Au pair - extension

You want to extend your residence permit as an au pair, because you did not get a residence permit for a total of 2 years

Normal processing time
3 months

Processing fee
DKK 4,740,-

What do you want to print?

Can I extend my permit?

Your residence permit can only be extended up to a total period of 2 years. 

If you have not received a permit valid for 2 years e.g. because of the expiry date of your passport, of your contract, or if you arrived in Denmark on a later date than the starting date of your permit, your residence permit can be extended up to a total period of 2 years.

It is very important that you apply for an extension before your current residence permit expires.

If you do not apply for an extension before your permit expires, you no longer have the right to stay in Denmark – and an application submitted in Denmark will usually be rejected.

If you submit your application for an extension in time, you can stay in Denmark and continue as an au pair with your host family while SIRI is assessing you application for an extension – even if your permit expires.

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit no earlier than 3 months before your permit expires.

What do you want to print?

What are the conditions for an extension?

You and your host family must have complied with the au pair contract you both entered into in your first application, and both of you must continue to fulfil the conditions that apply to your current residence permit.

 

If you have been granted a residence permit for less than 2 years because of the the expiry date of your passport, it is a condition that you either have a new passport or have had the validity of your existing passport extended.

If you have been granted a residence permit for less than 2 years, because of the expiry date of your au pair contract, it is a condition that you and your host family renew the au pair contract with the remaining period for up to 2 years.

If you have arrived in Denmark on a later date than the date when your residence permit started, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit so you get a maximum total of 2 years stay as an au pair.

What do you want to print?

What are my rights, if I am granted an extension?

What can you do with a Danish residence permit as an au pair – and what can you not do?

 

A residence permit as an au pair gives you the right to stay in Denmark for the period your permit is valid.

Moreover, a permit allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within the past 180 days. However, the permit does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries.

You must not give up your Danish address or stay abroad for longer than 6 successive months. A violation will result in the lapse of your permit. This means that you will lose your right to stay in Denmark.

If you need to stay abroad for a longer period of time, you can apply for dispensation to prevent your permit from lapsing. 

You can read more about permit lapse and dispensation options here.

With a residence permit in Denmark, you are entitled to free Danish lessons. However, you must have turned 18 years and have your Danish address registered in the Danish National Register.

If you have a Danish residence permit issued by SIRI you would normally have to pay a deposit before you can start receiving lessons.

If you have a residence permit as an au pair you do not have to pay the deposit. This is because your host family has already paid for the state’s expenses related to your Danish lessons.

Your municipality of residence is obliged to offer you Danish lessons and refer you to a language centre. If you have not been offered Danish lessons within a month after registering your address in Denmark, you can contact your municipality.

You will (typically) be taught together with other foreign nationals who have arrived in Denmark recently.

When living in Denmark, there are a number of things to acquaint yourself with. Depending on your personal situation, you might need other important information and options.

You might already have done what is necessary, but if you still have any questions, the portal lifeindenmark.dk provides you with information, links and in many cases also options concerning the most important subjects such as:

  • NemID
  • The CPR register
  • Health card
  • Tax matters
  • Holiday entitlements
  • School and daycare 
  • Housing
  • Danish lessons
  • Car registration and driver’s license

What do you want to print?

For how long time can I stay in Denmark?

You can stay in Denmark as an au pair for a maximum of 2 years.

The permit cannot be extended for more than a maximum of 2 years.

A residence permit can only be valid until 3 months before the expiry date of your passport.

If your passport has a shorter validity than the otherwise possible period of stay, your residence permit will be shortened. This means that the validity of your residence permit will be shorter than it could be. When you have renewed your passport, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit - however, this can only be done 3 months before your permit expires at the earliest. 

Read more about the requirements on your passport.

What do you want to print?

What more to know before I apply?

An application for extension of a residence permit as an au pair is processed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

Before submitting your application, you must create a case order ID for your application and pay a fee to cover SIRI’s case processing expenses.  You can do this on the “How to apply” tab to the right. Here you also find the relevant application form: AU1.   

Your host family must fill in the first two out of three sections of the application. Once the host family is finished they will receive a reference number and an access code for your part of the application form, which they must pass on to you so you can open the application form and fill in your part. 

You must have your biometric features recorded again when you have submitted your application for extension.

SIRI will contact you or your host family if we need further information to process your case.  

What do you want to print?
No Datasource Found

Below you will find a step-by-step guide to submitting an application to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

It is important that you have carefully read the conditions for being granted a residence permit before you begin step 1. You can do this on the tab “Need to know” on the left.

You must submit

Expect to use

30 minutes

per person to complete the application

3 persons

You and your host family are each required to complete the form. Both your host parents must sign

In this step you and your host family have access to the relevant application form AU1.

Make sure that you have completed all the preceeding steps before you begin.

All our application forms contain careful instructions on how to complete the form and what kind of documents you must submit along with the form.

In the AU1 form your host family must complete the two parts of the form. When your host family has completed their part, a reference number and password will be shown, which your host family must pass on to you. You are then able to open the application and complete your part.

Make sure you have all documents ready in digital form, in order to attach them as you complete the application form.

Use the form AU1

Please note that it is mandatory to use this application form. Under special circumstances, you can be exempted from the requirement to use an online application form. You can read more here.

Please note that it is mandatory to fill in your passport number in this application form. If you are not in possession of a valid passport, you can contact us for guidance. You can find our contact information here. 

When you apply for an extension of your residence permit, you must have your biometric features recorded.

This means that you must have a facial photo taken and your fingerprints recorded. The facial photo and your fingerprints will be stored on a microchip embedded in the residence card, which will be issued to you if you are granted a permit.

SIRI can, as a rule, only start processing your application once you have had your biometric features recorded. This must happen  no later than 14 days after you submitted your application.

If you do not agree to have your biometric features recorded, your application will be rejected. This means that your application will not be processed.

Read more about biometrics here.

You can have your biometric features recorded in one of SIRI’s branch offices.

If you plan to have your biometrics recorded in one of SIRI’s branch offices, you must remember to book an appointment.

You have submitted your application succesfully if you have:

  • created a case order ID
  • paid the fee
  • submitted the application
  • had your biometric features recorded

You can see the normal case processing time to the right on this page. When we make a decision in your case, you will receive an answer.

SIRI will contact you or your employer if we need further information to process your case.

Read more about what you can expect while you are waiting for an answer.

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Last updated 22-03-2024 - Published by: SIRI