An important change in the law on immigration has been adopted. The Fast-track scheme enables certified companies to hire – with a few exceptions – highly qualified foreign nationals on short notice without having to wait for an application to be processed by the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment. At the same time, the scheme offers employees the possibility to work alternately in and outside Denmark.
The Fast-track scheme means that if certain conditions are met, new employees can begin working in Denmark immediately after an application for a residence and work permit has been submitted. There are 4 different tracks:
- The pay limit scheme
- Researchers
- The stay in Denmark is in order to receive highly qualified training within the certified company, or to train, at a highly qualified level, other employees of the certified company
- The employment is for a short term stay, and the salary and terms of employment correspond to Danish standards
The employee must arrange for legal entry into Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or do not need a visa, you may just enter. If you need a visa, you must go through the normal formalities, but a visa takes so much shorter time to obtain.
Before starting to work the employee must appear in person at the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment and be subjected to a number of checks, including i.a. a check that you have entered into a contract with a certified company. But then the employee can start working without waiting for the application to be processed.
A permit under this scheme may have a duration of up to 4 years.
The Danish companies must fulfill certain conditions in order to be certified. The company must have at least 20 full-time employees. In general, salary and employment conditions at the Danish company must correspond to Danish standards. The company must participate in a meeting at the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment where the rules will be explained in detail. There is a fee of 3.250 kr.
The new rules take effect from April 1, 2015. But companies may already now apply for certification.
Relocare can help you obtain the Fast-track approval. We can handle much of the paperwork on the basis of a power of attorney, but an authorized representative of the company must participate in the meeting with the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment. Please contact our Head of Immigration Ole Brix Andersen to hear further.
