New rule puts permanent residency out of reach for most

Only five foreigners have been granted permanent residency since June, when a points system replaced the old rule requiring only seven years of residency to qualify. This system is different to the one introduced last month which applies only to family reunification.

September saw 166 rejections and 162 authorisations for permanent residency applications received before the stricter rules came into force.

Applications under the new points system the same month resulted in 70 rejections and only one permit.

Conservative integration spokesperson Naser Khader, whose party voted for the new rules, was surprised by the new figures.

“That was not our intention,” he said. “Our aim was to reward those who made an effort to integrate and become part of our labour market.”

Khader hopes that once the new system has had time to settle in, more people will be granted permanent residence.

Marianne Jelved, integration spokesperson of the Social Liberals, called the situation “highly unfair”.

“It is very unfortunate when people’s lives are determined by political criteria that are aimed at segregating a lot of people,” she said.

Foreigners who do not earn enough points can have their temporary residence permit extended.

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Factfile | Permanent residency

Under the new points system, temporary residence permit holders who have lived in Denmark for four years qualify for permanent residence if they earn 100 points. Applicants earn 70 points for meeting a number of requirements, including passing a Danish test and not receiving public assistance. Applicants earn additional points by proving they have been an active member of society.

Under the previous rules, those wishing to qualify for permanent residence simply needed to have lived as a temporary resident in Denmark for seven years.

Foreigners who do not earn enough points can have their temporary residence permit extended.