Reality has hit

[AJG96]

I've been doing more digging around and seeing what I'd need in order to finally move to Norway. As of right now, it's looking like the only visa I'm able to get is a student visa. Family visa's out of the question because my SO doesn't make enough money to be a reference, and the fact that we'd have to be married within 6 months and that's a little rushed. I'm not a specialist worker, obviously since I'm almost 20 I'm still "wet behind the ears," so a work visa is pretty much out of the question. I'd rather move to Norway than have my SO move to the USA, just because I feel that'd be in the best interest for both of us. IF we have to do it so my SO moves to the US, so be it. Ultimately, we just want to spend our lives together. Me getting to Norway is the ideal plan. My SO has a friend who's husband is from the United States, so perhaps I can talk to him. But, either way, it's not going to be a walk in the park.

[caesura]

I know how you feel, I'm in a similar situation but moving to the UK. Norway's minimum income for a spouse visa is the highest in the world, while Britain's is second-highest... My s/o is most likely going to need to work two jobs until we can qualify to apply.

I was considering doing a student visa, but the costs were way too high for something that wouldn't even guarantee anything long-term. If you do go in on a student visa, you will still need to plan how you will either get a job or get married before the visa expires. Student visas also don't just cost tuition, most countries will make you prove that you also already have access to costs of living, which for the UK got close to the cost of tuition itself. If you do have a subject you want to study, though, then I'd say go for it! But if you are only considering it as an option because you'd get a visa, I'm worried you could end up disappointed like I did.

Congratulations on getting engaged though ^^ I hope you can figure something out. I know that you said you didn't like the idea of entering on a marriage visa, but one other option might be to have your s/o get a parent or other relative to co-sponsor your application to meet the financial requirements. You can do that with US applications, but not win the UK, so I'm not totally sure if it would be an option in Norway, but if it is it would be a lot less expensive than going as a student.

[AJG96]

I know how you feel, I'm in a similar situation but moving to the UK. Norway's minimum income for a spouse visa is the highest in the world, while Britain's is second-highest... My s/o is most likely going to need to work two jobs until we can qualify to apply.

I was considering doing a student visa, but the costs were way too high for something that wouldn't even guarantee anything long-term. If you do go in on a student visa, you will still need to plan how you will either get a job or get married before the visa expires. Student visas also don't just cost tuition, most countries will make you prove that you also already have access to costs of living, which for the UK got close to the cost of tuition itself. If you do have a subject you want to study, though, then I'd say go for it! But if you are only considering it as an option because you'd get a visa, I'm worried you could end up disappointed like I did.

Congratulations on getting engaged though ^^ I hope you can figure something out. I know that you said you didn't like the idea of entering on a marriage visa, but one other option might be to have your s/o get a parent or other relative to co-sponsor your application to meet the financial requirements. You can do that with US applications, but not win the UK, so I'm not totally sure if it would be an option in Norway, but if it is it would be a lot less expensive than going as a student.

First, thank you for the congrats!

As for the student visa, I do have a particular program of study, and that's culinary. I have a certificate in that, and I'll be getting an associate's degree for hospitality in December. My only problem is finding a college that's close enough to where my SO lives. It's a bit scary thinking about living on my own in a new country, even if it's just for college. It'd be great to get a bachelor's degree in Norway, and their higher education is (almost) completely free. I've emailed the UDI of Norway asking them if there are any alternatives, and I've yet to get a reply. It's not a bad idea to ask if my SO's mother could be a co-sponsor, though. We'll figure it out.

[R&R]

First, thank you for the congrats!

As for the student visa, I do have a particular program of study, and that's culinary. I have a certificate in that, and I'll be getting an associate's degree for hospitality in December. My only problem is finding a college that's close enough to where my SO lives. It's a bit scary thinking about living on my own in a new country, even if it's just for college. It'd be great to get a bachelor's degree in Norway, and their higher education is (almost) completely free. I've emailed the UDI of Norway asking them if there are any alternatives, and I've yet to get a reply. It's not a bad idea to ask if my SO's mother could be a co-sponsor, though. We'll figure it out.

You also have to figure out how to pay for that. You may be able to get a portion from federal student loans. This link will give you information directly from the Department of Education.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare.../international

It's the remaining gap amount that may be more difficult as private lenders tend to be hesitant or don't offer programs at all for schools overseas.

[AJG96]

You also have to figure out how to pay for that. You may be able to get a portion from federal student loans. This link will give you information directly from the Department of Education.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare.../international

It's the remaining gap amount that may be more difficult as private lenders tend to be hesitant or don't offer programs at all for schools overseas.

Thank you so much! I'll definitely bookmark that link!

[SailorRei]

Norway is not esy to get to. The cost if living is extremely high, and as you're not EU citizen, you'll probably have to pay tuition fee for your UNI.
Getting working visa will also be hard, as nowadays they have so many work-immigrants coming that they can pick and choose, and they always prefer people who know the language.

Moving to another country for your love is so hopelessly difficult, and probably only marriage is a safe bet

[differentcountries]

The regular semester fee for Norwegian students is 5-600 NOK each semester and it is really just an administrative fee and that they dont want people on just to qualify for student discounts. It is not supposed to cover the costs and also it usually gives you health insurance. Many students come to Norway especially because of our low semester fees. The rules are a bit different for each university/school, but if there is somethine specific you are looking for (like a school where he lives) I am sure I can find it for you. Most university pages have an English version, like the University of Oslo: https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/exchange/ Please notice that not all studies start each semester, and you will probably need to plan a bit in advance to make sure you have all your papers ready. You can work part-time as a student (a limited work permission), also outside of campus.

As for money, it is generally expensive to live here, but you will learn the Norwegian life hacks and some things are very low cost here (I travel to Turkey a lot and some items are more expensive there, for instance razor blades and meat is very expensive in Turkey relative to income). It is important to just go with the flow and not be picky. If you look at some US-Norwegian blogs, US people are sometimes offended by the lack of variaty/selection here, without getting into the reasons why people do things (for instance, white bread is rather expensive here - because it is considered unhealthy. Sweets and alcohol are also expensive because we tax them with a sugar tax. Traditional Norwegian vegetables cost very little, for instance a gigantic swede cost 3 NOK and can be eaten raw, boiled, fried - we call it the Nordic orange because it turns sweet when boiled and is very high in vitamin C, I often mix it in when making casseroles. Also cheap are wild blueberries, potatoes and salmon. I live very cheap now to save up money, it can be done.

Usually, working permit for a young person for outside of the EU is a hard. You will need a specific employer who will also have to tell the UDI why they chose you over national and EU applicants. We will try with SO next year regardless, but it is only because of his age/food/language skills (waiting in Turkish hotels and restaurants for the past 12 years, soon to have a bachelor in hotel management, speaks 4 languages including and will come here in the fall to learn Norwegian).

Au pair permit might be an option, you probably cant live together though and you will need a plan for what to do next. It is not well payed, but you will have room and board covered, and there is a clear intention that you should be able to take language (and "culture") classes. Many people have switched from au pair programs to study programs and make the transition well because they already learned the language.

Also, very popular for international couples these days is to live together in Sweden 6-24 months and then apply family reunion visa because then it will prove you have a history of living together. This is a bit complicated and means you will have to find jobs/studies there. It also means you will not get to "try out" Norway that much. "Love without borders" (Grenseløs kjærlighet) has a recipie on how this can be done: https://grenseloskjaerlighet.com/hva...B8s-losningen/

[AJG96]

The regular semester fee for Norwegian students is 5-600 NOK each semester and it is really just an administrative fee and that they dont want people on just to qualify for student discounts. It is not supposed to cover the costs and also it usually gives you health insurance. Many students come to Norway especially because of our low semester fees. The rules are a bit different for each university/school, but if there is somethine specific you are looking for (like a school where he lives) I am sure I can find it for you. Most university pages have an English version, like the University of Oslo: https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/exchange/ Please notice that not all studies start each semester, and you will probably need to plan a bit in advance to make sure you have all your papers ready. You can work part-time as a student (a limited work permission), also outside of campus.

As for money, it is generally expensive to live here, but you will learn the Norwegian life hacks and some things are very low cost here (I travel to Turkey a lot and some items are more expensive there, for instance razor blades and meat is very expensive in Turkey relative to income). It is important to just go with the flow and not be picky. If you look at some US-Norwegian blogs, US people are sometimes offended by the lack of variaty/selection here, without getting into the reasons why people do things (for instance, white bread is rather expensive here - because it is considered unhealthy. Sweets and alcohol are also expensive because we tax them with a sugar tax. Traditional Norwegian vegetables cost very little, for instance a gigantic swede cost 3 NOK and can be eaten raw, boiled, fried - we call it the Nordic orange because it turns sweet when boiled and is very high in vitamin C, I often mix it in when making casseroles. Also cheap are wild blueberries, potatoes and salmon. I live very cheap now to save up money, it can be done.

Usually, working permit for a young person for outside of the EU is a hard. You will need a specific employer who will also have to tell the UDI why they chose you over national and EU applicants. We will try with SO next year regardless, but it is only because of his age/food/language skills (waiting in Turkish hotels and restaurants for the past 12 years, soon to have a bachelor in hotel management, speaks 4 languages including and will come here in the fall to learn Norwegian).

Au pair permit might be an option, you probably cant live together though and you will need a plan for what to do next. It is not well payed, but you will have room and board covered, and there is a clear intention that you should be able to take language (and "culture") classes. Many people have switched from au pair programs to study programs and make the transition well because they already learned the language.

Also, very popular for international couples these days is to live together in Sweden 6-24 months and then apply family reunion visa because then it will prove you have a history of living together. This is a bit complicated and means you will have to find jobs/studies there. It also means you will not get to "try out" Norway that much. "Love without borders" (Grenseløs kjærlighet) has a recipie on how this can be done: https://grenseloskjaerlighet.com/hva...B8s-losningen/

Wow! I didn't realize how many different options we have! Thank you so much for the information!

[dreams]

Hey there!

I work for the government, for the foreign affairs on the immigration department so I'm just going to try and be of use. Im not sure USA/Norway criteria are much the same as the one I work for, but if for a family VISA you need her to fill a therm of financial responsibility and she doesn't make enough, why not someone else do it? Her parents perhaps? I don't know about your situation when it comes to her family but there are ways to go around these matters. Maybe tell me some more? I will try to contact some people and ask about this internally for you I'd you'd like?

[differentcountries]

An application for fiance visa or family reunion visa cost NOK 5900 (about 700 US dollars).

The reference person has to earn at least 305 200 NOK before tax 2 years in a row and prefferably from a steady job/field (not payed by the hour).

There are some exeptions, but usually it is hard to use family income in any way.

Counted as income are the following: sick leave money, pregnancy/parental money, permanent disability benifits, old age pension, student loans and scholarships

Not counted as income: temporary disability benifits (AAP), social security benifits, child and housing support, savings