Denmark Student Visa 2026: Funds, Work Hours and Fees
Non-EU students in Denmark hold a residence permit for study, issued by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Two rules changed recently and both affect what you can do after arrival. Students in programmes that are not state-approved who applied on or after 2 May 2025 get no work permit. And students who applied on or after 1 October 2026 are generally given a 1-year job seeking period after graduation, where earlier applicants were generally given 3 years. This guide sets out the 2026 conditions as published on SIRI's website on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
You need admission to a full-time higher educational programme in Denmark and funds of DKK 7,426 per month at the 2026 level, up to a maximum of DKK 89,112. The processing fee is DKK 3,060 and normal processing takes 2 months. Students in state-approved programmes may work 90 hours per month from September to May and full-time in June, July and August. EU, EEA and Swiss students apply for an EU residence document, which has no fee.
Who can get a study residence permit
You can be granted a permit to live and study in Denmark if you have been admitted to a higher educational programme, including a Danish academy profession, professional bachelor's, bachelor's, part-time master's or master's degree programme. You can take a full programme or come as a guest or exchange student. The conditions are:
- Full-time study: you must be admitted and studying full time. SIRI does not grant a residence permit to study part time.
- Language: you must speak and understand the language of instruction well enough to take an active part in your courses.
- An approved institution: the institution must be publicly accredited or state-approved and subject to state supervision.
- An approved programme: the programme must be approved by a state authority, or have a valid advisory statement from the secretariat to the Accreditation Council or the Danish Evaluation Institute.
- Self-support: you must have sufficient funds, as set out below.
How much money you must show
| Item | 2026 level |
|---|---|
| Disposable amount per month of study | DKK 7,426 |
| Maximum, if you study for more than one year | DKK 89,112, which is funds for 12 months |
Accepted evidence
- A bank statement showing the date, your full name, the balance and the currency. It must be no more than 30 days old when you submit the application.
- Documentation that your support is secured through a scholarship or student loan granted to you.
- If you pay tuition and have already paid for the first semester, that payment is accepted as documentation of sufficient funds, and you need no further documentation.
Not accepted
- Restricted stocks, bonds or an investment portfolio. SIRI accepts only liquid assets.
- A bank statement in another person's name, such as a parent's.
- A statement from someone else saying that your support is secured.
Fee and processing time
| Application | Processing fee | Normal processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Higher educational programme | DKK 3,060 | 2 months, up to 3 months if further information is needed |
| Job seeking permit for 1 or 3 years after study | DKK 3,060 | 3 months, up to 4 months |
| EU residence document as a student | No fee | 0 days, up to 1 month |
If you apply from abroad, the individual Danish diplomatic mission can have additional requirements, including additional fees.
Working while you study
| Your programme | Work permit |
|---|---|
| State-approved higher educational programme | 90 hours per month from September to May, and full-time through June, July and August |
| Not state-approved, applied before 2 May 2025 | A limited work permit |
| Not state-approved, applied on or after 2 May 2025 | No work permit, and no right to work |
- Hours are counted per calendar month.
- Working more is illegal work. You can receive a warning or a fine, or your residence permit can be revoked.
- Internships: if your programme contains a mandatory internship, you are automatically granted a permit to work full-time for its duration.
- Voluntary work: unpaid voluntary work for a non-profit organisation does not count towards your hours.
- No public benefits: you may not apply for benefits such as the State Educational Grant (SU) or housing benefits. Receiving them can lead to your permit being revoked.
How long you can stay
- You can stay for the standard duration of your programme, provided you actively take part in it.
- If you do not finish in that time, the permit can be extended for a maximum of 1 year, or 2 years in total where the delay is caused by pregnancy or parental leave.
- You must apply for an extension no later than the day your permit expires, and no earlier than 4 months before.
- You must not give up your Danish address or stay abroad for more than 6 successive months, or the permit lapses.
- A residence permit can only be valid until 3 months before the expiry date of your passport.
After graduation: the job seeking permit
If you complete an entire state-approved higher educational programme, you can be granted a residence permit to look for work. Its length depends on when you applied and what you studied.
| Your case | Job seeking period generally granted |
|---|---|
| State-approved programme leading to a Danish degree, applied before 1 October 2026 | 6 months or 3 years |
| Academy profession, professional bachelor's, bachelor's, part-time master's or master's degree, applied on or after 1 October 2026 | 6 months or 1 year |
| Danish PhD degree | 3 years |
| Not state-approved, applied before 2 May 2025 | 6 months |
| Not state-approved, applied on or after 2 May 2025 | Not eligible |
During the job seeking period you keep the same work rights as during your studies. Graduates of a state-approved professional bachelor's, bachelor's, part-time master's or master's programme can also apply for a work permit without limitations once the programme is completed. If you get a job offer, you can apply for a new residence and work permit based on that job. The schemes are in our Denmark work visa guide.
How to apply
- Get admitted to a full-time higher educational programme.
- Create a case order ID and pay the fee on SIRI's website.
- Your institution completes the first part of the application. SIRI emails you when you can begin your part.
- Complete your part using the link in the email, with the same email address the institution entered.
- Have your biometrics recorded. From abroad you submit at a Danish diplomatic mission or application centre in the country where you live.
- Register after arrival. You need a Danish address to get a CPR number, and the health insurance card follows it.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss student
You do not apply for a residence permit. You apply for an EU residence document as a student, which has no fee. You must be fully admitted to an officially accredited programme at upper-secondary level or higher, be studying actively, and sign a financial self-support declaration. SIRI states that as an EU citizen you have the right to reside, study and work in Denmark with or without an EU residence document.
Frequently asked questions
How much bank balance do I need for a Denmark student visa?
Your disposable amount must correspond to DKK 7,426 per month at the 2026 level, multiplied by the number of months you will study. If you study for more than a year you document funds for 12 months, a maximum of DKK 89,112.
How much is the Denmark student visa fee?
The processing fee for a residence permit to study in a higher educational programme is DKK 3,060. A Danish diplomatic mission abroad can charge additional fees.
How long does a Denmark student visa take?
SIRI's normal processing time is 2 months, and up to 3 months if further information is needed.
How many hours can students work in Denmark?
Students in state-approved higher educational programmes may work 90 hours per month from September to May and full-time through June, July and August. Hours are counted per calendar month.
Can I stay in Denmark after my studies?
Yes, on a job seeking permit if you complete a state-approved programme. If you applied for your study permit on or after 1 October 2026, the period is generally 6 months or 1 year. Earlier applicants were generally granted 6 months or 3 years, and PhD graduates get 3 years.
Can my parents' bank statement be used?
No. SIRI does not accept a bank statement under another person's name, such as your parents', or a statement from others saying your support is secured.
Do EU students need a visa for Denmark?
No. EU, EEA and Swiss students apply for an EU residence document as a student instead. It has no fee and a normal processing time of 0 days.
Official sources
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — Higher educational programmes
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — Job seeking residence permit for 1 or 3 years after a completed educational programme
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — EU residence as a student
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — Financial self-support on specific SIRI schemes
- lifeindenmark.dk — When you arrive
All amounts, fees and rules verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Amounts are at the 2026 level. Information, not legal advice.