A Simple Guide to Obtaining Your Student Residence Permit for Denmark

Danish universities are renowned global leaders in innovation, consistently investing in state-of-the-art research facilities. With Denmark frequently ranked among the happiest countries in the world, it should be at the very top of your list when considering where to study abroad.

Before beginning your academic journey in Denmark, you must secure admission and obtain the necessary entry documentation. Here is a comprehensive overview of how to apply for your Danish student residence permit:

Apply to a Danish university and get your acceptance letter

If you are looking for an excellent starting point for your research, consider exploring these top-rated universities:

Once you have selected your preferred university and degree program, you can begin the process to apply to a degree in Denmark before turning your attention to the visa requirements.

Find out what visa you need to study in Denmark

While often referred to as a student visa, the official document permitting foreign nationals to study in Denmark is a "residence permit." Keep this distinction in mind as you navigate the application process. Now, let’s identify who is required to hold this permit.

• EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens have to apply for an EU residence document, not a residence permit
• Non-EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens have to to apply for the residence permit

When and where to apply for the student visa?

All residence permit applications must be submitted through the official New to Denmark website.

It is highly recommended to start your residence permit application at least three months prior to your planned arrival. Processing times vary significantly based on your nationality, as requirements for biometric data and official documentation processing differ per applicant.

For instance, the standard processing time for applicants from certain countries may be approximately 60 days:

• India
• the U.S.
• Canada
• Iran
• Indonesia
• Egypt
• Bangladesh
• Philippines

Conversely, students from other regions may face longer wait times, occasionally extending up to 6 months:

• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Kenya
• Ghana

Regarding the validity of your permit: your residence permit is typically granted for the full duration of your degree program, allowing you to focus on your studies without frequent administrative renewals.

Documents required for the student visa in Denmark

To ensure a successful application, you must gather and submit the following required documents for your residence permit:

• Proof of English language proficiency
• Residence permit fee payment proof (255 EUR)
• Proof that you have enough funds for your stay in Denmark (around 1,000 EUR/month)
• Acceptance letter from your university
• A signed and filled-in application form
• A valid passport or another form of travel document
• A passport photo
• Travel insurance
• Detailed information regarding your study programme
• Proof of accommodation arrangement during your studies

Getting a registration certificate

Be sure to coordinate with the Regional State Administration (Statsforvaltningen) within three months of arriving in Denmark. During this process, you will be expected to present the following:

• your passport
• two passport-type photos
• the letter of admission from the university.

All non-EU/EEA citizens over the age of 18 are required to provide biometric data—including digital photographs, fingerprints, and a digital signature—as part of the Danish residence permit application.

Apply for a work permit in Denmark

International students in Denmark are permitted to work during their studies, provided they adhere to these specific legal conditions:

• Non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic students are allowed to work in Denmark 20 hours a week from September to May and 37 hours a week from June to August.
• Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizens can work in Denmark with no restriction on the number of hours.

The right to work is granted automatically alongside the issuance of your student residence permit.

Conditions you have to meet to be granted a residence permit

• Be admitted for a higher education study programme, which is approved by a state authority or offered by a publicly accredited education institution.
• Documents stating you (or a sponsor) can support your financial expenses for the duration of your stay in Denmark.
• The residence permit will be granted for the duration of the study programme, and you can extend your permit for one year.