Denmark has tightened some of its rules for third-country students enrolled in non-approved higher education programmes and their family members.
Under the new rules that entered into force on May 2, 2025, foreign students in non-state-approved programmes will no longer be eligible for the limited work permit and for the six-month job search stays, Schengen.News reports.
In addition, as the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) explains, this group of students will also no longer be able to bring their accompanying family members to the country.
The Ministry of Immigration and Integration published an amendment to the ‘Executive Order on the granting of residence and work permits to students’. The amendment means that students from third countries in non-state-approved higher educational programmes will no longer be granted limited work permits, six-month job search stays and the right to bring an accompanying family.
This change comes amid Denmark’s effort to have a more efficient migration control. The main purpose of this change is to ensure that permits are granted only to foreign students whose main and real intention is to study within Denmark’s territory.
Foreign Students Who Submitted Applications Before May 2 Will Not Be Affected
Since the new changes will apply from today, May 2, 2025, not everyone will be affected by the new changes.
According to SIRI, the new rules do not apply to foreign students who applied for or received a residence permit despite being in a non-state-approved higher education programme before May 2.
This group of students who have already completed these procedures will continue to be eligible for a limited work permit, a six-month job search stay, and to bring accompanying family members to Denmark.
The changes do not apply to foreign nationals who have applied for or been granted a residence permit as a student in a non-state-approved higher educational programme before May 2, 2025.
SIRI further highlighted that the students who applied for permits before the new changes took place will continue to be able to apply for an extension under the previous regulations.
Denmark sees a large number of international students every year. In the last years, it has been reported that some foreign students, such as those from Nepal, are being employed in low-paid jobs and in some cases being exploited.
Moreover, it was also reported that some students are using the permits to remain irregularly within the bloc, pushing the Danish authorities to take measures.