How to apply

If you are an employee

If you are applying for a residence and work permit as an employee (including applicants under the Positive List, the Pay Limit scheme, the Corporate scheme, researchers, athletes and trainees), both you and your employer in Denmark (e.g. the company, research institute, or sports club) must supply information for the processing of your application.

It is your employer in Denmark who begins the application process by completing his/her part of the application form and attaching the required documents. He/she sends or gives the form and attached documents to you. You then complete your part of the form, attach the required documents, and submit the entire application.

There are different application forms for different types of applicants. Each application form contains a detailed description of how you and your employer in Denmark should complete the form, and which documents you must attach.

You and your employer in Denmark can chose one of the following application forms, depending on whether you are a(n):

Employee (including applicants under the Positive List, Pay Limit scheme, Corporate scheme, researchers, athletes and trainees)
> AR1 (English version)
> AR1 (Danish version)
> AR1 online (Danish/English version). Please note: In order to use the AR1 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.

Religious worker
> RF1 (Danish/English version)

Application for Corporate approval
> AR4 for the company (Danish version)

Furthermore, your employer in Denmark can obtain a printed version of the application form from the Service Centre, or from the local police.

If you are a self-employed person

If you are applying for a residence and work permit as a self-employed person, the application form is to be completed by you alone. The application form contains a detailed description of how you should complete the form, and which documents you must attach.

Self-employed person
> AR2 (English version)
> AR2 (Danish version)

Furthermore, you can obtain a printed version of the application form from the Danish diplomatic mission in your country of residence, from the Service Centre, or from the local police.

If you are a jobseeker

If your are applying for a residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme, the application form is to be completed by you alone. The application form contains a detailed description of how you should complete the form, and which documents you must attach.

Please note: If an application for a residence permit under the Greencard scheme does not include all the necessary information or documentation, it may be rejected. This means that your application will not be processed.

Applicant under the Greencard scheme
> GR1 (English version)
> GR1 (Danish version)

Furthermore, you can obtain a printed version of the application form from the Danish diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general) in your country of residence, from the Service Centre, or from the local police.

Family members

If you wish to bring your spouse/registered partner/cohabiting partner with you to Denmark, then he/she must submit his/her own application. If you have children under the age of 18 who you also wish to bring to Denmark, information about the children can be included in your spouse's/partner's application.

The application form contains a detailed description of how your spouse/partner should complete the form, and which documents he/she must attach.

Accompanying family members
> FA8 (English version)
> FA8 (Danish version)
> FA8/FA9 online (Danish/English version)

Furthermore, your spouse/partner can obtain a printed version of the application form from the Danish diplomatic mission in his/her country of residence, from the Service Centre, or from the local police.  

Fee for submitting an application

A processing fee will normally have to be paid in order for your application to be processed by the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment. The fee can either be paid by you (the applicant) or by another person, such as a person in Denmark. Read more about fees.

If you submit your application to a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general) you will normally also have to pay a fee. The fee can vary in price. It is a good idea to check the fee on the website of the diplomatic mission before submitting your application.

Submitting your application

You can submit an application for a residence and work permit in several ways. You can submit it at the Danish diplomatic mission in your country of origin or the country where you have resided legally for the past three months. The individual diplomatic mission can make further demands such as extra passport photos or duplicate copies of the application. It is a good idea to check the requirements on the website of the diplomatic mission before submitting your application. The diplomatic mission will then forward your application to the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment in Denmark, where it will be processed.

If there is no Danish mission in your country of origin (or country of residence), it is often possible to submit your application at the mission of another Schengen country. See the Danish Foreign Ministry's list of countries where Denmark is represented by another Schengen country.

If you are residing legally in Denmark (e.g. based on another residence permit, visa, visa-free stay, or under EU regulations), you can normally submit your application in Denmark. In some cases, asylum seekers can apply for an application for a residence and work permit. Read more about asylum seekers with special qualifications.

You can submit your application at the Service Centre in Copenhagen. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also submit your application at the local police who will then forward it to the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment. If the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment accepts your application for processing, you may normally stay in Denmark while your application is being processed. 

If you submit your application while in Denmark, it 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, and you will have to submit a new application from your country of origin.

You are not staying legally in Denmark if you apply for a new residence permit after your previous residence permit has expired.  

Processing your application

When the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment has received your application for a residence and work permit, it will process it along with the attached documentation and other information. In some cases, the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment will need to obtain additional information from branch organisations. In addition, the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment will check to see if you have been reported to the Schengen Information System (SIS).

If the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment receives information that does not correspond with the information you have provided, you will be asked to explain any discrepancies before a decision is made.

Once the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment has received all necessary information and documentation relating to your application, it will make its decision. You will either be granted a residence and work permit, or your application will be turned down.

You can follow the processing of your case on My Page, where you can log in using NemID and view the status of your application. If you are to pay a fee for your application, you will be able to see if your payment has been received.

How do you receive the ruling?

If you submit your application from your country of origin (or country of residence), the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment will send the ruling to the diplomatic mission where you submitted your application. The diplomatic mission will then forward it to your home address, or ask you to pick it up in person.

If you submit your application in Denmark, the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment will send the decision to your address in Denmark, or to your attorney. The Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment may also the police to inform you of the decision, or ask you to pick it up in person at the Service Centre. 

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

Service goals for maximum case processing times have been defined for most case types.

See service goals.

Appeal

If the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment turns down your application, you can appeal to the Ministry of Employment.

The appeal process will be explained in detail when you receive the decision. Furthermore, you can find appeal guidelines on this website.

Read appeal guidelines.