Danish universities are known for being leaders in terms of innovation and they are keen on investing in world-class research facilities. And why wouldn't you want to study here? Denmark is the happiest place to study abroad, so it should be in your top 3, if not in the first place.
Before starting your study abroad in Denmark, you will have to be admitted and get a study visa. Here's what you need to know to apply for a student visa in Denmark:
Apply to a Danish university and get your acceptance letter
If you need a starting point, you should check out these universities:
- Aarhus University
- Roskilde University
- Aalborg University
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
- University of Copenhagen
Once you decide on the university and subject, you are free to apply to a degree in Denmark and then focus on the visa.
Find out what visa you need to study in Denmark
The document that allows foreign citizens to study in Denmark is called "residence permit" rather than "student visa". Keep this in mind even if we use the terms interchangeably in this article. Now, who needs a residence permit?
- EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens have to apply for an EU residence document, not a residence permit
- Non-EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens have to to apply for the residence permit
When and where to apply for the student visa?
You can apply for the residence permit using the official New to Denmark website.
The best time to start applying for your residence permit is three months prior to your arrival date. Seeing how some documents need to be signed, sealed, delivered, or biometrics need to be submitted, the overall duration and processing times may vary depending on your nationality.
For instance, it may take 60 days for your information to be processed if you’re from:
- India
- the U.S.
- Canada
- Iran
- Indonesia
- Egypt
- Bangladesh
- Philippines
Meanwhile, some students might have to wait for up to 6 months if they’re from:
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Kenya
- Ghana
Also, since we’re talking durations: know that your residence permit is available for the duration of your courses, so there won’t be surprised visits to the city hall.
Documents required for the student visa in Denmark
These are some of the documents you need to submit during the application for a residence permit:
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Residence permit fee payment proof (255 EUR)
- Proof that you have enough funds for your stay in Denmark (around 1,000 EUR/month)
- Acceptance letter from your university
- A signed and filled-in application form
- A valid passport or another form of travel document
- A passport photo
- Travel insurance
- Detailed information regarding your study programme
- Proof of accommodation arrangement during your studies
Getting a registration certificate
Check with the Regional State Administration (Statsforvaltningen) within 3 months after your arrival in Denmark. You will have to present:
- your passport
- two passport-type photos
- the letter of admission from the university.
All non-EU/EEA citizens over 18 must have their photograph, fingerprints and signature recorded digitally when they submit their application for a Danish residence permit.
Apply for a work permit in Denmark
As an international student, you are allowed to work in Denmark, under the following legal conditions:
- Non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic students are allowed to work in Denmark 20 hours a week from September to May and 37 hours a week from June to August.
- Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizens can work in Denmark with no restriction on the number of hours.
Permit for this extent of work is automatically granted with the residence permit.
Conditions you have to meet to be granted a residence permit
- Be admitted for a higher education study programme, which is approved by a state authority or offered by a publicly accredited education institution.
- Documents stating you (or a sponsor) can support your financial expenses for the duration of your stay in Denmark.
- The residence permit will be granted for the duration of the study programme, and you can extend your permit for one year.
