Published 27-04-2023
Information for Afghan nationals holding a residence permit under the Special Law for persons who assisted the Danish authorities in Afghanistan
On 11 November 2021, the Danish Parliament passed a bill to grant a temporary residence permit to persons who assisted the Danish authorities, etc. in Afghanistan (hereinafter the Special Law). Residence permits under the Special Law are temporary and granted for a period of two years.
This information is specifically for you who holds a residence permit under the Special Law and still wishes to reside in Denmark after your residence permit under the Special Law expires. The Immigration Service will also contact you directly if you have not already been granted a residence permit on another basis.
Your residence permit under the Special Law cannot be extended
If you hold a residence permit under the Special Law, please be aware that your residence permit granted under the current rules cannot be extended. Consequently, you must leave Denmark when your residence permit expires, unless you have a residence permit on other grounds.
You have the option to apply for a residence permit on another basis
If you still wish to reside in Denmark and you do not already hold a residence permit on another basis, it is important to apply for a residence permit on another basis before your residence permit under the Special Law expires. We recommend that you apply for a residence permit on another basis in good time.
For your guidance, please be aware that you have the option to apply for asylum if you believe that you will be at risk of being victimized or persecuted if you return to Afghanistan. You can find information about how you apply for asylum on nyidanmark.dk. Read more about asylum
On nydidanmark.dk, you can also find information about how to apply for a residence permit on a basis other than asylum. Read more about other basis for a residence permit
If your residence permit expires before you get a reply to your application
If you apply for a residence permit on a basis other than the Special Law and your residence permit under the Special Law expires before you get a reply to your application, you are entitled to remain in Denmark while your application is being processed. This is called a procedural stay. If you have been granted a procedural stay, it means that you are not any longer entitled to work in Denmark.
If you have filed an application for asylum, you will, however, be able to apply to the Immigration Service for permission to work while your application is being processed.
If your residence permit under the Special Law expires and you file or have filed an application for asylum, you must be accommodated in an asylum centre in order to be provided for by the Immigration Service.
