The “World’s Happiest Nation” (based on standards of health, welfare & education) has the highest employment rate among all the other countries of Europe. Non-European Union skilled migrants are allowed to come to Denmark under a renewable 3 years permit for finding work. If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and files his/ her application, the Visa is received in 12- 14 month, under the Denmark Green Card Scheme.

You do not need to obtain a work permit, if you are granted a residence permit under the Green card Scheme. Under the Green card Scheme, a residence permit gives you the right to carry out paid or unpaid work but it does not give you the right to work as a self-employed person (to run your own business).

Basic Features

• Residence permit can be extended if the applicant has worked for the past 12 months for a minimum of ten hours per week.
• Visa will be granted for a first-time temporary residence permit for 3 years, under the Green card Scheme. The applicant can also apply for an extension of up to 4 years, before the end of this period.
• An applicant can apply for a permanent residence permit, if he/she has held a Danish temporary residence permit for at least four years. The applicant no longer needs to apply for an extension of the residence permit but can reside in Denmark for as long as he/ she wishes, provided the applicant meets the eligibility conditions, with a permanent residence permit.
• The applicant will be eligible to apply for Danish Nationality or Citizenship status if he/she has lived in Denmark for a continuous period of at least 9 years.
• The spouse/ registered partner/ cohabiting partner are allowed to work full-time for the entire period his or her permit is valid. The spouse/ registered partner/ cohabiting partner, as well as any children under the age of 18 who are living at home with the applicant, are also eligible for residence permits.

On the basis of the educational qualification, language skills, work experience, adaptability and age, Denmark Green Card Scheme is a point – based program that is awarded. The details of the marking scheme are as follow:

Educational Qualification:

The applicant must, as a minimum, have the equivalent of a Danish Bachelor’s degree. Points are given as following, in order to receive points for educational level:

• Bachelor’s degree followed by one-year Master’s degree: 50 points
• Bachelor’s degree/Graduated from medium-length education: 30 points
• PhD: 80 points
• Master’s degree: 60 points

Language Skills:

The skills will be accepted as a level corresponding to that of Study Test in Danish as a Second Language. Points are given as following:

• Level corresponding to Study Test in Danish as a Second Language or higher/ one year’s study or work (IELTS 6.5 or more): 20 points
• Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 2 (IELTS 3.5 to 4.5): 10 points
• Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 1 (IELTS 3.0): 5 points
• Level corresponding to Danish Language Test, Level 3 (IELTS 5.0 to 6.0): 15 points

Work Experience:

Within the last five years, the work experience can be given points according to how many years the applicant has worked as a researcher or in a field where Denmark is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals.

The applicant can also be given points for other work experience as following:

• 3-5 years within the past five years, other work: 5 points
• 1-2 years within the past five years in the field listed in the Positive List: 10 points
• 3-5 years within the past five years in the field listed in the Positive List: 15 points

Adaptability:

• Completion of at least three year’s study at a higher educational program in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 10 points
• Completion of at least one year’s study at a higher educational program in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 5 points

OR

• At least two consecutive year’s legal residence and work in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 10 points
• At least one full year’s (12 consecutive months’) legal residence and work in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: 5 points

Age:

Based on his/ her age at the time he/ she submitted the application, the applicant can be given points, which are as follows:

• 34 years or younger: 15 points
• 35-40 years: 10 points

Financial Sufficiency:

Financial sufficiency of minimum INR 700,000 per person is required to show by the applicant.