Denmark student visa: Complete guide 2026

What Is the Denmark Student Visa?

The Denmark Student Visa is a Type D national visa issued by a Danish embassy or consulate that allows non-EU/EEA nationals to travel to Denmark to take up their studies. It is issued automatically once SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, approves the underlying residence permit for studies. You do not apply for the visa separately; it is placed as a sticker in your passport when you collect your permit decision from the embassy. If your nationality does not require a visa to enter Denmark, no visa sticker is issued; the embassy will hand you the permit letter, and you can travel freely.

After arriving in Denmark and registering your address in the CPR registry, your biometric residence card is produced and sent to your registered address. The residence card is proof of your right to reside in Denmark for the duration of your studies.

Who Is It For?

• Nationality: Non-EU/EEA nationals.

  
  

• Study program: You must be finally admitted to full-time, on-site studies at a publicly accredited institution in Denmark. The program must be approved by a Danish state authority. Programs with an advisory statement from the Danish Evaluation Institute (EVA) are also accepted but come with significantly restricted work and post-graduation rights.

  
  

• Financial means: You must demonstrate access to at least DKK 7,426 per month for the duration of your studies, up to a maximum of DKK 89,112 for stays longer than one year. Funds must be liquid and accessible, held in an account in your own name. Bank statements under another person's name, including parents, are not accepted.

  
  

• Full-time on-site studies: Your program must require your physical presence at the institution. Part-time and distance learning programs do not qualify.

What the Visa Allows

• Residency: The permit allows you to live in Denmark for the duration of your study program. It is issued for the full length of the program and does not generally require annual renewal. You must not give up your Danish address or stay abroad for more than six consecutive months, as this will cause your permit to lapse.

  
  

• Work: Students enrolled in state-approved programs are automatically granted a limited work permit alongside their residence permit. You may work up to 90 hours per month from September through May, and full-time from June through August.

  
  

• Family: Your spouse, registered partner, cohabiting partner, and children under 18 may apply for accompanying permits. Family members of students enrolled in non-state-approved programs cannot apply for accompanying permits.

  
  

• After graduation: Graduates of state-approved bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs are automatically granted a three-year job-seeking permit alongside their study permit, subject to passport validity. You generally do not need to apply for it separately. Graduates of EVA-advisory programs are not eligible for a job-seeking permit.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

All documents not in Danish or English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

• ST1 application form: Your institution initiates your application through the New to Denmark portal. You will receive a link directly from SIRI by email to access your ST1 form online. You must complete and submit the form within 30 days of receiving access.

  
  

• Passport: Valid for the full duration of your intended stay. Submit copies of all pages showing personal data, photo, validity, and any previous visas or entry stamps. Present the original in person when providing biometrics.

  
  

• Passport-style photos: As specified in the application instructions.

  
  

• Letter of admission: Official letter confirming that you have been finally admitted to a named full-time program at an accredited institution in Denmark.

  
  

• Proof of financial means: If you are a fee-paying student, your first semester tuition payment confirmation serves as proof of financial means; no bank statement for living expenses is required. If you have been granted a tuition waiver, you must instead provide a bank statement showing disposable funds of at least DKK 7,426 per month for the duration of your stay, up to a maximum of 12 months, or a scholarship letter confirming coverage of your living expenses. The bank statement must be no more than 30 days old at the time of submission, show your full name, the bank name, the date, the balance, and the currency, and be in your own name. Joint accounts and accounts in another person's name are not accepted.

  
  

• Declaration of consent (under 18 only): Both parents or legal guardians must sign a declaration of consent. The institution must also sign a declaration confirming that it will ensure proper residence and study conditions.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Secure admission and pay your first semester tuition fee

Apply to and receive a final admission letter from a publicly accredited Danish institution. Pay your first semester tuition fee by the deadline your institution specifies. Your institution cannot initiate the ST1 application process until it has confirmed receipt of your payment.

Step 2: Create a Case Order ID and pay the application fee

On the New to Denmark portal at nyidanmark.dk, create a Case Order ID by selecting "Higher Education" as your case type and entering your personal details. Pay the application fee of DKK 3,060 using your Case Order ID. The Case Order ID digitally links your fee payment to your application. Your application will be rejected if the fee has not been paid or if the wrong case type was selected.

Step 3: Access and complete the ST1 form

Once your institution has completed its part of the application, you will receive a link from SIRI by email. Use the link to access the ST1 form online, enter your Case Order ID, and complete your part of the form. You must submit the form within 30 days of receiving the link.

Step 4: Provide biometrics

Within 14 days of submitting your application, attend an appointment at a Danish embassy, consulate, or VFS center to have your photograph, fingerprints, and signature recorded.

Step 5: Wait for a decision

Processing typically takes around two months. You can track your application using your Case Order ID on the New to Denmark portal.

Step 6: Travel to Denmark

Once approved, the embassy or consulate will contact you. If you require a visa to enter Denmark, the embassy will place an entry visa sticker in your passport. Travel to Denmark before the visa expires. If you are visa-exempt, the embassy will hand you the permit letter, and you can travel freely.

Step 7: Register for a CPR number

You must notify your municipality of your address within 5 days of moving in. At many municipalities including Copenhagen, you can start the CPR registration process online up to four weeks before arriving, which speeds up the appointment. Attend your appointment at your local Citizen Service center (Borgerservice) or an International Citizen Service center. Bring your passport, permit letter, and proof of address. You will be assigned a CPR number and a family doctor. Your biometric residence card and your yellow health insurance card will both be sent to your registered address after CPR registration; the residence card typically within 2 to 3 weeks, and the yellow card within 4 weeks.

Costs and Fees

The application fee is DKK 3,060, paid online through the New to Denmark portal when creating your case order ID. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. In some countries, an additional submission fee is charged by the embassy or VFS center when you hand in your application. CPR registration is free of charge.

Good to Know

Healthcare gap period: Public healthcare in Denmark only becomes available to you after you have registered for a CPR number and received your yellow health card. Until then, you are only covered for emergencies under the Danish Health Act. Private travel or health insurance is strongly recommended to cover this gap period.

Healthcare: Once you have your CPR number and yellow health insurance card, you have access to free medical treatment in Denmark, including GP visits and hospital care. Dental care and opticians are not covered. The yellow card is sent to your registered address within up to four weeks of CPR registration.

Permit lapse: If you give up your Danish address or stay outside Denmark for more than six consecutive months, your permit will lapse, and you will lose your right to reside in Denmark. If you need to be abroad for an extended period, apply for a dispensation from SIRI before leaving.

Non-state-approved programs: If your program has an EVA advisory statement rather than full state approval, your work rights are significantly restricted, and you are not eligible for a job-seeking permit after graduation. Confirm the status of your program before applying.

Permanent residence: Time spent in Denmark on a student permit counts toward the residency requirement for permanent residence, which generally requires eight years of uninterrupted legal residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay tuition before applying?

Yes. Your institution cannot initiate the ST1 application process until it has confirmed receipt of your first semester tuition fee. Fee-paying students who have paid tuition do not need to submit a separate bank statement as proof of financial means for living expenses. Students with a full tuition waiver must provide a bank statement instead.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, if you are enrolled in a state-approved program. You may work up to 90 hours per month from September through May, and full-time from June through August. Students in EVA-advisory programs do not have the right to work.

Can I bring my family?

Yes, if you are enrolled in a state-approved program. Family members apply separately. Students in non-state-approved programs cannot bring accompanying family members.

What if my application is refused?

You will receive a written decision explaining the grounds for refusal. You may appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeals Board within eight weeks of receiving it.

Can I travel outside Denmark during my studies?

Yes, but you must not stay abroad for more than six consecutive months, or your permit will lapse. If you need to be abroad for longer, apply for a dispensation from SIRI before leaving.