Published 04-02-2021 - Last updated: 15-02-2021

As a temporary measure due to COVID-19, SIRI will not issue residence permits for students, interns and au pairs or their accompanying family members

The Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration has issued a regulation which means that from 3 February 2021 and for four weeks after that date, residence permits will not be granted to certain types of residence in Denmark unless the applicant already holds a valid residence permit and is residing in Denmark. This applies to residence permits on the grounds of studies (including paid or unpaid PhD students), stay for authorization, interns, volunteers, au pairs as well as their accompanying family members.

This is seen as a step required in order to limit the introduction of new and as yet unknown variants of the virus, as these constitute a substantial risk that the spread of the virus may increase exponentially in the coming months. The new regulation is in line with the tightened travel restrictions introduced on 9 January 2021.

As a rule of thumb, SIRI will therefore turn down all applications for a residence permit which is included in this regulation. 

If your application is turned down as a result of these restrictions, the case processing fee you have paid to SIRI will be refunded.

However, if your application is turned down because you do not meet the requirements for a residence permit under the scheme in question, your case processing fee will not be refunded.

The suspension applies to all foreign nationals with a pending application for a residence permit under one of the schemes mentioned above. Any foreign nationals who have already been granted a residence permit under one of these schemes will still be allowed entry into Denmark. Foreign nationals who are residing in Denmark on a temporary residence permit under one of these schemes, e.g. an intern who wishes to change intern host, can still submit an application under the schemes in question.

See frequently asked questions about COVID-19/coronavirus

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