Visa Types — Denmark
Updated July 20, 2026
Overview
Denmark does not issue traditional "immigration visas" for long-term stays; instead, non-EU/EEA nationals apply for residence and work permits through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) or the Immigration Service (in family/asylum cases). EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have free movement rights and only need to register (EU registration certificate), not a visa. Below are the major categories for third-country nationals. All fees, processing times, and eligibility thresholds are adjusted annually (often each January/July) — verify current figures at nyidanmark.dk or the SIRI website before applying.
---
1. Pay Limit Scheme (Beløbsordningen)
Who it's for: Skilled workers with a concrete job offer in Denmark, regardless of field, as long as salary meets the threshold.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Job offer with annual salary at or above the official threshold (approx. DKK 487,000/year as of 2024, adjusted annually)
- Employment must be full-time and match Danish standard terms
- No specific degree requirement
Processing time: ~1 month (target under Fast-Track), up to 3 months standard
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010) main applicant
---
2. Positive List for Skilled Work (Positivlisten for personer med en videregående uddannelse)
Who it's for: Workers with qualifications in occupations facing labor shortages in Denmark (updated twice yearly).
Key eligibility requirements:
- Job offer in an occupation on the current Positive List
- Relevant professional qualifications/education matching the listed occupation
- Employment terms consistent with Danish collective agreements
Processing time: ~1 month
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010)
---
3. Positive List for Skilled Workers without Degree Requirement (Vocational)
Who it's for: Skilled tradespeople (e.g., certain technicians, agricultural workers) in shortage occupations not requiring higher education.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Job offer in a listed vocational shortage occupation
- Relevant vocational training/certification
- Normal Danish wage/working conditions
Processing time: ~1 month
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010)
---
4. Fast-Track Scheme
Who it's for: Employees of companies certified by SIRI as "Fast-Track" employers (large/international companies with pre-approved status).
Key eligibility requirements:
- Employer must hold Fast-Track certification
- Categories include Pay Limit, Researcher, Educational, and Short-Term (up to 90 days)
- Streamlined document submission
Processing time: 10 business days to 1 month
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010), lower (~DKK 2,185 / USD 315) for short-term track
---
5. EU Blue Card
Who it's for: Highly educated non-EU professionals with a job offer requiring higher qualifications.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Higher education degree (bachelor's or above) or equivalent professional experience
- Job offer with salary at or above ~DKK 448,000/year (2024 threshold, adjusted annually)
- Contract of at least 1 year
Processing time: ~1 month
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010)
---
6. Researcher Residence Permit
Who it's for: Non-EU academics/researchers employed by a Danish research institution or university.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Employment contract with a recognized Danish research institution
- Position must involve research activities
- No minimum salary threshold (institution-based)
Processing time: ~1 month
Cost: ~DKK 2,185 (~USD 315) (may be exempt for certain nationalities under bilateral agreements)
---
7. Start-Up Denmark (Entrepreneur Visa)
Who it's for: Foreign entrepreneurs wishing to establish an innovative business in Denmark.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Business plan approved by an independent expert panel (assessing innovation/scalability)
- Sufficient funds to support self and dependents (~DKK 138,000+/year benchmark, varies)
- Business must be new (not already established)
Processing time: 1–3 months (panel review can add time)
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010)
---
8. Self-Employment (Established Business Owners)
Who it's for: Non-EU nationals wanting to run their own established business in Denmark (non-Start-up track).
Key eligibility requirements:
- Business must provide significant economic benefit to Denmark
- Sufficient financial resources
- Detailed business plan and documentation
Processing time: ~2–3 months
Cost: ~DKK 6,985 (~USD 1,010)
---
9. Study Residence Permit
Who it's for: Non-EU students admitted to a full-time program at a Danish educational institution.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Letter of admission from a CIRIUS-approved Danish institution
- Proof of financial means (~DKK http://livegrant approx. DKK 6,500+/month or ~DKK 91,000+/year in a blocked account, updated annually)
- Danish language or English proficiency depending on program
Processing time: 1–2 months
Cost: ~DKK 2,185 (~USD 315); EU/EEA exempt
---
10. Job-Seeking / Establishment Card (Post-Study)
Who it's for: Graduates of Danish higher education institutions seeking to remain and find work.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Completed a Danish degree program (bachelor's or higher)
- Application filed before study permit expires
- Sufficient funds during job search period (up to 3 years validity, renewable)
Processing time: ~1–2 months
Cost: ~DKK 2,185–6,985 (~USD 315–1,010) depending on track
---
11. Working Holiday Scheme
Who it's for: Young adults (typically 18–30/35) from partner countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Argentina, Chile, Japan) wanting a temporary work/travel stay.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Nationality of a country with a working holiday agreement with Denmark
- Within eligible age range
- Sufficient funds and valid passport
- Not previously used the program
Processing time: 2–4 weeks
Cost: Typically free or low fee (~DKK 0–1,000 / USD 0–145), varies by agreement
---
12. Au Pair Residence Permit
Who it's for: Young foreign nationals (18–29) staying with a Danish host family for cultural exchange while performing light household duties.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Signed au pair contract meeting Danish standard terms
- Host family approval and registration
- Age 18–29, no dependents
Processing time: 1–3 months
Cost: ~DKK 2,185 (~USD 315)
---
13. Family Reunification – Spouse/Partner
Who it's for: Spouses, registered partners, or cohabiting partners of Danish citizens or legal residents in Denmark.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Both parties over 24 years old ("24-year rule")
- Sufficient attachment to Denmark (integration requirement)
- Housing of reasonable size
- Financial self-sufficiency (sponsor not on certain public benefits for prior 3 years)
- Bank guarantee/collateral (~DKK 100,000+, adjusted periodically)
Processing time: Up to 12 months (statutory limit), often 6–10 months
Cost: ~DKK 10,155 (~USD 1,470)
---
14. Family Reunification – Children
Who it's for: Minor children of Danish residents/citizens joining a parent in Denmark.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Child under 18 (in most cases under 15 for automatic approval)
- Parent has legal custody
- Housing and, in some cases, integration criteria
Processing time: ~6–8 months
Cost: Often free or reduced (~DKK 0–2,000 / USD 0–290)
---
15. Asylum / International Protection
Who it's for: Individuals fleeing persecution, war, or serious harm in their home country, seeking protection under the Refugee Convention or Danish protection status.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (Convention status), OR
- Risk of death penalty, torture, or inhumane treatment if returned (protection status)
- Must apply while physically present in Denmark (cannot apply from abroad)
- Biometric registration and interview with Danish Immigration Service
Processing time: Highly variable — 3 months to 2+ years depending on case complexity and country of origin; Dublin cases may be faster
Cost: Free (no application fee for asylum)
---
16. Permanent Residence Permit
Who it's for: Long-term residents transitioning from temporary to permanent status.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Generally 4–8 years of continuous legal residence (varies by integration/employment history; can be reduced to 4 years for strong employment/language performance)
- Passed Danish language test (typically Module 2 or higher, e.g., "Prøve i Dansk 2")
- Passed Citizenship Test (Indfødsretsprøven) or active citizenship requirement
- No significant criminal record
- Self-sufficiency (not reliant on public benefits for prior 3 years)
- Full-time employment (typically 3.5+ years within the last 4 years)
Processing time: ~6–12 months
Cost: ~DKK 2,185 (~USD 315)
---
17. Danish Citizenship (Naturalization)
Who it's for: Permanent residents seeking full citizenship.
Key eligibility requirements:
- Minimum 9 years of legal residence in Denmark (with some exceptions for Nordic citizens: 2 years)
- Passed Citizenship Test (Indfødsretsprøven)
- Danish language proficiency (typically "Prøve i Dansk 3" or higher)
- Self-sufficiency and no substantial public debt
- No serious criminal convictions (specific waiting periods apply based on sentence severity)
- Declaration of allegiance to Denmark
- Approved via a special naturalization bill passed by the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) twice yearly
Processing time: 12–24 months (subject to parliamentary bill schedule)
Cost: ~DKK 4,000 (~USD 580)
---
Important Notes
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members do not need a residence permit but must obtain an EU residence document if staying longer than 3 months (free of charge, straightforward registration).
- Nordic citizens (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland) can live and work in Denmark freely without any registration requirement.
- All salary thresholds, fees, and processing times are updated periodically (often each January 1 and July 1) — always confirm current figures directly via New to Denmark (nyidanmark.dk) or SIRI (siri.dk).
- Currency conversions (DKK to USD) are approximate and fluctuate with exchange rates; figures above use an approximate rate of 1 USD ≈ 6.9 DKK (verify current rate).
- Many permits require biometric enrollment at a Danish mission or citizen service center as part of the process.
- Denmark has opt-outs from certain EU asylum/migration regulations, but generally follows Schengen and Dublin III rules for asylum processing.
Have a question about moving to Denmark?
Ask Derah, Immiweave's free AI immigration assistant — plus live exchange rates and research for 57 countries.
Use Immiweave free →
More about immigrating to Denmark
Immigration laws, costs, and policies change frequently. This guide is AI-researched for information only and is not legal advice. Always verify with official government sources and licensed immigration professionals before making decisions.