Denmark Immigration

Danish Green Card Scheme

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 addition, 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. The Danish Green Card Points Based System 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. Education To score points for Education, you must have the Danish equivalent of a bachelors degree. Your academic credentials must be assessed by CIRIUS, a body under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. In addition to points scored for your degree, bonus points can be awarded under Education for obtaining a degree from a top school or by having an education which qualifies you for work in an occupation on the Positive List. With the addition of bonus points, the maximum number of points that can be scored for Education is 105. It is possible for you to score enough points for a work and residence permit based soley upon points earned for Education. Education level Points Bachelors degree 30 Bachelors degree + 1 year Masters degree 50 Masters degree 60 PhD 80 Education related to occupation on the Positive List Bonus Points 10 Language Skills You can earn a maximum of 30 points for language skills which includes knowledge of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German. Points can be earned for both one Scandinavian language (Danish, Swedish, or Norwegian) and either English or German, but not for both English and German or two or more Scandinavian languages. You will be required to show that you have passed an exam equivalent to at least a Danish Language Test, Level 1. Alternatively, you can prove language proficiency through a statement by your previous employer stating that you used Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German while performing your job for at least one year, or by proving that you have completed at least one year's study in higher education which was taught in one of these languages. In the case of these last two requirements, you will have shown a language proficiency equal to a Study Test in Danish as a Second Language. Language Proficiency Level Points Level 1 5 Level 2 10 Level 3 15 Study Test in Danish as a Second Language 20 Work Experience You can score a maximum of 15 points under Work Experience. Your points are earned based upon the number of years you have worked as a researcher, or in a field of work that is currently in shortage in Denmark (i.e., a job listed on the Positive List). If this does not apply to you, you can still earn points for experience any other single occupation. Work Experience Points 3-5 years experience as a researcher or in a field on the Positive List 15 1-2 years experience as a researcher or in a field on the Positive List 10 3-5 years experience in other work 5 Adaptability If you have studied or worked in the European Union/European Economic Area, you can claim a maximum of 15 points for adaptability. You can only claim points for either education experience or work experience -- not both. EU/EEA Education Experience Points Completion of at least one year of study in higher education in the EU/EEA or Switzerland 5 Completion of at least three years of study in higher education in the EU/EEA or Switzerland 10 EU/EEA Work Experience Points At least one year of work and residence in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland 5 At least two years of work and residence in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland 10 Age You can also earn a maximum of 15 points for your age: Age Points 35-40 years 10 34 years or younger 15 Family Members If you are granted a residence permit under Denmark's Green Card Scheme, your spouse or partner is also eligible for a residence permit, as well as any children under the age of 18 who are living at home with you. Your spouse or partner is allowed to work full time for the entire period of the residence permit's validity.