Denmark•Europe

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Positive List Scheme

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–4 months

Estimated Cost

DKK kr 6,810

Stay Duration

4 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Work permit for skilled professionals in occupations on Denmark's Positive List; spouse work rights included.

The Positive List addresses documented shortages of qualified professionals in the Danish labor market. It is a government-approved catalog of occupations—from engineering and IT to healthcare—where there is insufficient domestic labor. The list is updated periodically by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) to align with current workforce demands.

The permit is valid up to four years and renewable. The application fee is DKK 6,810, with processing typically taking three to four months. Applicants submit forms AR1 and AR6 to SIRI. Spouses have unrestricted work rights, and dependents are allowed. The scheme leads to permanent residence.

This visa is ideal for skilled professionals with educational qualifications or relevant experience who have secured a concrete job offer from a Danish employer in a listed occupation.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

4 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Denmark

Pay Limit Scheme

ValidityDuration of contract up to 4 years

Processing1–3 months

View Visa Details

Denmark

Fast-Track Work Scheme

ValidityVaries (Depends on employment contract length)

Processing1 month

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

A concrete job offer from a Danish employer.

The job must be included on the current 'Positive List' for skilled work or professionals with a higher education.

The salary and terms of employment must correspond to Danish standards.

Possession of the necessary educational qualifications or professional experience required for the specific job on the list.

The applicant must be 18 years or older.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Employment contract

Passport photo

Professional credentials

Employment contract (sponsor)

Salary confirmation (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Spouse can work without restrictions during your stay in Denmark
Renewable permit with clear pathway to permanent residency
Open to applicants of all nationalities; no geographic restrictions
Processing completed in 3–4 months; relatively swift compared to other schemes
Renewable for occupations on Positive List; addresses critical skill shortages
Up to 4 years maximum stay per permit renewal cycle
Dependents can accompany; family reunification supported
Direct work authorization; no additional permits needed once approved

Worth Knowing

Requires concrete job offer from Danish employer in listed occupation
Job must appear on current Positive List (updated biannually in Jan/July)
Salary and employment terms must meet Danish standards for the profession
Minimum vocational education required; higher qualifications for some roles
Visa only granted if occupation is on current Positive List; non-qualifying jobs automatically rejected