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 Danish residence permit before entering Denmark.

If you are staying legally in Denmark on the grounds of another residence permit, a valid visa, visa free stay, or under EU regulations, you can submit your application - and have it processed - in Denmark, unless particular reasons say otherwise.

If you submit an application while in Denmark, your application 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.

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

The Immigration Service decides whether an application submitted in Denmark will be processed. If the Immigration Service accepts your application for processing, you may stay in the country during the processing.

If the Immigration Service choses to refuse your application, it will not be processed. 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.

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 decision to your address in Denmark, or to your attorney. The Immigration Service 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

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.