FAQs
- I am travelling to the States and wonder what sorts of food I can bring.
- I am bringing a pet to the US, what are the requirements?
- Where can I get an international driver's license?
- How can one get a parking permit for the disabled in the US?
- I am going to the States as a tourist - do I need a visa?
- How much is a pound (lb) in grams or kilograms?
- How do US clothes sizes compare to the European system?
- What is the Norwegian krone/US dollar exchange rate?
- Where can I obtain US vital records? (birth/death/marriage)
Please note that this listing is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Embassy in Oslo.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What types of food can I bring/send into the U.S.?
What types of food can I bring/send into the U.S.?
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We often get questions about what types of food are allowed past US Customs. These rules are decided by the US Customs and Border Protection, (often in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture.)
As a general rule, fish is usually allowed in most forms (raw, smoked, cured, frozen, haphazardly packed, vacuum packed, etc). Soft cheeses such as brie and camembert are not allowed, but hard cheeses such as brown goat cheese (brunost) are. Currently, meat from Norway is not allowed in any form, and all fruits and vegetables must be declared and are most likely not allowed. Chocolate and other candies are allowed.
Please consult www.cbp.gov to be completely sure!
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We often get questions about what types of food are allowed past US Customs. These rules are decided by the US Customs and Border Protection, (often in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture.)
- What about tobacco and "snus"?
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Do I need an international drivers license in the US?
Do I need an international drivers license in the US?
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Norway and
the United States are both party to the 1949 International Convention on Road
Traffic. Visitors from signatory nations may drive on the roads of other
signatory nations using his or her own country’s license (limited to a licensed
driver who is at least 18 years old and limited to a vehicle of the type covered
by the license) for up to 1 year from the date of arrival.
The Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF - Norges Automobil-Forbund) nonetheless recommends that you have an international driver's license in addition to your ordinary drivers license for driving in all non-EEA nations. You can get an international drivers license from any NAF office, member offices as well as the main office.
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Norway and
the United States are both party to the 1949 International Convention on Road
Traffic. Visitors from signatory nations may drive on the roads of other
signatory nations using his or her own country’s license (limited to a licensed
driver who is at least 18 years old and limited to a vehicle of the type covered
by the license) for up to 1 year from the date of arrival.
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How many states are there in the US?
How many states are there in the US?
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There are 50 states in the US. For more info on each individual
state, please visit www.50states.com
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There are 50 states in the US. For more info on each individual
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Number of Norwegians visiting the States
Number of Norwegians visiting the States
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Please
visit the website of the International
Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce, for an overview of number
of Norwegians that visited the US between 1995 and 2002.
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Please
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I would like to study in the US - what do I do?
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May I take my pet with me to the US?
May I take my pet with me to the US?
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For information on travelling to the US with your pet, or on what items you can bring to the U.S., please see the U.S. Cusoms and Border Protection websites.
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- May I take my laptop computer with me into the U.S.?
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Can I travel with my medications and medical devices?
Can I travel with my medications and medical devices?
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Prescription
medications should be in their original containers, it is advised that
you travel with no more than personal use quantities, a rule of thumb is
no more than a 90 day supply. If medications or devices are not in
their original containers, you should have a copy of your prescription
with you. See www.cpb.gov for more information on the matter.
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Prescription
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I am going to the US on vacation. Do you have some information for me?
I am going to the US on vacation. Do you have some information for me?
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There is no US travel office in Norway, and the Embassy does
unfortunately not have any tourist information.
We advise you to check out:
USA.gov's travel page
DiscoverAmerica
It's also a good idea to read the information about U.S. customs regulations on the U.S. Custom's Traveler Information web page.
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There is no US travel office in Norway, and the Embassy does
unfortunately not have any tourist information.
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I would like to travel via bus or train in US
I would like to travel via bus or train in US
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Despite there not being any US travel office in Norway,
Nordmanns-Reiser in Oslo (phone 21 60 98 80) and Bergen (53 20 99 50) are ticket
agents for AmTrak where you can purchase tickets to US trains. You may also want
to check the AmTrak webpage. For
information on travelling with bus, check out the web page of Greyhound buses. Here you can find
information about time tables, routes, etc. If you still cannot find what you
are looking for, you may contact them for information about fares and schedules
at phone number 00-1-402-330-8552 (when calling from Norway). If you arrive the
US via New York, you may visit their office at the following address:
Port Authority Bus Terminal
625 8th Avenue at 41 St
New York, NY 10018Telephone (212) 971-0492 (when calling from the States)
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Despite there not being any US travel office in Norway,
Nordmanns-Reiser in Oslo (phone 21 60 98 80) and Bergen (53 20 99 50) are ticket
agents for AmTrak where you can purchase tickets to US trains. You may also want
to check the AmTrak webpage. For
information on travelling with bus, check out the web page of Greyhound buses. Here you can find
information about time tables, routes, etc. If you still cannot find what you
are looking for, you may contact them for information about fares and schedules
at phone number 00-1-402-330-8552 (when calling from Norway). If you arrive the
US via New York, you may visit their office at the following address:
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How many presidents has the United States had?
How many presidents has the United States had?
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The
current President, President Barack Obama, is the 44th President of the United
States of America. For more information on him or any other president, please
visit the POTUS pages of the
Internet Public Library
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The
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Visa
Visa
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If you are going to the States as a tourist and staying less than 90 days, please see information here. If you are still not certain after reading the info here, you can send an email to oslovisa@state.gov
For more information, visit the Visa pages of our website.
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If you are going to the States as a tourist and staying less than 90 days, please see information here. If you are still not certain after reading the info here, you can send an email to oslovisa@state.gov
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What is the voltage in the US?
What is the voltage in the US?
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U.S. voltage is 110V/60hz, while Norway uses
220V/50hz. Electrical outlets in the U.S. take a flat-bladed plug (http://kropla.com/!ab.htm) - in
Norway outlets take a round-pinned plug (see http://kropla.com/!c.htm) If you are going
to the US and want to bring your Norwegian hair dryer, you'll need an adapter
for plug.
These can generally be purchased from a hardware, travel or appliance store. If you buy electrical equipment in the U.S. and want to use it in Norway, you also need a step-down voltage converter that adapts 220 V to the 110 V that is expected by your U.S. appliance.
Retailers of voltage converters in the U.S. can be found by searching for "voltage converters" on the internet. In Norway, a company that sells step-down converters is Ing. Furuseth AS.
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U.S. voltage is 110V/60hz, while Norway uses
220V/50hz. Electrical outlets in the U.S. take a flat-bladed plug (http://kropla.com/!ab.htm) - in
Norway outlets take a round-pinned plug (see http://kropla.com/!c.htm) If you are going
to the US and want to bring your Norwegian hair dryer, you'll need an adapter
for plug.
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Currency: Are there restrictions on "reproducing" US currency for play/recreational purposes?
Currency: Are there restrictions on "reproducing" US currency for play/recreational purposes?
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The law places strict limitations on photographs or other printed reproductions of US and foreign paper currency, checks, bonds, stamps, and securities.
U.S. currency. The Counterfeit Detection Act of 1992 permits color illustration of U.S. currency provided that:
-the illustration is less than three-quarters or more than one and one-half times the size, in linear dimension, of any part of the bill;
-the illustration is one-sided; and
-any negatives, positives, plates, or digital, magnetic, or optical files used in making the illustration are destroyed, deleted, or erased after their final use.
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I am a Norwegian nurse/medical doctor wanting to practice in the US. What do I have to do?
I am a Norwegian nurse/medical doctor wanting to practice in the US. What do I have to do?
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If you want to practice medicine or work as a nurse in the US and are
educated within this field in Norway or any country other than the US, you need
to take a test that certifies your readiness to enter residency or fellowship
programs in the United States that are accredited by the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education.
This is carried out by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Please be advised that the US Embassy in Oslo does not have any information brochures or application forms for this.
These may be downloaded from the ECFMG website. You can also call the Norwegian Fulbright Commission (22 01 40 10) in Oslo for an information booklet on this program.
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If you want to practice medicine or work as a nurse in the US and are
educated within this field in Norway or any country other than the US, you need
to take a test that certifies your readiness to enter residency or fellowship
programs in the United States that are accredited by the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education.
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I am HIV positive, can I travel to the U.S.?
I am HIV positive, can I travel to the U.S.?
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Persons with HIV
are now able to apply for non-immigrant visas for foreigners who are
HIV-positive and seek to enter the U.S. as visitors for up to 30 days. Get more information on CBP.gov or write an e-mail to oslovisa@state.gov
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Persons with HIV