Introduction

Denmark is considering stricter work permit regulations for foreign students following reports of misuse, particularly among students from Nepal working in low-wage jobs such as cleaning in hotels and restaurants. The Danish government aims to prevent abuse of student residence permits and ensure they are used for educational purposes rather than labor migration.

Key Takeaways

✅ Misuse of Student Permits – Reports indicate that some foreign students are using their residence permits primarily for labor migration rather than education.
✅ Proposed Regulatory Changes – The Danish government plans to tighten work permit rules to prevent misuse and protect the domestic labor market.
✅ Impact on Nepali Students – Students from Nepal have been specifically mentioned in reports concerning the misuse of student residence permits for low-wage employment.
✅ Stricter Monitoring – Authorities aim to limit work hours, enhance enforcement, and require separate work permits for non-EU/EEA students.
✅ Government’s Stance – The Danish Immigration Minister emphasizes that residence permits must be used for their intended educational purposes.

Misuse of Student Permits: A Growing Concern

Investigations reveal that some foreign students, particularly from Nepal, are obtaining Danish student residence permits primarily to work rather than to study. This circumvents standard immigration procedures and raises concerns about labor exploitation.

The government argues that Denmark’s student visa program should not be a backdoor for low-wage employment, and reforms are needed to maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

Proposed Regulatory Changes

To combat misuse of student visas, the Danish government is considering:

📌 Stricter Work Regulations

• Eliminating automatic access to the labor market for non-EU/EEA students.
• Requiring separate work permits for students who want to take up employment.

📌 Limiting Work Hours

• Reducing the number of hours foreign students are allowed to work per week.
• Ensuring that students prioritize their studies rather than full-time employment.

📌 Enhanced Monitoring & Enforcement

• Stronger oversight of employers hiring foreign students.
• Stricter screening of student visa applications to prevent fraudulent claims.

Impact on Nepali Students

Reports suggest that many Nepali students in Denmark are working primarily in low-wage sectors such as hotel and restaurant cleaning, rather than pursuing full-time studies.

Authorities believe that this trend signals a misuse of Denmark’s student visa system for labor migration purposes, which they seek to curb through regulatory reforms.

Government’s Stance

Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, has stated that the government intends to close loopholes that allow student visas to be used for work instead of education.

The goal is to prevent system abuse, safeguard Denmark’s labor market, and ensure that student permits serve their original purpose.

Conclusion

Denmark’s proposed tightening of work permit regulations for foreign students underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its immigration and labor policies.

By preventing the misuse of student residence permits, the country aims to:
✔️ Ensure that foreign students are genuinely pursuing education.
✔️ Protect low-wage jobs for local workers.
✔️ Strengthen enforcement to detect and prevent visa fraud.

These measures will likely impact thousands of foreign students and could reshape Denmark’s international education policies in the coming years.

Sources
Schengen News – Denmark Tightening Work Permit Rules