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Danish Immigration - Job Card Scheme

Job Card Scheme

Most Non-EU/EEA nationals wishing to take employment within Denmark must prove that a Danish or EU/EEA citizen could not be found to fill the job. However, certain fields that are experiencing labor shortages have special rules applied to them under the Danish Job Card scheme. The same rules also apply for asylum seekers, even if their application has been rejected.

Those who have been offered a job in a field that is considered in shortage in Denmark can become immediately eligible for a work permit and residence permit under this scheme. The Danish immigration department will immediately grant permission to live and work in Denmark without requesting a statement from a branch organization that a Danish/EU/EEA/Swiss citizen could not be found to fill the position. The normal processing time is no longer than 30 days.

The following is the list of occupations that fall under the Job Card Scheme:

  • Knowledge Workers (mathematicians, statisticians, physicists, biophysicists, chemists, biochemists, biologists, geologists, etc -- requires at least five years of university study corresponding to a Masters degree)
  • IT experts (those who can provide evidence of at least three years of IT studies at university level)
  • Engineers (civil engineers, engineers specialising in building and construction, environment and planning, electronics, physics and chemistry, chemical technology and biotechnology, mechanical engineering, energy and production and food engineers -- requires evidence of at least three years of university study corresponding to a bachelors degree)
  • Physicians (requires authorization from the Danish National Board of Health)
  • Pharmacists (requires five years university study corresponding to a Masters degree and must obtain authorization from the Danish Medicines Agency
  • Nurses (requires authorization from the Danish National Board of Health)
  • Radiographers (requires authorization from the Danish National Board of Health)
  • Midwives (requires authorization from the Danish National Board of Health)
  • Dentists (requires authorization from the Danish National Board of Health)
  • Veterinarians (requires authorization from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration)
  • Architects
  • Chartered Surveyors (requires five years university study corresponding to a Masters degree)
  • Agronomists
  • Geometricians (requires five years university study corresponding to a Masters degree)
  • Lawyers (requires five years university study corresponding to a Masters degree)
  • Accountants/Auditors (requires five years university study corresponding to a Masters degree in Commerce)
  • Actuaries (requires five years university study corresponding to a Masters degree -- also requires authorization from the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority)
  • Economists (requires five years university/business school study corresponding to a Masters degree
  • Marine Engineers (requires authorization from the Danish Maritime Authority)
  • Building Technicians (requires a background corresponding to a Bachelors degree in building and construction)

As of 1 May 2007, the Job Card scheme has been expanded to include highly paid jobs above DKK 450,000 (approximately USD 90,000), irrespective of the field of work.