The Positive List for Skilled Work

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

Skilled (vocational-level) workers offered a job whose title is on the Positive List for Skilled Work of skilled professions with a shortage in Denmark; university-level jobs use the higher-education list.

See recorded sources

https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
You have been offered a job included in the list of skilled professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
If you have been offered a job requiring university level qualifications in a profession with a shortage of qualified professionals, then you can use the Positive List for the Highly Educated

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

Yes. A job offer/contract stating all terms is required, and the employer must be covered by Læreplads-AUB and have met its apprentice-training obligations (no exemptions).

See recorded sources

https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
When you apply, you must attach a copy of your employment contract or job offer. All terms of employment must be stated in the contract or the job offer.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
In order to be granted a residence permit based on the Positive List for Skilled Work, it is a condition that your employer has met their educational obligations regarding training of apprentices. Thus, your employer must be covered by Læreplads-AUB (Arbejdsgivernes Uddannelsesbidrag).
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
It is not possible to make exemptions from this requirement, when applying under the Positive List for Skilled Work.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

Job title must be on the list (updated 1 January and 1 July); salary must match Danish standards assessed against wage statistics for skilled workers by relevant experience; salary paid into a Danish bank account.

See recorded sources

https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
Your job must be included in the Positive List for Skilled Work. In addition, there are a number of other conditions.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
The Positive List for Skilled Work is updated twice a year – 1 January and 1 July.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
SIRI applies statistics based on Danmarks Statistik’s wage register as a guideline to assess whether the offered salary – in your application under the Positive List for Skilled Work – corresponds to Danish standards.

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

Work only in the permitted job and company (a new position in the same company needs a new permit); sideline work needs a separate permit. Spouse/partner and children under 18 living at home can accompany.

See recorded sources

https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
You are only allowed to work in the job and in the company that you have been granted a permit to work in.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
If you are offered a new job, you must apply for a new permit. This also applies if you are offered a new position within the same company.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
A permit can be granted to your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner as well as children under the age of 18 living at home.

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Employment period if under 4 years, normally 4 years if 4+ years; extension with an extended contract, applied for before expiry.

See recorded sources

https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
If you are employed for a shorter period than 4 years, your residence and work permit will normally be valid for the period of your employment.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
If your employment is for a period of 4 years or more, you will normally be granted a permit valid for 4 years.
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/The-Positive-Lists/Positive-List-for-skilled-work
If you have an extended contract and wish to continue working in Denmark after the permit period, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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The Positive List for Skilled Work

What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.