Temporary Residency for Denmark

In Denmark, all kinds of residence permits are originally given as temporary residence, which is valid for 1 to 2 years, depending on personal circumstances. Temporary residency status is granted for 2 years, family reunification also for 2 years, and the two kinds of protection status for 1 year. Then, the applicant has to apply for an extension of his/her temporary residence in Denmark, this is not done automatically, and it is important to meet the deadline, so if a person’s residence permit of Denmark expires then the person has to re-apply, i.e. travel to her/his country of origin and apply from there. It can take several months to process an extension. Remember, it is also necessary to apply for an extension for children.

After 8-9 years of legal residency in Denmark (the period as an asylum seeker does not count), a person can apply for a permanent residence permit in Denmark. In order to achieve this, the person has to fulfill a number of different criteria in terms of Danish language skill, education, and zero crime certificate.

Permanent residency of Denmark indicates that a person is permitted to stay in Denmark and does not have to apply for a residence permit again – but if the person commits an act of crime then she/he can be deported. If a person applies for family reunification and is not a refugee, it is a requirement that the person has held a permanent residency of Denmark for at least 3 years.

When applying for permanent residency you must make a payment of 4,000 DKR (no matter the outcome), and refugees are not exempted. If you have applied for permanent residence before your temporary residence permit for Denmark expires, you don’t have to apply for an extension at the same time. The temporary residency permit will be extended if the permanent is rejected.

If you are between 18 and 19 years old and have stayed legally in Denmark for at least 8 years, the requirements are easier to meet. But you can’t apply before you turn 18.

The rules meet all applications presented after March 15, 2017.

Permanent residency for Denmark

Basic requirements for applying for permanent residency of Denmark:

• Person should still meet the requirements for the residence permit that he/she holds.
• Person should be aged 18 years or more.
• Person should have lived legally in Denmark for at least 8 years to apply for permanent residency of Denmark. If you meet all of the 4 supplementary requirements (see below) you only have to have resided legally in Denmark for at least 4-5 years.
• A clear criminal record is a must.
• Person should not have any overdue public debts unless you have been granted an extension of the repayment of the debt.
• Person should not have received public privileges within the last 4 years under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act or even under the Integration Act.
• You have to accept a Declaration of integration and engaged citizenship in the Danish community.
• Person should have passed the Danish language (at least test 2)
• Person should have held regular full-time employment or been even self-employed for at least 3 years and 6 months within the last 4 years.
• Person should still be working at the time when the Danish Immigration Service discusses the case.
• Supplementary requirements at least two of which have to be met as well:
• Person should have completed an active citizen exam test or have presented active citizenship in Denmark.
• Person should have held regular full-time employment or been self-employed for at least 4 years within the last 4 years and 6 months.
• Person should have had a taxable income for every year, that over the last 2 years has been DKK 275.400 before applying for permanent residency of Denmark(according to 2017 level) or higher on average.
• Person should have passed the Danish language test 3 or a Danish language test of an equivalent or higher level.

Citizenship for Denmark:

These are some the different ways to acquire Danish nationality or citizenship of Denmark: 

Nationality at birth for citizenship of Denmark:

If at least one or each of the parents have Danish nationality, their children automatically become Danish citizens. If a child of a Danish father and a foreign mother does not receive Danish nationality at birth, the child will automatically obtain Danish nationality if the natural parents marry after the child’s birth. This applies even if the parents are later legally separated or divorced. It is also a condition that the child is under 18 years of age and has not married.

Nationality by naturalization for citizenship of Denmark:

If you need to become a Danish citizen in the way of naturalization, you will have to go through a complicated application process and meet a number of criteria. In order to apply for Danish nationality, you must have resided in Denmark for a specific number of years and be the owner of a permanent residence permit. In most cases, the minimum required number is 9 continuous years to apply for citizenship. If you have refugee status in Denmark, all you need is a residence in Denmark for 8 years continuously.

The requirements for continuous residency in Denmark are even shorter for:

Citizens of Nordic nations

Those married to a Danish national

Anyone who attended Denmark in childhood years and has got a Danish education

Individuals who have undergone a significant part of their general education or vocational training of a vocational nature in Denmark.

Person should also provinf document that you are able to support yourself, meaning you do not, and must not have, obtained any public benefits during the past year. Person should also have been self-supportive for 4 years and 6 months out of the last 5 years prior to your application. Grants and loans from the State Education, anticipatory pensions or old-age pensions will not deter you from getting Danish nationality.

Upon submission of your application, you will need to pay an application fee of DKK 1,000. Person should show your Danish skills by providing an examination document/certificate, as well as, a citizenship test which you passed. The citizenship test will prove you have adequate knowledge of Danish society, culture, and history and you will be shown with a certificate if you succeed.

You will also need to sign a declaration in which you pledge your allegiance and commitment to Denmark and the Danish society, declare your eagerness to observe Danish legislation and regard fundamental Danish policies of law. You will also have to disclose your criminal record presented in a solemn declaration, whether committed in Denmark or abroad.

Dual nationality of Denmark

There are some certain cases in which dual nationality is accepted, but in general, the Danish authorities prefer to evade dual nationality as much as possible. Examples of these cases include marriage, or if someone is born with double nationality. On December 18, 2014, Parliament passed a bill to enable Danish citizens to become foreign nationals without evading their Danish citizenship, and to allow foreign nationals to gain Danish citizenship without renouncing their past citizenship.

Work Permit for Denmark

Denmark, as a European Union country, encourages immigration of skilled workers from in the whole world who have skills in short supply.

Danish work visa systems, also known as work permit for Denmark:

Positive List consists of a list of professions and sectors which are currently considered to experience a shortage of qualified and skilled professionals. People with a job in any of these sectors have easy access to the Danish labor market. To apply for work permit for Denmark, Job offer letter should specify salary and clearly state employment conditions. The minimum educational level required for a position on the Positive List is at least a Bachelor’s degree.

Pay Limit scheme is for those individuals with an annual pay above a certain limit in their present job will have relatively easier access to the Danish labor market. The job offer should carry a gross annual pay of no less than DKK 375,000.

The Corporate scheme allows employees from a company outside Denmark to be relocated to the Danish branch, parent or sister company or similar for a certain period of time.

The Danish Green card scheme is designed for highly qualified professionals to move to Denmark for work and subsequently to work in Denmark. It is considered as their own variant on the option, known as EU Blue Card.

The documents required to provide to support your application will vary depending on the route you’re following and on personal circumstances. Your local embassy has to confirm the requirements when you make an appointment to submit your application, or if you’re applying online you can find the full details on the application portal.

You’ll usually need to provide the following documents for work permit for Denmark:

• A completed application form.
• A passport with valid for at least three months beyond the expiration of the visa.
• A recent passport photo.
• Proof of sufficient financial means.
• Evidence of your grounds for the application, such as, an employment contract for work permit for Denmark or the business plan for your startup business.
• Once you have your work permit, the Immigration Authorities will register basic information based on your application, but take into consideration that if any details change, you need to inform them in order to update the records.

Visa for Denmark

Depending on the goal of your travel to Denmark, there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion, but whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and live in Denmark permanently, you will have to apply for another Schengen Visa, accordingly.

• Nationals Who Need a Visa for Denmark
• You require a visa for Denmark for business, personal/family visits or tourism if you are:
• Not a citizen of a Nordic country
• Not a citizen of an EU/EEA country
• Not a family member of an EU/EEA national. Please see information on Family members of EU or EEA Nationals and note that family members of a UK national will need a visa.

Types of Visa for Denmark:

• Business Visa for Denmark
• Tourist Visa for Denmark
• Student Visa for Denmark
• Transit Visa for Denmark
• Volunteer Visa for Denmark
• Work and Residency Visa for Denmark
• AR1 Residence and Work Permit Visa for Denmark
• AU Pair Visa for Denmark
• GR1 Residence Permit / Greencard Scheme Visa for Denmark
• PR1 Agriculture Intern Visa for Denmark
• PR3 Healthcare and Science Intern Visa for Denmark
• RF1 Religious Worker Visa for Denmark
• SG3 Former Danish National Visa for Denmark
• XG1 to obtain Med/Dental Authorization Visa for Denmark

Generally required documents for a Denmark Visa Application:

• Download and complete with sincerity the application form.
• 2 recent passport format photos with a whole-face capture and light background must be attached.
• Your passport with at least two blank pages and validity for at least 3 months beyond return date and copies of your previous visas.
• Confirmation of Travel health insurance with minimum 30,000 € coverage within Denmark and the whole Schengen area
• A cover letter declaring the goal of the visit to Denmark and itinerary
• Flight Itinerary with dates and flight numbers defining entry and exit from Denmark
• Hotel Reservation for the whole span of the intended stay in Denmark.
• Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of kids, death certificate of spouse, ration card if relevant)
• Proof of enough financial means for the period of stay in Denmark