Denmark Work Visa for Indian Nationals 

Want to work in Denmark? Then you can apply for a Denmark work visa. A Denmark work visa permits you to work more than 90 days in 12 months. The visa is available to foreign workers, trainees, researchers, guest researchers, volunteers, and more. A work visa is needed for both paid and unpaid work. Only EU/EEA, and Switzerland nationals are exempt from a visa requirement. To apply for a work visa, you must know about the visa types, documents, and application process. This blog covers everything you need to know about the Denmark work visa.

Denmark Work Visa: An Overview

Denmark is a part of the Schengen area (an area consisting of 29 countries with an agreement on entry and exit requirements). Therefore, it has two visas, a short-term visa, and a long-term visa. The Denmark work visa is a long-term visa granted for working in the country for more than 90 days in 12 months. The work visa is granted for several purposes starting from a work visa for applicants with a job offer, sideline employment, voluntary work, training, and more

A Denmark work visa is given to applicants who have received employment (paid or unpaid). They must also have received a work permit (granted by the employers). Depending on the purpose of your stay, a work visa will be granted. After obtaining your visa, you can travel to Denmark, and apply for a Denmark residency permit. If you have managed to stay in the country for more than 5 years on a permit you can apply for citizenship.

Denmark Work Visa Types 

Denmark offers different types of work visas. The types of work visas are provided below. We have divided the visa options into visas for salaried employees, visas for non-salaried employees, and visas for researchers.

Work Visa Options for Salaries Individuals 

The following are the Denmark work visas for salaried persons:

• Fast Track Scheme: You can apply under the fast track scheme if you have obtained a job offer letter from a Denmark employer. Those who want to start working quickly, and want a flexible permit can apply for this.
• Pay Limit Schemes: This visa route is for applicants with a job offer of equal salary. That is, the pay limit amount under the Pay Limit Scheme/Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme.
• Positive Lists: This visa route is for applicants who got an offer letter to work in a shortage occupation in Denmark 
• Special Individual Qualifications: This is for applicants who have received a job offer to work in an area in which they are qualified. For example, athlete, artist, specialised chef
• Trainee: If you have received a job offer to work in a company for educational or training purposes for a temporary period.
• Herdsman and Farm Managers: Those who have received a job offer to work as a farm manager or herdsman 
• Labour Market Attachment: If you are working in Denmark but have lost your residence permit provided to you for family reunification.
• Sideline Employment: Those who hold a residence and work permit (given to you based on your salaried employment) wanting to take up another job on the sideline.
• Work Permit for Accompanying Family Members: If you have a work permit, you can apply for a work permit under this category for your family members.

Work Visa Options for Non-Salaried Employees 

Non-salaried individuals can also obtain a work visa under the following categories:

• Start-Up Denmark: This is a work visa option if you want to start your own business in the country, and have an innovative idea.
• Volunteer: This visa route is for applicants wanting to work as a volunteer. 

Work Visa Options for Researchers 

Researchers have a few work visa options that they can consider:

• Researcher: Those who have received a job offer to work in a private or public research institution as a researcher.
• Employed PhD: This visa route is for applicants who have received a job offer as a PhD in a study programme. The programme must be linked to an educational institution in Denmark,
• Guest Researcher: This visa for those who have been invited to the country as a guest researcher.
• ESS Scheme: Those who have received a job offer letter at the European Spallation Source research facility in Sweden., and want to live in Denmark can apply.
• Volunteer: Take up voluntary unpaid work that is for a social or humanitarian cause.

To learn about the jobs that can help you get a Denmark work visa easily, watch the video below 

Documentation Requirements for a Denmark Work Visa

To apply, you need to meet the visa documentation requirements. These documents are necessary to verify your identity and eligibility to work in Denmark. 

• You must have a valid passport with 2 blank pages
• You need to provide a copy of your passport 
• Provide passport-size photographs as per the Schengen photo guidelines
• Overseas health insurance for the entire duration of your stay 
• You need to present your employment contract or job offer letter 
• Proof of academic qualifications, and Danish authorization for a job (if applicable)
• You must have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay 
• Any other specific document depending on the work visa you are applying for 

Download this PDF to view the general documentation requirements for a long-stay visa.

Application Process for a Denmark Work Visa 

The visa application process for a Denmark work visa is simple. Most of the application steps can be completed online! You can follow the steps below to apply for a Denmark work visa:

• Visit the official website of  SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration). 
• Go to the page for work visas, and select the work visa you want to apply for
• Read the visa conditions and documentation requirements. Ensure you meet the conditions and you have the documents with you.
• On the top side of the page, there is an option called ‘How to Apply’ Click on that to view the application page. 
• Fill out your details for a case ID creation. The ID is automatically created after you have entered your details. 
• Pay the visa fee requested for the application processing 
• You are now required to enter the case ID to view your visa fee payment status 
• At this stage, you can print the documentation requirements of the specific work visa, and ensure that you have these documents with you. Thereafter, you need to submit the relevant documents online.
• You can now complete the visa application form. 
• Submit the biometric information to a Danish embassy or consulate. At this stage, you can consider your visa application to be complete.
• SIRI will contact you (or your employer) and inform you regarding the outcome of your visa application. In case, additional documents are needed, they will contact you regarding the same.
• Once you have obtained your visa you can enter Denmark on a work visa.

Steps to Take After Receiving the Denmark Work Visa 

You need to take the following steps to obtain the Denmark work visa:

• Travel to Denmark on a work visa
• Register your new address at a local municipality
• Get the  Danish CPR number. The CPR number is the personal registration number

Fees for Denmark Work Visa for Indians

Payment of work visa fees can be made at a Denmark embassy or consulate. The Denmark work visa fees for different visa types are as follows:

Work Visa Type	Visa Fees
Fast-track Scheme	DKK 2,490
Positive List	DKK 2,490
Pay Limit Scheme	DKK 2,490
Trainee	DKK 2,490
Special individual qualifications	DKK 2,490
Labour Market Attachment	DKK 2,490
Herdsmen and farm managers	DKK 2,490
Sideline employment	DKK 2,490
Work permit for accompanying family members	No Fee
Start-up Denmark	DKK 2,490
Volunteer	No fee
Researchers	DKK 6,290,-
PhD studies (full degree)	DKK 2,490

Learn about the cost of living in Denmark 

Processing Time for Denmark Work Visas 

The processing time for the Denmark work visas are as follows:

Work Visa Type	Normal Processing Time
Fast-track Scheme	1 month
Positive List	1 month
Pay Limit Scheme	1 month
Trainee	1 month
Special individual qualifications	1 month
Labour Market Attachment	1 month
Herdsmen and farm managers	1 month
Sideline employment	1 month
Work permit for accompanying family members	2 months
Start-up Denmark	1 month
Volunteer	3 months
Researchers	1 month
PhD studies (full degree)	1 month

Denmark Work Visa Duration 

The Denmark work visa is given to applicants with a short-term contract, and indefinite term contract. Those who have an indefinite job contract can get the visa up for 4 years. On the other hand, those with temporary work can get a visa for the duration of the contract. Such applicants can stay for an additional 6 months after the contract expires. Those who want to work for more than 4 years need to apply for a residence permit.

Work Permit Extension

You can get a work permit extension if the permit is about to expire. However, you must be working under the same employer, under the same working conditions, and holding the same position. In case, your employer has changed or you are no longer working you need to apply for a new work permit. A visa extension is not possible. The work permit processing time can take up to 3 months.

Family Members of a Work Visa Holders 

Family members can accompany a work visa holder if the job permits the same. They can also get a residence permit. A family member would refer to a civil partner, spouse, or child under 18 years of age. The processing time for this kind of application is 2 months. Moreover, a visa fee of DKK 1,615 needs to be paid. Some of the documents required for accompanying family members are a passport copy, proof of fee payment and Proof of cohabitation/marriage certificate.

Learn all about studying in Denmark as an international student 

FAQs

We hope you now understand what is a Denmark work 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!