Indian applicants · Kingdom of Denmark
Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten) for Indian citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 14 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
Work permit for occupations on Denmark's shortage list — lower salary threshold than the Pay Limit Scheme, but occupation-restricted.
This page covers the Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- Higher-education list: normally 1 month, up to 3 months if further information is needed. Skilled-work list: normally 3 months, up to 4 months if further information is needed. The applicable clock depends on which list and application type covers the job.
- Government fees
- DKK 6,810.
- Typical duration
- Up to 4 years; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a Kingdom of Denmark consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Indian nationals change periodically and are separate from the Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Time to permanent residence
Pay Limit Scheme -> permanent residence after 8 years, or 4 years for strongest cases -> citizenship after meeting naturalisation conditions.
Leads to Permanent residence permit, then Danish citizenship.
Visa overview
The Positive Lists are curated lists of occupations experiencing documented labour shortages in Denmark. Workers offered a position in a listed occupation can obtain a work permit at a lower salary threshold than the Pay Limit Scheme — the salary must meet Danish standards for the occupation but does not need to exceed the Pay Limit threshold. There are two separate lists: (1) the Positive List for People with a Higher Education, and (2) the Positive List for Skilled Work. The lists are updated regularly, with the main updates on 1 January and 1 July, and the higher-education list can also receive regional or unemployment-insurance-fund additions. The permit leads to permanent residence on the same terms as the Pay Limit Scheme.
Additional sources
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Job offer in an occupation on the current Positive List for People with a Higher Education or Positive List for Skilled Work.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ✓For the higher-education list, a completed higher-education programme meeting the education level specified for the job title; some roles also require Danish authorisation or official recognition.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ✓Salary, working hours, holiday entitlement, notice terms, and other employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards for the occupation.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ✓Salary must be paid into a Danish bank account in the applicant's own name within the official deadline after permit grant or entry.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ✓For Skilled Work applications, the employer must meet its Læreplads-AUB educational obligations where the rule applies.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ✓Employer registered in Denmark.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
Common blockers
- !Occupation not on the current list or limited to a regional area where the offered job is not located.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- !Qualifications below the level specified for the occupation on the list.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- !Salary or terms below Danish standards for the occupation — even though the Pay Limit threshold does not apply, SIRI still assesses the offer.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- !Missing Danish authorisation/official recognition for regulated roles, or employer not meeting educational-obligation rules for Skilled Work.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract specifying the occupation matching a Positive List entry.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ·Degree or qualification certificates proving eligibility for the listed occupation.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ·Authorisation or official-recognition evidence where the listed role requires it.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
- ·Employer's CVR number.
- ·Passport.SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) ↗
Application pathway
Check the current Positive List
Verify your occupation appears on the current higher-education or skilled-work Positive List. Both are published on nyidanmark.dk and updated regularly.
Secure a qualifying job offer
The offer must be for a position matching a listed occupation, at normal Danish salary levels, and you must hold the specified qualifications.
Apply via nyidanmark.dk
Submit the work-permit application online. Attach employment contract and qualification evidence.
Enter Denmark and register
On approval, enter Denmark and obtain your CPR number.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Denmark. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicant + sponsorApply under the Positive List ↗
Use the official Positive List page to confirm the occupation, create the case order and submit the work-permit application.
SIRI · verified
- ChecklistApplicant + sponsorCheck the skilled-work Positive List ↗
Use the official skilled-work list when the role is vocational or skilled work rather than higher education.
SIRI · verified
Other Kingdom of Denmark routes covered for Indian applicants
Pay Limit Scheme (Beloebsordningen)
Denmark's salary-threshold work permit — no occupation or qualification restrictions if the annual salary exceeds the Pay Limit threshold.
Student Residence Permit
Residence permit for international students at Danish universities — includes work rights and a 6-month post-graduation job-seeking extension.
Not sure Kingdom of Denmark is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten)?+
Eligibility for the Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten) is set by SIRI. Indian applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten)?+
a Kingdom of Denmark consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by SIRI — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Denmark as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Indian nationals change periodically and are separate from the Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.
How long until permanent residence in Kingdom of Denmark?+
Pay Limit Scheme -> permanent residence after 8 years, or 4 years for strongest cases -> citizenship after meeting naturalisation conditions. The route leads to Permanent residence permit, then Danish citizenship. See New to Denmark - Permanent residence permit for the qualifying-residence rules.
How often is the Positive List updated?+
The main updates are on 1 January and 1 July. The higher-education list can also receive additions from regional labour market councils or unemployment-insurance funds, and acute shortage additions can be made outside the normal cycle. Always check the current version on nyidanmark.dk before applying — don't rely on an older version.
What is the difference between the Positive List and the Pay Limit Scheme?+
The Pay Limit Scheme has no occupation or qualification restrictions but requires a high salary above the Pay Limit threshold. The Positive List has occupation and qualification restrictions (your job must be on the list and you must hold the specified qualifications) but allows a lower salary — it only needs to be at "normal Danish levels" for the occupation. If your salary exceeds the Pay Limit threshold, use the Pay Limit Scheme regardless of your occupation, as it is simpler and more flexible.
Can I switch from a Positive List permit to a Pay Limit permit?+
Yes. If your salary increases above the Pay Limit threshold, or if you change to a role that exceeds the threshold, you can apply for a new permit under the Pay Limit Scheme. This can be advantageous because the Pay Limit Scheme is not tied to a specific occupation, giving you more flexibility to change roles.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: SIRI
Last checked: 8 July 2026