Economy and jobs scenario in Denmark

Strong development in the Danish economy has resulted growth in jobs and a cut in unemployment. As a result, Denmark needs more overseas manpower. About 2.9 million of Danish residents are in the labor market and unemployment rate in Denmark is just 2.3%.

According to World Bank Group, Denmark has the most elastic labor market in Europe. The living standards of Denmark are above average to other European countries and high amount of free trade. Denmark’s GDP is higher than most of the other European countries and 15-20 per cent higher than that of the United States.

Denmark is one of the most spirited economies in the world according to World Economic Forum report 2008. Denmark's national currency, the Krone, is in reality linked to the Euro through exchange rate mechanism. The exchange rate is very stable at just about 7.45 Krone per Euro.

Denmark is home to a lot of multi-national companies, for instance, CSC, Dell, Microsoft and Nokia have placed huge global business centers in Copenhagen (The capital of Denmark).

10 Tips for a successful application of Denmark Green Card

Denmark GreenCard is a Points based immigration system for professionals and leading executives that present a three-year residence permit to the candidate and his associated family unit. Selection factors that outline part of the point based system contains applicant’s educational and specialized qualifications, language skills, Number of years of working experience in claimed profession, age of the main applicant and a range of other bonus factors such as work experience in the positive list, education from top universities of the world and earned European educational qualifications. The Denmark Government has publicized a positive list of professions which forms basis of the prospective Denmark Green Card applicants.

In my point of view the potential immigration applicant for Denmark Green Card, you should be cautious and take safety measures against following important aspects.
1. You must formulate careful evaluation of the point based system and do careful calculation of points under a range of factors that figure part of the selection criteria specific for Denmark Green Card. You may only apply only if you are meeting the minimum pass mark prerequisite.
2. You must have clearness on whether or not your profession figures in the positive list of occupations. This positive list is based on the Government’s evaluation of professions that has job opportunities and scope in Denmark and possessor of which are probable to be victorious Immigrants in Denmark.
3. You should have an obvious understanding of whether or not your educational and certified qualifications meet the comparable standards of similar qualifications in Denmark. You ought to make sure to take departmental or the expert advice for this purpose.
4. The applicant must be able to present supplementary employment reference letters. They should evidently identify his duties and responsibilities while being employed.
5. You must submit the accurate sum of fee and make sure that it is submitted with required application forms. The application forms must contain the necessary and correct information.
6. You have to ensure that you give relevant supporting documents of claimed English language proficiency. This can be provided in the form of an international English language test, for instance, IELTS or TOEFL. In the absence of test report, the report should be best written from your employer or educational institution.
7. You should make sure that all documents in language except English must be translated in English.
8. The Denmark Green card application procedures may necessitate the immigration applicant to provide set of certification from certain authorities with reference to certain documents. The applicant should ensure that he has got attested his documents from such authorities.
9. Among the most important requirements is the ability of your financial position to meet your settlement expenses in Denmark for first year. You should be able to provide proof of your funds and savings, as a part of application for Denmark Green Card. This may be in the form of Bank Statement.
10. Lastly, your Denmark GC application is required to be filed at nearest Danish Embassy in the country of his origin.

Immigration to Denmark from India - Discussion Forum

This discussion forum is specified for those Indians who want to migrate to Denmark under any scheme of Denmark Immigration particularly Denmark GreenCard Scheme. Leave your questions, concerns and queries in the comments. Other experienced migrants from India will guide you accordingly.

Don’t forget to write your name in the end of your comments.

Good Luck.

An overview of the Denmark Greencard Scheme

Government of Denmark has started Danish green card scheme which allows you to work and stay in Denmark along with your immediate family like your spouse. This is a points based system like many countries which are offering immigration, for instance, skilled worker Immigration of Canada, HSMP of UK and Skilled Immigration at Australia.
This Danish green card is issued on the basis of definite points allocated in a variety of criteria like Age, Education, Language skills, Adaptability and Work Experience. Denmark Green card is issued to you if you score at least 100 points in these different sections along with a valid health insurance policy. Another major criterion to get Danish Green card is that you must have enough funds to sustain you plus your family while you look for job in Denmark. With this Danish Green Card you get the residence permit for you and your immediate family to reside in Denmark for 3 years.
In this Danish Green card Scheme other than the areas stated above, you can also score a number of bonus points for different factors.
1. In the Education segment, the minimum criteria are that you should have a bachelor’s degree recognized and assessed by CIRIUS which is a Danish Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation body set up to evaluate academic credentials of prospective immigrants. In this segment you can obtain from 30 points for a Bachelor’s degree to 80 for a PhD with 10 bonus points for occupation related education like dietician, dentist, lawyer etc. You will also get bonus points if your institution falls in the top most universities of the world.
2. In the language skills section you can get a maximum of 30 points which includes knowledge of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German. You will have to clear Exam equivalent to at least Danish Language test level I which has four levels with points varying from 5 to 20 or by proving that you have completed at least one year's study in higher education which was taught in one of these languages. If you have proof of good proficiency in two required languages you can score a maximum of 30 points in this section.
3. You can score a maximum of 15 points in work experience segment providing that it lies in the positive list. The points are high if you are a researcher or have skills in the field which is in demand in Denmark.
4. You can also claim up to 15 points for Adaptability if you have studied or have work experience in Europe but you can’t claim both at the same time.
5. If you are under 34 you can claim 15 points of age and if you are above 34 but less than 40 than you can claim 10 points.

Processing of your Greencard application

When the Danish Immigration Service has received your application for a Green card, residence and work permit, it will process it together with the attached documentation and supplementary information. In a number of cases, the Immigration Service will need to get further information from branch organizations. Also, the Immigration Service will ensure to see if you have been reported to the Schengen Information System (SIS).

If the Immigration Service receives information that does not match with the information you have given, you will be asked to give details of any inconsistency before the Immigration Service rules on the case.

Once the Immigration Service has received all required information and credentials concerning to your application, it will make its decision. The decision will be either a Green card, residence and work permit, or a refusal of your application.

How do you receive the decision of your Denmark GreenCard Application?

If you put forward your application of Denmark Green Card from your country of origin (or country of residence), the Danish Immigration Service will send the decision to the diplomatic mission where you put forward your application. The diplomatic mission will subsequently forward it to your home address, or ask you to pick it up personally.

If you put forward your application in Denmark, the Immigration Service will send the decision to your address in Denmark, or to your legal representative. The Immigration Service might also ask you to pick it up personally at the Service Centre, or it may send it to the police, who will subsequently forward it to your home address. If the Immigration Service has decided to refuse your application, it will ask you to depart Denmark before a particular date. In this case, you will be conversed of your possibility to appeal the decision.

Benefits of Denmark Immigration

The Green Card Scheme of Denmark is a matchless program, which assist qualified highly skilled foreign workers and professionals to get Residence and work permit of Denmark (Europe). There are a lot of benefits of this immigration program, for instance;

1. Denmark Citizens and permanent residents can do job at anyplace in the European Union.
2. Greencard holders will be capable of trip visa free to all Schengen Zone countries.
3. Permanent Residence Permit Status would give the right the immigrants to work in all European Union countries.
4. Green card let outsider to get permanent residence permit class within 7 years.
5. The rights of major applicant are given to his family members as well.
6. Danish Government supports a family to come together with a foreigner and even gives extra right to work and live in Denmark.
7. Subsequent to getting Permanent Residence Permit, a foreigner can take pleasure in social benefits of being Danish and obtain grants in aid, buy assets and children add right to get free of charge higher education.
8. Accompanied by main applicant, their family members will too be allowed to inhabit in the Denmark and to get permanent residence.

Social life of students in Denmark

At the majority of institutions of higher education, social life is very important and wide-ranging. The students themselves are the source of power at the back of parties, cafés, tours, student politics and similar activities. One very trendy event is the Fredagsbar, an open café generally held on Fridays, as the Danish name indicates.

Leisure and sports activities:
For students paying attention in sports activities, there are a lot of options both on campus and in public and private clubs and organizations.

Special introduction for international students:
Many institutions send a “buddy” to welcome you on your coming. He/she will assist you get settled, meet other students and deal with useful matters in your first weeks in Denmark. Many institutions classify special introductory programs and short-term courses in Danish language and culture before or throughout the first weeks of the semester. Longer language courses are too obtainable during the semester.

Libraries and IT:
Library, IT and laboratory facilities at institution of higher education are outstanding, and students typically have free access to these resources. The similar goes for public libraries.

The Danish Ministry of Education Scholarship scheme

This is another scholarship scheme of Denmark. The Danish Ministry of Education Scholarship Scheme is designed for highly qualified applicants studying for selected Academy Profession degrees or Professional Bachelor’s programs.

Denmark cordially welcomes well qualified and motivated students from all over the world. Many scholarships are therefore offered each year by the Danish Ministry of Education to fund students from countries all over the world (Outside the European Union/ European Economic Area). The scholarships can be rewarded for a full degree program or for part of a degree program at undergraduate level. The least duration of a scholarship is one academic year and it is awarded only for full-time studies.

Who can apply for a Danish Ministry of Education scholarship?
So as to be entitled to apply for a scholarship you must be:
1. A citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).
2. Permanently resident of a non-EU/EEA country.
3. Studying in Denmark outside any recognized exchange program or another kind of agreement, which waives your tuition fee.

Which academic programs are included in the Danish Ministry of Education Scholarship Scheme?
Currently the following programs are included in the Danish Ministry of Education Scholarship Scheme:
Academy Profession degree programs:
Agricultural Science
Computer Science
Chemical and Biotechnical Science
Financial Management
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Marketing Management
Multimedia Design and Communication
Process Technology
Production Technology
Retail Management

Professional Bachelor's degree programs:

Architectural Technology and Construction Management
Bachelor of Leisure Management
Bachelor of Value Chain Management
Bachelor Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (not fully taught in English)
Economics and Information Technology
Character Animator
Engineering (full list of study programs)
Engineering (study programs taught in English)
Radiography (not fully taught in English)
Occupational Therapy (not fully taught in English)
Physiotherapy (not fully taught in English)
Social Work (not fully taught in English)
Nursing (not fully taught in English)

All institution offering the subject areas which have been incorporated in the scholarship scheme will be capable of informing you about entry requirements, course description, language courses, accommodation, etc.

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship program

The Erasmus Mundus program is a co-operation and mobility program in the field of higher education. It aims to boost quality in European higher education and to support intercultural understanding all the way through co-operation with third countries.

Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses
The program is planned to make stronger European co-operation and international links in higher education by supporting high-quality European Masters Courses. The so-called Erasmus Mundus Master Courses allow students and visiting scholars from around the world to slot in in postgraduate study at European universities, plus they make possible outgoing mobility of European students and scholars towards third countries.

Eligibility of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program
Third-country nationals can submit an application for an Erasmus Mundus scholarships if they are not residents of the 25 EU Member States, the EEA-EFTA states and the applicant countries for attainment to the EU, if they have not perform their major activities (studies, work, etc.) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in any of the above stated countries, and if they fulfill all the other admission criteria (graduate student or high-quality scholar, accepted by the Erasmus Mundus Masters consortium).

Erasmus Mundus Master Courses with Danish partner universities:

1. Joint European Master's Programme in Materials Science (EMMS)
University of Aalborg,
www.tuhh.de/eciu-gs/pro_joint_mat.html

2. JEMES - Joint European Master Programme in Environmental Studies
University of Aalborg,
http://www.tu-harburg.de/eciu-gs/pro_joint_jemes.html

3. Master of International Health, TropeEd
University of Copenhagen,
http://erasmusmundus.troped.org

4. Europubhealth - European Public Health Master
University of Copenhagen,
www.europubhealth.org

5. CoMundus - European Master of Arts in Media, Communication and Cultural Studies
Roskilde University and University of Aarhus,
www.comundus.net

6. Erasmus Mundus Master in Journalism and Media within Globalisation
The European Perspective, University of Aarhus and The Danish School of Journalism
http://www.mundusjournalism.com

7. NordSecMob - Master's programme in Security and Mobile Computing
Denmark Technical University,
www.dtu.dk

8. AGRIS MUNDUS - Sustainable Development in Agriculture Master's Course
University of Copenhagen,
www.natura.czu.cz/agrismundus

9. SUTROFOR - Sustainable Tropical Forestry Erasmus Mundus Master's Course
University of Copenhagen,
www.sutrofor.net

10. SUFONAMA - Sustainable Forest and Nature Management
University of Copenhagen,
http://www.sufonama.net/

11. MA LLL - European Master in Lifelong Learning: Policy and Management
The Danish University of Education,
www.lifelonglearningmasters.org

Enrollment:
All scholars and students must make contact with the Erasmus Mundus Master Course of concern to learn further about application procedures, scholarships etc.

Tuition fees and scholarships for International Students in Denmark

Tuition fees in any Danish Institution is required to pay by you will depend on your country of origin and whether you are participating in an exchange program.

Tuition fees:
Higher education in Denmark is generally provided free of charge for all EU/EEA students and for students who are partaking in an exchange program.
All other students must pay a tuition fee. Annual tuition fees for full-time degree students vary from 6,000 to 16,000 Euros.

Scholarships and grants:
The Danish Ministry of Education has started a new scholarship program for students from non-EU/EEA countries studying specific subjects at Academies of Professional Higher Education and University Colleges. Scholarships and tuition fee waivers are obtainable for well talented students who have been admitted to a variety of programs.

The Erasmus Mundus scheme:
This scholarship scheme is for third-country nationals who can apply for Erasmus Mundus scholarships if they are not residents of any of the EU Member States. Through the Erasmus Mundus scheme, it is likely to apply for a scholarship to start specific Master's degree programs offered together by a Danish institution and other European institutions. For more information, please refer to Erasmus Mundus in Denmark.

University scholarships:
The universities have their own scholarships. Please enquire regarding this at the institution when you apply for admission.

Requirements for Denmark Student Visa

Here are general requirements for Danish Student visa:

1. Fully filled and signed ST1 visa application form.
2. Freshly taken three copies of passport size photographs.
3. A valid passport with validity of at least 3 months further than date of applied visa expiration.
4. Letter of enrollment in a Danish institution.
5. Proof of enough funds to support education and live in Denmark. Fund have to be around Danish Krone (DKK) 60,000.

These are common requirements for Danish study visa and may differ depending upon the country of residence of an applicant.

The Positive List

The Positive List is a list of the occupations and fields presently experiencing a deficiency of qualified experts. Persons who have been offered a post in one of these professions or fields have mostly easy access to the Danish labour market. These professions and fields are planned on the Positive List. The scheme moreover applies to persons who have applied for asylum in Denmark.

Nordic citizens are free to reside, study and work in Denmark. EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen looking for residence in Denmark based on the EU rules on liberty of movement may be cause to undergo special regulations.
If you previously hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or refuge, or hold a residence permit on compassionate grounds, you do not require a work permit in order to work in Denmark.

It is your own task to get a work permit if you are required to. If you work unlawfully in Denmark, you risk exile, and you and your employer risk fine or locking up.