A national work visa to Denmark is required if you plan to stay in the country for a long time – from 3 months or more. The visa is suitable for those who plan to stay in Denmark for the following purposes:

  • employment or business activities;
  • training in Danish universities;
  • family reunion.

Work visa to Denmark

Denmark is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. In 2019, Denmark took 2nd place in the ranking of countries in the world in terms of the level of happiness of citizens. This is why this country is popular for employment:

  • decent salaries;
  • good attitude towards immigrants;
  • legal and social support for foreign employees;
  • the ability to carry your family with you;
  • the possibility of obtaining Danish citizenship.

Foreigners working in Denmark often report good wages, good working conditions, and benefits. But at the same time, immigrants talk about the high cost of living. Not all employers provide housing.

A lot of foreigners work in Denmark in the hotel and restaurant business and agriculture. The Danes avoid such work, as they associate it with hard physical labor.

Salary in Scandinavia

The average salary in the country is 3,100 euros, while the working day lasts 6.5 hours – this is a characteristic difference in Scandinavia. Overtime work is usually paid extra. At the same time, Denmark has a high level of taxes, but the locals are not embarrassed by this, and they law-abidingly pay what is required of them.

A work visa is required for anyone wishing to work in Denmark. This also applies to volunteers and those involved in low-paid seasonal work.

It is worth remembering that, first of all, the authorities are interested in employing local citizens, and only if there are no worthy candidates for a vacancy among the locals, a citizen of a non-EU country can apply for it. 

Therefore, the vacancies that are in demand among the Danes themselves are usually not available to foreigners.

Guaranteed Work Visa to Denmark:

  • a Danish company needs highly qualified specialists, and you have the appropriate education and experience;
  • You are a scientist;
  • You are a member of the clergy.

Conditions for obtaining a work visa to Denmark

To obtain a visa, you first need to find a job and conclude an agreement with an employer in Denmark. This can be done both independently, and through specialized agencies that deal with such issues.

Through agencies, it will be faster and more efficient, but their services are not cheap. You can also visit Denmark on a short-term visa and personally meet the employer, evaluate the working conditions, discuss the details of cooperation, negotiate housing, etc.

Work permit in Europe

In addition to the contract with the employer, you will have to get a work permit to obtain a visa. The employer is responsible for obtaining this permit. It must provide the immigration service with a copy of the foreigner’s passport, the photographs, a preliminary contract and pay the fees. In most cases, the document is issued for a year with the possibility of renewal.

Positive List in Denmark

In general, the entire procedure for obtaining a work visa, in this case, can take up to 3 months. But if your profession is in particular demand in Denmark, then a work permit can be obtained very quickly. The professions in demand are indicated in the so-called Positive List, which is updated by the authorities twice a year.

If your profession is on this list, then a work permit in Denmark will be issued to you with a “reserve” for 6 months or immediately for 4 years if the contract with the employer is unlimited. You can extend this work permit in the future even if your profession is removed from the list. You can also bring your family with you to Denmark, whose members will also be entitled to work in Denmark for the duration of your permit.

Moreover, the government quickly issues permits for high-paying positions. It should be noted that when applying for a visa, you will have to personally visit the Danish embassy to undergo the fingerprinting procedure if you have not previously been fingerprinted. After obtaining a work visa and arriving in Denmark, you can register for a residence permit.

How to extend a work visa?

You need to extend a work visa directly in Denmark, provided that the employer and working conditions have not changed. To do this, you need to contact your local police department or the immigration office. A new visa is usually issued for several years at once.

Denmark, like the rest of the European Union, takes illegal immigration seriously. An illegal immigrant can be detained, imprisoned, fined, and deported. A Danish company that illegally employed a foreigner may be subject to a large fine (from 50 thousand euros). Sometimes even jail time is applied against the management of such a company.

National visa to Denmark: how not to get refused?

You may be refused a long-term visa to Denmark in the following cases:

  • there is no evidence of the purpose of the visit;
  • missing any of the required documents;
  • the applicant has a low income;
  • the applicant was prohibited from entering the EU.

Outcome

To get a high-paying job in Denmark, you must:

  • Know English and Danish. Even in Denmark, they speak German and Scandinavian languages ​​(Swedish, Norwegian).
  • Have a professional education, foreigners wishing to get a job in Denmark must go through the diploma nostrification procedure.
  • Have no dangerous diseases and previous convictions.
  • Work experience

To confirm your work experience, you can provide recommendations from past jobs or an extract from the workbook.