Seek Employment in Denmark After Graduation with a Post Study Work Visa 

Denmark is an excellent country to study abroad. The country offers high-quality education and is one of the safest, and least corrupt countries in the world. Denmark also offers post-study stays. It means international students who have graduated from any Denmark higher education institution can choose to stay back for a temporary period and seek employment opportunities.  Denmark permits post-study work for 3 years. Keep reading to learn more about Denmark’s post-study work visa application process, duration, and other details. 

Does Denmark Give Post Study Work Permit?

Denmark is a part of the Schengen zone. Hence, a Denmark post study work visa doesn’t exist. However, the country permits international students to stay back in the country after completing graduation. For this, the graduates can apply for a residence permit. The Denmark residence permit is given for 3 years. During this time, international students can seek employment. The Denmark residence permit is only available to non-EU students who have completed graduation from an educational institution in the country.

Learn all about the Denmark Student Visa 

Denmark Student Residence permit

International students enrolling in a full-time program in Denmark can apply for a residence permit. The student residence permit is available to non-EU students who do not have a permanent residence permit or equivalent in the country. The residence permit is issued by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). The validity of the residence permit is for the prescribed time required to complete the degree program. Generally, students who have completed their degree from a Denmark institution can receive a 3-year residence permit.  The permit is given so that the student can seek employment in Denmark. Under the student residence permit, a student can work for up to  20 hours per week. Moreover, in June, July, and August students can work full-time. 

Denmark Post Study Work Visa for EU / EEA Citizens

Students who are EU/EEA citizens wanting to extend their studies do not have to do anything. They do not need to apply for Denmark post study work visa or residence permit. 

Conditions for Denmark Post Study Work Visa

International students (Non-EU/EEA) must meet the student residence permit requirements to apply. The conditions are as follows. (Note; those who have a student residence permit can receive a job-seeking residence permit automatically. The job-seeking residence permit is the  Denmark post study work visa.)

• After the payment of the tuition fee, the university will send a student an ST1 form. Students can use this form to apply for a residence permit. It is possible to apply for a residence permit before meeting the language requirements or other requirements of the university. However, eventually, the student must meet the admission requirements. 
• The applicant must provide proof of financial stability to obtain a residence permit. For example, payment of 1st-semester tuition-free
• It is possible to apply for a residence permit for the accompanying family members. However, documentation for the same has to be submitted
• Those who change their current degree program to another degree will have to apply for a new residence permit.
• The residence permit extension has to be applied no earlier than 3 months before the current residence permit expires
• If the degree program of the student consists of a compulsory work placement, there is no need to apply for a separate residence permit. The ST1 application form will include the application for a work permit
• If the degree program consists of optional work placement, the student must apply for a residence permit for work placement.
• The student must inform the SIRI in case of absence. It is important to maintain the residence permit
• While being on a residence permit, a student can study abroad for a maximum 6 months. If the time exceeds, the residence permit will be lapsed. 

Check out the top scholarships in Denmark 

Student Residence Permit Processing Time 

The Denmark student residence permit takes at least 2 months to process. The processing time can get delayed in case of insufficient documentation. The SIRI will provide a 30-day deadline to the student, to submit the essential documentation. The deadline is 14 days for those applying from outside Denmark. 

Denmark Post Study Work Visa Permit for 3 years 

The Denmark post study work visa or the job-seeking residence permit is automatically given after the completion of a higher educational program in Denmark.  The Job Seeking residence permit is given along with the student residence permit to students. Hence, no application is necessary. A person must apply for a job seeking a residence permit for 3 years only in certain situations. That is, 

• The passport validity for a Denmark post study work visa for the student is shorter than the residence permit (3 years)
• The applicant was granted a 6-month job-seeking permit along with the residence permit 
• The student has completed the educational program in Denmark after the prescribed period of study

Watch the video below to learn about getting a job in Denmark with a visa 

Denmark Job Seeking Residence Permit Working Hours 

The Denmark Job Seeking Residence permit working hours are similar to the working rights at the time of education. Those with a Denmark post study work visa/job-seeking residence permit can work for 20 hours per week. The working hours can be 15 if the residence permit was obtained before  1 January 2015.  During June, July, and August, those with job-seeking residence permits can work full-time. 

Check out the Part time Jobs in Denmark for International Students 

Steps to Take if You Secure Employment While on a Job Seeking Residence Permit 

The Denmark Post study work visa/job-seeking residence permit is given so that the student can seek employment. During this time, if the student obtains employment the following steps can be taken.

• The person can apply for a work permit without limitations, or
• Apply for a residence and work permit based on the work offered 

Unemployment Benefits If You Don’t Find Job After Graduation (A-kasse)

Those who have not immediately secured a job after graduation can apply for unemployment benefits. For this, the student has to apply for an unemployment insurance fund or A-kasse. The application has to be sent within 2 weeks after your graduation. To receive, unemployment benefits the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements;

• Must have received a work permit as a non-EU/EAA citizen
• Those from non-EU-/EEA countries must have obtained a residence permit. The job-seeking residence permit must be for at least 6 additional months after the graduation date.
• Those with study residence permits cannot access unemployment benefits 
• The applicant must stay in Denmark before and after completing the education 
• Additionally, the applicant must have a permanent residence in Denmark, no later than 1 day before the start of the educational period, and no later than 14 days after the education completion date.

Learn How Working in Denmark Got Easier 

FAQs

We hope you now understand the Denmark post study 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!

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