Residence and Work Permit for Denmark

Residence and/or work permits must be obtained before entering Denmark.

DENMARK INTRODUCES BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE CARDS MAY 20, 2012 NEW!

According to regulation (EC) No. 380/2008 of 18 April 2008 residence cards issued after May 20, 2012 shall contain an electronic chip with photo, fingerprints and signature recorded digitally. In this way the security against forgery and misuse of residence cards is strengthened considerably.

The decision to introduce fingerprints in residence cards, has been made at a central level in the EU as part of the combat against terrorism, human trade, human trafficking, illegal immigration and other transnational crime.　

Biometrics must be obtained when the application is lodged

In order to issue biometric residence cards, installation of special equipment for taking photos and recording fingerprints and signature is necessary. 　

Can I apply for a residence/work permit if one or more of my fingers are injured?

According to the law biometric data must always be contained in a biometric residence card. If the index finger is injured, a biometric residence card can be issued. In that case, a fingerprint will be taken of an alternative finger.

Must children also give their fingerprints?

No. Fingerprints are not collected from children under 6 years of age.

Children: We recommend bringing a recent photo of the child, which meets the requirements for a photo. The photo can then be scanned by the Consulate General, in case the Consulate General does not have the means to take a valid photo.

What to bring?

Bring the application and supporting documents (originals as well as copies). Copies of the originals must be in colour and size A4 or standard US paper size (8 1/2" x 11"). No two-sided copies are allowed.

Where to apply?
　
Danish Consulate General
885 Second Avenue, 18th floor (48th Street)
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 223-4545
Fax: (212) 754-1904
E-mail: nycgkl@um.dk

Please note that you need to make an appointment before you can show up at the Consulate General of Denmark in New York (make appointment below).

Please be advised that it is also possible to apply for a residence and work permit at the Consulate General of Norway in Houston www.norway.org/houston and San Francisco www.norway.org/sanfrancisco and the Embassy of Sweden in Washington DC www.swedenabroad.se. However biometrics cannot be obtained at these locations and must be obtain once in Denmark. If you chose to apply at one of the above representations, you must contact that office directly.

Fee for submitting an application

From 1 January 2011 onwards,　in addition to the fee for the Consulate General a fee will normally　have to be paid directly to the Danish Immigration Service in order for your application to be processed. The fee can either be paid by you (the applicant) or by another person, such as a person in Denmark. Read more about FEES to the Danish Immigration Service.

What to submit:

The application form contains a detailed description of how you and the employer should complete the form, and which documents you must attach, beyond that you must submit the following:

1. An application form completed and signed.

2. Valid original passport and a copy of the passport (all pages including front page). Passport must be valid at least 3 months – other travel documents at least 6 months – beyond the expiration date of the permit applied for.

3. Case order ID and receipt of payment to the Danish Immigration Service

4. Application fee to the Consulate General　(See list of FEES)

5. Please note that you need to make an appointment before you can show up at the Consulate General of Denmark in New York. An appointment must be made for each applicant. If you have not used the appointment module before, please go to appointment (please see link below), log on and start a new user account. You will be asked for:

E-mail address

Create password

Your name

Your telephone number

Click here for an appointment

After you have made the appointment, an e-mail will confirm your appointment.

Only cash or money order made out to the Danish Consulate General. No personal checks.

Work in Denmark

Many foreign nationals are free to live and work in Denmark. However, some are required to hold a residence and work permit. The specific requirements in connection with living and working in Denmark depend, first and foremost, on a person’s nationality and qualifications.

If you already hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or asylum, or hold a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, you do not need a work permit in order to work in Denmark.

It is your own responsibility to obtain a work permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.

Normally, professional or labour market considerations must warrant a residence and work permit, for example, if there is a lack of persons in Denmark who can carry out a specific type of work. Read general information about salaried work.

The rules also apply in the case of voluntary/unpaid work.

Special schemes A number of schemes have been designed in order to make it easier for highly qualified　professionals to get a residence and work permit in Denmark.

The Positive List is a list of the　professions　and fields currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. Persons　who have been offered a job in one of these professions or fields have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about the Positive List.

The Pay Limit scheme　gives persons who have been offered a job with an annual pay above a certain limit particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about the Pay Limit scheme.

The Corporate scheme makes it possible for employees in a company outside Denmark to be stationed in the company's Danish subsidiary, parent or sister company or similarfor a period of time. Read more about the Corporate scheme.

The Greencard scheme makes it possible for highly qualified professionals to come to Denmark in order to　seek work and subsequently to work in Denmark. Read more about the Greencard scheme.

Researchers have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about researchers.

Trainees can work in a Danish company for a period of time for educational and training purposes. Read more about trainees.

Athletes can work in Denmark as professional athletes or coaches. Read more about athletes.

Religious workers can come to Denmark to work for a religious order or denomination. Read more about religious workers.

Self-employed persons can come to Denmark to establish　a business. Read more about self-employment.

Certain groups are exempt from the normal rules, e.g. diplomats, certain musicians and performing artists, personnel in the transport industry, and some Turkish citizens. Read more about special groups.

A person whose Danish residence permit　on the grounds of, e.g., asylum or family reunification, has been revoked or denied extension can be granted a new residence permit if he/she has held a job or　operated an independent business for an extended period of time. Read more about keeping foreign labour in Denmark.

Jobseeking in Denmark There are several web portals, databases and cv banks which can be useful in the process of seeking work in Denmark. Read more about jobseeking in Denmark.

Danish Consulate General885 Second Avenue, 18th floor (48th Street)New York, NY 10017Tel: (212) 223-4545