Faroese residence permits are processed in Denmark

Faroese residence permits come within the sphere of immigration matters, a portfolio which has not been transferred to the Faroes from Denmark.

Residence permit applications are therefore processed in Denmark.

Last week, 13-year-old Alphina from Thailand was deported from Denmark despite her mother living in Denmark with her Danish husband. The authorities deemed that Alphina had stronger ties to Thailand, where she had spent a few years while her mother was adjusting to life in Denmark.

A year ago, 13-year-old Yiming Lius from China was also deported from Denmark on the basis that her chances of successfully integrating into Danish society were regarded as slim. She was, however, allowed to stay after the authorities received 5,000 signatures protesting the decision to deport her.

Faroese law not up to date

Ken Nónklett, who administers immigration matters at Útlendingastovan (the Immigration Office), says that children in the Faroes are unlikely to suffer the same fate as the two girls in Denmark. The reason is that the Faroese immigration law has not been updated with all the amendments made to the Danish immigration law in recent years.

“It is unlikely that this would happen in the Faroe Islands, but I cannot guarantee that such a situation would not arise, since these decisions are made by the Danish authorities,” he says.

The Immigration Office makes recommendations in certain cases, for instance in relation to work permits. But family matters are entirely up to Danish authorities, he adds.

Since the Faroese authorities are not informed of who is and who is not granted a residence permit, the Immigration Office cannot say whether there are any cases similar to the Danish ones mentioned above.

“Denmark has a number of integration requirements which do not apply here,” says Nónklett.

Another discrepancy between the Faroese and the Danish system is that the Danish law distinguishes between children aged below and above 15, whereas in the Faroes everyone under the age of 18 is considered a child.

Figures from the Immigration Office show that 32 children were granted a residence permit in 2017, and 30 in 2016. Out of this total number of 62, 15 entered the Faroes with parents who came to the country for work purposes.

Translated by prosa.fo