IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Danish government has announced that it will update its recruitment criteria for the Fast-track Scheme and Pay-limit Scheme.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Dec. 1, the gross salary requirement for the Pay-limit track within the Fast-track Scheme and Pay-limit Scheme will be reduced to 375,000 DKK from 448,000 DKK for three years.
  • Residence permits through the Fast-track Scheme and Pay-limit Scheme will not be issued if gross unemployment is above 3.75%, or if more than 15,000 foreign nationals apply.
  • Danish employers will be able to sponsor foreign nationals under the Fast-track Scheme if they have 10 full-time Danish employees instead of 20 full-time Danish employees.

Additional Information: More information regarding the Fast-track Scheme is available here and the Pay-limit Scheme here.

BAL Analysis: Once the law is implemented, more Danish companies will be able to sponsor and hire foreign nationals through the Fast-track Scheme and Pay-limit Scheme at a lower gross salary. However, the law will also include provisions to suspend both the Fast-track Scheme and Pay-limit Scheme based on the unemployment rate or excess demand on the programs.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Danish government has announced delays for visa and work permit applications through September.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals should expect extended processing delays for most immigration applications, including but not limited to:
    • Short-term visas.
    • Permanent resident permits.
    • Extensions of residence permits.
    • Family reunification permits.
  • Applicants can check the new extended processing times for certain application types on this website.

Additional Information: Processing times do not include the time it takes to arrive at the Immigration Service. More information regarding the immigration processing delays is available here.

BAL Analysis: Danish authorities continue to prioritize residence permit applications for displaced persons from Ukraine, causing the processing delays for other applicants. Employees and employers should expect longer than normal processing times for most immigration applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Danish government has expedited work authorization for Ukrainian nationals who have submitted residence applications under the Special Act.

Key Points:

  • As of April 22, Ukrainian nationals who have submitted an application for a residence permit under the Special Act can receive work authorization if they receive a job offer before their application is adjudicated.
  • To be eligible for the work authorization, Ukrainian nationals must have had their fingerprints and personal photographs taken for their residence permit application and have received a valid job offer.

Additional Information: Before this change, Ukrainian nationals were only been able to work after receiving their residence permit. The Special Act was implemented on March 16 and provides temporary residence permits for displaced people from Ukraine. More information regarding how to apply for a residence permit under the Special Act is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Danish government has made it easier for Ukrainian nationals to legally work in Denmark to help those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and support Danish businesses in need of skilled workers. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

 

The Danish government has lifted all COVID-related entry requirements for those traveling to Denmark.

Key Points:

  • As of March 29, individuals who are traveling to Denmark no longer face any COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Travelers will no longer be required to have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of arrival.

Additional Information: In case of new virus variant, an “emergency brake” can be applied to the lifting of entry requirements. More information regarding Denmark’s decision to lift the entry ban is available here.

BAL Analysis: COVID-19 entry requirements no longer apply to those traveling to Denmark. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Danish government has announced it will change how it assesses salary requirements for those applying for residence and work permit extensions.

Key Points:

  • Beginning March 1, the salaries of foreign nationals who are applying for work or residence permit extensions must meet current Danish salary requirements instead of the salary requirement from their original employment contract.
  • Danish authorities will assess whether foreign nationals’ salaries meet current standards for those applying under the positive list for people with a higher education, the positive list for skilled work, the pay limit scheme and work permits including employment for adaptation and training purposes for individuals on authorization stay, among other schemes.
  • Permit extensions will not be granted if an applicants’ salaries are below current standards on or after March 1.

Additional Information: More information regarding current Danish salary requirements is available here. Information on applying for extensions for residence and work permits is available here.

BAL Analysis: Employers must meet the current salary requirements for its employees who are applying for work and permit extensions on or after March 1. Applications that were filed but not processed before March 1 may be affected by the new salary requirements. Danish employers should take note of the change and adjust their budgets as necessary.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Danish government has updated its entry requirements for travelers entering the country as of Feb. 1.

Key Points:

  • Travelers from EU/EEA countries can enter the country without testing or quarantining if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days. Other travelers from EU/EEA countries must take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entry or take a PCR test or antigen test within 72 or 48 hours before arrival, respectively.
  • Travelers from “COVID-19 risk countries” can enter the country without testing or quarantining if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days. Other travelers from “COVID-19 risk countries” must take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arrival regardless of testing that was completed before arrival.
  • Travelers from “COVID-19 high-risk countries” can enter the country without testing or quarantining if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days. Other travelers from “COVID-19 high-risk countries” must take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arrival and quarantine for 10 days. Individuals can shorten their quarantine if they receive a negative PCR test taken at least six days after arrival.

Additional Information: More information regarding entry restrictions, exemptions and country lists is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Danish government has set the government fees and minimum salary for foreign nationals working in Denmark under the Pay-limit scheme for 2022.

Key Points:

  • Denmark’s minimum gross salary increased to 448,000 kroner per year (37,334 DKK per month) under the Pay-limit scheme.
  • Authorities adjusted the 2022 governmental fees for principal and dependent Pay-limit scheme applicants as follows:
    • An increase to 4,430 DKK for principal applicants.
    • A decrease to 1,640 DKK for dependent applicants.

BAL Analysis: Employers must meet the new threshold for new work permits under the Pay Limit scheme as of Jan. 1. Extensions of existing work permits may continue to use salaries from the initial application.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Danish government provided updated processing time estimates, saying it will not be able to meet goals for processing times that is set in May.

Key Points:

  • Authorities updated the expected processing times for visa applications submitted for the rest of 2021 as follows:
    • Fast Track – 1-2 months.
    • Pay Limit Scheme – 3-4 months.
    • Agriculture – 1-2 months.
    • Interns – 2-3 months.
    • Other work schemes – 1-4 months.
    • Researchers – 1-2 months.
    • Students (non-PhD) – 2 months.
    • PhD students – 1 month.
    • Au pairs – 3 months.

Additional Information: The estimated processing times are subject to change. Officials estimate that 70 to 90% of cases will be processed within the aforementioned timeframes.

BAL Analysis: Employers should take note of the updated processing time estimates and plan timelines and start dates accordingly. The processing delays will most likely improve as the Danish government increases the number of employees who are processing cases. However, applicants should expect continued delays until the application backlog is reduced.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs opened travel for vaccinated travelers from the U.K., U.S. and 11 other countries on June 5.

Key Points:

  • Vaccinated travelers from “yellow” third countries and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, including the U.K. and the U.S, are now permitted to enter the country without having a “worthy purpose” for travel.
  • Travelers must show proof of a European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine administered at least 14 days prior to arrival in Denmark.
  • Vaccinated travelers from the aforementioned countries are exempt from the mandatory quarantine requirement but still must adhere to testing protocols. If a traveler has not been vaccinated, he or she will be subject to post-entry testing and quarantine requirements
  • Previously infected individuals must show proof of a positive antigen or PCR test that was conducted between 14 days and 8 months of intended entry into Denmark to be exempt from other testing requirements.

Additional Information: Effective on June 11 until June 26, travelers from the U.K. must provide a negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours of departure to the country. Travelers from red countries are still barred from entering the country. To see a full list of Denmark’s country color categorization click here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Ministry of Foreign affairs recently eased travel restrictions for individuals who have been vaccinated or were previously infected with COVID-19.

Key Points:

  • The following rules came into effect May 1:
    • Fully vaccinated and previously infected residents of Denmark will be able to travel to orange countries without having to test or quarantine when returning to the country.
    • Fully vaccinated and previously infected residents of Denmark will no longer have to present a negative test prior to boarding flights to Denmark from yellow or orange countries.
    • Fully vaccinated residents of other EU or Schengen countries are no longer required to present a negative test, have a worthy purpose of travel or quarantine upon arrival in Denmark.
  • To be covered by the above rules, individuals must have:
    • Been vaccinated by an approved European Medicines Agency vaccine within the EU or Schengen countries.
    • Received the final dose of vaccination at least 14 days, but no more than 180 days, prior to travel.
  • Stricter entry requirements for red countries are still in effect.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.