Lying to customs, how to go about it

[u/LeatherRepulsive5929]

Hey everybody, I'm a US citizen trying to go WWOOFing in Norway this summer and I'm running into visa issues. I'm having conflicting info on whether or not I need a visa/residence permit (the WWOOF website says I do but other places say I don't if it's for less than 90 days and with intention to go back to the US after that).

I hear Norwegian work permits for foreign nationals can be are very very difficult to obtain so at this point I'm thinking about just going and telling customs I'm there for tourism. Has anyone here ever done that? Do they ask for proof of a hotel stay or something? Because if they do and I don't have one the WWOOF norway website says I could be deported/arrested/banned from the EU. From what I understand, telling customs you're a tourist when you're really a WWOOFer isn't too far out of a thing to do here.

Can anyone help me out?

For context I've already been WWOOFing in Norway two years ago, but I entered the country by train from Sweden and must not have ever gone through customs, because I don't remember any kind of headache having to do with this stuff.

[u/Substantial-Today166]

you only say that you are a tourist thats it

[u/carefullyplacedkoala]

"I'm just here to see the area" "oh yeah I have some hotels that I've booked" "Yeah I won't be here too long- just a couple weeks" "mhm- staying in the "(name nearest city)" area to see the sights before I go back home to the states on "(the day you leave)"

They just need to be sure you're not coming illegally, unprepared or to preform illegal labor

[u/lrn___]

don't post about lying to them online to start

[u/LeatherRepulsive5929 → u/lrn___]

Sir you sound suspect im gonna need to see your reddit account

[u/lrn___ → u/LeatherRepulsive5929]

do u really think its that crazy theyd search social media idk what your being like this for idk how exactly everything works but there is 0 reason to admit to this type of thing online ever

[u/corncobcommie → u/lrn___]

"do u really think its that crazy"

Yes.

[u/Mission_Albatross916 → u/corncobcommie]

It’s happening in the USA!

[u/Tall_Kaleidoscope_53]

I booked a dirt cheap hostel once when I was nervous about it so I’d have accommodation plans incase they asked for proof, then cancled my stay when I arrived. But no one’s ever asked me personally. Just say you’re there for tourism.

[u/Jurello]

Hi, you can see there's a big banner on wwoof norway advising AGAINST joining wwoof norway if you are not EU citizen.

It seem Norway governemnt recently restricted possibilities to wwoof in the country https://docs.wwoof.net/NO/residence-permit-wwoof-norway.pdf

I suggest you to contact WWOOF norway team for latest info. I'm afraid your travel experience from 2 years ago Is no longer valid

[u/bikemandan]

Have the address for a hotel in case needed

[u/pchandler45]

I'm on holiday! That's it always and forever

[u/rumplnoskinohgodwhy]

Rip I’ve wwoofed in half a dozen Europe countries and never even considered this. Hope I don’t get arrested.

[u/Smurfiette]

WWOOF is being very irresponsible. They should have an agreement with countries so the kinds of activities members engage in are eligible under whatever visa is necessary for a particular country. This very gray area that WWOOF operates in forces members to lie (of omission) and breach the terms of the visitor visas they use to enter countries.

https://www.thelocal.no/20241031/i-had-no-idea-what-was-going-on-how-juliana-was-deported-from-norway-for-volunteering

[u/RainbowKoalaFarm]

Tourism and visiting a family as a cultural exchange.

[u/Substantial-Today166 → u/RainbowKoalaFarm]

wrong