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How to apply for residence permit

Before you apply

If you want to work, seek family reunification, or stay in Denmark longer than 90 days (e.g. for study purposes), you should apply for a residence permit.

You apply for a residence permit through either the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

To read more about the different kinds of residence permits, which one to apply for, and how to apply, go to the Danish Immigration Service and The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration website.

Documentation

Once you have submitted your application and paid the fee to either the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), you will receive a case order ID. Make sure to hand in the case order ID along with the required documentation and your biometrics.

The fee to either the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration does not include the services provided by the Danish mission.

When you apply for a residence or work permit for Denmark, you will have to supply documentation and biometrics for your application. If you live outside Denmark, and will have to supply documentation and biometrics abroad, you will have to pay a fee to the Danish mission handling your application. You can read more about payment for services provided by the Danish Foreign Service on the Mission's webshop.

If you choose to hand in your application for a residence permit at a location where Norway represents Denmark, please be aware that the Norwegian fee is higher than the Danish fee. You can find the Norwegian fees listed here. Furthermore, please note that payment of the Norwegian fee should not be done at the webshop.

Handing in your documentation and biometrics

After you have applied via the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) or Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and paid the embassy fee online, you should hand in your documentation, case order ID, passport and biometrics at the Visa Application Centre: VFS global. You can use their walk-in service Monday to Friday 8.30 to 11.30. For more information on biometric features, please click here.

Please note that you must hand in your original passport with your application. Your passport must be valid for three months longer than your intended stay. Your passport will be returned to you after it has been processed at VFS.

Please refer to the page "Where to Apply" when determining where to hand in your documentation.

Please note that besides the fee to the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and the embassy fee, there is an additional service fee if you hand in your application at a Visa Application Centre (VFS).

The Danish mission may ask for further documentation on behalf of the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) as well as request a personal interview at the Danish mission or at the Visa Application Centre (VFS) after you have handed in your application, documentation, and biometrics.

Please note that your supporting documents will be kept at the mission during the case processing time. 

If you choose to hand in your application for a residence permit at a location where Norway represents Denmark, please be aware that the Norwegian fee is higher than the Danish fee. You can find the Norwegian fees listed here. Furthermore, please note that payment of the Norwegian fee should not be done at the Danish webshop.

Handling time

Processing time at the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) varies according to the type of residence permit applied for:

Danish Immigration Service processing times.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) processing times

Decision

Once the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has reached a decision in your case, the Danish mission or Visa Application Centre (VFS) will contact you on their behalf.

If you need a sticker to travel, it is your responsibility to check that the information on your visa sticker is correct. You should check that all details on the sticker are correct (e.g. name, validity dates, passport number etc.). If the sticker contains inaccurate details, inform the Danish Mission or the ESP immediately in order to have it corrected. 

Application for a re-entry permit

If you have lost your residence card or passport with a re-entry permit during your stay outside Denmark or if you need a re-entry permit for other reasons, you must follow below steps. 

Visit also this website for more information regarding re-entry permits and which form to fill out. 

Please present the following documentation when you submit your application:

  • Your passport valid at least three months after the expected entry date into Denmark.
  • Re-entry permit application form, which can be found here. 
  • Documentation of loss, e.g police report if card is stolen/lost.
  • Documentation for your return to Denmark, i.e. flight ticket or flight ticket reservation.
  • Receipt for payment of the Embassy fee of DKK 1725. Payment is made on this website.
  • If the applicant is a minor, she/he needs to be present in person together with the guardian(s). 

Please note that the Embassy will forward your application and additional documents to the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration and you will be informed when they have processed your application and there is a decision in your case. 

Please e-mail us on [email protected] for further information. 

Application for family reunification under EU-rules     

Family reunification under EU rules (OD2)

If you apply for family reunification with a Danish citizen in Denmark under the EU rules, special EU application forms should be used. Read more about family reunification under EU rules.

There is no Embassy fee for submitting an application for family reunification under the EU rules however there is a small handling fee for the VFS in this process.

Use Form OD2 for non EU nationals: OD2/A for spouses, OD2/B for children under 21 years old and OD2/C for other family members.