Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Danish Green Card and Work Permit Program

If you are a professional who wants to work, live and settle in the European Union, the Danish Green card gives you the opportunity.
Non-European Union skilled migrants are allowed to come to Denmark under a renewable 3 years Green Card permit for the purpose of finding work. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you file your application and receive your Danish visum in 20-50 days! The Danish visum allows you to travel to Denmark and look for work there. As soon as you find a job, you will be granted a Danish Green Card immediately by the Danish authorities, which is your permit to work and live in Denmark or any other EU country. This is an excellent opportunity for any professional looking for a career and life in the EU. Note: EU and Danish companies are facing shortages in getting qualified employees in several key areas. This program is the best and fastest way of allowing qualified individuals worldwide to settle and work in Denmark or any other EU country.

Denmark Needs Your Skills
Denmark is one of the European Union’s most active members in trying to recruit skilled workers from around the world. Denmark’s immigration policy, similar to the United Kingdom’s skilled immigration program, utilizes a points based system called the Danish Green Card Scheme to attract skilled workers from outside the EU.


Why would you want to live in Denmark?
  • Denmark was ranked as “The happiest place in the world” based on the standards of health, welfare and education.
  • Denmark is considered one of the richest countries in the world.
  • Many job opportunities - Unemployment is currently at a historical low.
  • High Salaries - Gross salaries are high in Denmark in comparison with other countries making Denmark an attractive place to work.
  • English is used as the corporate language.
  • Denmark is the second most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland.
  • Denmark is the least corrupt country in the world.
  • The capital, Copenhagen, is ranked the most livable city in the world.
  • Denmark has a GDP per capita 15-20% higher than that of the United States.
  • Denmark’s national currency, the Krone, is de facto linked to the Euro.

Danish Green Card - Denmark's points based immigration scheme

When most people think of immigrating to the European Union, Denmark doesn't immediately spring to mind. But with an attractive corporate culture, flourishing IT industry, and laid back European lifestyle, Denmark turns out to be a very good prospect for someone who wants to live and work abroad.



Points based immigration systems which assess people based on their skills and other factors are becoming increasingly popular across the globe. The United Kingdom is currently implementing its own points based system after getting some inspiration from Australia's success in attracting skilled migrants.

However, Britain isn't the only European Union state that utilizes a points based immigration scheme. Denmark has its own points system: the Danish Green Card.

The Danish Green Card allows skilled individuals to obtain a residence permit visa based solely on their qualifications for the purpose of finding work in Denmark. The residence permit is granted after a successful evaluation based on a points based system, which scores applicants on factors such as age, educational level, language skills, and work experience.

Bonus points can be rewarded if the applicant obtained a qualification from an eligible university. In addition, extra points can be gained by having training or qualifications in an occupation on a list of jobs that Denmark considers in shortage.

If the person scores enough points, he or she is granted a residence permits valid for three years. In addition, the applicant is allowed to bring his or her family.

In a recent news release, the Danish Immigration Service highlighted the many reasons a person could do well to choose Denmark as a destination.

"There are many good reasons for seeking work in Denmark," the release stated. "...Denmark has an attractive working environment with relaxed and development-oriented working conditions."

The Danish Greencard Scheme

It is possible to be granted a residence permit for the purpose of seeking work, and subsequently working, in Denmark. A residence and work permit under the greencard scheme is issued on the basis of an individual evaluation using a point system designed to assess the likelihood that the applicant will be able to find qualified work in Denmark. 

If you are a Nordic citizen, you are free to reside, study and work in Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen and wish to reside in Denmark under the EU rules on freedom of movement, you may be subject to special regulations. Read more about EU/EEA and Nordic citizens.

If you already hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or asylum, or hold a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, you do not need a work permit in order to work in Denmark.

It is your own responsibility to obtain a residence permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.


Conditions

In order to be granted a residence permit under the greencard scheme, you must attain a minimum of 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 document that you are able to support yourself during your first year in Denmark. Documentation can be a recent bank statement in your name which clearly states in which currency, and on which date, the statement was issued. If you wish to apply for a residence permit for accompanying family members, you must also document that you are able to support your family members. This documentation must be in either your own or your spouse's/partner's name.

Furthermore, it is a requirement that you do not receive any public assistance under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (lov om aktiv socialpolitik) during your stay in Denmark.

Read more about financial requirements.

Educational level

The level of academic degrees may vary from country to country, even if they have the same title. For example, a Bachelor's degree from another country may not necessarily be equivalent to a Danish Bachelor's degree.

The Danish Immigration Service will decide whether it is necessary to have your educational level assessed by the Danish Agency for International Education, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Development.

If your education is on a level lower than a Danish Bachelor's degree, you will not be able to obtain enough points to be granted a residence permit under the greencard scheme.

Please note that a Master's degree from e.g. a Pakistani university will often be assessed as equivalent to two years' studies at a Danish university, or a Danish Bachelor's degree. Read more about the assessment of Pakistani and Indian degrees.

In order that the Danish Agency for International Education can assess your educational level you must include in your application colour copies of all documentation for all your completed education.

Read more about documentation requirements.

Please note: The Danish Agency for International Education will only assess your educational level if asked to do so by the Immigration Service in connection with an actual application. As such, you cannot have your educational level assessed by the Danish Agency for International Education in advance, i.e. before submitting your application.

Read more about the Danish Agency for International Education.

In order to receive points for educational level, you must, as a minimum, havethe equivalent of a Danish Bachelor’s degree. You will only be given points for one educational level. Points are given as follows:
  • Bachelor's degree/Graduated from medium-length education: 30 points
  • Bachelor's degree followed by one-year Master's degree: 50 points
  • Master's degree: 60 points
  • PhD: 80 points
You will be given bonus points 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. In order to obtain the bonus points, your education must be of the level specified for the job type in question, e.g. a Master's degree or a Professional Bachelor's degree.

You can only obtain points for completed educational programmes. For example, if you are currently studying for a Master's degree in Sweden, you should not apply for a residence permit under the greencard scheme until you have completed your programme.

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

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 an indicative list of approved foreign language exams with their corresponding Danish level. You will only be given points for approved exams. 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/one year's study or work: 20 points
You can be given a maximum of 30 points for your language skills.

Please note: Good Danish skills are often essential to engage effectively in the Danish labour market.

Work experience

Your work experience can 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.

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 full year's (12 consecutive months') legal residence and work in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 5 points
  • At least two consecutive 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.

Age

You can be given points based on your age at the time you submit your application. 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.

Processing your case

Please make sure that your application contains all information and documentation needed by the Immigration Service to process your case. If your application lacks required information or documentation, the Immigration Service may choose to reject your application on these grounds. This means that your application will not be processed.

If it is necessary to have your educational level assessed by the Danish Agency for International Education, you will be notified by the Immigration Service.

Duration and extension

You can be granted a first-time residence permit under the greencard scheme for up to 3 years. Before the end of this period, you can apply for an extension of up to 1 year. Before the end of this period, you can apply for an extension of up to four years.

Your residence permit can be extended if you have worked for the past 12 months for a minimum of ten hours per week.

Your residence permit can be extended for one year if you have lost your job through no fault of your own (e.g. due to cutbacks) no more than three months before applying for an extension, and if prior to this, you worked for 12 months for a minimum of ten hours per week.

You can submit your application for an extension no sooner than 2 months before it expires.

When applying for an extension of your residence permit, it is crucial that you submit your application on time, i.e. before your current residence permit expires. Failure to do so will normally result in your application being rejecteddue to your residing illegally in Denmark. As such, an application which is submitted too late will not be processed by the Immigration Service. Instead, you will have to leave Denmark and apply for a new residence permit from your country of origin.

Your residence permit can only be granted or extended up to three months before your passport expires. This means that if your passport expires in 12 months, you can only be granted a permit for nine months, or your permit can only be extended by nine months. If you have your passport renewed after receiving your residence permit, you can apply for the full period by sending a letter to the Immigration Service together with a copy of your renewed passport.

Read more about extension.

Jobseeking in Denmark

It is your own responsibility to find work in Denmark so you can support yourself.

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.

Please note that unemployment in Denmark is on the increase in certain sectors. The general unemployment rate for March 2010 was 4.2 pct.

This means that recent years' general shortage in labour has now been replaced by a situation with a shortage in available jobs. 

This means that the demand for foreign labour has also been reduced drastically. However, certain sectors still need foreign qualified professionals. 

When the Danish economy experiences growth again, the demand for foreign labour is expected to rise.

Special scheme for students at higher educational programmes

Family members

If you hold a residence 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.

Application

Read more about how to apply.

Appeal

If your application for a residence permit is turned down, you can appeal to the Ministry of Integration. See appeal guidelines.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Denmark Green Card

Immigrate to Denmark

Have plans to immigrate to and live and work in a developed European Union member country? Denmark Green card points based system is the program which you should be making the application under! Explore the option to Immigrate to Denmark and live and work in one of the happiest countries in the world.

Denmark Green Card Points Based System

Denmark Green Card Points Based system assess the prospective applicants on the basis of their skills (age, educational background, proficiency in the language and work experience) and allows them to get a temporary residence permit visa on the basis of their qualifications for the motto of getting employment in the nation.

The applicants are entitled for bonus points if they have earned their qualifications from an eligible university. Moreover, the entitlement to get extra points increases by having the presence of an occupation on the Positive List for Denmark.

Scoring mandatory points allows an applicant to get a temporary residence permit (provided other pre-requisites are fulfilled too). Entry of spouse and dependent children is permitted in cases too.

Educational qualification

The level of academic degree may differentiate from one nation to another, even if the title is same. For instance, a Bachelor's or master's degree holder earned from India may NOT have the same equivalence to a Danish Bachelor's or master's degree. Overseas education qualifications not meeting the equivalency norms of Danish don't hold much importance from immigration perspective and may adversely affect the points granted for a residence permit under the scheme. You can claim up to 105 points under educational point factor for Denmark Green card.

Consult our Denmark Immigration specialist to know more about acceptance of your qualifications as per Danish equivalency norms or whether you can claim points under this crucial factor.


Language skills

The language skills of an applicant are judged on the basis of the official Danish language proficiency tests meant for overseas applicants.

Points are given as follows:
• Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 1 : 5 points
• Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 2 : 10 points
• Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 3 : 15 points
• Level corresponding to Study Test in Danish as a Second Language or advanced/one year's study or employment: 20 points

Work experience

An applicant can earn a maximum of 15 points on the basis of work experience, provided the occupation is present in the positive list and is in demand in Denmark. Points would be granted in accordance with the number of years worked in the industry, within the last five years.

Age

Points are granted on the basis of the age at the time of submission of the application:

• 35-40 years: 10 points
• 34 years or younger: 15 points