How does a third country national who wants to study for a Master's degree in Denmark obtain a residence permit? That is basically the question that will be answered in this article. You will find concrete information about rules, where to find the application form, the documents to be enclosed and where to submit the form etc.

What requirement must be met?

Post-secondary education

A foreign national must have a residence permit in order to pursue a Master's Degree education in Denmark. In order to obtain the permit, the applicant must document:

• That he or she has been admitted to a Master's degree programme at a publicly accredited learning institution

• That he or she will be self-supporting for the duration of the stay in Denmark

• That he or she can speak and understand the language of instruction and Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German at reasonable proficiency

It is a condition that either a ministry or institution of higher learning has arranged the applicant's participation in the educational programme, or that the Master's degree programme is part of a post-secondary curriculum that the applicant has already commenced in his or her country of origin. This means that a foreign student may be granted a residence permit either in order to complete an entire Master's degree programme or in order to participate in part of an educational programme. Fro more information visit: www.nyidanmark.dk/da-dk

Basic and youth education programmes

A foreign national must have a residence permit in order to participate in a basic or a youth education programme, a designation which includes certain job-training programmes, in Denmark. In order to obtain a residence permit, the applicant must document:

• That he or she is enrolled on a basic or youth education programmes

• That he or she has sufficient funds to support themselves financially

• That he or she can speak and understand the language of instruction and Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German at reasonable proficiency

• That parental/guardian consent has been given if the applicant is under 18

• That the place of study will assist in ensuring proper residence and study conditions if the applicant is under 18

For more information visit: www.nyidanmark.dk/da-dk

What documents must be enclosed with the application?

It is vital to the examination of a case – and to its processing time – that the correct and necessary documents are enclosed with an application. Which documents are appropriate depends on what form of residence permit is being sought. However, all applications must include the following:

• A valid passport or other form of legitimate travel documentation issued to the applicant

• A lifelike passport photo of the applicant

• Documentation of the applicant's admittance to an educational institution

• Documentation of the applicant's ability to support him- or herself during the stay in Denmark. This may be demonstrated through a statement of account, scholarships, etc.

Where to submit an application

As a rule, a residence permit must be received prior to a foreigner's entry into Denmark. An application for a residence and work permit must therefore be submitted in the applicant's country of origin. A foreign national already in Denmark – for instance on a short term visa or visa free stay – can submit an application in the country.

The application is submitted to a Danish representative office

If submitted abroad, an application for a residence permit must be submitted to a Danish representative office – in other words, an embassy or general consulate, in the applicant's country of origin. The application form can be downloaded from the website of the Danish Immigration Service. An application form can also be obtained at the representative office. When the applicant has completed and returned the application form, the representative office will forward it for assessment to the Danish Immigration Service in Denmark.

You can find additional information on Danish representative offices abroad on the website of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application is submitted in Denmark

The application form can be downloaded from this website. Application forms can also be obtained at the Danish Immigration Service reception, where the completed form should also be returned. If an applicant lives outside of the Greater Copenhagen area, an application form can be collected from and submitted to the applicant's local police station.

Master's Degree: How long are residence permits issued for?

Programmes

As a rule, a foreign student is granted a residence permit for one year at a time with a possibility for extension, provided this does not extend beyond the duration of the educational programme.

A foreign national who has been granted a residence permit to study in Denmark as part of a Master's degree programme that he or she began in his or her country of origin is eligible for a residence permit extension up to a total of no more than 2 years. In other cases, a residence permit can be extended for the duration of an educational programme, provided the applicant remains active and enrolled in that programme.

When a foreign student applies for an extension of his or her residence permit, the educational institution must confirm that the student is still active and enrolled, and that the duration of the educational programme as reported by the student does not exceed the prescribed length of the programme by more than 12 months. In addition, the applicant must document evidence of an ability to support him or herself.

Basic and youth education programmes

Students pursuing basic or youth education programmes can qualify for a residence permit for a maximum one-year duration at a time.

In extreme circumstances – e.g. extended sickness in connection with an education programme or strong family ties to Denmark – permission may be granted for an additional year.

Foreign nationals who previously have been granted residence permits for a year for the purpose of participating in basic or youth study programmes will not be granted an extended permit in order to complete their education programmes.

Processing time

If an applicant has enclosed all necessary documentation with an application, he or she can expect a response to the application for a residence permit within an average of 2-3 months.

However, if some information is missing, it will take more time to process the application.

Contact information

The Danish Immigration Service
Telephone enquiries
Tel: (+45) 35 30 84 50 
Telephone hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Email: work-education@us.dk

Reception
Ryesgade 53
2100 Copenhagen Ø

 

Author:
Rikke Blaaberg Jensen,
Head of Section,
The Danish Immigration Service