Some fall in love with someone here, some enjoy working here, some enjoy the Danish hygge culture (cozy), and some just really like rugbrød (the Danish dark bread). The reasons don’t really matter, the fact is that a lot of people really enjoying living here in Denmark.
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy for people who’re not from a European country to stay here in Denmark. I don’t want to repeat the rules, as you can find the general information on the Danish integration ministry’s website. www.nyidanmark.dk But in general, no matter what’s your visa type, you need to have it for 7 years to be able to apply the permanent residence permit.
During the last decade Denmark has earned a reputation of tough and restrictive immigration policies, there are some who take pride in this, and others who find it deeply shameful. As a foreigner who has lived here for 7 years, my guess is that the Danish government decided to focus on the quality of immigrants.
But it deeply frustrates me that I find myself marginalized to some extent by my inability to influence the areas which affect me the most, such as immigration law.
Maybe you know about last year’s scandal in the Danish integration ministry. For those who don’t, I will tell you the story very briefly now. It turned out that the Danish integration ministry has lied or misinformed the general public about the immigration law for Danes who married foreigners.
The integration ministry, and the Danish government in general, has claimed that all applicants for family visas are required to live up to a long list of specific requirements in order the qualify. The most controversial of these requirements are the so-called 24 years rule, and the attachment requirement. For those EU citizens “unfortunate enough” to fall in love with a non-EU citizen the only way to circumvent these rules is to apply for a family reunification visa based on the EU laws of free movement for laborers.
Since instituting the strict immigration laws, the Danish government has repeatedly claimed that a stay of perhaps several years in another EU country such as Germany and Sweden was required to utilize the EU labor laws.
As a result those whom had the misfortune of falling for one of those men or women with strange names, funny sounding languages and oddly colored passports had to become “refugees of love”, uprooting themselves and their lives to move to Malmø, North Germany, or in some cases much further away. This may not sound like a big deal, but for many this meant quickly selling their homes and quitting their jobs, and even giving up their voting rights (as Danish citizens lose the right to vote after an extended stay abroad), in order to set up a life abroad which would be recognized as authentic by the Danish government.
Imagine how these people felt when they found out that the Danish government had been lying to them all along, that the Danish government knew, (and had known for quite a while) that all that was required in order to qualify under the EU labour law was a period of work abroad of perhaps two weeks part-time employment, while living in a rented flat.
I would have felt angry. Angry for being lied to, but perhaps more angry about all the confusion and uncertainty that the lies caused. Unnecessary confusion and uncertainty about what the future would hold, whether or not I would be able to start a family with my spouse, if I would be able to go back to my life in Denmark, or if I would have to remain a refugee of love.
I find it amazing that the Danish government actually did this, willingly marginalized a small group of Danes, just because they fell for the “wrong” person.
These Danes more than most understand what it’s like to be a foreigner in Denmark
How there always seems to be another thing to worry about.
Uncertainty about what the future holds for you, questions like if you will be able to stay here in Denmark, or you will have to uproot and move somewhere else.
Confusion about what your rights are, if you might have to leave the country if you get pregnant, if going back to see your family might worsen your chances of getting a visa in the future, and what the best course of action for improving your chances might be.
I understand the need for rules, but I sometimes wish that Danes would just open up their hearts and accept us for who we are, for it is truly a sad thing when people are forced to become refugees of love.
8 Comments
I can completely relate to your frustration. I studied in Copenhagen last year and fell in love with every inch of the city and the people that live there. I quickly came to the decision that I would move to Copenhagen after I graduation. My dreams were crushed by the daunting amount of details and paperwork regarding such a move. In all reality it is virtually impossible to move to Denmark as an American. Denmark will always hold a special place in my heart, and I only wish that I could live there for an extended period of time.
Li Yuan Wu, good luck.
It seems contradictive that Danes are known to be so open-minded and at the same time so unwelcoming to new comers. They are a tribe.
i will move one day to Denmark permanently with my wife and son. i will, i hope, i pray………..
Hi Monica, I’m sorry to hear that, but if we think positively here, then Denmark will always be perfect in your heart, because you haven’t had a chance to experience the problems. I guess i feel much the same way about the states, I’ve seen the states extensively through the eyes/camera lenses various directors, newscasters. However, there are some things which you can only know and feel if you experience them for yourself, and thus it is sad that you won’t have the chance to experience both the good and the bad sides of Denmark.
Faraz, i sympathize and hope that you will get that opportunity some day soon. Do you feel like sharing your story with us?
Hi Li Yuan.
Cool that you are blogging on this page. Just saw your face on the front page. I totally subscribe to the point of view in this article. Its some crazy rules for foreigners in my country.
Hugs
Happy to read that you’ve brought up this issue. Been reading your previous posts and they seem to be a bit sterile, but then again it’s perhaps due to you blogging for this (official) site
Denmark i s a xenophobic country. I watched it turn into the fearful place it now is over a 15 year period before I decided I could no longer live in such a culture and left. I pity those who fall in love with a Dane and are put through the Kafkaesque bureaucracy which is designed to keep all foreigners out. Read Peter Andreas blog entry on the real meaning of “hygge” to get a better idea of what the culture is really about. Sobering and spot on.
http://blogs.denmark.dk/peterandreas/
I knew an entry level immigration officer who told me that he knew that his job was to keep foreigners out…and he knew which ones he was meant to keep out. It was never spoken about directly because what he was expected to do was illegal.He also knew that keeping out the “wrong” types was the only way for advancement and every “first line” immigration officer wants to be advanced…get the picture? He was very unapologetic about this fact. I suspect he has advanced in his career.
Ni Hao Li Yuan Wu
Renshi ni wo hen gaoxing
Yes these crazy rules, have come because a lot of people from middle east and Africa are misusing the danish hospitality and later on when comming to Denmark caused lots of problems, just look at the news nearly every day.
Unfortunately the danish immigration laws cannot give certain nationalities or religions priority. But a requirement of working qualification and self support and earning up of qualifications points before foreigners could get the same rights as native Danes would be the right way.
As Previously being working for several years in foreign countries including East Asia , I also know how it works there