Work in Denmark
Many foreign nationals are free to live and work in Denmark. However, some are required to hold a residence and work permit. The specific requirements in connection with living and working in Denmark depend, first and foremost, on a person’s nationality and qualifications.

If you are a Nordic citizen, you do not need a residence permit but are free to enter, live and work in Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen, you must apply for a proof of registration at the Regional State Administration. In some cases, however, citizens of the new EU countries need to apply for a work permit at the Immigration Service in order to work in Denmark.

If you already hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or asylum, or hold a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, you do not need a work permit in order to work in Denmark.

It is your own responsibility to obtain a work permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.

Normally, professional or labour market considerations must warrant a residence and work permit, for example, if there is a lack of persons in Denmark who can carry out a specific type of work. Read general information about salaried work.
The rules also apply in the case of voluntary/unpaid work.

Special schemes
A number of schemes have been designed in order to make it easier for highly qualified professionals to get a residence and work permit in Denmark.

The Positive List is a list of the professions and fields currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. Persons who have been offered a job in one of these professions or fields have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about the Positive List.

The Pay Limit scheme gives persons who have been offered a job with an annual pay above a certain limit particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about the Pay Limit scheme.

The Corporate scheme makes it possible for employees in a company outside Denmark to be stationed in the company's Danish subsidiary, parent or sister company or similar for a period of time. Read more about the Corporate scheme.

The Greencard scheme makes it possible for highly qualified professionals to come to Denmark in order to seek work and subsequently to work in Denmark. Read more about the Greencard scheme.

Researchers have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about researchers.

Trainees can work in a Danish company for a period of time for educational and training purposes. Read more about trainees.

Athletes can work in Denmark as professional athletes or coaches. Read more about athletes.

Religious workers can come to Denmark to work for a religious order or denomination. Read more about religious workers.

Self-employed persons can come to Denmark to establish a business. Read more about self-employment.

How to apply
If you wish to apply for a Danish residence and work permit, the application process depends on whether you are applying as an employee, as a self-employed person, or as a jobseeker.

If you are an employee
If you are applying for a residence and work permit as an employee (including applicants under the Positive List, the Pay Limit scheme, the Corporate scheme, researchers, athletes, trainees and religious workers), both you and your employer in Denmark (e.g. the company, research institute, sports club or religious denomination) must supply information for the processing of your application.

It is your employer in Denmark who begins the application process by completing his/her part of the application form and attaching the required documents. He/she sends or gives the form and attached documents to you. You then complete your part of the form, attach the required documents, and submit the entire application to:

Danish Consulate General
885 Second Avenue, 18th floor (48th Street)
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 223-4545

Passport and Visa Office Hours
Telephone inquiries: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.
Wednesday Closed

Personal appearance: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Wednesday Closed

There are different application forms for different types of applicants. Each application form contains a detailed description of how you and your employer in Denmark should complete the form, and which documents you must attach.

You and your employer in Denmark can chose one of the following application forms, depending on whether you are a(n):

Employee (including applicants under the Positive List, Pay Limit scheme, athletes and trainees)
> Application form AR1 (Danish and English version)

Researcher
> Application form ST2 (Danish and English version)

Religious worker
> Application form RF1 (Danish and English version)

Applicant under the Corporate scheme
> Application form AR4 for the company (Danish version)
> Application form AR5 for the applicant (Danish and English version)

If you are a self-employed person
If you are applying for a residence and work permit as a self-employed person, the application form is to be completed by you alone. The application form contains a detailed description of how you should complete the form, and which documents you must attach.

Self-employed person
> Application form AR2 (English version)
> Application form AR2 (Danish version)

If you are a jobseeker
If you are applying for a residence and work permit under the Greencard scheme, the application form is to be completed by you alone. The application form contains a detailed description of how you should complete the form, and which documents you must attach.

Applicant under the Greencard scheme
> Application form GR1 (English version)
> Application form GR1 (Danish version)

Family members
If you wish to bring your spouse/registered partner/cohabiting partner with you to Denmark, then he/she must submit his/her own application. If you have children under the age of 18 who you also wish to bring to Denmark, information about the children can be included in your spouse's/partner's application.

Accompanying family members
> Application form FA8 (English version)
> Application form FA8 (Danish version)

What to submit:

Each application contains a detailed description of which documents you must attach, beyond that you MUST submit the following:

1. A copy of the completed application form and supporting documents.

2. One extra recent passport photos (U.S. passport size)

3. Valid original passport and a copy of the passport (all pages including front page)
Passport must be valid at least 3 months – other travel documents at least 6 months – beyond the expiration date of the visa applied for.

4. FEE (See list of FEES)
 
Only cash or money order made out to the Danish Consulate. No personal checks.

See the Danish Immigration Service's service goals for maximum processing times.

The Consulate General advises against making any final travel arrangements, particularly purchase of non-refundable air tickets for a specific date, prior to approval of your application.