Denmark has announced a new positive list for professional and skilled workers. Every year, twice a year Denmark announces workers it needs in different professions. The same is true for this year where 40 occupations in shortage have been announced for highly skilled workers and 36 for skilled workers. Anyone having a job offer from this positive list and work experience can apply for a Danish work permit. The positive lists are updated twice a year – on 1 January and 1 July.
Case processing for the Danish work visa usually takes 1 month but the processing time is currently extended and can be expected to take 1-4 months. The fee for case processing is DKK 4,405.
Who can apply for a work permit of Denmark?
Interested professionals need to show that they have the required qualifications, work experience, and a job offer from a Danish employer to apply for the work permit.
What is a Danish positive list for highly qualified professionals?
The positive list for people with higher education is a list of occupations where there is a shortage of qualified labor in Denmark. If a foreigner has been offered a position that is on this positive list and has relevant education, they can apply for this scheme. Danish authorization is also required for certain positions.
Following is the list of highly qualified professionals:
- Head of Product with at least three years education at bachelor level
- Natural Science and engineering
- Chemist with a Master’s degree
- Biologist with a Master’s degree
- Mechanical Engineer with a professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
- Civil Engineer with a professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
- Environmental Engineer with a professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
- Electronics Engineer with a professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
- Town Planner with a Master’s degree
- Medical Doctor with a Master’s degree + Danish authorization
- Hospital Doctor with a Master’s degree + Danish authorization
- Nurse with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization
- Veterinarian with a Master’s degree + Danish authorization
- Dentist with a Master’s degree + Danish authorization
- Physiotherapist with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization
- Occupational therapist with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization*
- D., Social Sciences with a Master’s degree
- Assistant Professor at a University College with a Master’s degree
- Subject Teacher at a Vocational Upper Secondary Education with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition*
- Upper Secondary School Teacher, Natural Sciences and Sports with a Master’s degree + Danish official recognition
- Independent School Teacher with a professional Bachelor’s degree
- Primary School Teacher with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition*
- Child Care Worker/Support Worker with a professional Bachelor’s degree
- Social Education Worker with a professional Bachelor’s degree
- Special Education Teacher with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition*
- Auditor with a Master’s degree
- Accounting Controller with at least three years of education at the bachelor level
- Financial Analyst with at least three years of education at the bachelor level
- IT Architect with at least three years IT education at the bachelor level
- IT Engineer with at least three years IT education at bachelor level
- IT Project Leader with at least three years of education at university or business school level
- IT Consultant with at least three years IT education at bachelor level
- Programmer and System Developer with at least three years of IT education at the bachelor level
- System Administrator with at least three years of IT education at bachelor level
- Legal Officer with a Master’s degree
- Psychologist with a Master’s degree + Danish official recognition
- Social Worker with a Professional Bachelor’s degree
- Priest with a Master’s degree
- Organist, cantor with at least three years education at bachelor level
- Architectural Technology and Construction Manager with a professional Bachelor’s degree
- Dental Hygienist with a professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization
What is a Danish positive list for skilled workers?
The positive list for skilled workers is a list of professions at the least skilled level where there is a shortage of qualified labor in Denmark. If a foreigner has been offered a position that is on this positive list, they can apply for this scheme.
The following are the professions included in the positive list for skilled workers:
- Welder
- Blacksmith
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Industrial Technician
- CNC-operator
- Mechanic, passenger cars and vans
- Crane Mechanic, agriculture and industrial machines
- Agricultural Machinery Mechanic
- Bookkeeper
- Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk
- Payroll Bookkeeper
- Parish Clerk
- Head Chef
- General and secretary clerks
- Lead Office Clerk
- Office Assistant
- Social and Health Care Assistant with a Danish authorization
- Market-oriented skilled agricultural and nursery workers
- Landscape Gardener
- Bricklayer
- Carpenter
- Building Painter and Decorator
- Laboratory Assistant
- Geotechnician
- Plumber
- Machine Constructor
- Personal services workers: Chef
- Electrical and electronic trades workers: Electrician
- Food processing, woodworking, garment and other craft and related trades workers: Cabinetmaker
- Foreman
- Import and Export Employee
- Sales and Account Manager
- Sales Consultant
- Shipping Agent
- Property Manager
- Logistic Employee, sales and purchasing
- Legal Secretary
- Medical Secretary
It appears from the government’s basis from December 2022 that access to foreign labor must be facilitated. Under this, the plan is to establish a new supplementary amount scheme, where the income limit is DKK 375,000 annually. In addition to this, the government will introduce yet another supplementary scheme with lower amount limits for certified companies that are subject to regulated wages and working conditions.