Denmark
New rules for third-country students in state-approved higher educational programmes
The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that new rules took effect on 1 October 2026 for certain third-country students in state-approved higher educational programmes in Denmark. The rules will also affect students’ ability to bring their family members to Denmark.
Among other things, the new rules mean that the period for a residence permit for job seeking after completing an educational programme will be reduced from three years to one year.
At the same time, it will no longer be possible for accompanying family members to be granted a residence permit under these rules.
The new rules apply to third-country students in state-approved professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, part-time master’s and master’s degree programmes in Denmark, including master’s degree programmes for working professionals. The rules also apply to third-country students in the Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+ and Nordic Master joint programmes. PhD students are not affected by the changes and therefore retain the same rights as before.
Students
- Those who applied before 1 October 2026 can be granted a residence permit for job seeking for up to three years after completing their educational programme.
- Those who apply on or after 1 October 2026 can be granted a residence permit for job seeking for up to one year after completing their educational programme.
The spouse, cohabiting partner or registered partner of a student
- The student applied before 1 October 2026: Those who also submitted their application before 1 October 2026 can still be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student. Those who submit their application on or after 1 October 2026 cannot be granted a residence permit.
- The student applies on or after 1 October 2026: the spouse, cohabiting partner or registered partner cannot be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, regardless of when they submit their application.
The child of a student
- The student applied before 1 October 2026: The child (under 18 years old) of the student can still be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, even if they apply on or after 1 October 2026.
- The student applies on or after 1 October 2026: The child of the student cannot be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, regardless of when they apply.
Turkish citizens covered by the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey who apply for a residence permit for a state-approved professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, master’s or master’s degree programme in Denmark may still be entitled to a 3-year job-seeking permit and a residence permit for accompanying family members.
Changes to SIRI’s online application AR6
The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that, on 1 October 2026, its online application AR6 will be updated. During the update, the application will be unavailable.
With the update, Quick Job Start will get its own page that users will see only if they apply under the Fast-Track Scheme, to help choose whether the applicant needs the Quick Job Start.
If the applicant does need Quick Job Start, there are two options:
- For visa-free applicants, the user should select ‘yes’ to Quick Job Start in the application, and book a Quick Job Start appointment so that the applicant can get a provisional work permit. The booking link is in the application, and in the receipt sent via Digital Post. The user should wait to book the appointment until they have submitted the application.
- For visa-required applicants, the user should select ‘yes’ to Quick Job Start in the application. Afterwards, the applicant must appear in person within 14 days to record their biometric features. They can only start working after the case has been decided. The user should follow the instructions on the receipt received after they submit the application.
Users who have selected ’no’ to Quick Job Start but do require it after all should contact SIRI.
Ireland
Temporary Protection Transition Scheme (TPTS) Opens for Applications
Immigration Service Delivery has announced that applications for the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme (TPTS) are open from 30 September 2026 for eligible beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who wish to transition to an alternative immigration permission in Ireland.
Eligible applicants can submit their application and access detailed scheme guidance through the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme online application portal: https://inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login
Applicants are encouraged to review the guidance carefully before submitting their application and to ensure that all required information and supporting documentation are provided.
Sweden
New rules for young adults and people who want to move to a family member in Sweden
The Swedish Migration Agency has announced that new rules on immigration due to family ties have been adopted by the Swedish Parliament and came into force on 1 October 2026.
Among other changes, certain young adults who previously held a residence permit on the grounds of family ties will be able to apply for a residence permit from within Sweden. The rules also affect people who want to move to a family member in Sweden and people who want to extend their residence permit to continue living with a family member in Sweden.
In March this year, the Swedish Migration Agency announced that decisions to reject applications in certain cases involving young adults who previously held a residence permit on the grounds of family ties had been put on hold after the Government announced that new legislation was being prepared. These cases concern people who previously held a residence permit on the grounds of family ties to a parent but have since turned 18 years. The Swedish Migration Agency is now resuming its examination of the cases that were put on hold.
The new rules coming into force allow young adults to apply for an extension of their residence permit on the grounds of family ties to their parents even after they have turned 18. During a transitional period, certain young adults who have already received an expulsion decision will also be covered.
A temporary opportunity is also being introduced to apply for a permit on other grounds without first having to leave Sweden. This will apply until the end of December 2027
Stricter residence and maintenance requirements
Several conditions for family immigration are also being tightened. Among other changes, a requirement is being introduced that, as a general rule, a person in Sweden who holds a temporary residence permit and whom a family member wishes to join must have resided in Sweden for at least two years when the family member applies for a residence permit.
The two-year period of residence requirement does not apply to people with work permits, researchers, doctoral students, people with EU Blue Cards or ICT permits, or unaccompanied minors and their parents. They are covered by other rules. Refugees may also be exempt from the requirement in certain situations.
The stricter maintenance requirement means that the amount the person in Sweden must have left after paying their housing costs will increase. The maintenance requirement must also be met when a family member applies for an extension of their residence permit. In such cases, the family member’s income can normally also be taken into account.
