Apply for extension on the grounds of family reunification in Greenland
You want to apply for an extension of your residence permit on the grounds of family reunification in Greenland.
Questions and answers
Your residence permit on the grounds of family reunification can be extended, if you are:
- Spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner
- Child under the age of 18
- Parent over the age of 60
- Other family member or close acquaintances of a Greenlandic resident
Other rules apply if you have previously held Danish citizenship or are of Danish/Greenlandic descent. Read more about extension on the grounds of strong attachment
When you are granted a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification it is expected that you eventually will become a permanent resident. During the first few years of residence, however, you will normally need to renew your residence permit each year.
As soon as your permit nears its expiry date, you may apply for a one-year extension.
If the residence permit was issued to a child who has been reunified with a parent holding a Greenlandic residence permit, the validity period of the child's residence permit will match the validity period of the parent's residence permit. A child's residence permit can be extended until the child's 18th birthday. However, it cannot be extended beyond the expiry date of the parent's residence permit.
After having held a temporary residence permit with a view to permanent residency for three years under section 9(1) and (2)(i), you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Read more about permanent residence permit
It is expected that residence permits issued to former Danish citizens will eventually be made permanent. However, for the first year of residence, such permits will be temporary.
Once you have held your residence permit for a year, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Residence permits issued to individuals of Greenlandic/Danish descent (descended from Greenlandic/Danish parents/grandparents) are intended as temporary residence permits. The initial permit is valid for one year and can be extended for a second year.
You can apply for permanent residence after two years, if you meet certain requirements. Read more about permanent residence
In order to qualify for an extension, you must normally continue to meet the conditions of your original residence permit.
A family reunification residence permit is normally granted subject to specific conditions. For example, if you have been granted a residence permit on the grounds of marriage with a person residing in Greenland, you must live with that person.
The conditions for your residence permit are listed in the letter you received together with your original residence permit.
Important information about your passport
When you apply for an extension of your residence permit, make sure that your passport is valid. The Immigration Service can revoke or refuse to extend your temporary residence permit if you do not hold a valid passport or other travel documents. You will be asked to present your passport if you submit your application at a police station. If you send your application to the Immigration Service, you must send a copy of your passport.
Please note that your residence permit can only be extended up to three months before your passport expires. In other words, if your passport expires in 12 months, your residence permit can only be extended by nine months.
If you hold a national passport (i.e. a passport from your country of origin) it must be renewed by one of your country's embassies or consulates.
You must submit your application for an extension no sooner than two months before, and no later than one month before your residence permit expires.
Please note that it is your own responsibility to apply in time. If you apply too late you can be prosecuted by the police and/or fined. The Immigration Service may also choose to change your permit’s date of issue or require that you apply for an entirely new permit.
The length of time you must wait before you can apply for a permanent residence permit varies depending on the type of temporary residence permit you hold. You will also be required to meet a number of additional requirements. Read more about the qualifying for a permanent residence permit
Fill in the application
You can apply for an extension by filling in and submitting an application form.
You can choose between 4 different application forms depending on the ground of your application. You can fill in the application form in Word format on your computer before printing it out. The application form is also available as a PDF file that can be printed out and filled in by hand.
Form you need to use, if you want to apply for extension on the grounds of family reunification for spouses
Form you need to use, if you want to apply for extension on the grounds of family reunification for children
Form you need to use, if you want to apply for extension on the grounds of family reunification for children who are now older than 18 years
Form you need to use if you want to apply for an extension for individuals who are the parents, aged 60 or older, of a current resident, have close family ties or another type of close relationship to a permanent resident of Greenland or have been granted a residence permit due to special circumstances
Printed versions of the application packets are available at the Danish embassy or consulate general to your country or from the Greenlandic police.
Submit the application
Applications for an extension of a residence permit should be submitted at a Greenlandic police station or to the Immigration Service.