Denmark Lists Benefits That May Block Family Visa Approvals

The Danish government has published a list of seven social benefits that can prevent foreigners from obtaining family reunification visas. Under current immigration rules, individuals wishing to sponsor a spouse or partner must prove financial self-sufficiency.

Receiving certain state financial assistance within the past three years can result in a visa application being denied. The relevant legislation includes the Active Social Policy Act and the Integration Act, emphasizing that even brief periods on benefits are considered significant.

The seven categories of social benefits that trigger this restriction are: 1) Integration benefits (integrationsydelse), 2) Start help benefits (starthjælp), 3) Self-support and return benefit or transitional benefit (Selvforsørgelses- and hjemrejseydelse or overgangsydelse), 4) Social security (kontanthjælp), including supplementary social security, 5) Rehabilitation benefit (revalidering), 6) Resource course grant (ressourceforløbsydelse), and 7) Educational grant (uddannelseshjælp). Any resident who has received these benefits risks having their spouse or partner's application rejected.