Danish Agency for

Labour Market
and Recruitment
Njalsgade 72C
DK-2300 Kbenhavn S

T +45 72 14 20 00
E star@star.dk

www.star.dk

10. juli 2014
Political reform of international recruitment

The Danish Government and Venstre (the Liberal Party), Dansk Folkeparti (the Danish Peoples
Party), Socialistisk Folkeparti (the Socialist Peoples Party), Liberal lliance (Liberal lliance) and
Det !onservative Folkeparti (the "onservative Party) have reached a political a#reement on $%
&'ne $()* on a re+orm on international recr'itment,
Below are the key elements of the agreement:

Targeting of the green card scheme
The greencard scheme will be targeted to better support enterprises' need for
highly qualified labour. In future, increased focus will be placed on educa-
tional levels and the point system will be changed and adjusted to match the
demands of the Danish labour market:
The point system for language skills will be modified and the documentation re-
quirements strengthened to the effect that points for language skills may only be
awarded on the basis of an internationally recognized language test. At the same
time, the number of possible points for language skills will be increased.

Furthermore, the point system will be targeted to match the demand for labour in
professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. This means that if
the applicant holds a degree which qualifies him/her to work within a field listed on
the Positive List, 30 bonus points may be granted as opposed to the current 10.
The number of bonus points for a degree obtained from a university internationally
recognised for its high academic level will be increased. There will no longer be
given points for work experience.

The duration of a first time residence permit under the greencard scheme is short-
ened from 3 to 2 years.

A residence permit under the greencard scheme will still be subject to a require-
ment of self-support during the first year in Denmark. Furthermore, during the
complete stay, it is a requirement that the person does not receive assistance under
the Active Social Policy Act (social benefits).

The greencard holder must have had a taxable income of at least DKK 50,000 dur-
ing the first year of residence. If this is not the case, the greencard will be revoked
by the authorities.

The criteria for an extension of a residence permit will be strengthened to the effect
that the greencard holder must have had a taxable income of at least DKK 315,000
(including pension) in the course of the year leading up to the extension. If the
greencard holder does not meet this requirement, the greencard cannot be extended,
and the greencard holder will be required to leave Denmark.

If the criteria are met, the greencard can be extended for a period of three years.

There will be a transitional phase meaning that the first application for an extension
submitted after the new rules take effect will be governed by the current rules.

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Any subsequent application for an extension will be processed according to the
new extension rules.

Accompanying family members of a greencard holder will only be eligible for a
residence permit once the greencard holder can provide documentation of being
employed with a minimum salary equivalent to the cash benefit rate for a single
provider over 30 years (DKK 10,689 per month - approx. DKK 130,000 per year).

Furthermore, the greencard holder must still be able to support the accompanying
family members financially, and consequently the family members may not receive
public assistance under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (social benefits)
during the stay.

Fast-track scheme
A fast-track scheme will be introduced for Danish enterprises and
branches of foreign enterprises in Denmark. This scheme will be target-
ed at large enterprises with a real need for highly qualified foreign la-
bour. The scheme caters to both private and public-sector enterprises,
including universities. In order to use the new fast-track scheme, enter-
prises must be certified.
A foreign employee in a certified enterprise may start working before
his or her formal residence and work permit is granted.
"Start-up Denmark"
A new scheme, Start-up Denmark, will be introduced as a three-year pi-
lot project. This scheme caters to entrepreneurs from third countries
looking to set up an entrepreneurial business in Denmark. The scheme
may also be used by teams of two people looking to set up a business
together.
In order to qualify for the scheme, the entrepreneur must submit his or
her business plan to a spring board, which will assess the potential of
the business idea.
Residence permits will be granted only for innovative business ideas,
and a quota will be established to allow a maximum of 50 entrepreneurs
to participate in the scheme each year.
Establishment cards for international graduates
It should be a more attractive choice for foreign talent to study in Den-
mark. Therefore, a new scheme will be set up under which international
graduates completing a Danish MA or PhD degree will be able to ob-
tain an establishment card.
Holders of establishment cards are exempt from work permit require-
ments and may also start up their own business. An establishment stay
may be granted once for a period of two years with no option for exten-
sion. After the two-year period, the holder of an establishment card may
apply for a residence permit under the rules otherwise applying in the
business area.


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Better conditions for researchers
Current rules for foreign researchers are too inflexible. Therefore, re-
searchers will be given simpler and easier access to Denmark.
The rules will be amended to the effect that:
Researchers are exempted from the rules on lapsing of residence permit,
i.e. their residence permits will not lapse if they give up their residence or
leave Denmark for more than six months.
Researchers are exempted from the work permit requirement for up to three
months.
Potential PhD students who will be participating in screening pro-
grammes are exempted from the work permit requirement for up to three
months.
Researchers will be able to work partly in Denmark and partly abroad
and the full-time employment requirement will be abolished.
The rules on granting residence permits to PhD students will be stream-
lined to the effect that all PhD students are granted residence permits un-
der the same rules, pay the same fee and have a six-month job seeking
stay after handing in their PhD thesis.
Universities will be able to change the job content within the same uni-
versity without the researcher having to apply for a new residence and
work permit. However, the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Re-
cruitment must be kept informed of any substantial deterioration of pay or
employment conditions in order to ensure that these conditions are still in
compliance with Danish standards.
Targeting of stays for other paid work
The rules governing other paid work will be targeted so as to limit access to
positions that do not require a high level of qualifications. The rules will also
clarify which applicants are eligible for a residence permit. Therefore, specific
provisions will be incorporated in the Danish Aliens act (udlndingeloven) for
researchers, self-employed people, trainees, herdsmen and farm managers.
Targeting of the agricultural intern scheme
Foreign agricultural interns coming to Denmark must have a real educational
purpose with their stay. Therefore, the agricultural intern scheme will be tar-
geted through increased requirements in terms of e.g. language, educational
context and duration of the interns stay.
Entitlement of international graduates for unemployment benefits on
graduate terms will be limited
International labour is required to contribute actively to the Danish labour mar-
ket. Therefore, the entitlement of international graduates for unemployment
benefits on graduate terms will be limited. In future, in order to qualify for a
green card and an establishment card, the holder must not be receiving unem-
ployment benefits on graduate terms. This will prompt newly graduated for-
eigners to take up work, while at the same time reducing the pressure on Danish
welfare benefits.