How is Immigration in Denmark regulated?

Until the start a few decades to the start of the new millennium and beyond, Denmark had never actually been considered a common destination for migrants. This has been largely attributed to its highly homogenous population of just over 5.5 million. This lack of immigration in Denmark resulted in the Danes developing a strong sense of cultural and natural identity. The few immigrants there were came from the surrounding Nordic countries and a few more from EU member states.

Additionally, the country’s welfare was designed in such a way as to take advantage of the cultural similarity among its citizenry. Over the years, the Danish economy has survived and adapted successfully to various international challenges due to its powerful institutions created around the people sense of cultural solidarity. Before the 70’s when the guest worker program was introduced, immigration in Denmark was very rare as prospective immigrants didn’t see how they would adapt to this strict society. However, the guest worker program brought in growing families of immigrants and their dependent who have continually challenged this status quo.

Denmark’s, strict immigration policies, coupled with the low birth rates in the country resulted in a deficiency in the skilled manpower to run the country’s economy. This prompted the government to rethink their strategy and make immigration in Denmark easier.  The Danish government realized that the guest worker policy was just a stop gap measure. That is why a more permanent and many have admitted, very logical solution was conjured up; the point based green card scheme. Under this scheme, highly skilled professionals living in other countries who wish to work in Denmark are granted work permits and residence permits for at least three years. 

Denmark adopted a policy of only allowing immigrants who will have a positive effect on the Danish economy. This way everyone wins, the immigrants get to live their dream lives in Denmark while providing the economy with vital manpower. For this reason, immigration in Denmark has been restricted to professionals with impeccable educational and professional backgrounds and their immediate dependents. The work permits given to the Danish Greencard holders is valid for 3 years. At the end of this period, the immigrant should have found a job. Subsequent application for work permits have to be made by providing evidence that the immigrant is still working n Denmark.

As a result of the upsurge of immigration in Denmark occasioned by this scheme, the Danish population is full of many naturalized eastern Europeans, African and Asians who have somehow stemmed the negative population growth that was being experienced before.