DENMARK IMMIGRATION

DANISH GREENCARD SCHEME (NEW)

If you're planning to move Europe for work or live, either temporarily or permanently, you will need to have a Danish Immigrationa - and that is where we come in. Whether you are an individual or a business, we can help you increase your chances of securing the appropriate visa(s) for you or your company. We believe in providing personalised solutions and professional service for our clients. And if we don't think you need us, we'll tell you.

INTRODUCTION:

The Danish Green Card scheme allows you to live and work in Denmark if you can score enough points based upon criteria such as age, language skills, work experience, and education. If you score at least 100 points, you can obtain a residence permit valid for up to three years. In addtion, you will be able to bring your immediate family along.

As well as scoring 100 points, you must have a valid health insurance policy and be able to provide proof that you can support yourself and your family while you look for work in Denmark.

IMMIGRATION:

The purpose of the Denmark The Greencard Scheme to attract people with skills which would be of benefit to Denmark. If successful in applying for skilled migration visa, you will be granted permanent residence in Demark. In order to be eligible for Greencard Scheme, you or your spouse must be able to satisfy the following basic requirements:

THE DANISH GREENCARD POINTS BASED SCHEME

Under the Danish Green Card scheme, points are score under five areas: Education, Language Skills, Work Experience, Adaptability, and Age. It is also possible to score a number of bonus points for various factors described below.

Conditions
In order to be granted a residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme, you must attain at least 100 points. Points are given for: educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability, and age.

You must have full health insurance covering you and any accompanying family members until you are covered by the Danish national health insurance.

You must be able to support yourself during your first year in Denmark. You need to document that you dispose of an amount equal to Danish start aid (starthjælp) for one year. The monthly start aid amount is (2008 level): DKK 4,926 for persons under 25 not living with their parents, DKK 5,940 for single persons over 24, DKK 4,926 for married/cohabiting persons over 24. Documentation can be a bank statement in your name.

1. Educational level

Your educational level will be assessed after it has been converted to its Danish equivalent for comparison. This is done as academic degrees vary from country to country, even if they are called by the same name. The Immigration Service will ask CIRIUS, a body under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, to assess your educational level.

In order to receive points for educational level, you must, as a minimum, have the equivalent of a Danish Bachelor’s degree. You will only be given points for one educational level. Points are given as follows:

Bachelors degree 30
Bachelors degree + 1 year Masters degree 50
Masters degree 60
PhD 80

You will be given bonus point if you graduated from a university which is internationally recognised for its high academic level according to the latest THES-QS World Ranking. Points are given as follows:

Top 400: 5 points.
Top 200: 10 points.
Top 100: 15 points.
See the top 400 list.

You will be given 10 bonus points if your education qualifies you to work in a field where Denmark is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. You can find these fields on the Positive List.

You can be given a maximum of 105 points for your educational level.

2. Language skills

Your language skills will be given points based on a four-level system modelled after the official Danish language proficiency tests for foreigners (the Danish Language Test, Levels 1, 2 and 3 and the Study Test in Danish as a Second Language).

In order to be given points for language skills, you must document that you have passed an exam in either Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German at a level corresponding to at least Danish Language Test, Level 1 (Prøve i Dansk 1). You can only receive points for one Scandinavian language and for either English or German. As such, you can receive points for both Swedish and English, or both Danish and German, but not for both Danish and Norwegian, or for both English and German.

Here is a list of foreign language exams with their corresponding Danish level. Only the exams listed qualify for points. Other exams do not qualify for points.

As an alternative to a language exam, you can document your language skills with a statement from a previous employer attesting that you have used Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German on the job for at least one year, or by presenting documentation that you have completed at least one year of studies at a higher educational programme which was taught in one of these languages. This will be accepted as a level corresponding to that of Study Test in Danish as a Second Language (Studieprøven). Points are given as follows:

Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 1 (Prøve i Dansk 1): 5 points.
Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 2 (Prøve i Dansk 2): 10 points.
Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 3 (Prøve i Dansk 3): 15 points.
Level corresponding to Study Test in Danish as a Second Language (Studieprøven) or higher: 20 points
You can be given a maximum of 30 points for your language skills.

3. Work Experience

Your work experience will be given points according to how many years, within the last five years, you have worked as a researcher or in a field where Denmark is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. You can see these fields and specific job titles on the Positive List. You can also be given points for other work experience. Points are given as follows:

1-2 years within the past five years as a researcher/in field listed on the Positive List: 10 points.
3-5 years within the past five years as a researcher/in field listed on the Positive List: 15 points.
3-5 years within the past five years, other work: 5 points.
You can be given a maximum of 15 points for your work experience.

4. Adaptability

You can be given points for your educational or work related attachment to the EU/EEA (including Denmark) or Switzerland, as this is seen to increase your ability to quickly adapt to the Danish labour market. Points are given for either education or work. Points are given as follows:

Completion of at least one year's study at a higher educational programme in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 5 points.
Completion of at least three years' study at a higher educational programme in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 10 points.
Or

At least one year's legal residence and work in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 5 points.
At least two year's legal residence and work in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 10 points.
You will be given 5 bonus points for Danish language skills (passed exam in Danish Language Test, Level 2 (Prøve i Dansk 2) or higher).

You can be given a maximum of 15 points for your adaptability.

5. Age

You can be given points based on your age. Points are given as follows:

35-40 years: 10 points.
34 years or younger: 15 points.
You can be given a maximum of 15 points for your age.

6. Duration

A residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme can be granted for up to three years with a possibility for extension of up to one year, provided that you have a permanent job or have held a permanent job which you have lost through no fault of your own (e.g. due to cutbacks) no more than three months before submitting your application for an extension.

Jobseeking in Denmark
There are several web portals, databases and cv banks which can be useful in the process of seeking work in Denmark. Read more about jobseeking in Denmark.

Special scheme for students at higher educational programmes
There is a special version of the Greencard scheme for students who complete a higher educational programme in Denmark.

Family members
If you hold a residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme, your spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner, as well as any children under the age of 18 who are living at home with you, are also eligible for residence permits. Your family members must be able to support themselves and you must live together in Denmark at the same address. Your spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner is allowed to work full-time for the entire period his or her permit is valid.

Total Passing marks required: 100 points