Changes to requirements for third-country national students \u00a0<\/p>\n
Denmark\u2019s Ministry for Immigration and Integration introduced new rules for (prospective) university students<\/a> from outside Europe. \u00a0Because it holds an ‘opt-out’ from EU legislation on justice and home affairs, the 2016 Students and Researchers Directive<\/a> – which establishes a unified EU framework for admitting non-EU nationals for study and research – does not apply in Denmark.Admission requirements and document checks are now stricter, a higher proportion of the study fee must be paid at enrolment, post-graduation job search time has been reduced from three years to one and non-attendance of courses now risks expulsion. The previous right to bring a working spouse has also been abolished to ensure that study permits are used primarily for education.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2024, 6 100 students from outside Europe were enrolled in higher education in Denmark. Among these, according to statistics published by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, 77% of Nepalese and 58% of Bangladeshis were granted permits at state-approved higher education institutions. \u00a0In these cases,\u00a0 \u00a0family member(s) can accompany the students and be granted a residence permit linked to the one of the sponsor. \u00a0<\/p>\n Recommendation on strengthening language education \u00a0<\/p>\n The Association of Municipalities in Denmark (KL) published a new proposal for Danish language education<\/a>. The document advocates for raising Danish language skills for foreigners and refugees, citing research showing language as key to successful integration.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n KL urges the state to improve teaching to meet labour market needs, reduce bureaucracy, maintain municipal roles, focus on practical everyday language, expand e-learning for skilled migrants, extend language school access from 5 to 10 years, and strengthen initiatives like workplace teaching and language partners to reduce dropouts. \u00a0<\/p>\n The effect of the local environment on migrant children\u2019s integration\u00a0<\/p>\n A new study by the Rockwool Foundation and Aarhus University<\/a> finds that refugee children\u2019s integration outcomes are significantly shaped by the areas in which they grow up. Living in areas where many neighbours share their native language can hinder school performance, according to the study, while growing up near adults with the same background who are employed tends to support on-time completion of primary school. Denmark\u2019s mandatory municipal quota system for allocating refugees enables researchers to track and compare these long-term effects. \u00a0<\/p>\n National Council for Integration to close in 2026 \u00a0<\/p>\n Denmark\u2019s new Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rasmus Stoklund, proposed the abolishment<\/a> of the National Council on Integration<\/a> when its current contract expires in 2026. A bill for the abolishment is expected to be introduced in February 2026 and is scheduled to enter into force on 1 June. \u00a0Beyond underlining integration primarily as an individual responsibility and the importance of active participation in education, employment, and civic life, Minister Stoklund emphasised the importance of the adherence to Danish values such as democracy, equality, and personal freedom (also referred to in Denmark as the fight against \u201cnegative social control\u201d). The council has in recent years served primarily as an advisory body to the minister, with most members appointed directly by the ministry.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n Study compares the reception of people displaced from Ukraine in Denmark and Poland \u00a0<\/p>\n UCL Policy Lab in the UK compared the reception of people displaced from Ukraine in Denmark with the reception in Poland<\/a> since February 2022, highlighting shared challenges and country-specific approaches and detailing recommendations based on research findings.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n Similarities identified between the two countries as far as those displaced by the war in Ukraine are concerned include swift, facilitated labour market integration and uncertainty over their future. Differences emerged in asylum and migration policies towards people with Russian citizenship. Key recommendations made by the study include the implementation of better data collection systems and more planning for the future of people displaced by the war in Ukraine in their host countries once the period of temporary protection ends.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Disability pension cases among migrants to be reviewed\u00a0<\/p>\n