medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

Immigration to Denmark23Visits and short staysImmigrants anddescendantsof immigrantsliving in Denmark,approximatefigures:1980: 153,0001990: 215,0002001: 396,000Source: Danmarks Statistikand the Ministry of Refugee,Immigration and IntegrationAffairs.See also www.inm.dkPeople have been migrating to Denmarkfor centuries. Apart from a steady inflowthroughout the ages of immigrants fromneighbouring countries such as Germany,Poland and Sweden, other notableimmigrant groups include the Dutch in theearly 16th century, the Jews since the17th century and the French Huguenotsin the late 17th century. In the 1970s,Danish companies invited workers to cometo Denmark, especially from Turkey,Pakistan,Yugoslavia and Morocco, and inrecent years people have been coming toDenmark from all over the world,especially as refugees or to be reunitedwith their families.In order to be admitted into Denmark, youmust have a valid passport or otherauthorised travelling identification. Anyforeign citizen who wants to stay inDenmark for more than three monthsmust normally have a residence permit. Ifthe purpose of coming to Denmark is toget a job, both a residence and a workpermit are required. Denmark has aspecial cooperation agreement with theNordic Countries – Norway, Sweden,Finland and Iceland. Therefore specialrules apply for citizens from thesecountries.The same goes for citizens fromthe EU* and EEA member states andfrom Switzerland. Nordic citizens do notneed prior permission to enter and/or takeup residence in Denmark. According to thespecial EU rules on the free movement ofpeople across borders, citizens fromEU/EEA member states and Switzerlandmay obtain a residents certificate fromthe relevant state counties*.Citizens from a large number of countriesmust have a visa to visit Denmark, forexample, in order to attend cultural eventsor for business, tourist or family visits. Avisa does not entitle the holder to work inDenmark and is normally issued for aperiod of three months only. Thehomepage of the Danish ImmigrationService* provides a list of the countrieswhose citizens need a visa to come toDenmark. Foreign nationals must applyfor a visa before leaving for Denmark.Theapplication is normally processed by theDanish representation (embassy etc.) inthe foreign national’s home country.Denmark has joined the SchengenAgreement, and a Danish entry visa istherefore normally valid throughout theSchengen area.Refugees and asylum seekersDenmark has acceded to the UN refugeeconvention of 28 July 1951 – also knownas the Geneva Convention – and istherefore committed to protect any personwho is persecuted on grounds of race,nationality or religious or politicalpersuasion. Such persons achieve thestatus of so-called convention refugees.Out of all the refugees who come toDenmark every year, 500 are admitted onVisaThe Geneva Conventionand the EuropeanConvention on HumanRightsENTRY AND RESIDENCE