Friday, August 5, 2011

Immigration to Denmark official website


There is a lot of information on the internet for those wishing to immigrate to Denmark. There are numerous travel agencies offering this information free of charge through their websites. Getting a travel agency to help process your documents and if possible settle and integrate in Denmark is a move that will go a long way in easing a new immigrant’s life in Denmark. However, the immigration to Denmark official website offers a lot more information that is up to date and relevant. The website is run by the Danish immigration service. The Danish immigration service is one of the directorates under the ministry of immigration, refugee and integration affairs.

The immigration to denmark official website provides information about to distinct categories of migrants, those visiting Denmark in search of asylum or to reunite with their families and those wishing to get employment in the country. The immigration to Denmark official website’s section on asylum seekers contains information that will inform the person seeking asylum beforehand whether his application can be processed. The kind of support given to successful asylum seekers is also included in this section

The work and service center section of the migration to Denmark official website includes information for those wishing to migrate to Denmark for economic reasons. The website outlines the application procedures for different categories of individuals. The categories under which one can be given a visa to Denmark for work include the pay limit scheme, the positive list and the corporate relocation scheme. Application procedures are given for each scheme. Application requirements are also outlined to ensure that one only applies in the right category.

Application forms for the Greencard visa, work permit and residence permit can also be downloaded from the migration to Denmark official website. The forms contain pertinent instruction on how to fill them and what documents to attach.

Immigration to Denmark from UK is a lot easier


Despite the strong stance taken by demark on the immigrant issue in 2001; immigrating to Denmark from the UK and other European countries is not very hard. Denmark in a bid to preserve its value and culture is averse to many foreigners flooding its cities. However, economic realities and the fact the Denmark is a member of the EU and Schengen agreement have meant that it is still very easy for immigrants to get there.

Unlike other migrants from non western countries who have to satisfy a series of stringent measure, immigration to Denmark from the UK is pretty much a straight forward thing. For starters, UK citizens with valid identification documents do not have to go through lengthy visa application procedures. There is also no need for those looking for immigration to Denmark from the UK to acquire passports.

However for non UK citizens, immigration to Denmark from the UK is not so straight forward.  The same measures applied to non western country citizens wishing to immigrate to Denmark as applied. However, there is a slight advantage here since having lived and worked in the UK; such a person is considered more “adaptable” to life in Denmark hence making it easier for immigration to Denmark from the UK to take place. The person’s language skills are also considered to be pertinent with life in Denmark.

Though they would be immigrant may still have to apply for the Denmark green card to obtain a work and residence permit in Denmark, he clears has a head start with regarding to the number of points he can accrue on Denmark’s point based green card scheme.  Having UK travel documents may also allow for immigration to Denmark from the UK. This is part of the reason for Denmark’s strong stance against illegal migrants being given travel documents in Italy and France.  However, such papers do not allow for permanent immigration to Denmark form the UK. The most a person bearing those documents can stay in Denmark without a work permit is 90 days every six months

Immigration of professionals to Denmark is easy


Due to the relative economical stability and the high standards of living on offer in Denmark, many people are keen to immigrate there. Denmark responded this demand by introducing various types of visa for the different immigrants.

The Denmark transfer visa was introduced to cater for foreigners working for multinational companies who get transferred or offered jobs by these companies in Denmark. This visa has to be renewed continually as long as the individual continues being an employee of the company that hired him. In case the person loses employment but wishes to prolong his stay in Denmark, then he can apply for a work permit. This will only be accepted if the jobs in is professional field are on the positive list.

Apart from applying for a work permit, you can also apply for the Danish Greencard visa. This is a package that includes a 3 year work and residence permit.  If you have previously worked in Denmark, you are likely to qualify for the Greencard visa since it is easier for you to reach the 100 point threshold. It is assumed that you are already adapted to the country’s living conditions, are well acquainted with the country’s culture and you have proper mastery of the Danish language. All these factors will contribute points that make your immigration of Denmark go through.

Apart from the above requirement for the professionals’ migration of Denmark, you have to ensure that you can stay comfortably in the country for the first few months before you get a job. It is important to do analysis of the cost of living in Denmark before departing. Remember Copenhagen, the Danish capital has one of the highest costs of living in the world along with Tokyo and Hong Kong. This will help you determine the amount of money you will need during your first 12 months of stay. Remember Danish welfare isn’t extended to migrants.

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.

Immigration to Denmark-green card scheme


In Denmark, it is possible for a foreigner to be granted a residence permit for the purpose of seeking work inside the country. Immigration Denmark under the Greencard scheme depends on the number of points the applicant is awarded based on the country’s point based application processing system. This system is designed to evaluate the individual’s likelihood of finding qualified work inside Denmark. The higher the number of points an individual has under the immigration Denmark green card scheme, the higher the likelihood of getting employed in the country and hence the higher the chances of the application being successful.

Persons granted residence permits under the Greencard scheme do no need to obtain a work permit. This residence permit in itself gives the individual the right to carry out any work whether paid or unpaid in Denmark. However, the only exception is that the residence permit under this scheme does not allow the individual to start working as a self employed individual inside Denmark. Nordic citizens are free to live, work and stud in Denmark without any documentation other that their national bids. However citizens of other countries in the EU/EEA region who enjoy freedom to move across the member countries may be subject to certain regulations in Denmark.

As I already pointed out earlier, immigration to Denmark green card scheme depends on the applicant fulfilling certain requirements. The first requirement is the applicant must earn at least 100 points to be eligible to apply. These e points are awarded depending on the applicant’s highest education, mastery of Danish English or German, language, age, adaptability and previous work experience.  The applicant seeking immigration to Denmark under Green card scheme is also required to be fully insured. This health insurance should cover both the applicant and any family members who may accompany him/her.