The Danish D visa is a national visa issued to individuals who want to live, study, or work in Denmark for longer than 90 days. You can obtain the type D visa for moving to Denmark, work, studies, family reunification, or investment.
Who Needs a Long Stay Visa for Denmark?
Long-stay visas are mandatory for anyone who wants to stay in Denmark for more than 90 days to study, work, or live.
Exempt from long-stay visas are citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland, who can visit, work, study, or live in Denmark without restrictions.
Denmark Type D Visas
These are the most commonly-issued long stay visas for Denmark:
- Work Visa
- Working Holiday Visa
- Student Visa
- Family Visa
- Startup Visa
Denmark Work Visa
You must apply for a Denmark work visa if you have found a job in Denmark. Before you start the application process, your employer must provide you with an employment letter. There are different work visa schemes, depending on the type of work you will do in Denmark:
- The Pay Limit Scheme – if you have been offered a salary of at least DKK 488,000.
- The Positive List Scheme – if you have been offered a position in a profession that’s considered in shortage.
- The Fast Track Scheme – if you have been offered a position in a company certified by SIRI.
Denmark Working Holiday Visa
A working holiday visa is required for individuals who want to visit Denmark as a tourist and work during this time. If you qualify for a working holiday visa, you are granted a permit of 12 months. Only citizens of the following countries can apply for a working holiday visa to Denmark:
- Australia
- Canada
- Chile
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
Denmark Student Visa
Students who want to continue their studies in Denmark educational institutions for longer than three months are required to apply for a student visa. This type of visa allows you to study and stay in Denmark until your education program is finished. After your study program is finished, you may either return home or apply for a visa extension to look for work. If you have already found a job in Denmark, you may switch to a work visa after graduation.
Denmark Family Reunification Visa
If you have family members who live and work in Denmark, and want to join them, then you need to get a Denmark family visa. You can apply for family reunification and a residence permit if you desire to stay longer.
Denmark Startup Visa
A startup visa is required for entrepreneurs who are willing to contribute and invest in Denmark. Individuals with a business idea that can contribute to the benefit of Denmark are welcome to apply. If your business idea is approved, you can set up your business in Denmark – you will be granted the status of an investor.
How to Apply for a Denmark Type D Visa?
You must apply for a Type D visa online via SIRI (the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration):
- Create a case order ID and choose the type of visa are you applying. You will receive your case ID number and pay a visa processing fee. When creating your case ID, fill in every gap with the required information.
- Collect the required documents. There are different required documents depending on the visa you are applying for. E.g., you need a work contract for a work visa, a letter of acceptance for a student visa, etc. See the documents under “Requirements for a Type D Visa for Denmark.”
- Submit your application. You have to submit the application documents in person to the Danish mission in the country you are currently residing.
- Wait for the outcome. Once your visa has been processed, you will receive an email or SMS notifying you whether it has been approved or rejected.
⇒ Denmark visa application steps.
Requirements for a Type D Visa for Denmark
When applying for a Denmark visa, you must submit:
- Passport. Valid for three months longer than your intended stay.
- Two passport-sized photos. Your photos must follow the photo criteria for a Schengen visa.
- Health insurance policy.
- Proof of accommodation in Denmark. Prove that you have a place to accommodate or can afford one.
- Means of subsistence. Proof that you have sufficient income to live in Denmark and can afford the lifestyle.
- Payment of Denmark visa fee. Submit the printed receipt.
- For a study visa:
- Letter of acceptance from your university
- Proof of language proficiency (in English or Danish)
- Proof that you can financially support yourself during your stay in Denmark
- A valid passport
- Payment of visa fee
- For a work visa:
- Employment contract
- Bank statement of the last six months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
- For a family visa:
- Proof of Danish citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Danish nationality or naturalization order)
- Danish marriage certificate
- Proof that your partner/spouse has a residence in Denmark
Duration of a Denmark D Visa
A Type D visa or national visa is issued for one year (365 days), with the possibility of extending. It also allows you to travel and stay in other countries in the Schengen area for periods of 90 days. If applicants wish to stay in Denmark for less than 90 days, they must apply for a tourist (Schengen) visa.
Switching From a Type D Visa to a Residence Permit in Denmark
If you obtain a D visa, you are automatically granted a temporary residence permit. Along with a residence permit, you will be granted a residence card that you must carry with you everywhere you go. This also applies if you travel to another Schengen country while being a Danish resident.
Once you arrive in Denmark, you must register your Danish address with the local municipality where you will live. When you register your address, you will also receive a Danish CPR number (personal registration number).
What If My Visa Application Is Rejected?
If your visa application is rejected, you can appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Board. You must submit the appeal letter no later than eight weeks after you have received the decision. Certain cases such as family reunification, work, study will require you to pay a fee when appealing a decision.
The appeal letter should contain information about the fee payment, your personal ID, case number, your alien identification number or IVR, and a copy of your decision.