How To Apply For A Denmark Student Visas

Students enrolled in courses up to 3 months long need a tourist visa while those enrolled in longer courses need a residence permit.
Applications for a visa/ residence permit should be submitted 3 months before the intended date of travel
The application must be accompanied by proof of accommodation, financial sustenance, enrollment, and insurance

Denmark is popular not only with tourists wanting to see the Little Mermaid statue but also with undergraduate and postgraduate students. Thousands of students travel to this country each year for short and long courses. Read on to learn more about Denmark student visa and the type of visa required to study in Denmark and how to get it.

Denmark Student Visa — Copenhagen University, Denmark. Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay

Denmark has a number of renowned educational institutions. Interestingly, lectures in most Danish universities are given in small groups so students get more personal attention from the lecturer.

These universities also encourage students to participate in social events organized on and off campus. One of the other advantages of choosing to study in Denmark over other European countries is the ease of getting a student visa.

Who Needs A Denmark Student Visa

The first step to getting a student visa is determining whether you need one or not.

Residents of Sweden, Norway, and Finland do not need a visa to study in Denmark. However, they do need a Danish Personal Identification Number.

This can be easily obtained on arrival as long as the student has a valid passport and photo identification.

Residents of other European countries and Switzerland can stay and study in Denmark for up to 3 months without a visa. The only thing required is a valid passport.

If students from these countries are enrolled in courses that last longer than 3 months, they will need to get a Danish registration certificate. This should be obtained within 3 months of arrival from the Regional State Administration. The documents required for this are:

Valid passport
Letter from the university confirming admission
2 passport sized photographs

Having a registration certificate allows the students to get a Personal Identification Number. This document is a must if the student plans on working part-time alongside his/her studies.

Students from outside Europe need a student visa or a residence permit depending on the duration of the course they are enrolled in. Students enrolled in courses for less than 3 months need to apply for a tourist visa.

This visa does not allow students to take on part-time work in Denmark. If the course is for more than 3 months, a residence permit will be required.

This permit also allows international students to take on part-time work for up to 20 hours per week.

Denmark Student Visa For Courses Up To 3 Months

Denmark is part of the Schengen area and hence welcomes all tourists who have a Schengen visa. getting a Schengen visa is easy. Students can apply for the same at the consulate of Denmark. The documents required to apply for this visa are:

Application Form

This form can be downloaded freely and may be typed in and then printed or filled in by pen and ink.

Cover Letter

A cover letter mentions the intention of traveling to Denmark and lists the documents accompanying the application. If any of the required documents are not being submitted, a reason for the same must be included.

Flight Itinerary

While tickets do not need to be booked before the applicant gets his/ her visa, they must have a flight itinerary in mind. This includes the flight number of the flight to be taken, airport IATA codes, dates of arrival and departure and ticket prices. A one-way ticket is not accessible.

Proof Of Financial Status

Applicants should be able to prove that they have enough money to pay for their trip i.e. at least 1000EUR per month. This could be in the form of:

Bank statements For The Past Three Months

If your trip and education is being funded by someone else, you must be able to prove your relationship to them and give a reason for why they will be sponsoring you.

Proof Of Accommodation Arrangements

You should be able to show paperwork proof of accommodation arrangements for the duration of the course.

Travel Insurance

All students traveling to Denmark need travel insurance worth 30,000EUR

A Valid Passport

The passport must be valid not only for the duration of the course but for at least 6 months after it as well.

Passport Photographs

2 recent passport photographs are needed. These photographs should meet the following specifications:

Size: 35mm x 45mm
The background should be white
The photograph should be printed on glossy paper
There should be no creases or marks on the photograph
The applicant must be looking straight into the camera with a neutral expression
The applicant’s face should take up 7-80% of the frame
The applicant must not be wearing dark or reflective glasses
The applicant’s chin and forehead must be clearly visible
Headwear may be permitted only if worn for religious reasons. In such cases, it should not cover any part of the applicant’s face.

Acceptance Letter From The University

The applicant must have a letter from the university confirming their seat in the course.

Language proficiency in English or Danish- depending on the language the course will be in. Details of the course being pursued which includes details of the course such as the start and end dates.

You will also need to produce Salary slips for the past 3 months and Income tax returns if you are qualified for the same.

Residence Permit For Courses Longer Than 3 Months

This residence permit will be valid for the entire duration of the course and hence will not need to be renewed at any point. An application for a residence permit is available at the Danish consulate. This must be submitted with the same supporting documents as mentioned above for the tourist visa.

Applying For The Tourist Visa/ Residence Permit

Students cannot apply for both the tourist visa and residence permit. If an application is submitted for both, the applications will be rejected. Ideally, an application must be submitted 3 months before the intended dates of travel.

In most cases, the application will take 60 days to be processed. The fee payable for a tourist visa is 60EUR. On the other hand, the fee payable for a residence permit is 2110DKK

How To Apply For A Denmark Student Visas – A Step-By-Step Guide