Denmark to Make Tighter its Immigration Policy

A preparation by Denmark to make tighter immigration rules using a points system reflecting appeal of immigrants’ looks set to turn out to be a passionate topic in demonstration for a parliamentary election due by November 2011.

With immigration a rising subject of argument in west European countries, Denmark's minority government has agreed with the right-wing Populist Party that supports it up to more tighten immigration policy and legislation.

Foreigners who are wedded to a Danish citizen and desire residency in Denmark will as well, in addition paying a higher fee, have to build up points based on education, work experience and language skills to do so, in accordance with the agreement.

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen's minority Liberal-Conservative government has passed severe immigration laws in revisit for support from the Danish People's Party - parliament's third main party - since 2001. Denmark now has one of Europe's toughest attitudes on immigration.

They agreed on a deal that includes the opening of a point system for overseas spouses. Spouses below the age of 24 would require 120 points at the same time as those who are older will require 60 points. A degree from Danish or a "top" overseas university scores highest - 120 points, contrast with 40 points for vocational training abroad.

For Employment Points - between 40 and 80 - the candidate should have had a job abroad for 2.5 years out of the last three, or a "qualified" job in Denmark for the last two. skill in English, German, French, Spanish and Scandinavian languages also merits points.

An immigration ministry official said there was no date set for a election in parliament on the proposal but it was probable to be held after the turn of the year.

Integration minister of Denmark Birthe Ronn Hornbech told Danish media the latest system would assist amalgamation. Opposition parties greatly criticized the proposal, even though the Social Democrats and the Socialist People's Party presented an alternative point’s system proposal that also would mean a lessening of the rules.

Last month, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen presented on a diagram to promote integration in some residential areas the government characterized as "ghettoes" due to a high quantity of immigrants and second-generation immigrants from non-European countries, high joblessness and a high crime rate.

New Requirements for Family Immigration to Denmark

Can you earn enough points to immigrate to Denmark together with your family? The new points system for family immigration awards points based on age, professional experience, education, language skills and society involvement.

Foreigners aged 24 or over require getting 60 points to qualify for family immigration.

Foreigners under the age of 24 needs to get hold of 120 points to qualify for family immigration

The breakdown of points for family immigration to Denmark are as follows

1. Education:

120 points: PhD/Master’s degree from Denmark or from a top 20 university

80 points: PhD/Master’s degree from other overseas universities

70 points: Bachelor’s degrees from Denmark or from a top 20 university

50 points: Bachelor’s degrees from other overseas universities

50 points: Business academy or professional bachelor’s degree from Denmark

40 points: Business academy or professional bachelor’s degree from abroad

2. Work Experience:

80 points: Qualified work experience of at least 2 years in Denmark (based on an approved list)

60 points: Qualified work experience of at least 2.5 years in the past 3 years abroad (based on an approved list)

40 points: Other work experience of at least 2.5 years in the past 3 years abroad

3. Language Skills:

50 points: Danish, Swedish or Norwegian at a level equivalent to “Studieprøven” (C1)

40 points: English, German, French or Spanish at a level equivalent to“Studieprøven” (C1)

4. Others:

20 points: Danish at a level equivalent to the “Prøve i Dansk 2”

20 points: English, German, French or Spanish at a level equivalent to “Prøve i Dansk 2”

20 points: If applicant takes residence outside of “ghetto” areas

10 points: Active participation in global humanitarian organisations (e.g. Amnesty International)

10 points: Self-supporting (cannot be combined with work experience)

Points can be collected through qualification requirements from groups 1-3

Applicants can supplement with up to 20 points from group 4

Requirements for occupant spouses:

Must provide a bank guarantee of 100,000 kroner

Must show full-time employment for at least 2.5 years within the past 3 years

No public debt

NB: the requirements do not relate to EU-citizens.

Spouse Immigration Visa

If your spouse, registered partner or live together partner (girlfriend, boyfriend) lives in Denmark, you can submit an application for a residence permit on the basis of family reunification or marriage immigration.

Though, you and your spouse or partner, in addition to your association with him/her, must meet up certain requirements.

There are several precise requirements relating to your spouse residing in Denmark. These requirements chiefly concern the grounds for his/her residence in Denmark and his/her capability to sustain him/her and you.

Requirements concerning to your marriage for spouse immigration visa:
•Your wedding or registered partnership should be accepted by Danish law.
•Your marriage or registered partnership should have been entered into willingly, i.e. there must be no uncertainty that it was entered into consistent with the wishes of both you and your spouse/partner.
•The marriage or registered partnership should not have been entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a spouse immigration visa or residence permit for you.

Requirements for you and your spouse/partner for spouse immigration visa:
•You both have to be over the age of 24.
•You should live together at the same address in Denmark when your spouse immigration visa or residence permit is granted.
•Your mutual attachment to Denmark must be greater than your mutual attachment to any other country.

Requirements relating to your spouse in Denmark in order to get spouse immigration visa:
Your spouse/partner in Denmark should either:
•Be a Danish national or a citizen of one of the other Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland), or
•Hold a Danish residence permit granted on the basis of refuge or Protected Status, or
•Have held a permanent Danish residence permit for the previous 3 years or more.
•Should live permanently in Denmark.
•Should have accommodation of sufficient size at his/her disposal.
•Should be able to sustain him/her and you.