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 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 The Norwegian government has proposed new rules to align with the EU’s migration reform, introducing stricter screening for third-country nationals entering Norway. https://www.thelocal.no/20260403/norway-to-introduce-stricter-identity-checks-under-new-eu-migration-rules Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:03:25 +0200 norway-to-introduce-stricter-identity-checks-under-new-eu-migration-rules Has your life in Norway been put on hold because you have been left waiting for months and months for the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to resolve you case? We want to hear from you. https://www.thelocal.no/20260401/have-your-say-how-are-norways-udi-waiting-times-affecting-you Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:22:56 +0200 have-your-say-how-are-norways-udi-waiting-times-affecting-you Data reveals that the pass rates for Norway's citizenship and social studies tests vary hugely around the country. https://www.thelocal.no/20260220/how-hard-is-it-to-pass-norways-citizenship-and-social-studies-tests Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:53:37 +0100 how-hard-is-it-to-pass-norways-citizenship-and-social-studies-tests In a significant policy shift, Norway is tightening its immigration rules to allow authorities to deport foreign nationals linked to criminal networks, even if they have not committed a crime in Norway. https://www.thelocal.no/20260127/norway-wants-powers-to-deport-foreigners-with-no-criminal-records Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:20:00 +0100 norway-wants-powers-to-deport-foreigners-with-no-criminal-records Being a samboer (cohabitant) in Norway can feel like marriage, but the law often sees it differently. Here is what you need to know before you move in together. https://www.thelocal.no/20260304/what-it-means-to-be-a-samboer-and-how-it-can-be-your-ticket-to-norway Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:02:19 +0100 what-it-means-to-be-a-samboer-and-how-it-can-be-your-ticket-to-norway 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 Growing political polarisation means that debate about immigration is boiled down to 'pro' or 'anti'-immigration positions, but new surveys reveal that European public opinion is a little more nuanced than that. https://www.thelocal.no/20260207/what-do-europeans-really-think-about-immigration Sat, 07 Feb 2026 14:46:38 +0100 what-do-europeans-really-think-about-immigration As part of the landmark trade agreement announced on January 27th, the EU and India adopted a ‘mobility framework’ that aims to make it easier for Indian students, researchers and young professionals to move to the EU. https://www.thelocal.no/20260207/what-the-mobility-deal-between-the-eu-and-india-will-mean-for-skilled-workers Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:19:01 +0100 what-the-mobility-deal-between-the-eu-and-india-will-mean-for-skilled-workers Integration in Norway often starts with language classes and getting residence permits, but for many foreigners, it ends at the point when it comes to finding a job as readers reveal the hidden barriers to work. https://www.thelocal.no/20260204/i-was-told-a-norwegian-was-more-suited-the-hurdles-foreign-job-seekers-face-in-norway Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:43:43 +0100 i-was-told-a-norwegian-was-more-suited-the-hurdles-foreign-job-seekers-face-in-norway The EU hands out thousands of Blue Cards to highly-skilled third country nationals each year, according to the latest figures. But which nationalities receive the most and which EU country gives out the most? https://www.thelocal.no/20260204/which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:56:51 +0100 which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go Norway is often viewed as a place of tolerance and equality. However, many foreigners living here feel that things have changed and xenophobia is on the rise. Some now experience subtle exclusion, while others face hostility, making it harder to feel like they belong. https://www.thelocal.no/20260203/xenophobia-in-norway-norwegians-have-become-more-protective-of-their-country Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:49:37 +0100 xenophobia-in-norway-norwegians-have-become-more-protective-of-their-country