Criteria for Naturalisation: Resolving Statelessness When a refugee is granted protection in Denmark were previously issued a 4year temporary residence permit (ELENA, 2013). Securing a permanent residence permit is a prerequisite for naturalisation as a Danish citizen. The rules governing who is eligible were, in March 2016, made more restrictive for all applicants and saw the withdrawal of facilitated access to permanent residence for refugees. A permanent residence permit can be secured in Denmark regardless of the type of residence permit individuals hold, if they meet the following compulsory requirements, as well as at least two of the additional ones. The compulsory requirements include 1) 6 years of legal stay (this can be reduced to 4 years if the applicant meets all additional requirements) 2) reaching a certain level of Danish language proficiency, 3) not being within the penalty period for any criminal offence (some crimes result in permanent exclusion), 4) being/have been in full time employment for 2 ½ years during the last 3 years (full time education is not considered as employment) (Refugees Welcome, 2016). The additional requirements include 5) having passed a member-of-society test (not to be confused with the more substantial citizenship test required for naturalisation), 6) having achieved participation in society (such as being a member of a club), 7) being in full time employment for 4 years, and 8) have an annual income of at least 270.000 DKR7 during the last 2 years (ibid). The criteria for naturalisation include signing an oath of loyalty to the Danish state, holding a permanent residence permit and having 9 years of legal residence in Denmark - 8 years for refugees, 6 years for those married to a Danish citizen and 5 years for those who have completed 3 years of Danish education (young people who arrived in Denmark before they reached 15 years of age can apply when they turn 18 if they have completed Danish education), are not within the penalty period for committing a criminal offence (some crimes result in permanent exclusion from the possibility of naturalisation, having no outstanding debt to the State, 6) be self-supporting, have passed a language exam and have passed a citizenship test (Refugees DK, 2016b). In October 2015, these criteria were made more restrictive, including raising the level of the language requirement, increasing the length and required percentage of correct answers on the citizenship test, extension of penalty periods for committing criminal offences and making dispensation due to mental illness more difficult to obtain (ibid). Changes in the requirements were implemented for all pending applications at the time. 7 Approximately 36,000 Euros.