Latest news with #UDI
Local Norway
04-06-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
'Without BankID you are nobody': Foreigners in Norway lament bureaucratic headaches
Getting a Bank ID When asked to list their worst bureaucratic headaches in Norway the single most widespread gripe among our international readership and online groups was the complex and drawn-out process of obtaining a BankID, Norway's digital identity system. Without it, daily life grinds to a halt. 'You are effectively locked out of Norwegian society,' one reader said. 'No mobile phone number, no online shopping, no Vipps. There are some places where that is the only payment option, which is very frustrating." One respondent, Abby Noble, described it as a 'chicken and egg' conundrum. To get a BankID, you need a bank account. But to open a bank account, you need a registered address — which you often can't get without a bank account. "Why is a bank account necessary for having access to your health page in Norway?" complained Sebastian Rojas, from Chile. READ ALSO: What are the rules for getting a BankID at Norway's banks? The frustrations of having a D-number Many people, such as newly arrived asylum seekers or EU citizens planning to work in Norway for less than six months, or other foreign workers on job seeker permits, are only eligible for a D-number, which can make it hard to open a bank account or access a wide range of other services. Megan Thorsen said that after she was given a D-number on the back of her job-seeker visa, she struggled to set up something as basic as an internet connection. Others found that banks simply had no process for D-number holders, even when they had job offers in hand. 'I went to four banks,' one reader recalled. 'Eventually my Norwegian friend called his banker, who was shocked they couldn't help. They just hadn't seen the issue before.' But even getting a D-number seemed to take some time. 'Without a D-number, you are nobody. And nobody tells you what you're supposed to do next," one respondent moaned. Advertisement READ ALSO: How to switch from a D-number to a fødselsnummer in Norway Trouble opening bank accounts It wasn't only people on D-visas who had trouble opening bank accounts. One Polish respondent said the most frustrating thing about living and working in Norway was simply "waiting". "Over two months to open a bank account!" he exclaimed. "I think the response time to get all the papers ready is sometimes too much," Sebastian Rojas said. "To get my National ID number and the bank account took me at least three months. Without those two things in Norway you are very restricted to what you can actually do." Banks require physical documents, which are sent by post, and Norwegian post won't deliver unless your name is on the letter box. 'It was a nightmare,' said Abby Noble. 'I was only able to solve it thanks to kind Airbnb owners and friends I made at Norskkurs.' READ ALSO: What you need to know about opening a bank account in Norway UDI processing times Advertisement The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) also came in for heavy criticism — particularly for long waits for family reunification and citizenship applications. 'Family visas are taking 12 to 15 months,' said Frida Cota, who had to endure a long-distance relationship while waiting. "Citizenship applications are now taking 30 months if they are not automatically processed. And nobody knows or will tell what the criteria is for automatic processing." Carla Colombon, from Mexico, was unable to work for over 18 months while waiting to get all the necessary paperwork done. 'Such a waste of time and skills and super expensive for my partner and me to live on only one income." She said it has also been "incredibly frustrating" not to be able to travel freely when living in Norway on a temporary visa. Advertisement Problems getting appointments/phone contact "Have you tried calling any institutions? Waiting times of 30 min and more," complained one anonymous respondent, who described Norway as "close to a failed state". "And there is no feedback, as in normal countries (you don't get an option to evaluate how the phone call went)". "When you have to register in the country, the next appointment with the police is like half a year away somewhere in Finnmark," the commenter added. Contradictory answers/poor information Several respondents complained of getting contradictory information from different government officials, or on different government websites. "The information is not coherent," complained Elva Popsen from Greece. "When you register at UDI as a job seeker, nobody tells you that you should go to NAV [the unemployment service]. Also at the tax office, nobody tells you that you should try NAV first if you don't have a job yet." "Any interaction with government institutions leads to contradictory answers," agreed an anonymous respondent, pointing to a "discrepancy between what is indicated on the website and what was provided by direct communication". Lack of understanding among ordinary Norwegians "The challenges immigrants face are not relatable to most locals," Amber Renee explained. "They've never had to get a personal number, never had to deal with UDI, and never had to understand or care about any of these processes." "This seems to carry over to the native Norwegians who design the processes or are working in service positions for the bureaucracy. They still do not relate or understand the full picture and do not really care because it doesn't affect them." Would you add any other obvious bureaucratic hurdles? Share your own experience in the comments section below.
Local Norway
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Norway's language agency warns against raising residency requirement
The government is proposing to increase the required level of spoken Norwegian from A1 to A2 on the Council of Europe's language scale — a shift from basic comprehension to the ability to manage simple, everyday conversations. But in its formal response to a public consultation, the council questioned the lack of impact assessment and said the move risked worsening inequality 'It is well documented that stricter language requirements have negative consequences for people with lower qualifications for language learning,' the agency wrote, citing research from the IMPECT project, which studies language acquisition among migrants. 'This applies in particular to people with no or limited schooling, low literacy skills, and those affected by war-related trauma.' READ ALSO: How changes to Norway's requirements for permanent residence will affect you The council, a government agency tasked with safeguarding and promoting the Norwegian language, was the most outspoken public body to object to the proposal, which was circulated for consultation in December. It said aligning the residency language standard with the more demanding B1 requirement for citizenship did not constitute a strong enough justification for the change. Of the 56 responses to the consultation , a majority were critical. However, many were submitted by individuals or local language schools. Among public authorities, only the Language Council voiced outright opposition. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) both supported the shift. Advertisement The UDI argued it would bring clarity to existing regulations, although it called for the exemptions proposed from taking the language test to be extended to civics test. Applicants who have achieved a grade of 2 or higher in social studies ( samfunnsfag ) in module 4 of preparatory adult education (FOV), should not have to take an additional test. IMDi warned of 'an increased burden' on municipalities and testing centres, noting that the new requirement could lead to greater demand for language testing and might disproportionately affect those transitioning from temporary to longer-term permits. Police chiefs, meanwhile, welcomed the proposal. The Norwegian Association of Chiefs of Police argued the move would better align the residency criteria with those for citizenship , which require a B1 level of Norwegian. Academics at the University of Bergen's Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies also submitted a strongly worded objection , arguing that tying residency rights to language ability was unlikely to improve integration outcomes. Advertisement 'Norwegian and international research finds that the vast majority of immigrants are motivated to learn the language in a new country,' the department wrote. 'We do not have research-based documentation that setting language proficiency requirements will have the intended integration effect the ministry wants to achieve.' Instead, they warned the policy could increase anxiety and psychological stress, particularly among those with fewer educational resources. The department proposed lowering the language requirement for citizenship to A2 to reflect more realistic expectations. The IMPECT project, based at the University of Western Norway, warned in its response that similar policies in other European countries had resulted in a drop in the number of immigrants who achieved permanent residency and citizenship. Its research also found such requirements disproportionately affected women and refugees from low-income countries. The charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who submitted responses were all against the reform, with International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Norge), Kirkerådet (Church Council, Church of Norway), and Caritas Norge, all opposed to raising the language requirement. ICJ-Norge argued in its response that the ever stricter requirements for residency in Norway created insecurity for families, negatively affecting children's social situation and mental health and so worsening the prospects for good integration. When it came to tougher language requirements, it cited the IMPECT project to argue they risked being counterproductive. As female immigrants are more likely than men to lack of literacy and schooling to pass language tests, they argued that the tougher requirements were potentially discriminatory. Caritas Norge, the Catholic charity, which itself helps refugees and offers Norwegian language courses, argued in its response that a better way to ensure that immigrants develop Norwegian language skills would be to provide free Norwegian courses at A1 and A2 levels. The Local has contacted the Ministry of Justice for comment on the timing of any legislative proposal.
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
GS1 UAE hosts landmark healthcare workshop to fast-track national UDI implementation - Middle East Business News and Information
Industry leaders unite to accelerate implementation of GS1 UDI standards across UAE's healthcare ecosystem Dubai, United Arab Emirates – May, 2025 – GS1 UAE recently hosted an exclusive Healthcare User Group UDI Stream focused on accelerating the implementation of Unique Device Identification (UDI) for medical devices in the country. The event brought together leading experts, and global medical technology companies — including representatives from GS1 UAE, MECOMED, BD and Johnson & Johnson — to address critical challenges and explore new opportunities around UDI adoption in the UAE. With participation from both manufacturers and local agents, the event offered a well-rounded perspective on implementation of UDI, focusing on practical experiences, key lessons learned, and the most effective approaches to drive progress. Featuring keynotes, industry presentations, and an open forum for collaboration, the workshop marked as a decisive move to advance patient safety and streamline healthcare supply chains across the nation. 'Enhancing UDI implementation in the UAE requires more than individual effort — it demands a united front,' said Maha Unnisa, Healthcare Manager at GS1 UAE. 'When regulators, healthcare providers, and supply chain partners work together, we move faster, smarter, and with greater impact. At GS1 UAE, we're proud to lead this industry-wide collaboration to make traceability the standard, not the exception — and to build a healthcare system defined by transparency, safety, and trust.' The event featured insights from Rana Chalhoub, Regulatory Affairs Director at MECOMED, who emphasized the region's readiness for UDI standardisation: 'When implementing UDI regulation, it is paramount to consider a phased-in and risk-based approach along with proper transition timelines. Engaging the different MedTech stakeholders, aiming at a globally harmonized and automated UDI data submission process, is key.' Mirette Abskharoun, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs at Johnson & Johnson, added: 'Adopting global UDI identification standards plays an important role in improving patient safety, streamlining supply chains, and facilitating better traceability'. The session concluded with a live Q&A, followed by the presentation of certificates of appreciation and commemorative trophies to distinguished speakers. Attendees also had the opportunity to network and explore how GS1's global standards — including the GS1 DataMatrix barcode, which is now mandated or recommended in healthcare regulations across 70+ countries — are shaping safer, smarter healthcare systems. This event underscores GS1 UAE's role in championing global standards and echoes GS1 Healthcare's mission to build a future where every medical product is uniquely identified, traceable, and safe for every patient, everywhere. Taking place alongside GS1 Healthcare's 20 th anniversary, the event reflects the global momentum behind two decades of driving patient safety and digital transformation through trusted, standardized barcoding systems. About GS1 UAE: GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit organisation that provides global standards for efficient business communication. We are best known for the barcode, named in 2016 by the BBC as one of 'the 50 things that made the world economy.' GS1 standards improve the efficiency, safety and visibility of supply chains across physical and digital channels in 25 sectors. We enable organisations of all types and sizes to identify, capture and share information seamlessly. Our scale and reach – local Member Organisations in 116 countries, more than 2 million user companies and over 10 billion transactions every day – help ensure that GS1 standards create a common language that supports systems and processes across the globe.
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GS1 UAE hosts landmark healthcare workshop to fast-track national UDI implementation
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – GS1 UAE recently hosted an exclusive Healthcare User Group UDI Stream focused on accelerating the implementation of Unique Device Identification (UDI) for medical devices in the country. The event brought together leading experts, and global medical technology companies — including representatives from GS1 UAE, MECOMED, BD and Johnson & Johnson — to address critical challenges and explore new opportunities around UDI adoption in the UAE. With participation from both manufacturers and local agents, the event offered a well-rounded perspective on implementation of UDI, focusing on practical experiences, key lessons learned, and the most effective approaches to drive progress. Featuring keynotes, industry presentations, and an open forum for collaboration, the workshop marked as a decisive move to advance patient safety and streamline healthcare supply chains across the nation. 'Enhancing UDI implementation in the UAE requires more than individual effort — it demands a united front," said Maha Unnisa, Healthcare Manager at GS1 UAE. "When regulators, healthcare providers, and supply chain partners work together, we move faster, smarter, and with greater impact. At GS1 UAE, we're proud to lead this industry-wide collaboration to make traceability the standard, not the exception — and to build a healthcare system defined by transparency, safety, and trust.' The event featured insights from Rana Chalhoub, Regulatory Affairs Director at MECOMED, who emphasized the region's readiness for UDI standardisation: 'When implementing UDI regulation, it is paramount to consider a phased-in and risk-based approach along with proper transition timelines. Engaging the different MedTech stakeholders, aiming at a globally harmonized and automated UDI data submission process, is key.' Mirette Abskharoun, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs at Johnson & Johnson, added: 'Adopting global UDI identification standards plays an important role in improving patient safety, streamlining supply chains, and facilitating better traceability'. The session concluded with a live Q&A, followed by the presentation of certificates of appreciation and commemorative trophies to distinguished speakers. Attendees also had the opportunity to network and explore how GS1's global standards — including the GS1 DataMatrix barcode, which is now mandated or recommended in healthcare regulations across 70+ countries — are shaping safer, smarter healthcare systems. This event underscores GS1 UAE's role in championing global standards and echoes GS1 Healthcare's mission to build a future where every medical product is uniquely identified, traceable, and safe for every patient, everywhere. Taking place alongside GS1 Healthcare's 20th anniversary, the event reflects the global momentum behind two decades of driving patient safety and digital transformation through trusted, standardized barcoding systems. About GS1 UAE: GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit organisation that provides global standards for efficient business communication. We are best known for the barcode, named in 2016 by the BBC as one of 'the 50 things that made the world economy.' GS1 standards improve the efficiency, safety and visibility of supply chains across physical and digital channels in 25 sectors. We enable organisations of all types and sizes to identify, capture and share information seamlessly. Our scale and reach – local Member Organisations in 116 countries, more than 2 million user companies and over 10 billion transactions every day – help ensure that GS1 standards create a common language that supports systems and processes across the globe. Find out more at Media contact (GS1 UAE) Inaas Mughis (inaas@ Agency (GS1UAE@
Local Norway
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Why the number of Syrians getting Norwegian citizenship more than halved
The number of Syrian citizens awarded Norwegian citizenship saw a startling drop last year from 9,033 to just 3,748, accounting for a large proportion of the fall of 9,880 in the number of citizenships awarded. This was both a dramatic fall from the peak year, 2023, and from 2022, when 4,188 Syrians gained citizenship. But it was still well above the number of Syrians given citizenship between 2017 and 2021. Advertisement The Assad regime collapsed on 8 December, 2024, with those still held in the regime's notorious political prisons freed and a new Syrian transitional government appointed in March, prompting 400,000 Syrians to return to the country from neighbouring countries. At least some of the Syrians in Norway are likely to now return to their country of origin, but it is too early for them to show up in the 2024 statistics. Statistics Norway attributes the fall instead to the fact that many of Syrians who came to Norway during the 2015 refugee crisis already received citizenship in 2023. "2023 was a year with particularly high numbers of transitions to Norwegian citizenship among Syrians," the agency points out. "This probably reflects the fact that it was seven years since the refugee influx from Syria and that many had achieved the minimum residence requirement for refugees. The fact that the number is now decreasing may reflect that some of those seeking Norwegian citizenship already had it in 2024." Advertisement According to Statistics Norway the naturalization rate for adult Syrians who had at least six years of residence fell in 2024 to just 25 out of 100, from 55 in 2023 and 61 in 2022. In addition to the fall in applications from the peak year of 2023, the agency said that longer processing times at the UDI could also play a role in the lower number of citizenships awarded. "One should be cautious in interpreting the variations in the number of transitions as reflecting differences in the number of applicants alone," it reported. "The lower number of transitions... among Syrians may also be a result of longer processing times at the UDI [The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration], and that some are waiting for their applications to be processed." As you can see in the charts above, the number of Poles, Swedes, Eritreans and Somalis becoming Norwegian citizens also fell in 2024.
