Family Reunification

What are the requirements for being approved for family reunification?

You must meet a number of requirements if you want to be reunited with a family member in Denmark. Read more about requirements for family reunification with a spouse and family reunification with children.

How will the implementation of a self-service procedure for applications for family reunification affect the application process?

The self-service procedure will allow you and the family member living in Denmark to do more to obtain the necessary information required for the application process. Special application packets containing detailed instructions are available.

When will I receive the ruling?

The time it takes to process your application depends on the details of your case. If your application contains all the required information and documentation, and if you seem to meet all the normal requirements for family reunification, then your application will receive fast-track processing. Read more about the Immigration Service's customer service goals for maximum processing times.

Where do I submit my application for a residence permit?

If you are in Denmark legally, you can submit your application at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service or at the local police. Please note that if you have received a Danish visa that required a host in Denmark to put up collateral, the collateral will be forfeited if you submit an application for family reunification while still in Denmark. If you reside abroad, the application can be submitted to a Danish diplomatic mission. Special application packets for family reunification with a spouse or family reunification with children are available.

How do I contact the Immigration Service?

Once the Immigration Service has received your application for family reunification, you and your sponsor in Denmark will be informed of your case worker's name, direct telephone number and hours of availability. You can also contact the Family Reunification Division directly.

Can I ask for a meeting with my case worker?

Under normal circumstances, you cannot request a meeting with your case worker. If you need to speak with an Immigration Service employee, you or your sponsor can make a personal enquiry at the Service Centre. You can also call your case worker. Once you have been assigned a case worker, you will receive his/her name, telephone number and hours of availability.

Under what circumstances does the Immigration Service relax its normal requirements?

Normally you must meet all requirements in order to be granted family reunification. However, in certain situations you can receive a residence permit even though you do not meet all the requirements.

Exceptions are made in cases in which refusing to grant a residence permit would put Denmark in violation of its international obligations. Read more about special circumstances in which the regular requirements are relaxed when applying for family reunification with a spouse and family reunification with children.

Can a child over the age of 15 receive a residence permit?

Normally, children over the age of 15 cannot receive a residence permit. In certain situations, however, children over the age of 15 can be granted a residence permit.

Exceptions are made in cases in which refusing to grant a residence permit would put Denmark in violation of its international obligations. Read more about the interests of the child that can result in a family reunification with a child over the age of 15 being granted.

How does my sponsor put up collateral when I apply?

Collateral can be put up in the form of a demand guarantee or by depositing the money in an account specifically set up for that purpose. The sponsor's local council will have access to the money. Read more about the collateral requirement.

How can I appeal an Immigration Service decision?

You can appeal Immigration Service decisions to the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. Read more about avenues for appeal.