One of the largest of all Scandinavian nations, Denmark is situated in the continent of Europe. Denmark also belongs to the group of Schengen nations. Hence, the types of visa to Denmark is pas as the Schengen visa.
The most basic of all the requirements for a Visa to Denmark is that this country would be your entry point to the Schengen area or that you’ll be spending most of the days in Denmark.
Visas to the Schengen area are issued only for a short period of stay. This means the maximum time that you can be in any nation in the Schengen region including Denmark is 90 days or 3 months. A stay that exceeds this time limit requires a permit for residence and not a visa.
Not all nations require a visa to travel to Denmark. Find out if your country is on the list of nations that require a visa to travel to the Schengen area. Let’s find out more about the types of visa to Denmark.
Read: 10 Places To Visit In Denmark
Who Requires A Visa To Denmark?
You do not require a visa to Denmark in the following situations.
- You are from the European Economic Area (EEA) or a citizen of the European Union(EU)
- You are from the Nordic region in Europe
In these cases, you are permitted to enter Denmark without a visa. You are also allowed to work there for as long as you wish.
- You are from a nation that does not have specific requirements for a visa
- You do not require a visa to enter in that case
- You can stay for a maximum of 3 months
However, you are not allowed to work in Denmark during this period of stay.
All the other nations that have specific requirements for a visa to the Schengen region must apply for a visa. You can stay in Denmark as well as the other Schengen nations for a maximum of 90 days. You are not allowed to work when you enter Denmark on a short-stay visa.
You are entitled to the following when you have a short-stay visa to Denmark.
- Right to stay in any of the Schengen nations for a maximum of 3 months (in 6 months)
- Either your entry point to the Schengen region should be Denmark or more days to be spent there
- Not permitted to work unless you have special permission from the Immigration authority
- You are permitted to do activities related to work, undergo training without a work permit/residence permit in such cases
- This includes attending a short-term course
- Teaching, attending a training program
- Attending a conference/meeting/seminar
However, the time limit should not exceed 90 days
Read: All You Need To Know About The Startup Denmark Visa
Conditions For Short-Stay Visas
To get a short-stay visa to Denmark you are required to satisfy the following conditions.
- A valid passport
- A minimum of 3 months validity following the expiry date of your visa
- A return permit is required in case you don’t have a national passport
- A minimum of 6 months validity for your return permit after the expiry date of the visa
- Meet the financial requirement for travel and stay
- Travel insurance that covers the Schengen nations
- The validity of the insurance should align with your visa period
- You are not on the entry ban list of Denmark
- You are not entered as ‘Undesirable’ in the Schengen Information System
Conditions For Granting A Visa
To be granted a visa to Denmark, you will have to meet the following criteria:
Your passport must be valid for three months after the visa expiry date. If you do not hold a national passport, you must hold a return permit to the country you have arrived from. Such a return permit must be valid for six months after the visa expiry date.
You must have appropriate finances to fund your stay and return trip. The amount of money need will be determined by the Danish diplomatic mission and will be based on factors such as the length of your stay and where you are staying.
You must normally hold a travel insurance policy that covers all Schengen countries. The minimum policy coverage is €30,000 and the policy must be valid for the same period as the visa.
You must not be registered as an undesirable in the Schengen Information System. You may not be listed on the Danish entry ban list.
You must satisfy all these conditions at the time of granting the visa as well as during the beginning of your stay in one of the Schengen nations. You should be able to produce proof of sufficient funds whenever required during your stay in Denmark.
You should also carry a valid policy of travel insurance. In the event where you fail to satisfy these conditions, the Danish authorities have the right to confiscate your visa and revoke it. You’ll also be deported from the Schengen region.
Types Of Visa To Denmark – Short-Stay Visas
Given below are the different types of visa to Denmark, especially the short-stay visas that allows you to be within that country of the Schengen region for a maximum of 90 days within 6 months.
Airport Transit Visa
If you have a layover for a few hours or a day in a city in Denmark on the way to another destination you must have a transit visa. You’ll need to submit a copy of your visa for your destination to get a Denmark airport transit visa.
Student Visa To Denmark
A student visa is required for a person who intends to do the following in Denmark for less than 6 months.
- Study in an institution in Denmark
- Undergo training related to education
- Do an internship as part of a course/degree
- Conduct a research
To be eligible for this visa the following documents are required.
- Certificate of enrollment to an institution in Denmark
- A letter proving you’ve been accepted for a training program or a short-term course
- Proof of sufficient funds for education and stay in Denmark
- Proof of scholarship received
- Proof of sponsorship
Read: How To Apply For A Denmark Student Visas – A Step-By-Step Guide
Types Of Visa To Denmark – Business Visa
A business visa to Denmark is granted in the following situations.
- You are going on a business visit to a company in Denmark that has a business relationship or ties with the company you work for
- You can prove that you are active commercially
- You are going for a business deal
- You are visiting a Danish company to inspect machinery, to do a trade, or to purchase their products
- Your visa application will be denied if you have regulations on your work permit
The following documents are required to get this visa.
- Business permit issued by the authorities in your country
- Proof of business registration
- Documents to prove your education
- Proof of business dealings done earlier (same field)
- Documents of your business background
- Evidence to prove your company’s financial resources
- In case you are a part of a business group you need to describe the role of each person
- Confirmation letter from the Danish company regarding your visit
Types Of Visa To Denmark – Medical Treatment Visa
If you have plans to travel to Denmark to get good health care and medical treatment you require a medical treatment visa to do so.
The reason for your travel could also be that the disease does not have the required treatment in your home country and you are looking for specialized care and treatment at a Danish hospital.
To get a medical treatment visa to Denmark the following is required.
- An attested confirmation of medical appointment from the Specialist/hospital in Denmark
- The date of the appointment and period of your treatment
- Your detailed medical and health report from the doctor in your home country
- Evidence to prove that your medical expenses (Payment of Fees) have been done beforehand
Types Of Visa To Denmark – Visa For Cultural Visits
A visa for cultural visits to Denmark may be applied for in the following situations.
- To attend a sports event
- To attend a cultural program
- To attend a scientific event
- For a movie shoot
The applicant has to submit the required proof showing the reason for your visit to Denmark. This includes the following.
- A letter of invitation from the concerned authority in Denmark.
- Travel itinerary
- The list of people/crew traveling along with you
Visa For Tourist Visits And Private Visits
Certain nations need to meet certain specific requirements to get a visa to Denmark. These countries have been classified into 3 categories. They are:
- A Tourist Group
- An Immigration Group
- An Asylum Group
Based on which country you are from you’ll automatically fall into one among the above-mentioned classifications. Each group has a different set of rules that are applicable to get a Danish visa.
Read: Denmark Tourist Visa – Everything You Need to Know
The Tourist Group
If you belong to a country that falls under this classification you’ll be issued a visa that can be used only for visiting Denmark as a tourist (In general). You don’t need to have a relationship with a Danish citizen/resident.
The Tourist visa is the most popular of all Danish visas. The maximum period of stay under this visa is 90 days or less. This visa is for travelers who wish to travel to this country as a tourist.
The Immigration Group
Countries that belong to this category are further divided into two subgroups.
The countries that fall into the first category must have a familial or personal relationship with a resident/citizen of Denmark. Only then will you be granted a visa. You are required to submit the necessary supporting evidence regarding their relationship with the Danish resident/citizen.
If you belong to a country that falls into the second sub-category you’ll be granted a visa regardless of who you intend to visit in Denmark. You do not have to supply any supporting evidence in that case.
The Asylum Group
Citizens from one of the countries that fall under the Asylum group category are granted a Danish visa only in the following situations.
- She/he is a spouse of a Danish resident/citizen
- She/he is a cohabiting partner or a registered partner of a citizen/resident of Denmark
- Children below the age of 18 or the Parents of a Danish Citizen/resident
Permits To Denmark (For Long-Stay)
Foreign nationals who wish to stay in Denmark for a longer period (For higher studies, for employment, to start a business, to migrate) require a Permit to do so. Depending on your purpose of stay in this country you’ll be issued the required permit.
Residence Permits
A residence permit to Denmark is not required if you are a Nordic citizen. Nordic citizens have the right to enter, stay and work in Denmark as long as they wish. If you are a citizen of EEA, EU, or Switzerland you do not require a permit for residence unless you have plans to stay in this country for over 6 months.
Non-EU nationals may or may not require a residence permit depending on how long they wish to stay in Denmark.
- Non-EU residents/nationals require a residence permit if you wish to stay in Denmark for over three months
- You must apply for this permit 3 months before you arrive in this nation
- If you wish to stay below 3 months then you need to apply for a short-stay visa
- However, you cannot work in Denmark with a short-stay visa
CPR Number – Personal ID Number In Denmark
The Central Personal Register Number commonly referred to as the CPR number is mandatory for all residents in Denmark. This is a personal ID number that stores your personal information in the Danish Civil Registration System. This number is essential for several services in Denmark including the following.
- To open a bank account
- Access to the public health care system
- To get a phone number in Denmark
- To file for tax returns
- To get your salary
Danish Residence Permit – For Jobseekers
If you have a residence permit that was issued as part of a temporary employment contract you can apply for 6 months of additional residence on your current permit.
Once the temporary term of your job contract expires you can look for a new job at this time. However, you are forbidden to work by the Danish authorities under this permit.
Once you find a new job your permit becomes invalid automatically. You have to apply for a new residential permit to live and work there.
Residence Permits For International Students
Not all international students require a Danish residence permit to study in Denmark.
- You do not require a residence permit if you are a Nordic citizen/resident
- However, an Inter-Nordic certificate for relocation is required
- This is applicable only if your stay in Denmark exceeds 3 months
- EU nationals do not have to apply for a residency permit before arriving in Denmark as a student
- You need to consult your Danish University to decide on the type of permit required
- EU national need to provide their European Health Insurance Card to apply for a residence permit
International students coming to Denmark from Non-EU nations require a Danish residence permit to study and live in this country.
- You are required to apply for this permit at least 4 months before you arrive in Denmark
- This must be done from your homeland
- The application has to be submitted at the Danish Consulate/Danish Embassy/Consulate General in your home country
- You can do so only if you’ve been living there legally for the past 90 days/3months
- You are required to pay a non-refundable application fee
- Submit proof of sufficient finance to support your stay in Denmark along with your application
Residence Permit Under The Pay Limit Scheme
Under the pay limit scheme, a Danish residence permit is granted to foreign nationals who’ve been offered employment in Denmark with a minimum annual salary of 375,000 DKK.
- This permit has a 3-year validity
- Provision to extend it to 4 years
- An employment contract must be provided
- You can bring in your spouse/cohabiting partner/registered partner and children below the age of 18 to Denmark
- The family must live together
- Should be able to support themselves
The Positive List Residence Permit
If you are offered a job in Denmark that does not have enough qualified professionals there you are allowed to apply for a residence permit.
- Minimum qualification is a Bachelor’s degree
- Submit the employment contract
- Conditions for work must be listed in the contract
- You can receive a 3-year permit on arrival
- This can be extended to four
- Family can be brought to Denmark (As in the Pay Limit Scheme)
- The family must stay together and be able to support themselves
Residence Permit For Corporate Scheme
A residence permit may be granted to the employees of a Danish company working in another nation.
- They’ve been requested by the company to come to Denmark
- A residence permit for 3 years will be granted
- They have the option to extend the permit if there is a need
- The nature of work has to be educational, innovative, or developmental
- The applicant must be permanently employed by the company
- The scheme does not apply to employees working on a temporary contract
- Alteration of the work contract is forbidden
- She/he must continue to work along with the company’s branch within their home country
- In case the relationship between the Danish company and its foreign branch fails the employee’s residence permit will be revoked
- Upon receiving this permit you can bring in your family to Denmark (Conditions same as t/hat of Pay Limit Scheme and Positive list)
Residence Permit Under The Green Card Scheme
Foreign nationals can get a residence permit for 3 years under the Green Card Scheme. This is granted based on a point system. As long as you are permanently employed you may extend the residence permit by a year.
You can still apply for an extension even if your permanent job was made redundant 3 months ago.
- To apply foreign nationals must have received a total of 100 points (Minimum)
- Pints are granted based on the following:
- Education
- Work experience
- Age
- Language skills
- Adaptability
- Valid health insurance covering the entire period in Denmark is mandatory
- Family members can be brought in
- Regulations are the same as that of the schemes mentioned earlier
Types Of Visa To Denmark – Danish Work Permits
In most cases, a Danish work permit is not required for you to work in Denmark if you are a resident/citizen of EEA, EU, or the Nordic region. Some of the recent EU members are exempted from this privilege.
The citizens/ residents of all the other nations do require a work permit to take up a job in Denmark. You need to apply for a Danish work permit at least 3 months before arriving in that nation.
A work permit is not required to take up a job in Denmark if you already have a residence permit through humanitarian/asylum grounds or family reunification.
It is your responsibility to get a Danish work permit. Taking up a job devoid of this permit is considered illegal. You could end up being deported if caught.
Your employer in Denmark and you could end up in prison or pay a huge amount as a fine. Doesn’t matter if you are doing an unpaid job or voluntary work you require a residence permit to do so.
The work permit will be issued after the Danish authorities assess if there are qualified people within their country who could fill in that position. They will also decide on whether the skills needed for this job is specialist enough to get a work permit in Denmark.
A written contract of employment that clearly defines your terms and conditions of work and your salary is necessary. This should be per the standard set by the Danish authorities.
Danish Citizenship
Danish citizenship is acquired in different ways. It may be acquired by birth where one or both parents are citizens of Denmark or you can become a citizen through the process of naturalization.
Citizenship By Birth
If one or both of the parents are citizens of Denmark, their children attain Danish citizenship automatically. In case the child has a Danish mother and a foreign father and has not acquired Danish nationality she/he will get it once the biological parents get married.
The status won’t be revoked even if the parents get divorced or separated in the future. The only condition is that the child should be below 18 and not married.
Citizenship By Naturalization
To become a Danish citizen through naturalization you’ll have to undergo a complex process of application and satisfy several conditions set forth by the Danish immigration authorities. The following are some of the conditions that you are required to fulfill.
- Should have lived in Denmark for a certain period
- To apply for citizenship you should have lived there for a minimum of 9 years at a stretch
- If you hold the status of a refugee then you’ll have to live there continuously for 8 years
- Must have a Permanent Residence Permit
- If you do not have this permit you must apply for one
- You can apply at the Danish Immigration Service
The process will be easier if you satisfy any of the following.
- You are a Nordic national
- Married to a Danish citizen
- Undergone a major part of their education or vocational training in Denmark
- Came to this nation as a child and got Danish education
You need to prove the following as well.
- You can support yourself
- You never received public benefits during the past year
- You’ve supported yourself during the past 4 and a half years (During the 5 years before the date of submitting your application)
However, you are entitled to:
- Anticipatory pensions
- Old-age pensions
- State educational grants and loans
These will not be a hindrance to applying for citizenship in Denmark.
You could be stopped from getting yourself listed on the naturalization Bill in the event where you’ve served a prison sentence one or more times.
- Submit the application form for naturalization
- An amount of DKK 1,000 should be paid as a fee for the application
- Proof of Danish skills (Examination certificate)
- Citizenship test certificate
- Disclose criminal record if any (Within Denmark or another country)
- Sign a Declaration
- Pledging your loyalty and allegiance to the Danish society and Denmark
- A declaration that you are willing to abide by Danish legislation
- Respect and obey the fundamental principles of law in Denmark
- Willingness to give up your current nationality
Possibility Of Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship is not permitted by the Danish authorities in most situations. Exceptions are given in the following cases.
- You are born with a dual citizenship
- You’ve got it through marriage
Naturalization Bill is introduced during April and October every year by the Danish Minister for Integration. The average time taken for processing the application is 3 to 4 months from the date of submission of the application.
