Detailed information about selected types of applications

An overview of service goals for the most common types of applications is available here: Application processing times - service goals 

Employees

In some cases it will be necessary to obtain a statement from the relevant branch organisation or a regional labour market council (put the case through a hearing). If the case is put through a hearing the applicant will be notified by the Immigration Service.

If the case needs to be put through a hearing the expected maximum processing time is three months. If it is not necessary to put the case through a hearing the expected maximum processing time is one month. These service goals apply to applications submitted after 1 January 2011.

Family reunification

Simple, fully completed applications are expected to be processed within a maximum of three months. An application is considered simple if it appears that the normal conditions for family reunification are met or, conversely, that a basic requirement is not met – for example if the marriage is invalid.

Complicated applications are expected to be processed within a maximum of seven months. An application is considered complicated if it requires further investigation in order to ascertain if the normal requirements for family reunification are met, or if there is a need to carry out further enquiries, such as to confirm an individual's familial relations or age.

The Positive List and the Pay Limit Scheme

Applications for residence and work permits based on a job under either the Positive List or the Pay Limit Scheme are regarded as fully completed if it is not necessary for the application to be reviewed by the relevant branch organisation or the employment region and if it includes all required documentation.

It will typically be necessary to have an application reviewed if it is not evident whether the standard salary and employment conditions do not correspond to Danish standards for the job category concerned.

The application will be considered as fully completed when there is a statement from the relevant branch organisation/the employment region. Once completed, the application is expected to be fully processed within one month. You will be informed if your application is sent to review.

The Greencard scheme

Applications for a residence permit under the Greencard scheme will be considered as fully completed when the Immigration Service has received all information required to assess whether you meet all the requirements for a residence permit under the Greencard scheme.

If you have a foreign education the Immigration Service will ask the Danish Agency for International Education for an assessment of your educational level. In this case, your application will not be considered as fully completed until the Immigration Service has received this assessment. You will be informed by the Immigration Service if an assessment of your education is needed.

The Immigration Service is currently receiving large amounts of Greencard applications. Consequently, we cannot fulfill the 30 day service goal for Greencard cases.

Passports

Fully completed applications for a Danish alien’s passport or a convention passport is expected to be processed in a maximum of ten weeks. This service goal applies to applications that do not include an application for extension of a residency permit or an application for a permanent residence permit. If you are applying for both a passport and an extension of a residency permit, or a permanent residence permit, the passport application will only be dealt with once a decision about the residence permit application has been made (see the service goal for the area above).

Decisions on applications for extension of an alien’s passport or a convention passport are made within 7 to 10 days from the date the application is received by Immigration Service. Applications submitted at the Service Centre will be dealt with immediately. These guidelines apply to simple applications in which it is clear that the applicant meets all the requirements, and where the Immigration Service has received all the required documentation.