How to apply for a permit to work in Denmark

Denmark is emerging as a popular destination for overseas job seekers and this is not without reason.  The country ranks high in the quality of life index and the good news is that the Danish job market is dynamic with new openings every day and you might just find the job suited to your qualifications and experience.

There are openings for experienced professionals especially in the following sectors:

• IT
• Life science
• Medical and health services
• Engineering

If you are from outside the EU, you will need to apply for a permit to work and live in Denmark. The country offers different categories for work permits. The three most common ones are:

• Fast-Track Scheme
• Pay Limit Scheme
• Positive List

These options include visa types such as research, pay limit, and more.

 

Watch: Denmark Work Permit - How to apply?

 

The easiness of getting a visa depends on the role. It will be easier to get a visa if you are coming to Denmark on a job which is facing a skill shortage. In that case, you can apply for a Positive List visa.

 

Likewise, you will find it easy to get your visa processed if you are coming to the country on a job that pays significantly higher than the average salary or if your employer has been approved by the government as an international employer.

 

Steps to apply for a work permit

Irrespective of the type of work permit you are applying for, there are certain steps which are common in the visa application process:

 

Step 1

Create a case order ID: After you have selected the visa form that best suits your job situation, you will be asked to create a case order ID. With certain forms of visas, the employer submits the application. To do this, you'll need to hand them the power of attorney by filling in the related form.

 

Step 2

Pay the visa fees:  All visas are processed annually. Please ensure that you build the case order ID and pay the invoice in the same year to prevent any problems with your submission. Most Danish Work Visas cost DKK 3,025 (USD 445).

 

Step 3

Submit the required documents:

You will be required to submit the following documents as part of your application:

• Evidence that you paid the visa charge by attaching the receipt
• Passport copy with all pages, front cover, and back cover
• Fully completed form for power of attorney
• An employment contract or job offer (not more than 30 days old) with information about you, your salary, terms and conditions of employment and job description
• Educational diplomas and qualifications which demonstrate that you are eligible for the role
• Danish authorization (for regulated occupations such as physicians, lawyers, etc.) if necessary, for the job role

Step 4

Submit the appropriate work visa application: The type of application form you will need for a work visa depends on your job. The most popular ones are:

• The AR1 online: Both the employee and the employer fill out this electronic form. For this type of form, the first part must be filled in by your employer. A password is then produced which should be transferred to you by your employer so you can complete the second part of the form.
• The AR6 online:  This form is filled by the employer who has been given the power of attorney.

Step 5

Submit your biometrics: This has to be completed within 14 days after you submit your application. You must have your picture was taken and fingerprints registered in a Danish diplomatic mission abroad.

 

Step 6

Wait for the outcome: You will normally be informed within 30 days of the outcome of your application. With certain forms of work visas, such as the Fast-Track Visa, it will take less time to respond, usually about 10 days.

 

Fast-track scheme visa

The Fast-track visa is for highly skilled employees who have been given a contract with a Denmark-based accredited company. It is called fast-track because it enables the employer to take care of the entire process of applying for a visa on behalf of the employee making the whole process quick. This permit allows employees to alternate between working abroad and working in Denmark.

 

The Danish authorities will decide on your work visa depending on whether there are already enough qualified people working in Denmark who may take on the job for which you are applying. They will also decide whether or not the qualifications required for the job are a specialist category to warrant a work permit.

 

Whatever the outcome of your visa application, you must have a written contract of employment or job offer that gives details of your salary and employment conditions, both of which must be on par with Danish standards.