Some practical information.

I have been contacted numerous times by other Americans that are in similar situations to where I was when I first came to Norway and started navigating the labyrinth of immigration bureaucracy. I am more than happy to help in any way I can because I so desperately needed advice and support myself and just didn't know where to find it. I remember so well how many dead ends and frustrated hours I spent trying to find a solution for me and Lars and a life for us here.

Not only has this been a time consuming and exhausting process, it has also been expensive. The first application I submitted cost me a little under 2.000,- kroner, the one that ended up going through cost a bit over 3.000,- kr; I have taken numerous trips to Oslo (train travel is not cheap, let me tell you) to the American Embassy and been charged all kinds of different fees. And today I had to shell out some more cash.

The permit that I was issued last March is only good for a year. So that means I have to renew it. And in turn, that means I have to take a trip to visit one of my favorite buildings in Hamar (drum roll please): the police station.


I sat and waited patiently, like the nice foreigner I am, and made sure all my paperwork was in order. When my turn came I approached the desk, explained my case and was reassured that I had done everything correctly.

All that was left was to pay up... a fee of 1.100,- kr! As of right now that's $186.41! Ugh, killer. I don't understand why it is that expensive just to renew a permit. I do understand that it costs money for the government to employ people to sit there and sift through application after application and make decisions on people's lives, I get that, I really do. But my application is as cut and dry as it gets--they have already issued me the permit! All they have to do is just print out a new sticker and slap it in my passport! Why the heck does that cost so much?

But whatevs. What's one to do really? It's a necessary evil. And to be honest, I would much rather be in my shoes paying a chunk of change every year than where I was in 2008 trying to find a loophole in the system. That's a tough spot to be in. This, believe it or not, is much better.

PLUS, my day could not be ruined. I was so pleased with myself for making the correct decision to wear long underwear, a hat, a scarf and my awesome Norwegian mittens (it was cold today!) that nothing was going to stop me. I have at an age of 24 finally learned how to dress myself properly!

Good luck to all of you trying to work the system, both here in Norway and elsewhere!