Guidelines for temporary employment permits for foreign visitors to Denmark have been revised by the Danish Immigration Service. This update makes it clear which employment-related tasks require a work permit and which can be completed without one. When organizing a brief visit, foreign workers and visa applicants should be aware of these significant modifications to guarantee compliance.
February 2025 Updates on Danish Short-Term Work Permits
In February 2025, the Danish Immigration Service released the following three key adjustments about their recently launched Danish short-term work visa program:
Visa vs. Work Permit: What You Need to Know
To work in Denmark, the majority of foreign nationals need a residence and work permit. However, some employment-related activities can be carried out without a work permit during brief visits (up to 90 days) on a visa or during a stay without a visa.
Activities Not Requiring a Work Permit:
- Training and Education: Foreign nationals can receive training, education, or instruction without needing a work permit.
- Business Meetings: Participation in business negotiations and meetings is permitted without a work permit.
Activities Requiring a Work Permit:
- Direct Contribution to Company Output: A work permit is required in order to perform activities that directly contribute to a company’s production, such as making or altering products.
- Beyond Training: A work permit is also necessary for performing tasks that go beyond simple training and directly affect a business’s operations.
Before applying, it is advisable to seek advice from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) if the nature of your job in Denmark is unclear.
Please visit the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration’s (SIRI) official website for more details and help:
Specific Examples of Work Activities
The Danish Immigration Service has offered particular instances to help illustrate when a work permit is required:
- Meetings and Briefings: For business meetings when conversations do not immediately advance the company’s output, a visa is adequate. For instance, a work permit is not needed to attend a five-day conference with personnel regarding projects that would be carried out abroad.
- Tender Participation: As long as they do not contribute to the final delivery, foreign workers are permitted to participate in tender processes (such as submitting proposals for a contract) without a work permit. They need a work permit if their job directly affects the company’s output.
- Training and Assignments: A work permit is not necessary just to attend training. A work permit is necessary, nevertheless, if the trainee goes on to do programming or any other job-related duties.
- Stay Duration: A work permit is required if an employee’s stay is more than ninety days (for example, a 92-day training program).
- Incomplete Visa Applications: Applications for visas that are incomplete may be denied if they do not include thorough explanations of the work-related activities. For instance, a 90-day visa application may be rejected if the applicant does not include a detailed description of their training.
Volunteering Without a Work Permit
As long as volunteering is not the main reason for their visit, foreign nationals are permitted to perform unpaid volunteer work while on a visa or visa-free stay. Applications for visas based only on unpaid volunteer labor will be denied.
To ascertain whether unpaid volunteer work is exempt or necessitates a work permit, a detailed assessment will be conducted.
New Application Guidelines for Short-Term Work Purpose for Visiting Denmark for up to 90 Days:
Visa applicants must give thorough explanations of their intended activities in order to prevent delays or rejections, including:
✔ Type of Meetings or Training—Specify whether you will attend business meetings, training sessions, or conferences.
✔ Purpose of Travel—Clearly outline why you are visiting Denmark (e.g., attending a seminar, participating in a workshop).
✔ Expected Output (if any) – If your work contributes to a company’s production, you may need a work permit.
✔ Computer Systems or Projects Involved—List any software, tools, or projects you will be working on during your visit.
Giving precise information guarantees a quicker processing of your application and aids Danish authorities in determining whether a work permit is necessary.
For official guidelines, visit:
Danish Immigration Service – Short-Term Work Permits
Conclusion:
The Danish Immigration Service’s February 2025 changes make it more obvious which activities during short-term trips call for a work visa and which do not. In order to comply with Danish requirements, foreign visitors should carefully consider the activities they have planned and make sure all necessary information is included in their visa applications. When in doubt, seeking advice from SIRI can be quite beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of activities require a work permit for short-term stays?
A work permit is necessary for any activities that directly affect a company’s output, such as manufacturing or altering items or carrying out jobs outside the scope of basic training that have an effect on business operations.
Can I volunteer in Denmark without a work permit during a short-term visit?
Yes, as long as volunteering is not the primary reason for your visit. Visa applications based solely on unpaid volunteer work will be denied.
