How to apply for a permanent residence permitBelow you will find information about how to apply for a permanent residence permit i Denmark. Please note that the information is a simplified and edited version of the rules. If you are in doubt about the rules, or if you want further information about the rules, you can contact the Danish Immigration Service.
You can apply for a permanent residence permit by using a special application form (TU1).
You must be 18 or over in order to be granted a permanent residence permit. If you have a temporary residence permit which expires when you turn 18, remember to submit your application for a permanent residence permit before turning 18.
If you apply for a permanent residence permit before you turn 19, you are exempt from some of the requirements if you have been studying or working full-time since completing primary school. Read more about special groups.
Besides meeting all the special requirements for a permanent residence permit, you must also continue to meet all the requirements for your present, temporary residence permit. For example, if you hold a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification with a spouse, you must still be living with your spouse, and if you hold a residence and work permit, you must still be working in the same position as when you obtained your latest residence permit.
In order to process your application, the Immigration Service needs to ascertain whether you continue to meet all the requirements for your present, temporary residence permit. Consequently, you must fill in and attach an application for an extension of your present residence permit, along with filling in TU1. You must do this even if your present, temporary residence permit does not expire anytime soon. You should use the extension form which fits your present residence permit, such as family reunification, work or studies.
Application for a permanent residence permit
> Application form TU1 (English version)
In order to find the extension form which fits your present residence permit, you can use the application form guide.
You can obtain a printed version of the forms at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service, where you can also submit your application. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also obtain the forms and submit your application at your local police station, or you can send the application to the Immigration Service by post.
When to apply
You can apply for a permanent residence permit anytime. Read more about the requirement for legal residence for at least four years. In other words, you do not need to wait until your residence permit is about to expire. However, it is crucial that you submit your application before your current residence permit expires.
If you submit your application too late, that is, if the Immigration Service receives your application after the date your residence permit expires, you should expect your application to be rejected because you are residing illegally in Denmark. This applies no matter how short the duration of your illegal stay has been. An application which was submitted too late will not be processed by the Immigration Service unless Denmark's international obligations require it. If your application is rejected, you will normally have to leave Denmark and apply for a new residence permit in your country of origin. Such an application will be regarded and processed as an entirely new application for a residence permit, that is, it will be processed in accordance with the rules that apply to first-time applicants. In other words, you will lose the right to an extension of your previous residence permit.
If you are residing illegally in Denmark you risk being reported to the police and being expelled and given an entry ban which means you will be banned from entering Denmark for a certain period of time.
If you do not meet all the requirements for a permanent residence permit, that is, if you cannot obtain the 100 points required, you can apply for an extension of your temporary residence permit instead. In this situation, you can submit your application no sooner than 2 months before your residence permit expires. You can read more about how to apply for an extension under the area describing the rules for your type of residence permit, such as family reunification, work or studies.
Fee for submitting an application
From 1 January 2011 onwards, a fee will normally have to be paid in order for your application to be processed by the Immigration Service. The fee can either be paid by you (the applicant) or by another person. When you submit an application for a permanent residence permit, you only need to pay the fee for this application. In other words, you do not need to pay a separate fee for the application for an extension of your residence permit. Read more about fees.
Rejection
Your application for a permanent residence permit can be rejected if it does not include the information and documentation required to assess whether you qualify for a permanent residence permit.
The application forms clearly state which information you need to give, and which documentation you need to attach.
If your application for a permanent residence permit is rejected, the Immigration Service will solely process your application for a temporary extension of your current residence permit.
Case processing times
The Immigration Service has defined service goals for maximum case processing times for most case types.
See service goals for maximum case processing times.
Appeal
The Immigration Service rules in cases concerning applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act. If the Immigration Service rejects your application, you can appeal to the Ministry of Integration.
The appeal process will be explained in detail when you receive the Immigration Service's ruling. Furthermore, the Ministry of Integration has published appeal guidelines.
Read the Ministry of Integration's appeal guidelines.
You can apply for a permanent residence permit by using a special application form (TU1).
You must be 18 or over in order to be granted a permanent residence permit. If you have a temporary residence permit which expires when you turn 18, remember to submit your application for a permanent residence permit before turning 18.
If you apply for a permanent residence permit before you turn 19, you are exempt from some of the requirements if you have been studying or working full-time since completing primary school. Read more about special groups.
Besides meeting all the special requirements for a permanent residence permit, you must also continue to meet all the requirements for your present, temporary residence permit. For example, if you hold a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification with a spouse, you must still be living with your spouse, and if you hold a residence and work permit, you must still be working in the same position as when you obtained your latest residence permit.
In order to process your application, the Immigration Service needs to ascertain whether you continue to meet all the requirements for your present, temporary residence permit. Consequently, you must fill in and attach an application for an extension of your present residence permit, along with filling in TU1. You must do this even if your present, temporary residence permit does not expire anytime soon. You should use the extension form which fits your present residence permit, such as family reunification, work or studies.
Application for a permanent residence permit
> Application form TU1 (English version)
In order to find the extension form which fits your present residence permit, you can use the application form guide.
You can obtain a printed version of the forms at the Service Centre of the Immigration Service, where you can also submit your application. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also obtain the forms and submit your application at your local police station, or you can send the application to the Immigration Service by post.
When to apply
You can apply for a permanent residence permit anytime. Read more about the requirement for legal residence for at least four years. In other words, you do not need to wait until your residence permit is about to expire. However, it is crucial that you submit your application before your current residence permit expires.
If you submit your application too late, that is, if the Immigration Service receives your application after the date your residence permit expires, you should expect your application to be rejected because you are residing illegally in Denmark. This applies no matter how short the duration of your illegal stay has been. An application which was submitted too late will not be processed by the Immigration Service unless Denmark's international obligations require it. If your application is rejected, you will normally have to leave Denmark and apply for a new residence permit in your country of origin. Such an application will be regarded and processed as an entirely new application for a residence permit, that is, it will be processed in accordance with the rules that apply to first-time applicants. In other words, you will lose the right to an extension of your previous residence permit.
If you are residing illegally in Denmark you risk being reported to the police and being expelled and given an entry ban which means you will be banned from entering Denmark for a certain period of time.
If you do not meet all the requirements for a permanent residence permit, that is, if you cannot obtain the 100 points required, you can apply for an extension of your temporary residence permit instead. In this situation, you can submit your application no sooner than 2 months before your residence permit expires. You can read more about how to apply for an extension under the area describing the rules for your type of residence permit, such as family reunification, work or studies.
Fee for submitting an application
From 1 January 2011 onwards, a fee will normally have to be paid in order for your application to be processed by the Immigration Service. The fee can either be paid by you (the applicant) or by another person. When you submit an application for a permanent residence permit, you only need to pay the fee for this application. In other words, you do not need to pay a separate fee for the application for an extension of your residence permit. Read more about fees.
Rejection
Your application for a permanent residence permit can be rejected if it does not include the information and documentation required to assess whether you qualify for a permanent residence permit.
The application forms clearly state which information you need to give, and which documentation you need to attach.
If your application for a permanent residence permit is rejected, the Immigration Service will solely process your application for a temporary extension of your current residence permit.
Case processing times
The Immigration Service has defined service goals for maximum case processing times for most case types.
See service goals for maximum case processing times.
Appeal
The Immigration Service rules in cases concerning applications for a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Act. If the Immigration Service rejects your application, you can appeal to the Ministry of Integration.
The appeal process will be explained in detail when you receive the Immigration Service's ruling. Furthermore, the Ministry of Integration has published appeal guidelines.
Read the Ministry of Integration's appeal guidelines.
