You can enter, reside and work in Denmark as an intra-corporate transferee if you are a manager, specialist or trainee employee.
If you are a manager, specialist or trainee employee, you can apply for a residence and work permit under the Fast-track, Pay Limit, Positive List and Trainee schemes.
For more information about the Trainee scheme see under Trainees.
| Where and how to Apply | Fast-track scheme The Fast-track scheme applies if you have been offered a job in Denmark by a company certified by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and you want a quick job start and a flexible permit. The Fast-track scheme makes it faster and easier for certified companies to recruit foreign employees with special qualifications to work in Denmark. An application for a residence and work permit via the Fast-track scheme must be submitted online by your employer to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration. An application for a residence permit based on the Fast-track scheme is processed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). You are only allowed to work for the job and in the company that you have been granted a permit to work in. Normal processing time is 1 month and the processing fee is at the moment DDK 3,215. With a permit under the Fast-Track scheme, your job content can change within the same university or company without you having to apply for a new work permit. For example, this applies if you are promoted or if your place of work changes. Salary and employment conditions must still correspond to Danish standards. A residence and work permit based on the Fast-track scheme allows you to stay in Denmark for the period of time your permit is valid. Pay Limit scheme If you have been offered a job in Denmark with a high salary, you can apply for a residence and work permit via the Pay Limit scheme. It is not required that you have a specific educational background or that your job is within a specific professional field, but you have to meet certain conditions (e.g. you must receive a specific annual salary). Normal processing time is 1 month and the processing fee is at the moment DDK 3,215. You can submit your application online. You can submit your application to a Danish diplomatic mission or an application centre in the country where you are residing. In certain countries Denmark does not have a diplomatic mission or application centre. In these instances a list (from the website) will refer you to one of the Norwegian missions with which Denmark has made an agreement or to the nearest Danish diplomatic mission or application centre in the region. If you are residing legally in Denmark, you are normally able to submit the application in Denmark. This is the case, if you:
You can submit the application at the SIRI’s Citizen Centre in Copenhagen. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also submit the application at a local police station with facilities for recording biometrics. Your permit is linked to your job in Denmark. With a permit under the Pay Limit scheme, your job content can change within the same university or company without you having to apply for a new work permit. For example, this applies if you are promoted or if your place of work changes. Salary and employment conditions must still correspond to Danish standards. If you apply from abroad, you can be granted a residence permit valid for 1 month before you start working. It will give you time to settle in Denmark. When you apply, you must declare that you can support yourself and any accompanying family members during this time. If you do not declare this, your residence permit will be valid for 14 days before you start working. If you apply in Denmark, your residence permit will be valid from the day you start working. Positive List scheme The Positive List is a list of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. If you have been offered a job from the Positive List, you can apply for a Danish residence and work permit based on the Positive List Scheme. To apply, your job must be listed in the Positive list and there are number of other conditions you have to meet (e.g. educational requirements). Normal processing time is 1 month and the processing fee is at the moment DDK 3,215. You can submit your application online. You can submit your application to a Danish diplomatic mission or an application centre in the country where you are residing. In certain countries Denmark does not have a diplomatic mission or application centre. In these instances a list (from the website) will refer you to one of the Norwegian missions with which Denmark has made an agreement or to the nearest Danish diplomatic mission or application centre in the region. If you are residing legally in Denmark, you are normally able to submit the application in Denmark. This is the case, if you:
You can submit the application at the SIRI’s Citizen Centre in Copenhagen. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also submit the application at a local police station with facilities for recording biometrics. You are only allowed to work in the job and in the company that you have been granted a permit to work in. If you apply from abroad, you can be granted a residence permit valid for 1 month before you start working. It will give you the time to settle in Denmark. When you apply, you must declare that you can support yourself and any accompanying family members during this time. If you do not declare this, your residence permit will be valid for 14 days before you start working. If you apply in Denmark, your residence permit will be valid from the day you start working. |
| Documents required | Fast-track scheme:
Pay Limit scheme:
Positive List scheme:
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| Further requirements | Fast-track scheme After arriving in Denmark, you must report it to your municipality of residence in order to be registered with Central Office of Civil Registration as having entered and taken up residence in Denmark. Pay Limit scheme After arriving in Denmark, you must report it to your municipality of residence in order to be registered with Central Office of Civil Registration as having entered and taken up residence in Denmark. Positive List scheme After arriving in Denmark, you must report it to your municipality of residence in order to be registered with Central Office of Civil Registration as having entered and taken up residence in Denmark. |
| Duration of validity of permits | Fast-track scheme If you are employed for a shorter period than 4 years, your residence and work permit will normally be valid for the period of your employment. If you want to continue working in Denmark after this time, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit. If your employment is for a period of 4 years or more, you will normally be granted a permit valid for 4 years. If you want to continue to work after the first 4 year, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit based on the extension of your employment. Pay Limit scheme If you are employed for a shorter period than 4 years, your residence and work permit will normally be valid for the period of your employment. If you want to continue working in Denmark after this time, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit. In addition, you will automatically be granted a 6 month job seeking permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark. If your employment is for a period of 4 years or more, you will normally be granted a permit valid for 4 years. If you want to continue to work after the first 4 years, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit based on the extension of your employment. Positive List scheme If you are employed for a shorter period than 4 years, your residence and work permit will normally be valid for the period of your employment. If you want to continue working in Denmark after this time, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit. In addition, you will automatically be granted a 6 month job seeking permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark. If your employment is for a period of 4 years or more, you will normally be granted a permit valid for 4 years. If you want to continue to work after the first 4 years, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit based on the extension of your employment. |
| Appeals | Fast-track scheme Appeals against decisions relating to residence permits can be filed before the Immigration Appeals Board. Pay Limit Appeals against decisions relating to residence permits can be filed before the Immigration Appeals Board. Positive List Appeals against decisions relating to residence permits can be filed before the Immigration Appeals Board. |
| Extension or renewal | Please see information under "Duration of validity of permits". |
| Change of status | Fast-track scheme If you are granted a permit based on this scheme, your residence permit is linked to your job in Denmark. Your employment is the basis for your permit. You must inform SIRI if you lose your job. Your residence and work permit will be revoked as it is based on this exact job. However, if you become unemployed through no fault of your own (e.g. due to cutbacks), you can apply for an extra 6 month residence permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark. You must apply for a job seeking permit no later than 2 days after your employment ends. If you find a new job while working in Denmark, you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit with information on your new employment. When you have submitted your new application, you can start working even though SIRI has not granted you a permit yet. Pay Limit scheme If you are granted a permit based on this scheme, your residence permit is linked to your job in Denmark. Your employment is the basis for your permit. You must inform SIRI if you lose your job. Your residence and work permit will be revoked as it is based on this exact job. Your work permit is limited to the employment that is the basis for your permit. You are not allowed to work in other positions than the one stated in your permit. This also applies if you are offered a new position in the same company. However, if you become unemployed through no fault of your own (e.g. due to cutbacks) you can apply for an extra 6 month residence permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark. You must apply for a job seeking permit no later than 2 days after your employment ends. If you find a new job while working in Denmark, you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit with information on your new employment. When you have submitted your new application, you can start working even though SIRI has not granted you a permit yet. Positive List scheme If you are granted a permit based on this scheme, your residence permit is linked to your job in Denmark. Your employment is the basis for your permit. You must inform SIRI if you lose your job. Your residence and work permit will be revoked as it is based on this exact job. Your work permit is limited to the employment that is the basis for your permit. You are not allowed to work in other positions than the one stated in your permit. This also applies if you are offered a new position in the same company. However, if you become unemployed through no fault of your own (e.g. due to cutbacks), you can apply for an extra 6 month residence permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark. You must apply for a job seeking permit no later than 2 days after your employment ends. If you find a new job while working in Denmark, you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit with information on your new employment. When you have submitted your new application, you can start working even though SIRI has not granted you a permit yet. |
| Family members | Fast-track scheme A residence and work permit based on a job in Denmark allows your family to come with you to Denmark. A permit can be granted to your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner as well as children under the age of 18 living at home. The family member will normally be granted a permit valid for the same period as the family member who is in Denmark to work (the sponsor); however, the period cannot exceed 4 years. If the sponsor's employment is extended, and the family member wants to stay in Denmark, they must apply for an extension of their residence permit. Depending on your family member’s status they have to submit:
Pay Limit scheme A residence and work permit based on a job in Denmark allows your family to come with you to Denmark. A permit can be granted to your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner as well as children under the age of 18 living at home. The family member will normally be granted a permit valid for the same period as the family member who is in Denmark to work (the sponsor) – however, the period cannot exceed 4 years. If the sponsor's employment is extended, and the family member wants to stay in Denmark, they must apply for an extension of their residence permit. Depending on your family member’s status they have to submit:
Positive List scheme A residence and work permit based on a job in Denmark allows your family to come with you to Denmark. A permit can be granted to your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner as well as children under the age of 18 living at home. The family member will normally be granted a permit valid for the same period as the family member who is in Denmark to work (the sponsor) – however, the period cannot exceed 4 years. If the sponsor’s employment is extended, and the family member wants to stay in Denmark, they must apply for an extension of their residence permit. Depending on your family member’s status you have to submit:
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| Other rights | Fast-track scheme You must be able to support yourself and your family during your stay. You are not allowed to receive benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (e.g. social security benefits). With a residence permit in Denmark, you are entitled to partly user paid Danish lessons. However, you must have turned 18 years and have your Danish address registered in the Danish National Register. Your salary and employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards, and there is freedom of association. This means that your salary, holiday entitlements, terms of notice etc. must not be below the standards within the professional field where you are going to work. Pay Limit scheme You must be able to support yourself and your family during your stay. You are not allowed to receive benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (e.g. social security benefits). With a residence permit in Denmark, you are entitled to partly user paid Danish lessons. However, you must have turned 18 years and have your Danish address registered in the Danish National Register. Your salary and employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards, and there is freedom of association. This means that your salary, holiday entitlements, terms of notice etc. must not be below the standards within the professional field where you are going to work. Positive List scheme You must be able to support yourself and your family during your stay. You are not allowed to receive benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (e.g. social security benefits). With a residence permit in Denmark, you are entitled to partly user paid Danish lessons. However, you must have turned 18 years and have your Danish address registered in the Danish National Register. Your salary and employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards, and there is freedom of association. This means that your salary, holiday entitlements, terms of notice etc. must not be below the standards within the professional field where you are going to work. |
If you are a manager, specialist or trainee employee, you can apply for residence and work permit under the Fast-track, Pay Limit, Positive List and Trainee schemes. For more information about the schemes, see under Intra-corporate Transferees. For more information about the Trainee scheme, see under Trainees. Fast-track has a short-term track if you have been offered a contract with a maximum duration of 90 days in a certified company. Salary and employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards. The 90 days can be divided into several stays. Each stay must be applied for individually and the combined period must not exceed 90 days from entering Denmark the first time. If you are granted a provisional work permit, the 3-month period will be counted from the date of such provisional permit. Residence in Denmark on another basis than the short-term track is not taken into account when calculating the period of a maximum of 90 days allowed under the short-term track. When applying for the short-term stay number two (or more) within the same year, you must attach the documentation of the previous short-term stay in Denmark. If you have stayed for a shorter period than your permit allowed during a previous short-term stay, it is possible to take this into account. In that case, you must attach the documentation for entry and exit related to your previous stay. This can be documented by providing the following documentation:
A residence and work permit under the short-term track cannot be extended. The so-called job change rule does not apply between two short-term stays with the same employer. | |