Kingdom of Denmark · study
Student Residence Permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence permit for international students at Danish universities — includes work rights and a 6-month post-graduation job-seeking extension.
- 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
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.
Indian applicants
Indian students at DTU (Technical University of Denmark), University of Copenhagen, and Aarhus University concentrate in…
Chinese applicants
Chinese students at Danish universities concentrate in engineering, business (CBS — Copenhagen Business School), and lif…
Bangladeshi applicants
Bangladeshi students are a growing cohort at Danish universities, particularly in engineering and IT programmes. SDU (Un…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptance at a Danish higher-education institution for a full-degree programme.
- ✓Financial resources: approximately DKK 6,600/month (verify on nyidanmark.dk).
- ✓Health insurance covering Denmark (EU students: EHIC; non-EU students: comprehensive insurance).
- ✓Tuition paid or scholarship confirmed.
Common blockers
- !Insufficient financial evidence.
- !Programme not a full-degree programme (exchange semesters have different rules).
Typical evidence
- ·Acceptance letter from institution.
- ·Bank statements proving DKK 6,600/month.
- ·Tuition payment confirmation or scholarship letter.
- ·Health insurance confirmation.
Application pathway
Secure admission
Accept an offer from a Danish university. Apply through the institution or optagelse.dk.
Apply for student residence permit
Apply online through nyidanmark.dk.
Study and work part-time
Work up to 20 hours/week during term, full-time in June–August.
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.
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.
- ApplyApplicantApply 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
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Related routes
Pay Limit Scheme (Beloebsordningen)
Denmark's salary-threshold work permit — no occupation or qualification restrictions if the annual salary exceeds the Pay Limit threshold.
Positive List Scheme (Positivlisten)
Work permit for occupations on Denmark's shortage list — lower salary threshold than the Pay Limit Scheme, but occupation-restricted.
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.
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