Do you want to join your family members and move in Denmark? You can do this by applying for a family reunification visa and a residence permit. However, before applying for a Denmark family visa, you must meet a set of requirements.
Who Needs a Family Visa for Denmark?
You need a family visa in the following instances:
- You are the spouse or partner of a Danish citizen, and you wish to live with them in Denmark.
- You are the child (under 18) of a Danish citizen, and you wish to live with your parent in Denmark.
- You are the spouse or partner of someone who is studying or working in Denmark with a valid residence permit, and you want to join them.
- You are the child of someone who is studying or working in Denmark with a valid residence permit, and you want to join them.
Denmark Family Visa for Spouses or Partners
To join a spouse or partner in Denmark, the requirements for both spouses/partners are:
- You must be married or cohabitating partners.
- You must be married/in a relationship voluntarily.
- You cannot be married or in a relationship just for the purpose of getting a residence permit.
- You must both be at least 24 years old.
- You must both meet the integration requirement. There are different integration requirements that both partners must meet, based on education, work experience and language skills. Both partners must meet four of the six requirements (three apply to each partner). These integration requirements are detailed more under “Requirements for the Applicant” and “Requirements for the Spouse/Partner in Denmark.”
- You must both participate in the applicant’s language learning and integration actively. Both of you will be asked to declare that you will participate in learning Danish and integrate into Danish society. You and your spouse will agree to this by signing a statement included in the application form.
Requirements for the Applicant
If you want to join your partner in Denmark with a family reunification visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have visited Denmark at least once.
- You need to fulfill your part of the integration requirement.
- You must pass the Prøve i Dansk1 or an English language test at the B1 level.
- You must have worked full-time for at least three of the past five years, either in Denmark or abroad.
- You must have completed at least one year of education.
- You need to pass two tests in Danish. The immigration authorities offer a test in Danish at the A1 level. After you are granted a residence permit, you are required to pass the A2 level Danish test to continue your stay in Denmark.
Requirements for the Spouse/Partner Already in Denmark
If your wish your partner to join you in Denmark with a family visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must live in Denmark in an independent residence. This means that your residence (apartment/house) has an entrance of its own and appears as one unit.
- You must not live in an area mentioned on the housing requirement list. The area you live in must not be included in the current regulation of the housing requirement list.
- You must be able to support yourself financially. This means that you must have a job or another source of income, to support yourself and your family.
- You need to post collateral in the form of a financial guarantee. You must set aside an amount of money for the financial guarantee, which will be used to pay the municipality if you receive social benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act or the Integration Act.
- You must not have a domestic violence conviction.
- You need to fulfill your part of the integration requirement. If you are a legal resident in Denmark, you must also meet these requirements:
- You must pass the language test Prøve i Dansk 3 (mandatory).
- You must have worked full-time for at least five years. Self-employment also counts.
- You need at least six years of schooling.
Requirements for Dependent Children
If you are a dependent child (under 18) and want to join a parent in Denmark with a family visa, the requirements are:
- You have to live with your parent in Denmark if you are granted a residence permit.
- You cannot have a family of your own (spouse or children).
- Family reunification needs to be in your best interests.
- You must adhere to the 3-month time limit. If you stay with one of your parents or another permanent caregiver abroad, you must submit the application for a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification within a 3-month time limit.
- Your parent must have legal residence in Denmark.
- Your parents must have custody of you.
- Your parent must not have a record of child abuse.
How to Apply for a Denmark Family Visa?
You have to apply for a Denmark family visa at the Immigration Service’s Citizen Service or a Danish embassy/consulate abroad. You must initiate the application online at the SIRI website. The application process for a Denmark family visa is as follows:
Step 1. Create SB-ID
You must create an SB-ID on the SIRI website and provide your personal information (name, surname, email, passport number). After filling in the gaps, click “Create Case order ID” and receive your case number.
Step 2. Pay the Fee
After creating the SB-ID, you proceed to pay a processing fee of DKK 10,330 (appx. € 1,380). The payment options for the fee are:
- Payment with card (Dankort, VISA, MasterCard)
- Payment by bank transfer
- Payment using Danish internet bank
- Order payment form and pay the fee at a post office or in a bank
Keep in mind that if you have not obtained an SB-ID and paid the fee, the Danish Immigration Service can reject your application.
Step 3. Gather Documentation
You must collect a set of documents to support your application, such as:
- Marriage certificate or proof of cohabitation (for spouses/partners)
- Birth certificate (for dependent children).
- Proof that you and your family member in Denmark have suitable accommodation.
If any of the documents are missing, you must provide a compelling reason why, or your application may be rejected.
See a full list of the required documents under “Documents Required for a Denmark Family Visa” below.
Step 4. Fill in the Application
Both you and your spouse/partner must fill out the application. When filling in the application form, the spouse/partner in Denmark will need a NemID code card.
You must fill in the FA1 application form. You can also download and print the FA1 application form in Word or PDF format.
For children’s applications, the FA1 form must be filled out by the child or the adult applying on behalf of the child and the parent in Denmark.
We recommend you to follow the instructions on how to fill in the application form and to use the digital application form for an easier and smoother application process.
Step 5. Submit Application
You can submit your application at the Immigration Service’s Citizen Service.
If you are applying from outside of Denmark, you can submit your application at a Danish embassy or consulate or an outsourcing office in the country where you live.
Note: Family Reunification applications must be submitted in person (including children).
Step 6. Have Your Biometric Features Recorded
You must have your facial photo and your fingerprints recorded. The VFS Office will record your biometrics at the same time you submit your application. Children under the age of six are not required to give fingerprints.
The biometric features are also required to get a new residence card.
Denmark Family Visa Processing Time
The maximum processing time for a Denmark family visa to be approved is seven months. SIRI will notify you about your application status via email or SMS.
Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive your Denmark residence permit and should expect to receive a Residence Card in a few weeks at the address provided on your application.
After Arriving in Denmark
Once you arrive in Denmark, you have to approach the local municipality where you will live and register your Danish address. When you register your address, you will also receive a Danish CPR number (personal registration number).
Documents Required for a Denmark Family Visa
If you are applying as a spouse/partner of a Danish citizen/resident, you must submit:
- Proof that you paid the processing fee.
- Copy of your passport (all pages).
- Copy of your marriage certificate. You also need an authorized translation to Danish or English.
- Documentation that you and your partner have lived together (if you aren’t married). This could be a joint mailing address, proof you paid bills on the same household, etc.
- Documentation for your language skills, work, and education. Submit the relevant documents depending on which conditions of the integration requirement you meet.
- Documentation that you and your partner have passed a test in Danish. Both you and your partner must pass a Danish language test 3 or another test at an equivalent or higher level.
- Documentation that your partner meets the housing requirement.
- Documentation of your partner’s work and education. Your partner must submit the relevant documents depending on which conditions of the integration requirement they meet.
- Documentation of a serious illness or disability (if applicable).
- Documentation your partner meets the requirements for permanent residency. If this is applicable.
Children applying at the same time as their parents must submit the following documents:
- Documentation that you paid the application fee.
- Copy of all pages of your passport (all pages).
- Your birth certificate, with an authorized translation to Danish or English.
- Documentation of custody, with an authorized translation to Danish or English (if your parent is seeking family reunification with a spouse/partner who isn’t your biological parent, or if your biological parents aren’t married).
- Copy of any other residence permits (in countries other than Denmark).
- Documentation of any contact you may have had with your parent in Denmark.
How Much Does the Family Visa for Denmark Cost?
After you apply for the Denmark family visa, you are required to pay a fee of DKK 10,330 (appx. €1,380). For an extension of a family reunification visa, you have to pay a fee of DKK 2,920 (appx. €390).
How Long Can I Stay in Denmark With a Family Visa?
If SIRI approves your family reunification application, you will be granted a temporary residence permit, valid for two years. You can always apply for a residence extension if you continue to meet the requirements.
Can I Work in Denmark With a Family Visa?
Yes, you can. If you are granted a residence permit, you can work during the same period as the residence permit is valid. You are also allowed to run your own business.
Note: A Danish residence permit does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries.
Can I Study in Denmark With a Family Visa?
A family reunification visa permits you to live, study and work in Denmark for the duration of your residence permit. You may extend your stay if you continue to meet the requirements.