The Greencard scheme

It is possible to be granted a residence permit for the purpose of seeking work, and subsequently working, in Denmark. A residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme is issued on the basis of an individual evaluation using a point system designed to assess the likelihood that the applicant will be able to find qualified work in Denmark. 

If you are granted a residence permit under the Greencard scheme, you do not need to obtain a work permit. A residence permit under the Greencard scheme gives you the right to carry out paid or unpaid work. However, the Ministry of Integration specifies that such a residence permit does not give you the right to work as a self-employed person (run your own business). This will be clearly stated in the next version of the Danish Aliens Order.

If you are a Nordic citizen, you are free to reside, study and work in Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen and wish to reside in Denmark under the EU rules on freedom of movement, you may be subject to special regulations. Read more about EU/EEA and Nordic citizens.

If you already hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or asylum, or hold a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, you do not need a work permit in order to work in Denmark.

It is your own responsibility to obtain a residence permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.

Conditions

In order to be granted a residence permit under the greencard scheme, you must attain a minimum of 100 points. Points are given for: educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability, and age.

You must have full health insurance covering you and any accompanying family members until you are covered by the Danish National Health Insurance.

You must document that you are able to support yourself during your first year in Denmark. Documentation can be a recent bank statement in your name which clearly states in which currency, and on which date, the statement was issued. If you wish to apply for a residence permit for accompanying family members, you must also document that you are able to support your family members. This documentation must be in either your own or your spouse's/partner's name.

Furthermore, it is a requirement that you do not receive any public assistance under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (lov om aktiv socialpolitik) during your stay in Denmark.

Read more about financial requirements.

Educational level

The level of academic degrees may vary from country to country, even if they have the same title. For example, a Bachelor's degree from another country may not necessarily be equivalent to a Danish Bachelor's degree.

The Danish Immigration Service will decide whether it is necessary to have your educational level assessed by the Danish Agency for International Education, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Development.

If your education is on a level lower than a Danish Bachelor's degree, you will not be able to obtain enough points to be granted a residence permit under the greencard scheme.

Please note that a Master's degree from e.g. a Pakistani university will often be assessed as equivalent to two years' studies at a Danish university, or a Danish Bachelor's degree. Read more about the assessment of Pakistani and Indian degrees.

In order that the Danish Agency for International Education can assess your educational level you must include in your application colour copies of all documentation for all your completed education.

Read more about documentation requirements.

Please note: The Danish Agency for International Education will only assess your educational level if asked to do so by the Immigration Service in connection with an actual application. As such, you cannot have your educational level assessed by the Danish Agency for International Education in advance, i.e. before submitting your application.

Read more about the Danish Agency for International Education.

In order to receive points for educational level, you must, as a minimum, havethe equivalent of a Danish Bachelor’s degree. You will only be given points for one educational level. Points are given as follows:

• Bachelor's degree/Graduated from medium-length education: 30 points
• Bachelor's degree followed by one-year Master's degree: 50 points

Immigration to Denmark from Pakistan

Marriage Immigration - Paper Marriages in Denmark

Rules of Obtaining Danish Visa