Fees for applications and appeals reg. studies and work

A foreign national must normally pay a fee when applying for residence, an extension of residence or permanent residence. This applies when applying for residence due to work, studies, au pair stays, internships, religiousworkand as a family member accompanying a foreign national who works or studies in Denmark.

Applications from individuals in the abovementioned groups must also pay a fee if they wish to appeal about a decision or request that an application to be reopened.

From 15 May 2012, fees will no longer be charged when submitting applications for family reunification, when appealing a decision or when requesting that an application for family reunification be reopened.

The rule change also applies when appealing a decision in a family reunification applicationsubmitted before 15 May 2012, and thus were subject to a fee.

Overview of case categories and fees

Below follows the conclusive list of case categories where a processing fee is required, and the amount of the fee in question (2012 amount):

1.	Positive List, Pay Limit scheme and residence permit for the purpose of seeking new employment (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(ii) and (iii), and section 9a(8) for the purpose of seeking new employment)	DKK 3,115 (€ 421)
2.	Athletes, embassy employees and trainees (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(vi)	DKK 3,115 (€ 421)
3.	Corporate scheme (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(iv))	DKK 3,115 (€ 421)
4.	Greencard scheme (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(i))	DKK 6,275 (€ 848)
5.	Employees, labour market attachment and self-employed persons (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(v) and (vi)	DKK 4,015 (€ 543)
6.	Students, including PhD students (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9i. This case category comprises students, including PhD students, who are not employed by the educational institution, but are registered as students)	DKK 1,645 (€ 222)
7.	Researchers, including employed PhDs and research trainees (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(vi). This case category comprises researchers, research trainees and PhD students employed by the educational institution)	DKK 3,115 (€ 421)
8.	Au pairs and interns (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9j or section 9k)	DKK 2,185 (€ 295)
9.	Religious workers (Applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9f)	DKK 2,185 (€ 295)
10.	Accompanying family members of workers, students, researchers and interns (Applications for a residence permit as an accompanying family member under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9m and section 9n)	DKK 2,030 (€ 274)
11.	Extensions of residence permits granted to individuals in Positive List positions, Pay Limit Scheme positions, athletes, embassy personnel, trainees and those holding Corporate Scheme positions(Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(ii),(iii),(iv) and (vi))	DKK 2,650 (€ 358)
12.	Extension of Greencard (Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(i))	DKK 2,880 (€ 389)
13.	Extension of residence permits for employees, labour market attachment and self-employed individuals (Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(2)(v) and (vi))	DKK 2,650 (€ 358)
14.	Extension for students, including PhD students (Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9i. This case category comprises students, including PhD students, who are not employed by the educational institution, but are registered as students)	DKK 1,645 (€ 222)
15.	Extension for researchers, incl. employed PhDs and research trainees (Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9a(2)(vi). This case category comprises researchers, research trainees and PhD students employed by the educational institution)	DKK 2,650 (€ 358)
16.	Extension for au pairs and interns (Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9j and section 9k)	DKK 1,700 (€ 230)
17.	Extension for religious workers (Applications for extension of a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9f)	DKK 1,700 (€ 230)
18.	Extension of residence permits for accompanying family members of workers, students, researchers and interns (Applications for extension of a residence permit as an accompanying family member under the Danish Aliens Act, section 9m and section 9n)	DKK 1,645 (€ 222)
19.	Permanent residence permit (Applications for a permanent residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act for persons who hold a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act section 9a(2)(i) (Greencard scheme) section 9a(2)(ii) (Positive List) section 9a(2)(iii) (Pay Limit scheme) section 9a(2)(iv) (Corporate scheme) section 9a(2)(v) (residence permit granted on the grounds of labour market attachment) section 9a(2)(vi) (employees, self-employed persons, researchers, incl. employed PhDs and research trainees, athletes, embassy employees and trainees) section 9a(8) (residence permit for the purpose of seeking new employment) section 9i (students, including PhD students) section 9m and section 9n (accompanying family members of employees, self-employed persons, students, researchers and interns) section 9j and section 9k (au pairs and interns who extraordinarily apply for a permanent residence permit) section 9f (religious workers)	DKK 3,655 (€ 494)
20.	Appeals - over decisions made by the Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment on one of the application types above(no. 1-19)	DKK 770 (€ 104)
21.	Request to reopen a case belonging to a case category listed above (no. 1-20)	DKK 770 (€ 104)

There is no fee for submitting a complaint over the way a case was processed.

Nordic citizens and EU/EEA citizens

Nordic citizens are not required to hold a residence permit but are free to reside, study and work in Denmark. EU/EEA citizens and Swiss citizens who wish to reside in Denmark under the EU regulations on freedom of movement are subject to special rules. Nordic citizens and EU/EEA citizens are not required to pay the processing fee. Read more about EU/EEA and Nordic citizens.

Groups exempt from paying the fee

The processing fee is required in cases regarding studies and work and only in the case categories listed above.

This means that there is no fee for applications, appeals or requests for reopening of a case in any other case categories, for example, there is no fee for submitting an application for:

family reunification
asylum
for a residence permit on humanitarian grounds
for a residence permit as a non-deportable person
Residence permit for accompanying family member of a religious leader

Furthermore, no fee is to be paid when applying for:

Residence permit under the Working Holiday programme
Residence permit as a volunteer
Residence permit under the Cities of Refuge programme
Residence permit on the grounds of former Danish citizenship or Danish descent
Dispensation from residence permit lapsing
Work permit for foreign nationals residing outside Denmark

There is also no fee for applications for a residence permit for adoptees that are processed by a Regional State Administrative Office.

Furthermore, no fee is to be paid when applying for:

Family reunification under the EU regulations on freedom of movement
Residence permit in the Faroe Islands or Greenland

Foreign nationals covered by the 'fitter rule' are not required to hold a residence and work permit. Consequently, they do not need to submit an application for a residence permit or pay the fee. Read more about the 'fitter rule'.

In certain other cases it is possible to be granted an exemption from paying the fee. Possible exemptions are described below in 'Exemptions from paying the fee'.

When to pay the fee

The fee must be paid by the time the application, appeal or request for reopening is submitted. The relevant authority (the Immigration Service or the Ministry of Integration) will not start processing the case until the fee has been registered as duly paid by the authority. If the fee is not paid in time, the application, appeal or request will be rejected.

What does the fee cover?

The fee covers the processing of the case. This means that the fee will not be refunded if the application, appeal or request to reopen a case is turned down. Furthermore, the fee will not be refunded if, during the processing of the case, the applicant chooses to withdraw the application, appeal or request.

The fee for submitting a request to reopen a case will be refunded if the request is granted, just as the fee for submitting an appeal will be refunded if the appeal is granted.

The three steps of the application process

It is necessary to complete three steps when submitting an application, appeal or request to reopen a case regarding a case category where a processing fee is normally required. The three steps must be completed in the following order:

Create case order ID
Pay the fee (unless the applicant is exempt)
Submit the application, appeal or request for reopening

Under the heading 'Groups exempt from paying the fee' above are mentioned certain case categories for which there is no fee. In these case categories it is not necessary to create a case order ID (or pay a fee).

In all other case categories, it is necessary to create a case order ID.

1. Create case order ID

The first step is to create a case order ID on www.newtodenmark.dk/fee. This applies whether the case regards an application, an appeal or a request to reopen a case. The case order ID is generated automatically by the system. In other words, a person cannot choose his/her own case order ID.

The case order ID consists of ten signs which must be used when paying the fee and when submitting the application/appeal/request for reopening. The case order ID digitally links an application with the associated payment. The case order ID need not be created by the applicant. It is also possible for the applicant's sponsor in Denmark or another person to do it on his/her behalf. The only information required for creating a case order ID is the applicant's full name and the type of application the applicant wishes to submit.

When creating a case order ID it is important to select the correct case category, such as "Greencard scheme (extension)". It is important to select the correct case category right from the start. If the wrong category has been selected, it is necessary to create a new case order ID.

If a person wishes to submit several applications/appeals/requests, he/she must create a case order ID for each case.

If applicants experience problems when trying to create a case order ID they can get help by contacting the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment or appearing in person at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service.

2. Pay the fee

The fee must be paid by the time the application, appeal or request is submitted. If the fee was not paid at the correct time, the application, appeal or request will be rejected. Therefore, it is important to include a payment receipt with the application, appeal or request to document the time of payment. The receipt can be a receipt for a Dankort payment (printout of online payment), receipt from transfer from a Danish online bank (printout from online bank) or a receipt from a bank or post office. The application/appeal/request can be submitted to the relevant authority immediately after the payment has been made, provided that a receipt documenting the payment is attached. Please note that it is not necessary to wait for the payment to be registered under 'Payment' on www.newtodenmark.dk/fee before submitting the application/appeal/request.

The fee will be accepted as duly paid if the payment was made by the time the application, appeal or request was submitted. This applies even if the payment is not registered by the relevant authority (the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment, the Danish Immigration Service, the Ministry of Employment, the Ministry of Justice, or the Danish diplomatic mission) until later.

If an application is rejected for any reason other than late payment, the processing fee will be refunded minus a DKK 770 administration fee.

If the applicant has paid the processing fee and the subsequent case processing shows that the applicant was in fact exempt from paying the fee because he/she belongs to one of the special groups that are exempt, the entire fee will be refunded.

The fee need not be paid by the applicant. It is also possible for the applicant's sponsor in Denmark or another person to do it on his/her behalf. Regardless of who pays the fee, the case order ID must be included with the application so the payment can be linked with the correct application, appeal or request. However, in extraordinary cases where the fee is paid to a Danish diplomatic mission or through a private company or organisation abroad, the case order ID need not be included with the payment.

If the applicant pays an insufficient amount when paying the fee, for example, if the applicant pays for an intern but submits an application for green card, the application will be rejected, and the full amount paid will be refunded to the applicant. If too much is paid, the excess amount will be refunded to the applicant, and the case will automatically be processed as if the applicant had paid the correct amount.

The applicant can either pay the fee while creating the case order ID, or the fee can be paid later. However, it must be paid by the time the application, appeal or request is submitted.

If the applicant wishes to pay the fee directly after creating the case order ID on www.newtodenmark.dk, he/she needs to select Go to payment and follow the guidelines of the payment module. If the fee is to be paid at a later point, for example, if another person is to pay on behalf of the applicant, the fee can be paid online on www.newtodenmark.dk/fee. The payer can then type in the case order ID and follow the instructions.

How to pay the fee

The fee for submitting an application for a residence permit – including applications for an extension of a residence permit and for a permanent residence permit – and the fee for submitting a request to reopen a case should normally be paid to a bank account belonging to the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment.

The fee for submitting an appeal and the fee for submitting a request to reopen an appeal case should normally be paid to a bank account belonging to the Ministry of Justice.

The fee can be paid:

Online using a credit or debit card
Through transfer from a Danish online bank
Using a payment form for payment in bank or post office
Through international bank transfer

The fee cannot be paid by cheque. The payment module can be found on www.newtodenmark.dk/fee, and it includes guidelines about the different payment options.

If extraordinarily, local conditions make it impossible to make a bank transfer to a bank account belonging to the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment or the Ministry of Justice, it will be possible to pay the fee to the Danish diplomatic mission where the application or appeal is submitted.

Click here to see a list of the places where local conditions make it impossible to make a bank transfer to a bank account belonging to the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment or the Ministry of Justice, and where the payment can me made in alternative ways.

The fee cannot be paid in cash by appearing in person at the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment, the Danish Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Employment, or the Danish police.

The bank transfer must be in Danish kroner (DKK). If this is impossible due to local conditions, the transfer must be in euro. However, in extraordinary cases where the fee is paid to a Danish diplomatic mission, the payment can be made in the local currency.

Refunding of the fee

If it is decided that the fee should be refunded, the fee will be returned to the account specified on the application form. The fee may be refunded if the applicant is found to be exempt from paying or if the amount paid exceeds the required fee.

The fee can be refunded by transfer to a Danish NEM account (’NEM-konto’), a Danish bank account, a foreign bank account, or in cash at a Danish diplomatic mission. Diplomatic missions can only refund fees in cash if the fee was originally paid there.

If the fee was paid with a Dankort or credit card, the fee can only be refunded to the same card for the initial 180 days after the fee was paid. Not until after this point can the fee be refunded to the bank account specified in the application form.

3. Submit the application, appeal or request for reopening

The Immigration Service recommends that the applicant uses the relevant application forms or packages when submitting the application.

In the application form the applicant must fill out the following in the relevant fields:

Case order ID
Whether the processing fee was paid when the case was submitted, or whether it was submitted under the regulations for exemption from paying the fee
Information required to refund the fee or part of the fee, if needed

Furthermore, the applicant must give all other information required to process the case.

If the applicant chooses not to use an application form when submitting the application, he/she must still give the above mentioned information.

The above mentioned information is also required when submitting an appeal or a request to reopen a case.

Exemptions from paying the fee

Certain groups applying for a residence permit, an extension of a residence permit or for a permanent residence permit are exempt from paying the processing fee.

Foreign nationals applying for a residence permit, an extension of a residence permit or for a permanent residence permit can receive an exemption if Denmark's international obligations or EU regulations prevent the fee from being applied.

Foreign nationals appealing a decision or requesting that a case be reopened can receive an exemption if EU regulations prevent the fee from being applied.

For all the above-mentioned groups, a decision whether to grant an exemption will be made on a case-by-case basis. For this reason, applicants from these groups must also create a case number ID.

Denmark's international obligations

Denmark's international obligations to protect the right to family life can require it to grant an exemption from paying the fee for applications for family reunification. Exemptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

An exemption can be granted if the sponsor (the spouse living in Denmark) is a refugee or has protected status and still risks persecution in his/her home country.

Please note that a decision to grant an exemption from paying the fee has no bearing on the processing of the case. Being granted an exemption should not be taken as an indication that the application will be approved, or an indication of whether the normal requirements for a residence permit can be waived.

Turkish citizens

Certain groups of Turkish citizens are exempt from paying the processing fee in accordance with the Association Agreement between the EEC (now the EU) and Turkey on 12 September 1963, as well as the "Additional Protocol" of 1970 and Decision 1/80 of 1980.

Read more about exemptions for Turkish citizens.

If you want further information about the possibilities for exemption, please contact the Immigration Service. You should contact the office that processes the type of residence permit relevant to your case.

Please note: If a person submits an application, appeal or request to reopen a case without paying the fee on the belief that he/she is exempt from paying the fee and the immigration authorities later determine that the individual was, in fact, not exempt, the application/appeal/request will be rejected. In such instances, the person will need to go through the entire process again: create case order ID, pay the fee, and submit a new application/appeal/request.

If a person has paid the fee, but the immigration authorities find that he/she was, in fact, exempt, the fee will be refunded.