legal
Saturday, 7. October 2006, 12:47:49
Each person who comes to Norway to live must present themselves to the local police authorities and have the residency visa put in their passport. Yesterday was my day. I have heard that the line of immigrants can snake around the block and latecomers may not get processed that day. The doors open at 8:15 and all advice was that 7:15 was realistic and earlier is better.
There is a bus but I had already scoped out the 18 minute (brisk) walk.
Like all nights when I have something earlier than ususal, I woke up every 15 minutes to check the clock. Finally it was close enough that I turned off the alarm, closed my eyes, and looked up again at 6:45. Fortunately everything was laid out and I was able to shower and dress and grab my umbrella and dash out into the early morning drizzle to race the length of Grünerløkka to the police station. By 7:20 I was standing in line nervous that the notoriously flaky photo machine inside might be broken and the whole process would fail when I couldn't get the required passport size photo.
But my immigration fairy showed up to facilitate the process and the photo machine took four effective if unflattering pictures for half the price posted and I am now the proud owner of an Oppholdstillatelse residency permit in my passport and a handful of untranslated papers announcing that I'm legal to work here.
From there it was off to apply for a Personal Number and Tax Card. Everything here starts with the personal number, it allows you to bank, to rent, to buy sim cards for your phone, to become a person in the systems that make daily life possible. But for two more weeks, I'll float through on borrowed identities and utlander status. Hopefully, the process will be easier for S&H and not too much colder leaning against the alley wall in the cold and dark waiting for the Politi to open their doors and give you a number.
There is a bus but I had already scoped out the 18 minute (brisk) walk.
Like all nights when I have something earlier than ususal, I woke up every 15 minutes to check the clock. Finally it was close enough that I turned off the alarm, closed my eyes, and looked up again at 6:45. Fortunately everything was laid out and I was able to shower and dress and grab my umbrella and dash out into the early morning drizzle to race the length of Grünerløkka to the police station. By 7:20 I was standing in line nervous that the notoriously flaky photo machine inside might be broken and the whole process would fail when I couldn't get the required passport size photo.
But my immigration fairy showed up to facilitate the process and the photo machine took four effective if unflattering pictures for half the price posted and I am now the proud owner of an Oppholdstillatelse residency permit in my passport and a handful of untranslated papers announcing that I'm legal to work here.
From there it was off to apply for a Personal Number and Tax Card. Everything here starts with the personal number, it allows you to bank, to rent, to buy sim cards for your phone, to become a person in the systems that make daily life possible. But for two more weeks, I'll float through on borrowed identities and utlander status. Hopefully, the process will be easier for S&H and not too much colder leaning against the alley wall in the cold and dark waiting for the Politi to open their doors and give you a number.
You've made the first week! Congratulations. Sounds interesting, intriguing and beginning to sound a bit dark, too. Hope the snow arrives prior to S and H. That should help. Thanks so much for posting the blog. It does help us stay connected. S seems to be holding up and accepting those surprising, unchangeable things -- like moving cost estimates! At least you don't have to worry about being owned by "things." Actually, that can be remarkably freeing. We had that experience in grad school when the five of us were packed in that 2 bedroom apartment in Austin. Here we are years later with a lot more stuff but stronger and, I think, with better perspective about what really matters. You matter. So do S and H. Enjoy the week-end. PCB
By anonymous user, # 7. October 2006, 14:31:39