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Denmark is rolling out a wave of new restrictions that will make it harder for international students, especially those from Bangladesh and Nepal to study, work, or settle in the country. The government says the move is aimed at stopping people from using study programs as a “shortcut” into the Danish job market.
A Crackdown on “Backdoor” Immigration
On September 18, Denmark’s Ministry of Immigration and Integration announced several new measures designed to tighten academic entry requirements, shorten post-study work rights, and limit family reunification for students from outside the EU.
The ministry said the changes will make it “significantly more difficult” for international students who don’t meet strict academic and language standards to gain admission.
“We’ve seen cases where the student route is being used as a backdoor into the Danish labour market,” said then–immigration minister Kaare Dybvad Bek, who was replaced shortly after by Rasmus Stoklund. “When you come to Denmark to study, studying not unskilled work should be your main purpose.”
However, students and advocacy groups have condemned the comments as unfairly targeting certain nationalities and reinforcing negative stereotypes.
What Will Change?
The new plan introduces several key policies:
Tougher admission standards: Students from third countries will now face stricter entry exams and language requirements.
Document verification: Universities must carry out deeper checks on academic records, supported by Denmark’s National ID Center, to prevent fake or altered documents.
Review of past permits: Residence permits issued to Bangladeshi and Nepali students will be re-examined for signs of fraud.
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Family restrictions: Rules for bringing spouses or dependents will become far more limited.
Reduced post-study work rights: Graduates’ work permits will be cut from three years to one.
These steps follow earlier actions this year restricting work permits for students in unaccredited programs.
Why Bangladesh and Nepal Are in the Spotlight
Government data shows a sharp contrast between students from different countries. Between 2022 and 2024, just 1–2% of Chinese and American students brought family members with them, but the figure jumped to 74% for Nepalese students and 58% for Bangladeshis.
A government survey also reported that some Bangladeshi students at Aarhus University had higher dropout rates (13%) and lower pass rates (55–65%) than their peers from other countries (around 90%).
Officials say these findings suggest that some students are less academically prepared or are coming primarily to work.
Universities and Student Groups React
Danish universities say they understand the need for stricter checks but are worried about the extra administrative burden. Aarhus University said it is reviewing which of the new measures will be “most useful and feasible” to implement.
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Meanwhile, Denmark’s National Union of Students has warned that higher tuition fees and stricter rules could make the country’s universities inaccessible to talented students from poorer backgrounds.
“International students are a huge asset,” said Christoffer Rosenkvist, the union’s chair. “Raising fees or creating barriers will only reduce diversity and innovation in Danish higher education.”
Students Push Back Against “Harmful Stereotypes”
Many Bangladeshi and Nepali students in Denmark say they feel unfairly singled out. The Bangladesh Association of Students and Alumni in Denmark has criticized what it calls “misleading narratives” that paint all South Asian students as abusers of the system.
“These students pay full tuition, follow legal procedures, and contribute to the economy,” the group said, adding that part-time jobs are often necessary for survival due to limited scholarship opportunities.
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Nepali student Isha Thapa, in an op-ed for The Copenhagen Post, warned that targeting specific nationalities “risks deepening stereotypes instead of understanding the real challenges students face.”
Calls for Balance and Fairness
Some graduates say Denmark should support international students better rather than simply tightening the rules.
“Students are willing to integrate, learn the language, adapt to the culture, but there should also be more support from the government,” said one former student who now works in Copenhagen.
Agents and education consultants are also calling for more collaboration between Bangladesh and Denmark to prevent misuse.
“If we identify and fix problems early, we can protect genuine students,” said Ujjol Mia, CEO of Aspire Global Pathways. “Otherwise, stricter rules could eventually block opportunities for everyone.”
The Bigger Picture
Denmark’s new policies come at a time when several European countries are rethinking their approach to international education. While Norway is moving to reopen its doors to non-EU students, Denmark appears to be taking the opposite route, tightening control and raising tuition fees.
The long-term question remains: Can Denmark balance its need for integrity in its education system while remaining open to global talent?