Moving to Denmark
3 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
A job offer
Denmark fast-track work permit
Fast-Track Scheme
Employees hired by a SIRI-certified Danish company who want a quick decision and the right to start work early.
- What you need
- Employer must be certified by SIRI and applies on your behalf
- Pay limit track minimum pay (DKK 552,000 a year)
- Supplementary pay limit track minimum pay (DKK 446,000 a year)
- Not for
- Employees of non-certified companies
- Self-employed people
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Employer submits online with your power of attorney. Five tracks: pay limit, supplementary pay limit, short-term (90 days in 365), researcher, educational. Visa-free applicants can use Quick Job Start to begin work before a decision.
- How long it takes
- About 1 month (up to 2); Quick Job Start about 10 days; supplementary track 2 months (up to 4) (SIRI).
- First permit
- Up to 4 years (pay limit/educational); up to 5 years (supplementary); 90 days (short-term)
- Renewal
- Extendable; 6-month job-seeking permit on the pay limit/educational tracks.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 8 years. Citizenship after about 9 years.
- Family
- Spouse/partner and children under 18 can be included; exempt from some lapse rules.
A job offer
Denmark high-salary work permit
Pay Limit Scheme (Beløbsordningen)
Anyone with a Danish job offer paying at least DKK 552,000 a year (2026), in any field, with no education requirement.
- What you need
- Annual pay (cash salary, fixed supplements, pension, paid holiday allowance; not benefits in kind) (DKK 552,000 a year)
- Salary paid into a Danish bank account in your name, opened within 180 days
- Not for
- Self-employed or remote workers for foreign employers
- Salaries below the limit (see Positive Lists or the supplementary scheme at DKK 446,000)
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Apply online to SIRI; biometrics at a Danish mission/VFS abroad or SIRI in Denmark. Visa-exempt nationals (US, Canada, UK, Australia) can apply from inside Denmark. Denmark is in the EU and Schengen.
- How long it takes
- Normally 1 month; up to 3 months if more information is needed (SIRI).
- First permit
- Up to 4 years (employment length if shorter)
- Renewal
- Extendable; automatic 6-month job-seeking permit if employment is under 4 years.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 8 years. Citizenship after about 9 years.
- Family
- Spouse/partner and children under 18 can be included; no extra money requirement stated on the page.
A job offer
Denmark shortage list permit
Positive List for People with a Higher Education / Positive List for Skilled Work
Graduates or trained skilled workers with a Danish job offer in a shortage occupation on one of the Positive Lists, paid at Danish standards.
- What you need
- Job title on the relevant Positive List and relevant education at the listed level (master's, bachelor's, professional bachelor's, or vocational for the skilled-work list); some roles need Danish authorisation
- Pay and conditions must match Danish standards for the field; no fixed DKK minimum
- Not for
- Jobs not on the list
- Self-employment
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Online to SIRI; visa-exempt nationals can apply from Denmark.
- How long it takes
- Higher-education list: normally 1 month, up to 3 months. Skilled-work list: 3 months, up to 4 months (SIRI).
- First permit
- Up to 4 years (employment length if shorter)
- Renewal
- Extendable; 6-month job-seeking permit if employment is under 4 years.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 8 years. Citizenship after about 9 years.
- Family
- Spouse/partner and children under 18 can be included.