Denmark Post-Study Work Visa Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Work Rules & Documents

International students who complete qualifying higher education in Denmark may be able to remain in the country for up to three years while searching for employment. However, the length of the post-study period depends heavily on the type of programme you completed and whether it is approved by a Danish state authority.

The main Denmark post-study work visa requirements in 2026 include completing an eligible Danish degree, holding a valid study-based residence permit and complying with the rules attached to the job-seeking residence period.

Who Qualifies for the 3-Year Denmark Post-Study Permit?

You can generally qualify for up to three years of job-seeking residence after completing a state-approved Danish:

• Professional bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Part-time master’s degree.
• Master’s degree.
• PhD degree.

The educational programme must be approved by a state authority.

Graduates of some programmes that are not state-approved but have an advisory assessment may instead qualify for a shorter six-month job-seeking permit.

Requirement 1: Complete an Eligible Danish Degree

You must successfully complete the educational programme on which your eligibility is based.

For the three-year route, SIRI requires completion of a qualifying higher-education programme in Denmark at one of the specified levels.

If you have not yet completed your programme and your student residence permit is about to expire, the appropriate solution is generally to apply for an extension of your student permit rather than the post-study job-seeking permit.

Requirement 2: Your Programme Must Be State-Approved

This requirement is particularly important.

The three-year job-seeking route applies to qualifying programmes approved by a Danish state authority.

Students should therefore not assume that every private or international educational programme automatically qualifies.

Since September 15, 2026, the secretariat to Denmark’s Accreditation Council has taken over responsibility for certain advisory assessments of non-state-approved programmes. This administrative change does not itself expand eligibility for the three-year route.

Requirement 3: Hold a Valid Study Residence Permit

When applying separately for the three-year job-seeking permit, you must generally have a valid residence permit based on your studies.

SIRI currently states that an applicant for the three-year extension can apply when there are four months remaining on the residence permit.

If you submit the application while physically present in Denmark, you must also be staying in Denmark legally at the time of submission.

Do You Always Need to Apply After Graduation?

No.

For many students in state-approved programmes, SIRI grants the three-year job-seeking period automatically together with the original student residence permit, provided the applicant’s passport is valid for long enough.

You may need a separate application if:

• Your original permit was shortened because your passport was expiring.
• You were originally granted only six months for job seeking.
• You completed your programme after its prescribed period of study.

Always check your residence permit before paying for another application.

Requirement 4: Your Passport Must Have Sufficient Validity

Passport validity can shorten your residence period.

SIRI generally cannot issue a residence permit extending beyond three months before your passport expires.

For example, you may qualify for three years of job seeking, but an expiring passport could result in a much shorter permit.

Renew your passport early if necessary.

How Much Can You Work During the Job-Seeking Period?

The standard job-seeking residence permit comes with a limited work permit.

You can normally work:

• Up to 90 hours per month from September through May.
• Full-time during June, July and August.

Working beyond these limits without additional authorization can be considered illegal employment and may lead to a fine or problems with your residence permit.

Can You Get Unlimited Work Rights?

Yes, if you meet the requirements.

Eligible graduates can apply for a work permit without limitations during the job-seeking period.

This option is available to graduates who completed a state-approved:

• Professional bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree.
• PhD degree.

It can also apply to qualifying graduates of master’s programmes for working professionals.

Importantly, you do not need to already have a job offer to apply for the unrestricted work permit.

Once eligible and after submitting the application, SIRI states that you can begin working full-time while it processes the application.

What Does the Unrestricted Work Permit Allow?

If granted, it allows you to:

• Work more than 90 hours per month.
• Work full-time.
• Work for any employer.
• Change employers.
• Have more than one employer.
• Work as self-employed.

The unrestricted work permit remains valid for the same period as your job-seeking residence permit.

Required Documents

If you need to submit a separate application for the three-year job-seeking permit, SIRI currently requires:

• Proof that the application fee was paid.
• Copy of every page of your passport, including blank pages and front and back covers.
• Documentation proving completion of the qualifying Danish degree.

SIRI may also require documents to be translated.

The application form for the three-year post-study job-seeking permit is currently ST6.

Biometrics Requirement

Applicants extending their residence permit must provide biometric information.

This normally includes:

• Fingerprints.
• Facial photograph.

Biometrics must generally be recorded within 14 days after submitting the application. Failure to complete the biometric requirement can result in the application being rejected without further processing.

Denmark Post-Study Visa Fee

If you need a separate application for the three-year job-seeking permit, the current 2026 fee is:

DKK 3,060

The normal processing time is around 3 months, or up to 4 months if SIRI needs additional information.

The separate unrestricted work permit currently costs:

DKK 840

with a normal processing time of approximately 2 months.

Can Your Family Stay With You?

Yes.

Eligible accompanying family can include:

• Spouse.
• Cohabiting partner.
• Children under 18 living at home.

Family members who already hold accompanying-family residence permits may generally apply to extend them while you remain in Denmark during the job-seeking period.

Important Requirement: Financial Self-Sufficiency

You must be able to support yourself and your family.

SIRI states that holders of this residence permit generally cannot receive certain public benefits, including some benefits under the Active Social Policy Act, housing benefits, unemployment benefits and SU. Receiving prohibited public support may affect your residence status.

Final Thoughts

The main Denmark post-study work visa requirements in 2026 are completing a qualifying state-approved Danish degree, maintaining valid legal residence and complying with your permit’s work conditions.

Graduates of professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes may receive up to three years to look for work. The standard permit allows 90 hours of work per month from September through May and full-time employment during the summer months.

Eligible graduates can also apply for an unrestricted work permit without already having a job offer, making it possible to work full-time for any employer during the post-study period.

Official Sources

• New to Denmark / SIRI — 3-Year Job-Seeking Residence Permit
  Official Denmark post-study permit requirements
• New to Denmark / SIRI — Work Permit During the Job-Seeking Period
  Official unrestricted work permit requirements
• New to Denmark / SIRI — Higher Education Residence Rules
  Official higher-education immigration guidance