The Greencard scheme

It is possible to be granted a residence permit for the purpose of seeking work and working in Denmark. A residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme is issued on the basis of an individual evaluation based on a point system.

If you are granted a residence permit under the Greencard scheme, you do not need to obtain a separate work permit. However, a residence permit under the Greencard scheme does not give you the right to work as a self-employed person (run your own business).

Job opportunities

The points in the Greencard scheme are given on the basis of objective criteria used to assess whether applicants are generally suited to apply for highly qualified jobs in Denmark. Getting a residence permit under the Greencard scheme is not the same as getting a job. It is entirely your own responsibility to find a job in Denmark so you can support yourself.

At present, the demand for foreign labour is generally limited. However, certain sectors request highly qualified foreign professionals. Please note that good Danish language skills are often a condition for success in the Danish work market.

Conditions

Before applying for a residence permit under the Greencard scheme you should assess your job opportunities. There are several web portals, databases and CV banks which can be useful in the process of seeking work in Denmark. If you wish to work within certain fields and have a foreign education, you must obtain an authorization or similar official approval from the relevant authority.

Within six months of getting your permit, you must move to Denmark and have an official address in Denmark. It is your own responsibility to find a place to live. Furthermore, within the first year of being granted a residence permit, you must have earned a minimum of DKK 50,000 in Denmark.

You cannot bring any accompanying family members to Denmark before you are settled at an official address in Denmark, have found a job, and have received a salary.

If you are granted a residence permit, you must take out a full health insurance covering you and any accompanying family members until you are covered by the Danish National Health Insurance.

It is also a requirement that in the first year you have earned a minimum of DKK 50,000 in Denmark. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration will automatically check the Danish income register to see if you meet this requirement. If not, your residence permit may be revoked.

You do not receive any unemployment or any public assistance during your stay in Denmark.

You can be granted a first-time residence permit under the Greencard scheme for up to two years. Before the end of this period, you can apply for an extension of up to three years.

Residence permit can be extended if in the course of the past 12 months before submitting your application for an extension, if you have earned a minimum of DKK 50,000

The salary can be earned in one or more jobs.

Extension

If you submit your application after the date your residence permit expires, you should expect your application to be rejected.

If your residence permit expires, and you applied for an extension before the expiration date, you may stay in Denmark with the same right while your application is being processed.

The Greencard scheme has been changed as per 1 January 2015.

A special transitional scheme applies, if you were granted a residence permit under the Greencard scheme before 1 January 2015. As a result, the first application for an extension which you submit after 1 January 2015 will be processed under the previous extension rules. However, any subsequent applications for an extension will be processed under the new extension rules, where you must meet the income requirement.

If you have been granted a residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme, you can bring certain family members. You must document that you can support your accompanying family members.

Eligibility

• Must obtain a minimum of 100 points
• Must be over the age of 18
• Must meet the following requirements to earn points to qualify
• In order to receive any points for your educational level, you must, as a minimum, have the equivalent of a Danish Bachelor’s degree.

Points are given as follows:

o Bachelor’s degree/Graduated from medium-length education: 30 points o Bachelor’s degree followed by one-year Master’s degree: 50 points o Master’s degree: 60 points o PhD: 80 points
• You will be given 30 bonus points if your education is in the Positive List
• You will be given bonus points if you graduated from a university which is in the o Top 400: 10 points o Top 200: 15 points o Top 100: 20 points

Language

In order to be given points for language skills, you must document that you have passed a recognized language test in English or German.

Adaptability

You can be given points for your educational or work related attachment to the EU/EEA (including Denmark) or Switzerland. Points are given for either education or work.

Process

• Create case order Id
• Pay the fee
• Submit the application

Fees

Fees are regulated on 1st January.

The fee is 6850 DKK

The fee will not be refunded if your application is processed – regardless of whether you are granted a residence permit, or your application is turned down, because you do not meet the requirements. Likewise, the fee will not be refunded if you withdraw your application.

When you submit your application you must document that you have at your disposal an annual amount is DKK 130,188 (12 x 10,849)