Application, case processing and decision
Where to apply
Generally, you need to have been granted a residence permit before entering Denmark. This means that you must submit your application at a Danish diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general) in your country of origin in order to have it processed.
The individual diplomatic mission may make further demands such as extra passport photos or duplicate copies of the application. The Immigration Service recommends that you check the requirements on the website of the diplomatic mission before submitting your application.
Once you have filled in and submitted the application form, the diplomatic mission will forward it to the Immigration Service in Denmark, where it will be processed.
If you have been a legal resident in another country than your country of origin for the past three months, you may also submit your application at Danish diplomatic mission in that country.
If there is no Danish diplomatic mission in your country of origin (or country of residence), you may submit your application at a Danish diplomatic mission in another country. On the website of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs you can find more information about Danish diplomatic missions.
In some cases, you may be allowed to submit your application at the Swedish or Norwegian diplomatic mission in your country, if there is no Danish diplomatic mission. The Immigration Service recommends that you contact the Swedish or Norwegian diplomatic mission in advance. See the list of countries where Denmark is represented by another Schengen country.
If you submit an application for family reunification while in Denmark, your application will not be processed if you are an illegal resident of Denmark, if you have been expelled from Denmark, if you have been given a deadline to leave Denmark, or if you are also applying for another type of Danish residence permit and are awaiting a decision.
In these cases, your application will be rejected. This means that the Immigration Service will not process your application and that you will have to leave Denmark and submit a new application in your country of origin. This applies unless Denmark's international commitments say otherwise.
Who can apply in Denmark?
If you are a legal resident of Denmark, you can normally submit your application - and have it processed - in Denmark.
You can submit your application at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area you can also submit it at your local police station. You can also send the application by post to the Danish Immigration Service.
EU/EEA citizens who are residing in Denmark under the EU rules on freedom of movement can submit an application for family reunification - and have it processed - in Denmark.
If you are staying legally in Denmark on the grounds of a valid visa, extended visa, visa free stay, or extended visa free stay, you can submit an application for family reunification - and have it processed - in Denmark.
The same applies if you are residing legally in Denmark because you already hold another type of residence permit (for instance, on the grounds of work, study, or as an au pair).
Finally, you can submit an application for family reunification - and have it processed - in Denmark if you have appealed a ruling by the Immigration Service and this appeal has a delaying effect according to the Danish Aliens Act, section 33(3)(i).
However, you cannot have your application processed in Denmark if it is obvious that you do not meet the requirements for family reunification, or if you have previously applied for family reunification and were turned down because you did not meet the requirements. In other words, if you have previously been turned down for family reunification, you cannot enter Denmark on a visa stay or visa free stay and submit a new application for family reunification - unless your situation has changed in a way that enables you to meet the requirements.
If you submit your application in Denmark
If you submit your application in Denmark and the Immigration Service accepts it for processing, you may be granted procedural residence while you await the ruling. Procedural residence means that you are allowed to stay temporarily in Denmark while it is decided whether you can be granted a residence permit.
While you have procedural residence, you are not allowed to work, even if it is voluntary/unpaid work, unless you have a right to work on other grounds. If you work illegally, you risk being expelled and given an entry ban which means you cannot enter Denmark for a certain period of time. You also risk fine or imprisonment, as does your employer. During procedural residence, you are not entitled to free Danish classes at a language school, and your access to medical help is restricted. If you need acute medical help or hospitalisation, you can contact your municipality.
If you wish to travel abroad during this period, you can apply for a re-entry permit. A re-entry permit allows you to return to Denmark even though you do not hold a valid residence permit.
Re-entry permit
> Application form (Danish/English version)
Case processing
When the Immigration Service has received your application for a residence permit, it will evaluate it along with the enclosed documentation. The Immigration Service will then decide whether to reject your application, or whether to accept it for processing. You application can be rejected if it does not include all the required information and documentation, or if you submitted your application in Denmark without being entitled to it. If your application is rejected, you must submit a new application.
If the Immigration Service accepts your application for processing, it will check to find out if you have been reported to the Schengen Information System (SIS).
If the Immigration Service receives information that does not correspond with the information you provided, you will normally be asked to explain discrepancies before the Immigration Service makes its decision.
Decision
Once the Immigration Service has received all necessary information relating to your application, it will make its decision. The decision will either result in you being granted a residence permit, or your application will be turned down.
If you submitted your application outside Denmark, the Immigration Service will send the decision to the diplomatic mission where you submitted your application. The diplomatic mission will then forward it to your home address, or request that you pick it up in person.
If you submitted your application in Denmark, the Immigration Service will send the decision to your address in Denmark, or to your attorney. The Immigration Service may also request that you pick it up in person at the Service Centre, or it may send it to the police, who will then inform you of the decision.
If the Immigration Service has turned down your application, and you do not hold another residence permit, you will be given a deadline to leave Denmark, i.e. you will be required to leave Denmark before a specified point in time. After this point, you will be considered an illegal resident in Denmark. If you are residing illegally in Denmark you risk being expelled and given an entry ban. To be expelled from Denmark means you will be banned from entering all EU and Schengen countries, including Denmark, for a minimum of two years. If you are expelled, you may be deported by the police.
Case processing times
The Immigration Service has defined service goals for maximum case processing times for most case types.
See service goals for maximum case processing times.
Appeal
The Immigration Service decides in cases concerning applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act. If the Immigration Service turns down your application, you can appeal to the Ministry of Integration.
The appeal process will be explained in detail when you receive the Immigration Service's decision. Furthermore, the Ministry of Integration has published appeal guidelines.
Read the Ministry of Integration’s appeal guidelines.