Work Permits, Job Search Visas, and Family Accompaniment Banned from May 2, 2025. In a major policy shift, the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration has implemented new restrictions on international students enrolled in non-state-approved higher education institutions. The changes, effective May 2, 2025, limit several key immigration benefits that were previously available to students from third countries, such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
The reform is aimed at tightening oversight on Denmark’s student visa framework, which the government claims has been exploited by individuals using educational enrolment as a gateway to work rights and family reunification without a genuine academic goal.
What Has Changed for Affected Students?
According to the updated Executive Order on the Granting of Residence and Work Permits to Students, the following entitlements have now been revoked for international students in non-state-approved programs:
- Limited work permits that allowed students to work part-time while studying
- 6-month post-study job search visas, previously granted after course completion
- Family accompaniment rights, which allowed students to bring spouses and children
These changes significantly reduce the overall value proposition for non-EU students considering private or non-accredited institutions in Denmark. The update signals a more selective immigration approach, focusing benefits on students attending government-approved academic programs.
Cutoff Date: Who Is Affected?
The Ministry clarified that these changes will only apply to applications submitted on or after May 2, 2025. Those who applied before the deadline—or who are already in Denmark with valid student residence permits—will continue to enjoy existing benefits. That includes the right to:
- Work part-time during studies
- Stay back for six months to search for a job after graduation
- Live in Denmark with dependent family members
Even if such students seek extensions beyond May 2, 2025, they will not be affected by the new policy. This non-retroactive application provides relief to current residents, ensuring they are not unfairly penalized due to mid-course legal shifts.
Why the Danish Government Is Making This Move
The government has cited growing concerns that some international students were using non-accredited educational programs primarily to gain entry into Denmark’s labour market or secure family visas. These courses, often offered by private colleges with less rigorous academic oversight, have come under scrutiny in recent years.
Authorities argue that by restricting access to work and settlement benefits in such cases, Denmark can preserve the integrity of its education system and attract students who are genuinely committed to academic and professional development within the country.
What This Means for Future Applicants
The biggest takeaway for international students planning to study in Denmark in 2025 and beyond is clear: choose your institution carefully. Only enrolling in state-approved or accredited programs will grant you access to Denmark’s post-study job search period, part-time work rights, and family reunification benefits.
This policy will likely push more students toward public universities or state-recognized institutions, potentially affecting the enrollment levels of private providers. It also aligns with broader European trends, where countries are increasingly linking immigration benefits to academic quality and labour market alignment.
Bottom Line
Denmark’s new student visa rules mark a significant shift in its immigration policy. By removing work and family benefits from students in unapproved programs, the country is signaling its intent to tighten controls while still supporting genuine students through a structured pathway. International applicants must now assess not just the program, but the institutional approval status, before making their move to Denmark.