Path to staying
- Study12 months, renewable
- Post-study workup to 36 months
- Permanent residencyafter 8 years
- Citizenshipafter 9 years
Overview
- Country
- Denmark
- Visa name
- Residence Permit for Studies (ST1)
- Local name
- Opholdstilladelse til studier
- Status
- Active
- Duration
- 12 months
- Renewable
- Yes
Denmark's student residence and work permit for non-EU/EEA students pursuing higher education. Applied via the ST1 form at Danish diplomatic missions with biometric registration. Free tuition for EU/EEA citizens; non-EU students pay tuition but benefit from high teaching quality and the post-study Establishment Card program.
Tuition and costs
- Tuition policy
- Mixed
- Free condition
- Free for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and Nordic country nationals.
- Tuition range
- $0 – $19,800/year
- Proof of funds
- $13,803/year
- Funds type
- Bank statement
- Scholarships
- Available
EU/EEA/Swiss/Nordic citizens: free tuition at public universities. Non-EU/EEA: EUR 10,000-17,000/yr depending on program (per 60 ECTS). Danish Government Scholarships available for select non-EU students, covering tuition and providing monthly stipend.
Work rights during study
- Work allowed
- Yes
- Term hours
- 21 hrs/week
- Vacation hours
- 37 hrs/week
- Permission
- Automatic
90 hours per month from September through May. Full-time work is permitted during June, July, and August. Work permit is included in the student residence permit. No separate permit needed.
Post-study work options
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Year Job Seeking Permit | Job seeker | 36 mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
| Job Seeking Permit (6 months, automatic) | Job seeker | 6 mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
Language requirements
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 6.5 | Most Danish university programs are offered in English. TOEFL iBT 83-90 also accepted depending on institution. |
| Studieproven (Danish) | Admission | Danish | Pass | Required for Danish-taught programs only. Studieproven is the national Danish language proficiency test for university admission. |
Fees and costs
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit Application Fee | Application | $474 | One time |
Dependents and family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Restriction
- Spouse/partner and children. Must prove sufficient funds for family.
- Spouse work
- Unrestricted
- Conditions
- Spouse with family reunification permit has unrestricted work access in Denmark.
Long-term pathway
- Post-study visa
- Available
- Work permit
- Possible
- Permanent residency
- After 8 years
- Citizenship
- After 9 years
- Study time counts
- 100% credit
How to apply
- Method
- In person
- Processing
- 30-60 days
- Interview
- Not required
- Official site
- www.nyidanmark.dk
- Health insurance
- Required (buy separately)
Notes and caveats
Must submit ST1 form in person at nearest Danish diplomatic mission for biometric registration (facial image and fingerprints). CPR number assigned after arrival for health coverage. Denmark has opted out of some EU immigration directives. SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) processes applications.
Also in Denmark
Last verified May 3, 2026 Source