Denmark Skilled Worker Visa: Types, Conditions, Documents & Application Process

Denmark Skilled Worker Visa is called the Positive List for Skilled Work Visa. This visa is available to skilled workers seeking employment in Denmark. However, such workers must work in a shortage occupation. That is, they must have already received an offer of employment to work in a profession listed under the Positive List for Skilled Work. Applicants holding a Positive List for Skilled Work Visa can apply for a work permit and a residence permit. This blog covers everything you need to know about the Denmark Skilled Worker Visa.

Types of Denmark Skilled Worker Visa

The Positive List for Skilled Work lists jobs having a shortage of qualified workers. You can apply for taking up skilled work under this list. However, a job offer is mandatory for this visa type. The Positive List for Skilled Work is updated during 1st January, and July every year. The positive list is divided into 2 categories:

• Positive List for Highly Educated: You can apply under this category if you have received a job offer letter to work in a profession requiring university-level education. The profession must be listed as a shortage occupation.
•  Positive List for Skilled Work (Asylum Seekers)- Asylum seekers who have found employment can use this scheme.

If you come under any of the above categories you can apply for a visa under the Positive List for Skilled Work. This work visa will permit you to travel to Denmark and then apply for a residence permit.

Conditions of a Denmark Skilled Worker Visa 

To be employed as a skilled worker in Denmark, you must have a job offer that comes under the  Positive List for Skilled Work. Apart from this, several other requirements must be met. We have listed these requirements below:

• Your salary and the terms of your employment (For example, holiday entitlements notice period, etc) must be as per the Danish standard. 
• The company that is employing you must meet the educational obligations. The employer must be covered by the Læreplads-AUB (Arbejdsgivernes Uddannelsesbidrag). Therefore, you must enquire about the same from the employer.
• You must have a Danish bank account in your name, and your salary must be paid into that account. The bank must be legally operating in Denmark. Therefore, you must contact a bank to create a new bank account. You must have a Danish address or CPR number for the smooth account opening service.
• Additionally, salary requirements must be met. That is, the salary must be in the form of liquid assets, paid holiday allowance, or given as payment to the labour market pension schemes. A paid holiday allowance from the employer is only considered as a part of your salary.
• Certain salary components are not taken into account while assessing your salary level. For example, paid internet, free use of a car, paid phone, paid living and housing expenses, benefits in kind, subscriptions, and other services provided to you by your employer.

Apart from the above documents, those applying under the Positive List for People with a Higher Education Scheme must have completed a higher educational programme required for their job they must also meet the weekly working hours requirement. That is, they must work full-time (generally 37 hours a week).  In some cases, a Danish authorisation is required. For example, if you are working as a doctor.

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Documents Required for a Denmark Skilled Worker Visa 

You must submit the necessary documents to apply for a skilled worker visa. Some of the documents required are provided below:

• Passport copy (all pages including empty pages, front and back cover)
• An employment contract or the job offer letter
• Proof of visa application fee payment (attach the fee receipt)
• Documents proving that you meet the educational requirements for the job.
• Documents related to the salary and benefits you will receive that are not listed in the employment contract. For example, salary paid to you abroad, paid rent, etc)
• Documentation of authorisation (if applicable)

How to Apply for a Denmark Skilled Worker Visa?

The application for a Denmark skilled worker visa can be made online at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) website.

• First, visit the official website of SIRI, and view the page for The Positive List for Skilled Work
• Go to the How to Apply section, and create a case order ID 
• Enter the case order ID and pay the visa application fee
• Print out the documentation checklist, and gather the necessary documents
• It will take you 30 minutes to fully complete the application form. You can view the application form and fill it out the same.
• Submit your biometric information at a Danish diplomatic mission, or a visa application centre in your home country. The biometric information must be submitted within 14 days of filling the application form
• SIRI contacts the employer if additional information is required. You need to provide the same to your employer (If asked)
• After the visa application processing is complete, you will be notified of the outcome of your application.

To learn more about applying for a positive list visa in Denmark, watch the video below:

Processing Time of a Denmark Skilled Worker Visa 

The Denmark Skilled Worker Visa processing time is as follows:

Visa	Processing Time
The Positive List for People with a Higher Education	1 month
The Positive List for Skilled Work	1 month

Fees for Denmark Skilled Worker Visa

The fees for the Denmark Skilled Worker Visa is as follows:

Visa	Fees
The Positive List for People with a Higher Education	DKK 6,290
The Positive List for Skilled Work	DKK 6,290

Denmark Skilled Worker Visa Validity Period 

The validity of a Denmark Skilled Worker Visa is as follows. Note: A residence permit will only be valid until 3 months before your passport expires.

Employment Duration	Duration of Residence Permit
Less than 4 years	The permit will be valid for the duration of your employment contract. An additional 6 months for job seeking will also be added to your permit. This will help you in looking for a job in Denmark.
More than 4 years	4 years. You can extend your residence permit based on the extension of your employment contract.

Denmark-Skilled Worker Visa & Residence Permit Rights 

The Positive List for Skilled Work (for higher education), and for asylum seekers allows you to obtain a work permit. During the visa validity period, you can apply for a residence permit. The rights and obligations about this residence permit are provided below:

• You can only for the company and take up the job in which you have obtained a permit. You will also not be able to work in any other Schengen country
• You can take up unpaid voluntary work during your residence permit
• You can stay in Denmark for the duration of your residence permit. 
• You are also permitted to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 180 days.
• You need to support yourself and your family for the duration of your stay in Denmark. This means you will not receive benefits under the Active Social Policy Act. Your permit will be revoked if you or your family members access the benefits.
• You can access free Danish lessons. However, you must be at least 18 years old and must have registered your Danish address.

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Jobs Under the Positive List for People with a Higher Education

The Jobs that are listed under the positive list for people with higher education are provided below. 

Category	Occupations Under the  Positive List for People with a Higher Education
Military work	Officer
Senior Managers in the field of legislative authorities, companies and organisations	Head of Public Administration, Operations Manager, Department Manager, Head of Operations, Area Manager
Managers in the field of administration and business-oriented functions	Head of Accounting, Head of Office, Department Manager, Public Administration, Head of Secretariat, Project Leader, Head of Marketing.
Hospitality, retail and other service managers	Library Director
Managers in the field of production and service	Head of Production,  Head of IT, Warehouse Manager, Vice Principal
Healthcare	Chief Physician, Doctor with a Specialty, Occupational Therapist, Medical Doctor, Midwife, Dentist, etc
Natural Science and engineering	Biologist,: Automation Engineer, Environmental Consultant
Teaching and educational work	Researcher, Health Sciences, Associate Professor, Natural Science and Technology, Teacher, Social and Healthcare School, Business College Teacher, Primary School Teacher,School Child Care Worker
Law, social science and culture	: Legal Counsel,: Psychologist, Economist, etc
Information and communication technology	IT Consultant, IT Architect, Data Consultant,  System Administrator, etc
Economics, administration and sales	Tax Auditor,  Business Controller, Planner at a Municipality, Specialist Consultant, etc

Jobs Under the Positive List for Skilled Work (Asylum Seekers)

Several jobs come under the list of Positive List for Skilled Work. Some of them are provided below:

Category	Occupations Listed
Science and Engineering Associate Professionals	Production Technologist  Laboratory Technician,  Quality Assistant
Health Professionals	Paramedic, Inspection Technician, food
Business and Administration Associate Professionals	Bookkeeper, Sales Consultant, Sales and Account Manager, Buyer, Logistic Assistant, sales and purchasing, Forwarding Agent
Legal, Social, Cultural and Related Associate Professionals (including Head Chef Work)	Parish Clerk, Parish Helper, Deputy Manager, Kitchen, Head Chef, Canteen Manager
Information and Communication Technician Work	IT Supporter, Webmaster
General and Secretary Clerks	Senior Clerk, Office Assistant, Secretary, School Secretary, Finance Assistant
General and Secretary Clerks	Senior Clerk, Office Assistant, Secretary,School Secretary
Personal Care Workers	Social and Health Care Workers, institutions and hospitals (excluding nursing homes)
Market-oriented Skilled Agricultural and Nursery Workers	Landscape Gardener
Building and Related Trades Workers (excluding Electricians)	Bricklayer
Food processing, Woodworking, Garment and Other Craft and Related Trades Workers	Baker, Operator Work at Stationary Plants and Machines
Chauffeur Work and Drivers of Vehicles and Mobile Machines	Engine Driver

FAQs

We hope you now know all about the Denmark Skilled Worker Visa. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!