Denmark was united into a single kingdom towards the end of the 10^th century, which makes it one of the oldest states in Europe. A member of the European Union, Denmark is a highly developed and industrialized nation. Currently, Denmark is actively engaged in recruiting foreign talent to add to its skilled work force.

Living conditions in Denmark are among the world’s best, with free education and a safe and secure environment. Danish corporate culture is distinguished by a lack of hierarchy and an encouragement of open communication between all employee levels. An attractive work environment and relaxed working conditions make the country an ideal destination for those who wish to maintain a good balance between work and family life. At present, Denmark employs a points-based system called the Danish Green Card – similar to the U.K.’s HSMP program – to attract skilled workers from around the world. A Positive List scheme, meant for candidates with a valid job offer from a Danish employer, is also in effect.

TYPES OF VISAS

At present, there are several schemes in effect that make it simple for highly qualified professionals to obtain a residence and work permit in Denmark. These include:

The Green Card scheme

• Under the Green Card scheme, a residence and work permit is issued on the basis of a points’ system used to evaluate the applicant's ability to find qualified work in Denmark. Successful applicants can be granted a three-year residence permit in order to seek work and, thereafter, to work in Denmark.
• The applicant’s spouse (registered or cohabiting partner) and children below the age of 18 are also eligible for residence permits. Family members must be able to support themselves and are required to live together in Denmark at the same address.
• The spouse (registered or cohabiting partner) is also allowed to work full-time for the duration that his/her permit is valid.
•  Under the points’ system, points are allotted for educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability, and age. The applicant must attain a minimum of 100 points to qualify for a residence permit.
• Applicants must be able to substantiate that they are capable of supporting themselves financially during their first year in Denmark.
• Applicants must also ensure that they have a full health insurance cover for themselves and for accompanying family members, till the time they are covered by the Danish national health insurance.
• If the applicant has worked for the past 12 months, for a minimum of ten hours per week, the residence permit can be extended by four years.
• There is also a special scheme for students of higher educational programs (i.e., students who have been granted a residence permit for the purpose of completing a higher educational program in Denmark). These students are allowed an additional six months after completion of the program to look for work in Denmark, during which their residence permit will remain valid.

The Positive List

• The Positive List is a list of the professions and fields in which Denmark is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals.
• People who have been offered a job in a profession on the Positive List, or those with work experience in any of the listed professions, are easily granted visas. 
  

Click here to view the Positive List.

The Pay Limit Scheme 

• Under this scheme, individuals who have been offered a highly paid job can easily obtain a residence and work permit.
• There are no particular requirements regarding education, field of work, or the nature of the job.
• The job must offer a gross annual salary of above DKK 375,000.
• There must be a written job contract/job offer, specifying the salary and employment conditions, which must match up to Danish standards.
• In certain cases, a Danish authorization must be obtained. For instance, the Danish National Board of Health must authorize foreign-trained doctors.
• Individuals can be granted a residence and work permit for up to three years under the Pay Limit scheme, with the possibility of extension for up to four years.

The Corporate Scheme

• This scheme enables employees in a company outside Denmark to be transferred to the company's Danish subsidiary, parent or sister company or similar for a period of time.

• Persons who are employed in a Danish company’s foreign affiliate or department, and are involved in innovative, developmental or educational purposes can be granted a corporate residence permit. The applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Proper documentation needs to be provided to substantiate that the applicant is permanently employed in the foreign department of a company or corporation at the time of application.
• The applicant must document that he/she will remain an employee of the foreign department while working for the Danish company. Working for the Danish company may not entail a change in the employment status with the foreign department.
• The applicant’s work in Denmark must be related to a particular project, or must be innovative or educational in nature, and not ordinary operational tasks.
• While working in the Danish company. The employee’s wages and terms of employment must be comparable to those earned by a Danish employee in the same position.

• Under the Corporate scheme a residence and work permit is granted for up to three years, with the possibility for extension.
• In the event that the Danish company ends its relationship with the foreign company, the residence permit is normally revoked. If the applicant finds a new job, he/she is required to apply for a new residency and work permit.
• Family members of those who hold a residence and work permit, i.e., spouse, registered partner and children under the age of 18, are also eligible for residence permits.
• Family members should be capable of supporting themselves and must live together at the same address while residing in Denmark. The spouse (registered partner or cohabiting partner) is permitted to work full-time for the duration that his/her permit is valid.

• Companies are encouraged to acquire corporate approval before employees apply for residency permits. Although companies are not required to do so, it helps in faster processing of employees’ applications. A corporate approval is valid for three years, with the possibility of further extension.

The concerned company must meet certain conditions to obtain corporate approval, described below:

• It must be able to furnish documents to prove it is part of an international corporation that has a foreign parent or sister company or subsidiary; or that it has active departments (divisions, branches, or offices) in at least one country outside of Denmark. The company must identify all relevant corporate relations.
• The Danish company must have more than 10 employees.

• The company's general salary and employment conditions must match Danish standards. If the company is not party to a collective bargaining agreement, it must declare that it meets this requirement.
• The Danish company must be registered with SKAT, the Danish taxation authority, as responsible for withholding income taxes.
• The Danish company may not be involved in a legal labor dispute.
• The number of foreign employees should not be disproportional to the number of Danish employees.
• The foreign departments must be legitimate businesses.
• In order to qualify for extension of corporate approval, the company must continue to meet these conditions.
• Applicants may not begin work for the Danish company before a being issued a corporate residency permit.

Self Employment

It is possible to be granted a work and residence permit in order to be self-employed and/or operate an independent company in Denmark.

• The Immigration Service will focuses on the following points while processing your application:

• The establishment of the business in Denmark must be related to particular Danish business interests.

• The applicant must furnish documentation to prove that there are sufficient financial means to run the business.
• The applicant must participate actively in the operation of the business, and his/her presence and involvement must be vital to the establishment of the business. Those who have only financial interests in the business, e.g., shareholders, are not eligible for a Danish residence and work permit.
• Generally, a residence and work permit is not granted for the purpose of opening a restaurant or retail shop in Denmark.

• Usually in case of self employment, a residence permit is granted for one year with a possibility for extension. After two years' residence, the applicant may be granted a residence and work permit for a longer period of time.
• If the nature or purpose of your company changes considerably, or if the company is shut down and a new one is opened, a new residence and work permit must be applied for.
• Those who are granted a residence and work permit as self-employed persons are not automatically allowed to bring their family to Denmark.
• The applicant’s spouse (registered partner or cohabiting partner) and children under the age of 18 may be eligible for residence permits. However, the family members should be able to support themselves financially and must live together in Denmark at the same address.
• The spouse (registered partner or cohabiting partner) is allowed to work full-time for the duration that his/her permit is valid.
  

WHY USE US FOR YOUR APPLICATION?

• ITPL’s highly experienced, trained personnel ensure that every client receives prompt and personal attention.
•  We provide a free initial assessment of your viability for immigration to Denmark. We will not take up your case unless we are sure of its success.
• We assess your profile in detail and advise you on the best course of action for your particular case.
• We also provide detailed information on the different visa options available for your profile and ascertain which option is most viable for you.
• Every case accepted by ITPL is impeccably prepared and finalized for the respective visa location/office.
•  Register on our sister portal Career Ahead (www.career-ahead.com) for 24/7 updates on your visa application. Access and download all visa application forms, guides and checklists; follow the progress of your visa application online; upload documents and update information on your application online!

STEPS TO GET THAT VISA

1. Free Assessment

With this first step, we assess your eligibility for a Danish visa on the basis of your personal, educational and professional details which you provide us by filling the online registration form on our sister portal Career Ahead (www.career-ahead.com).

2. Detailed Discussions

Following the initial review, we will resolve any queries you may have regarding the migration procedure – cost, time-frame, visas for family members, and other such details.

3. Sign Up

Once all your queries are resolved, you may select the type of service you require (basic or full representation) and pay the initial installment by your preferred mode of payment. We accept bankers’ cheques and online credit card payments.

Register here to start your visa application process!