Denmark to tighten work permit rules for foreign students

Denmark is planning to tighten work permit regulations for foreign students following reports of misuse, particularly among students from Nepal. The Danish Immigration Minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, has expressed concerns that some international students are primarily engaging in low-paid jobs, such as cleaning in hotels and restaurants, rather than focusing on their studies. This misuse is believed to exert downward pressure on wages in the Danish labor market.

The proposed changes include:

• Restricting Automatic Work Access: Students from non-EU and non-EEA countries would no longer have automatic access to the Danish labor market through their residence permits.
• Limiting Work Permits for Partners: The partners of these students would no longer be eligible to apply for work permits in Denmark based on the student's residence permit.

Currently, Danish study permits allow foreign students to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term (September to May) and full-time during the summer months (June to August). The proposed changes aim to ensure that the primary purpose of these permits remains educational, thereby preventing potential misuse for labor migration.

These measures are part of Denmark's broader efforts to combat social dumping and protect the integrity of its labor market. The government has also proposed stricter regulations for foreign workers, including enhanced documentation and identification requirements for foreign employers and employees.

By implementing these changes, Denmark seeks to maintain fair labor standards and ensure that foreign students engage primarily in educational activities during their stay.