Extension of a residence and work permit

You can submit your application for an extension no sooner than 2 months before your residence permit expires. It is crucial that you submit your application for an extension before your current residence permit expires.

If you submit your application after the date your residence permit expires, you should expect your application to be rejected because you are residing illegally in Denmark. If your application is rejected, the Immigration Service will not process your application, and you will have to leave Denmark and apply for a new residence permit in your country of origin. Such an application will be regarded and processed as an entirely new application for a residence permit, i.e. it will be processed in accordance with the rules that apply to first-time applicants. In other words, you will lose the right to an extension of your previous residence permit.

If you are residing illegally in Denmark you risk being expelled and given an entry ban, i.e. you will be banned from entering Denmark for a certain period of time. You also risk being reported to the police for illegal residence.

Application forms

When applying for an extension of your temporary residence permit, you need to use the correct application form, depending on your situation.

Extension of a temporary residence and work permit as an employee (including applicants under the positive list, pay limit scheme, corporate scheme, athletes and trainees)
> Application form AR3 (English version)
> Application form AR3 (Danish version)
> AR3 online (Danish/English version). Please note: In order to use the AR3 online form, the employer must have a digital signature. Furthermore, the employer must start the application process by filling in the employer part of the form. Read more about digital signature.

Extension of a temporary residence and work permit as a religious worker
> Application form RF1 (Danish/English version)

Extension of a temporary residence and work permit (including researchers at a research institution and self-employed persons)
> Application form B (Danish/English version)

Extension of a temporary residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme
> Application form GR2 (English version)
> Application form GR2 (Danish version)

Exstension of a temporary residence permit for a family member of a foreign national who is working or studying in Denmark
> Application form FA9 (English version)
> Application form FA9 (Danish version)
> Application form FA8/FA9 (Danish/English version)

You can obtain a printed version of the application forms at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service, where you can also submit your application. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also obtain the forms and submit your application at your local police station.

Fee for submitting an application

From 1 January 2011 onwards, a fee will normally have to be paid in order for your application to be processed by the Immigration Service. The fee can either be paid by you (the applicant) or by another person, such as a person in Denmark. Read more about fees.

Re-entry permit

You are allowed to remain in Denmark while your application for an extension is being processed. If you wish to leave Denmark while awaiting the ruling, you can apply for a re-entry permit valid for the entire Schengen region. A re-entry permit allows you to re-enter Denmark even if your residence permit is not valid.

Re-entry permit
> Application form (Danish/English version)

Permanent residence permit

If you have held a temporary residence permit for over four years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. In order to be granted a permanent residence permit, you must obtain 100 points by meeting a number of requirements.

Please note: If you apply for a permanent residence permit, you must also fill in and submit an application for a temporary residence permit. Make sure to use the application form which fits your situation. An application for a permanent residence permit will only be processed if it is submitted together with an application for a temporary residence permit.

Read more about permanent residence permit.

Important information about your passport

When you apply for an extension of your residence permit, make sure that your passport is valid. The Immigration Service can revoke or refuse to extend your temporary residence permit if you do not hold a valid passport or other travel documents.

Please note that your residence permit can only be extended up to three months before your passport expires. In other words, if your passport expires in 12 months, your residence permit can only be extended by nine months. The Immigration Service will not extend a temporary residence permit for less than six months.

If you hold a national passport (i.e. a passport from your country of origin), the diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general) of your country of origin will renew it.

The Immigration Service is responsible for renewing Alien's passports and Convention passports.

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 rules in cases concerning applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act. If the Immigration Service rejects 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 ruling. Furthermore, the Ministry of Integration has published appeal guidelines.

Read the Ministry of Integration’s appeal guidelines.