41:40 +0200 foreigners-in-norway-face-60-percent-lower-chance-of-promotion The lengthy wait for a residence permit has become one of the defining struggles for foreigners in Norway. So, what advice can those who have navigated this long and frustrating process, or are currently enduring it, offer to others? We asked our readers to share their insights. https://www.thelocal.no/20260506/hold-on-tight-advice-from-those-stuck-in-norways-udi-limbo Wed, 06 May 2026 11:00:25 +0200 hold-on-tight-advice-from-those-stuck-in-norways-udi-limbo More than 30 European countries, including Sweden, Denmark and Norway, signed a joint declaration against 'illegal migration' on Monday during a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. https://www.thelocal.no/20260505/sweden-and-denmark-sign-joint-declaration-against-illegal-migration Tue, 05 May 2026 11:53:27 +0200 sweden-and-denmark-sign-joint-declaration-against-illegal-migration The Norwegian government has announced plans to review its labour immigration policies in the face of global instability and rising competition for talent in Europe. https://www.thelocal.no/20260430/norway-to-review-labour-immigration-policy Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:40:17 +0200 norway-to-review-labour-immigration-policy Norway has established an expert committee to reform language training for adult immigrants, after the government admitted that current integration efforts have "not been successful enough." https://www.thelocal.no/20260429/norway-to-review-language-training-services-for-immigrants-to-boost-employment Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:27:19 +0200 norway-to-review-language-training-services-for-immigrants-to-boost-employment Getting approval from immigration authorities in Norway is a long process that takes a heavy mental and physical toll. Readers of The Local explain how their lives have been impacted whilst waiting for Norwegian authorities to respond. https://www.thelocal.no/20260414/i-am-powerless-the-human-cost-of-norways-immigration-waiting-game Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:35:55 +0200 i-am-powerless-the-human-cost-of-norways-immigration-waiting-game Waiting for a response from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) does more than delay paperwork. It disrupts the lives of those moving to Norway. Readers of The Local shared how this uncertainty prevents them from working or traveling abroad. https://www.thelocal.no/20260417/im-a-prisoner-foreigners-in-norway-left-unable-to-work-or-travel-as-they-wait-for-udi Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:40:44 +0200 im-a-prisoner-foreigners-in-norway-left-unable-to-work-or-travel-as-they-wait-for-udi If you want to live and work in Norway legally, dealing with the country's immigration authorities is unavoidable. The Local asked readers about their experiences with the "expected waiting times" and found that these estimates are often a far cry from reality. https://www.thelocal.no/20260409/its-a-joke-foreigners-in-norway-warn-against-trusting-udi-wait-times Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:24:23 +0200 its-a-joke-foreigners-in-norway-warn-against-trusting-udi-wait-times Bureaucratic backlogs and rule changes on residency rights are having an increasing impact on the lives of foreigners living around Europe. Many say they have been left in legal limbo with their lives effectively on hold. https://www.thelocal.no/20260411/a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:53:39 +0200 a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays