The Government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration have entered into agreement on a fast-track scheme for Greenland regarding the processing of applications for resident and work permits. The scheme came into force on 24 September 2021.

Less waiting time

Under the fast-track scheme, a special process applies to foreigners who have received a job offer or an employment agreement with a company being listed on the Government of Greenland’s list of preapproved companies.

The fast-track scheme entails a significant reduction in the waiting time for the processing of foreign workers’ applications for residence and work permits, which until now has been up to 90 days. It will now be reduced to up to 1 month.

 What means the fast-track scheme in practice

The fast-track scheme means in practice that an applicant, who has a job offer or an employment agreement with a pre-approved company in Greenland, may now also file the application after his/her entry to Greenland, provided the applicant otherwise stays lawfully in Greenland. However, the authorities have so far informed that the applicant may still not commence to work until the permit is granted by Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

However, we draw attention to the “mineral resource rule”, under which a foreigner may enter Greenland and carry out work even without having a residence and work permit.

Enlist your company to the fast-track scheme

Companies that wish to use the fast-track scheme must submit an application to be added to the list of pre-approved companies.

The application must include the following information:

  • The company’s company registration number and name
  • Contract for the relevant job type, e.g. cook, cleaner, carpenter etc.
  • Information on salary and employment conditions, which at least corresponds to usual Greenlandic conditions
  • The company must have headquarters or a branch office in Greenland

Want to know more?

You can find a more detailed description of the scheme here. If you wish to know more or have questions regarding the fast-track scheme, you are welcome to contact lawyer Helen Kibsgaard (hk@nuna-law.gl) or junior associate Iris Ohms Jørgensen(ij@nuna-law.gl).