New Rules for Permanent Residence and Family Reunification

New Rules for Permanent Residence and Family Reunification: “A Denmark that stand together.” The government will propose a series of changes in immigration and integration, including changes to the rules for family reunification, permanent residency and citizenship.

These changes might have implications for the conditions you must meet in order to achieve family reunification, permanent residency, citizenship, etc.

High taxes deter foreign workforce, study finds

Tight immigration rules are not as problematic as many Danish businesses have assumed

High tax rates and the Danish language are the greatest barriers when Danish companies are recruiting highly skilled foreign employees, while the tightened immigration rules and the negative tone in the debate about foreigners play a smaller role than previously thought, according to a survey of 244 Danish companies.

“As a knowledge-based company it is hard to attract and hold on to skilled foreign workers with the high tax rates in Denmark,” Lone Hass, the head of human relations for consultancy firm COWI, told Berlingske newspaper.

Almost 40 percent of the surveyed companies said the tax rates were the main hindrance when trying to attract qualified foreign workers, while some 15 percent pointed to the language as the main hurdle. Fewer than ten percent cited the immigration rules and four percent said the tone of the immigration debate was the main problem.

“There’s no doubt that the taxes are one of the main problems for the recruitment of foreign workforce and for our future growth,” said Steen Nielsen, the head of labour market policy at the Confederation of Danish Industry. “Also, in the debate there is a very reserved attitude towards foreigners, which could make it difficult to hold on to foreigners in Denmark.”

Since last autumn, prominent business people have voiced their concern about the immigration rules and the tone of the surrounding debate – the latest coming from the Consortium for Global Talent, a confederation of Maersk, Vestas and 15 of the biggest Danish and overseas companies in the country.

However, according to Tine Horwitz, the head of the Consortium, the situation is improving, mainly thanks to immigration minister Søren Pind’s recent relaxation of the controversial points system for family reunification. “Today we’re actually seeing slow improvements to the debate climate,” she said.

Source: http://cphpost.dk/business/business/119-business/51505-high-taxes-deter-foreign-workforce-study-finds.html

Right-Wing: Drop Green Card Scheme

Danish People’s Party believes green card scheme is counterproductive

Ahead of tomorrow’s 2020 reform package negotiations with the government, the Danish People’s Party (DF) has announced a proposal to get rid of the green card scheme.

With the scheme, foreign nationals can obtain a residence permit in Denmark based on a points system which determines the likelihood of the applicant being able to find skilled work in the country.

Cause célèbre for immigration reform

Australian man facing deportation receives outpouring of public support online

Australian Gus Murray came to the country to be with his Danish girlfriend Zenia Inselmann (Photo: Lasse Kofod) 

Entrepreneur Gustavus (Gus) Aird Murray was informed earlier this month that his appeal against having his green card revoked had failed and that he would have to leave the country by May 1.

Welfare prescription: make immigrants pay

Government comes up with 28 proposals to ease pressure on welfare state – all deal with foreigners

Government officials are ready with 28 concrete solutions meant to ease the pressure on the Danish welfare state.

The proposals, which are outlined in a report obtained by Berlingske newspaper, aim their sights on one common target: foreigners living in Denmark.

The degree to which foreigners can be blamed for the stress on the welfare state caused great disagreement within the government and is part of the reason why the report remains largely shrouded in secrecy.

New rules for permanent residence permit

If you have held a Danish temporary residence permit for at least four years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. With a permanent residence permit, you no longer need to apply for an extension of your residence permit but can reside in Denmark for as long as you wish, provided you meet certain conditions.

In order to qualify for a permanent residence permit, you must obtain at least100 points, awarded by meeting certain requirements.

Published by: The Danish Immigration Service in June 2010