New stricter rules for some foreign students
Starting 2. May 2025 foreign students granted a residence permit for studying at a non-state recognized educational institutions will have their rights severely limited.
The above mentioned students were already quite limited compared to students of the state recognized educational institutions. Instead of a 3 year establishment permit, they could only get a 6 month job seeking visa after education end. Common for both types however was that you could bring your spouses and children (under 18 years old). They also could work up to 90 hours per month. Students of non-state recognized educational institutions have been stripped of those rights. So, now they are not allowed to work at all, and must leave their families behind in their home country. They, themselves must leave the country as soon as the education has ended. Further increasing the disparity between these two student groups significantly.
Are you affected?
You are affected if you are a national of a 3rd country and have applied for a residence permit in Denmark to study at an educational institution which is NOT state recognized (such as Niels Brock), and if you submitted your application no earlier than 2nd May 2025.
If you ALREADY hold a permit studying at non-state recognized educational institution you continue with the same rights as before. Your rights will also be retained if you apply for a potential extension. This does NOT extend to those submitting a new application for another course (such as ending your bachelor, and then applying for a master’s, or applying for a second master’s).
If you submitted your application BEFORE 2nd May 2025, you are also protected and retain the rights from before the change.
If you study at a state recognized educational institution (such as Copenhagen University, RUC, SDU, DTU, CBS) then you are not affected by this change, so far. Also not affected by this change are, EU citizens, as they remain under a different legislation entirely.
This is arguably the greatest limitation, ever imposed on foreign students in Denmark. Even worse then when students were cut off from being able to gain permanent residence (as students) in 2014.
If you have questions we suggest that you seek out professional assistance. At IMMLAW Group we have more than 20 years of experience serving the expat community in Denmark. If you need more detailed advice about your specific situation you can book a consultation here . You can also view the article on Facebook here.
