What are you allowed to do and not to do with a residence permit while seeking a job in Denmark?

If an individual holds a residence permit as a student in a Danish professional bachelor, bachelor, master or PhD educational program as well have completed the relevant educational program, then that individual can be granted a residence permit for up to 3 years for job seeking purpose in Denmark.

A residence permit will allow an individual to reside in Denmark for the period of time one’s permit is valid. In addition, a permit will allow an individual to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, the permit will not allow one to work in other Schengen countries. An individual must not give up their Danish address or stay abroad for more than 6 consecutive months. Such a violation will result in the lapse of one’s permit and the individual will loose the right to stay in Denmark.

Now, a residence permit granted as a PhD student or a student at an international educational program under the Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+ or Nordic Master will not have their residence permit lapsed even if he/ she gives up their Danish address or stay abroad for more than 6 consecutive months.

After a completion of an educational program, together with a residence permit for job seeking, one will be granted a limited work permit. The allowed work time is for up to 90 hours per month during the normal period of study from September to May, and full time in June, July and August. Anything beyond than this time frame will be considered illegal and can lead to a fine or at worst, revocation of the residence permit.

If an individual is offered a job, in which they must work more hours than allowed by their limited work permit, then one will have option to either apply for a ‘’work permit without limitations’’ or ”a residence and work permit based on the job offered’’. A work permit without limitation can only be granted based on an educational program approved by a state authority. In case an educational program is made by the approval of a state authority that has an advisory statement from the Danish Evaluation Institute (EVA), one cannot be granted a work permit without limitations. While SIRI is processing one’s application, one can choose to apply for a residence and work permit based on the new job.

Note: A Danish residence and work permit does not give an individual the right to work in other Schengen countries. 

An individual will not be allowed to avail any sort of public benefits i.e. benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act, State Educational Grants (SU), housing benefits or unemployment benefits out of various others, and therefore must be able to support themselves and their family during their stay. If, however, by any chance such benefits are availed by the individual, then the permit can be revoked and the individual will lose the right to stay in Denmark. In case, if an individual is eligible to receive certain benefits reserved to foreign nationals then, SIRI will notify the same.

If an individual is 18 years of age and above and possess a Danish address registered in the Danish National Register, then, through a residence permit in Denmark, the individual will be entitled to free Danish lessons. Now, if one possess a residence permit in Denmark based on work, study, etc., one will have to pay a deposit before one can start receiving lessons. Failure to pass modules within a specific time frame will, however, lead to the loss of deposit. The municipality of residence is the one responsible for delivering Danish lessons as well refer one to a language center. If an individual, however, have not been offered Danish lessons within a month after registering the address in Denmark, then the municipality can be contacted for the same.