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Kingdom of Denmark · study

Student Residence Permit

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 3 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Residence permit for international students at Danish universities — includes work rights and a 6-month post-graduation job-seeking extension.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyDuration of studies; renewable annually.
Processing time
1–3 months.
Government fees
DKK 2,100.
Typical duration
Duration of studies; renewable annually.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed SIRI ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Student Residence Permit for Kingdom of Denmark is a sponsor-led Denmark immigration route. Sources: official Kingdom of Denmark government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/denmark/student-permit-dk#answer

What is the Student Residence Permit in Kingdom of Denmark?

Student Residence Permit is a sponsor-led Denmark route. Indicative government fees are DKK 2,100; indicative processing time is 1–3 months; typical duration is Duration of studies; renewable annually. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against SIRI on 18 April 2026.

Overview

Denmark issues student residence permits for non-EU nationals enrolled in Danish higher-education programmes. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during June, July, and August. After completing a Danish higher-education programme of at least bachelor's level, graduates can apply for a 6-month establishment card (etableringskort) to seek employment in Denmark. Danish universities are internationally respected (University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, DTU, CBS are all top-ranked), and many master's programmes are taught in English. Tuition is free for EU/EEA students; non-EU students pay tuition fees (typically DKK 45,000–120,000/year depending on programme).

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

  • !Insufficient financial evidence.
  • !Programme not a full-degree programme (exchange semesters have different rules).

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Secure admission

    Accept an offer from a Danish university. Apply through the institution or optagelse.dk.

  2. Apply for student residence permit

    Apply online through nyidanmark.dk.

  3. Study and work part-time

    Work up to 20 hours/week during term, full-time in June–August.

  4. Apply for establishment card after graduation

    After completing a bachelor's or master's programme at a Danish institution, apply for a 6-month establishment card (etableringskort) to seek employment. If you find a qualifying job, apply for a Pay Limit or Positive List work permit.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Student Residence Permit, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Coordinate enrolment and attendance with the institution. Check the actual work conditions before accepting a job or freelance work.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Student Residence Permit instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Denmark

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

Government links only

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.

  1. ApplyApplicant
    Apply for a student residence permit ↗

    Use the official study page to create the case order, pay the fee and submit the student residence application.

    SIRI · verified

Matches these professions

Student

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Frequently asked questions

Can I work while studying in Denmark?+

Yes — up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during June, July, and August. No separate work permit is needed. The work hours are strictly monitored by SIRI — exceeding the limit can jeopardise your residence permit.

Is there a post-study work visa in Denmark?+

Yes. After completing a Danish bachelor's or master's programme, you can apply for a 6-month establishment card (etableringskort) to seek employment. During this period, you can work without restrictions. If you find a qualifying job, you transition to a standard work permit (Pay Limit or Positive List). The establishment card cannot be extended beyond 6 months.

Is tuition free at Danish universities?+

For EU/EEA students: yes, tuition is free. For non-EU students: no — tuition fees typically range from DKK 45,000–120,000/year (approximately EUR 6,000–16,000) depending on the programme. However, Danish universities offer tuition waivers and scholarships for excellent non-EU applicants — check with the institution.

Does my time as a student in Denmark count toward permanent residence?+

No. The student residence permit does not lead to settlement in Denmark. To build toward permanent residence you need to transition to a work permit (such as the Pay Limit Scheme or Positive List) after graduating, as those routes are the ones that lead to settlement. Confirm details on nyidanmark.dk.

How much does the Danish student residence permit cost and how long does it take?+

The indicative government application fee is DKK 2,100, and processing typically takes 1–3 months. Verify the current fee on nyidanmark.dk, as fees are adjusted periodically.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Denmark

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: 18 April 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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