How to apply

The application form contains a detailed description of how you should complete the form, and which documents you must attach:

Residence permit under the Working Holiday programme
> Application form WH1

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 of the Immigration Service, or from the local police.  

Does it cost anything to submit an application?

Yes, if you submit your application to a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general) you will normally have to pay a fee. The fee can vary in price. The individual diplomatic mission can also make further demands such as extra passport photos or duplicate copies of the application. We recommend that you check with the requirements on the website of the diplomatic mission in your country before the application is submitted.

Where to submit your application

Normally, you must have obtained a residence permit before entering Denmark. You can submit your application in your country of origin (or in the country where you have resided legally for the past three months). In certain cases, it is possible to submit an application in Denmark, but this depends on your grounds for being in the country.

Generally, you cannot submit an application for a residence permit after entering Denmark. However, if you have originally been granted a residence permit on grounds other than working holiday, then you can submit the application in Denmark.

If you submit your application in your country of origin

If you apply in your country of origin, you can submit your application at the Danish diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general). When you have completed and submitted the application form, the diplomatic mission will forward it to the Danish Immigration Service, where it will be processed.

If you have resided legally in another country for the past three months, you can also submit your application at the Danish diplomatic mission in that country.

If there is no Danish diplomatic mission in your country of origin or country of residence, you can submit your application in another country. You can find additional information about Danish diplomatic missions abroad on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If you submit your application in Denmark

Normally, you must have obtained a residence permit before entering Denmark. If you submit your application after entering the country, the Immigration Service may refuse your application. This means that you will have to return to your country of origin or residence and submit a new application to the Danish diplomatic mission there.

In some cases, you may submit your application in Denmark. If the Immigration Service accepts your application for processing, you may stay in the country during the processing. If the Immigration Service refuses your application, you can appeal the decision to the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs.

If you live in the Greater Copenhagen area, you should submit the application at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service. If you live elsewhere you can also submit your application at your local police station.

Processing your application

When the Immigration Service has received your application for a residence permit, it will evaluate it along with the enclosed documentation. In addition, the Immigration Service 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 rules in the case.

Once the Immigration Service has received all necessary information relating to your application, it will chose whether or not to grant you a residence permit.

How do you receive the ruling?

If you submit your application from your country of origin or country of residence, the Immigration Service 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 request that you pick it up in person.

If you submit your application in Denmark, the Immigration Service will send the ruling 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 forward it to your home address. If the Immigration Service has decided to reject your application, it will ask you to leave Denmark before a specified date. In this case, you will be informed of your avenues to appeal the ruling.