If you want to travel to Denmark for work from Pakistan, you must apply for a visa first. The application process consists of several steps, but they are relatively easy and quick.
Moreover, you must find a job in Denmark and get a letter of employment from a potential Danish employer to qualify for a work visa.
So, read this detailed guide to learn the requirements of a Denmark work visa from Pakistan. It will also help you assess the procedural steps to submit your application.
About Denmark
As a part of the Nordic country, Denmark is surrounded by Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Geographically, Denmark is one country, however, it is divided into the following three parts.
- Mainly Denmark (which shares a border with the continent)
- Greenland (island in the North Atlantic)
- The Faroe Island (a small archipelago in the North Atlantic)
Moreover, Denmark became a member of the Schengen Area in 2001 by signing the contract. Since then, travelers can apply for a Schengen visa to enter Denmark and other countries without internal border checks.
Economy of Denmark
Denmark has a highly developed, high-income, and mixed economy. Typically, the service sector with a ratio of 80% of all jobs dominates Denmark’s economy. On the other hand, almost 2% of workers work in agriculture and 11% in manufacturing.
Surprisingly, Denmark has the ninth-highest Gross National Income per capita in the world, i.e., 68,830 US dollars in 2023.
What is a Denmark Work Visa from Pakistan?
A Denmark work visa for Pakistani allows travelers to enter the country for work purposes. However, to legally live and start employment, you must get a work and residence permit as well.
For this purpose, make sure to secure a job in Denmark and receive an employment letter from the Danish employer. After that, they will be responsible for applying for a work permit on your behalf.
Duration of work visa
- For indefinite job contracts, your work visa stays valid for almost four years.
- On the other hand, a temporary job contract allows you to stay in the country for four years and an additional six months on a work visa.
- Lastly, if you want to continue working in Denmark after four years, make sure to apply for a work and residence permit extension.
Is It Necessary to Have a Visa to Work in Denmark?
Yes. Pakistani citizens must apply for a work visa when traveling to Denmark for employment. Therefore, everyone, except the citizens of the following regions, needs a visa to work in Denmark. They may include,
- EU (European Union)
- EEA (European Economic Area)
- Switzerland
Besides, you will need a work visa even if you are involved in unpaid work or sideline employment.
Moreover, EU citizens must register themselves with SIRI (the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration). For this purpose, they must have the following documents.
- Passport
- Pictures
- Visa application form
- Documents showing visit purpose, e.g., work contract
Benefits of Having a Denmark Work Visa
A Denmark work visa from Pakistan allows you to enjoy the following advantages of the economy of the country.
- Denmark has a booming economy, with an average of 27,000 job vacancies.
- On average, the annual salary is 9,480 euros in Denmark.
- The country also offers a balanced work-life ratio with 33 working hours. This means you have to work four days a week.
- Moreover, the vacation policy and remote working in Denmark are also exceptional.
- Last but not least, pension plans and retirement contributions make a difference for retired employees.
Eligibility Criteria for a Denmark Work Visa for Pakistanis
Before applying for a Denmark work visa from Pakistan, make sure to fulfill the following criteria to show your eligibility.
- You must have a letter of invitation from the Danish company you are planning to work with.
- Furthermore, this includes submitting details of the organization or your company that is sponsoring your visa.
- Moreover, the company or organization must provide a letter of guarantee to demonstrate that they will bear all your expenses during your entire stay in Denmark.
Step-by-Step Application Process for a Denmark Work Visa from Pakistan
Firstly, get a work permit after securing a job and an employment letter from the employer in Denmark. For this purpose, you can apply for yourself or grant a POA (Power of Attorney) to your potential employer to submit your application on your behalf.
After that, you can apply for a Denmark work visa from Pakistan online using SIRI. It is a Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.
Moreover, follow the step-by-step guide below to successfully apply for a work visa.
Select a suitable work visa scheme for Denmark
Once you open the website of SIRI, several options for a work visa scheme will be visible to you. Among them, choose the suitable one considering your qualifications and experience. Some of the most common types are discussed below.
Work visa types
- The pay limit scheme is for high-income individuals who can earn up to 448,000 DKK or 60,182 Euros annually or above.
- Secondly, if you got a job offer for a profession facing a shortage of experienced professionals in Denmark, then you can choose a work scheme known as the positive list. This may include auditors, engineers, medical consultants, doctors, etc. Moreover, the authorities update the list two times a year, i.e., on the 1st of January and the 1st of July.
- Furthermore, if a Pakistani citizen gets an employment offer from a SIRI-certified company, then they can apply for a fast-track scheme. According to it, the recruitment of foreign employees is easier and faster depending on their qualifications. Besides, they can enjoy a quick job start and flexible permit.
- In addition, you can also travel to Denmark for a short period as a trainee when offered employment at an authorized company.
- Herdsmen and farm managers can also work in Denmark after receiving a job offer from the agriculture department.
- If you are an individual who has a residence permit based on your job with a specific employer but wants to take another job, you can apply for sideline employment.
- Pakistani doctors or dentists who are authorized to apply for a work permit can search for employment for adaptation and training purposes.
- Moreover, if your family wants to join you in Denmark while working in the country, they can apply for a work permit for accompanying family members.
- Furthermore, applicants specialized as artists, coaches, professional athletes, artists, or chefs can apply for a special individual qualifications scheme.
- Lastly, if you have a resident permit as a reunified family member, refugee, or an accompanying family member to a foreign national, you can apply for a labor market attachment.
Generate a case order ID
After selecting your work visa scheme, move ahead to generate a case order ID. It’s an alternative to creating a user account by providing your details including your email address and passport number.
Deposit the Denmark work visa fee
After your case order ID has been generated, you can deposit the Denmark work visa fee online. Payments made through Visa, Master, Union pay Debit & Credit Cards are acceptable.
Besides, make sure to complete steps 2 and 3 in the same calendar year, or else your application will be rejected. Mostly, the fee for a Denmark work visa is 4,405 DKK or 590 Euros or 1,74,712 PKR.
Gather the required documents
The following supporting documents are needed for a Denmark work visa application from Pakistan.
Passport
Submit your Pakistani passport to the relevant authorities. Make sure that it is valid for almost six months ahead of your trip to Denmark and contains two blank pages.
Work visa application form
Moreover, you also need to complete a work visa application form accurately. For this purpose, you can either download the form online or get it through the relevant embassy.
Pictures
Two passport-size pictures are required as per the Schengen photo guidelines. Ensure that they are not older than the last three months and are free from any watermarks.
Health insurance
Purchasing a health insurance policy is mandatory to cover unexpected medical expenses. Moreover, it should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Denmark.
Flight reservation
Your work visa application will be incomplete if you fail to provide proof of flight reservation. This document contains information such as your flight number, travel dates, time, etc.
For more details, read this blog on getting a flight itinerary.
Proof of accommodation
In case your potential employer is not responsible for your accommodation, you must manage it by yourself. Therefore, you can either reserve a hotel or sign a rental contract.
Visa payment receipt
After depositing the fee, make sure to attach the payment receipt as proof to show that you have paid the specific amount.
Power of attorney
If you are authorizing your employer to submit your application on your behalf, you need to grant them a power of attorney form.
Employment contract
After securing a job, your Danish employer will provide you with an employment contract stating the job position, responsibilities, contract duration, etc.
Academic certificates
A Denmark work visa application requires you to submit your academic certificates such as degrees, diplomas, transcripts, etc.
Experience letter
Lastly, you should submit an experience letter issued by your previous employer demonstrating that you have the required expertise and skills to do the job.
Submit the application
You can submit your Denmark work visa application in any of the following three ways.
- Firstly, you can complete your application through SIRI’s website. However, this option is not available for everyone.
- Furthermore, another option is to apply to the Embassy of Denmark in your residing country. Besides, you can also visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark in Pakistan in this regard.
- Lastly, if you are already living in Denmark as a legal resident, you can submit your work visa application in the host country.
Provide your biometrics
After applying for a Danish work visa, make sure to visit the Embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark in Pakistan to provide your biometrics within two weeks. This includes your fingerprints and photos submitted to the Danish diplomatic mission.
The database of the Immigration authorities stores this data. This is a mandatory step to fulfill even if you apply online.
Wait for the processing time
Usually, the standard processing time for a Denmark work visa is one month (30 days). You may get an answer within ten days in case you apply for a visa type like a Fast-Track visa.
Once the authorities make a decision, you will receive an email. You may also get to know about the status of your application via SMS.
Important: Note that due to the regulations imposed after the pandemic, the processing time may increase for up to one to four months.
What Should I Do Once My Danish Work Visa Application is Approved?
After your work visa application is approved, you are allowed to travel to Denmark. After arriving in the target country, make sure that your first step is to register your Danish address. For this purpose, you can visit the local municipality at the place of your residence.
Once your registration is completed, you can get your Danish CPR number. Alternatively, it is known as a personal registration number.
Can I Extend My Denmark Work Visa?
Normally, a Danish work visa is valid for up to four years. But before that, you must have a work and residence permit. So, if the validity of your current work and residence permit is about to expire, you can apply for an extension.
However, certain conditions should be fulfilled to start an extension process. For example, you can extend your permit only if you work with the same employer/job. Alternatively, this means that you must have the same position, in the same company, and under the same employment terms.
Moreover, your extension application may take almost three months to process.
In case you are not employed with the same employer, apply for a new work permit and not an extension.
Can I Take My Family With Me to Denmark on a Work Visa?
Of course. If you are living in Denmark for work purposes, your spouse, cohabiting or civil partner, or children under 18 can get a residence permit as an accompanying family member.
Its processing time is at least two months and you have to pay almost 1,615 DKK or 210 euros or 64,054 PKR.
Moreover, for this purpose, make sure to submit the following documents.
- Visa payment receipt
- A copy of your passport
- Copy of marriage certificate
- Proof of cohabitation including,
- Insurance policy
- Financial statement issued by the bank or letter of sponsorship
- Lease contract
- Joint payments
- Birth certificate of children
Bottomline
Traveling to Denmark from Pakistan for work purposes requires you to fulfill the regulations and the eligibility criteria. This article will help you collect all the required documents and the process you must complete to submit your application successfully.
You can contact the Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan at your convenience for additional queries.
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