How to apply

The application form and form for required supplementary information are available here.

Application for visa
> Application for Schengen visa
> Supplementary information form

You can also obtain a printed version at the diplomatic mission.

Which documents must be enclosed with the application?

• Valid national passport or other valid travel identification.
• Two passport photos. The photo must be 35 mm x 45 mm (size of head 30-36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head). You must be facing the camera directly. See overview of requirements for passport photos (available in Danish only).
• An invitation, if possible, from your reference in Denmark, with information about the person(s) you will visit, as well as name and address, purpose of your visit, and a description of the relationship between you and your reference in Denmark.
• Information about CPR number and Alien Identification number (if applicable) of your reference in Denmark.

You may in some cases be asked to produce additional documentation when submitting your application. In most cases, you will be charged a processing fee. As such, it is a good idea to contact the diplomatic mission in question prior to submitting your visa application. You will normally need to document any information you give. If, for example, you state that you are married, it is a good idea to bring your marriage certificate or similar documentation.

You are advised not to purchase closed airline tickets or travel insurance before the diplomatic mission confirms that you are eligible for a visa. If you present the diplomatic mission with a ticket which does not match the visa period granted, you will be asked to change your ticket before being issued a visa, unless you agree to have the visa period shortened.

You must reside legally in the country where you submit your application. Furthermore, your application must include all necessary information, and any documentation must be complete and authentic. If you do not meet these conditions, the diplomatic mission may decide to refuse to process your application. You cannot appeal this decision.

Representation agreements

In some countries, there is no Danish diplomatic mission to process visa applications. In such countries, Denmark will generally have a representation agreement with the diplomatic mission of another Schengen country to handle all visa applications for Denmark.

Read more about representation agreements.

Stays in multiple Schengen countries

If you wish to visit multiple Schengen countries, you must submit your application at the diplomatic mission of the country in which the main part of your stay will take place, or in which the main purpose of your visit is.

This means that if the main purpose of your visit is in Denmark, or if you will be spending the majority of your stay in Denmark, then your visa application must be submitted at the nearest Danish diplomatic mission.

If, on the other hand, the main purpose of your visit is in another Schengen country, or if you will be spending the majority of your stay in another Schengen country, then your visa application must be submitted at that country's diplomatic mission.

If you plan to spend an equal amount of time in several Schengen countries, then your visa application must be submitted at the diplomatic mission of the first country you plan to enter.

If you have been granted certain types of residence or re-entry permits in another Schengen country, you do not need a visa to enter Denmark. Read more about residence permit issued by another Schengen country.

Duration

A visa to the Schengen countries is valid for a maximum of 90 days per 6 months, calculated from the date of first entry. Those 90 days may be spread across one or more visits, depending on the number of entries you have been granted.

Read more about duration.

Who makes the decision?

Almost nine out of ten visa applications are dealt with within five to nine days by the Danish diplomatic missions around the world, amounting to about 98,000 visa permits for Denmark in 2008.

A smaller amount of about 14 percent of all visa applications, amounting to about 15,000 applications are sent to the Immigration Service in Denmark for further investigation and enquiry. This occurs because the diplomatic missions can only decide on visa applications that clearly merit approval. All other decisions, including all refusals, have to be made with by the Immigration Service.

When the Immigration Service deals with the application

When the Immigration Service has received your visa application it sends a questionnaire to the host/contact person you have indicated you are to visit. The questionnaire will be sent to the address in Denmark you have given in your application, so it is important that this address is written correctly.

In certain cases you, your host/contact or both will be asked to provide further information or will be requested to provide a collateral guarantee. The Immigration Service will communicate with you in writing through the diplomatic mission where you submitted your application. The diplomatic mission will contact you when it has received letters for you.

When the Immigration Service sends out a questionnaire to your host/contact in Denmark, it has yet to make a decision about whether you can be issued a visa to visit Denmark. This is a consequence of a change in procedures from the beginning of May 2009 which means that the Immigration Service no longer will assess whether the applicant can obtain a visa, before sending out a questionnaire to the host/contact person. The change in procedure means that when your host/contact in Denmark receives the questionnaire, he/she will also be informed that the Immigration Service has received the application shortly after the application has been transferred by the diplomatic mission to the Immigration Service. At the same time, your host/contact will be informed about the expected maximum processing time, given the questionnaire has been completed correctly when submitted to the Immigration Service. The service goal is measured from the time that the Immigration Service receives a correctly completed questionnaire returned by the host to the time you receive a decision regarding your application.

Due to an extremely high number of visa applications being processed at the current time delays can be expected. A decision on your visa application can take up to twelve weeks from the time the Immigration Service receives a correctly completed questionnaire.

The Immigration Service will begin processing your application once it has all the necessary information required to make a decision, including a correctly completed questionnaire. A decision on your visa application is sent to an embassy or a consulate general only. Your host/contact person does not receive a separate reply.

If the diplomatic mission issues a visa you will also receive a special attachment in English, Annex 1, informing you about penalty periods, travel insurance and forfeiture of any collateral guarantee.