Denmark Shortens Post-Graduation Job Search Visa: Starting October 1, Most Bachelor's and Master's Applicants Will Receive 6 Months or 1 Year
The official website of the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) shows that for bachelor's and master's students applying for student residence permits on or after October 1, 2026, to attend government-approved programs, the post-graduation job search residence permit will generally be 6 months or 1 year. Applications submitted before this date will still be processed under the previous rules of 6 months or 3 years. This article summarizes the old and new rules, permitted working hours during studies, financial requirements, and visa fees.
If your child plans to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in Denmark in 2027, there is an important change to note: according to the official website of the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), students applying for a residence permit on or after October 1, 2026, will generally be eligible for a job-seeking residence period of 6 months or 1 year after graduation; those applying before October 1 will generally still get 6 months or 3 years. The cutoff is based on the date of applying for the student residence permit, not the enrollment or graduation date.
The following information is compiled from the SIRI website (last updated on October 1, 2026, as indicated on the page) as of October 4, 2026. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Please refer to the latest official information and your individual approval results for specifics.
What is a Job-Seeking Residence Permit in Denmark?
After completing a full, state-approved higher education program in Denmark, you can receive a residence period to look for a job in Denmark. SIRI refers to this as a job seeking permit. According to the official website, this permit is usually issued together with the student residence permit.
Work rights during the job-seeking period are the same as during your studies: up to 90 hours per month, with full-time work allowed in June, July, and August. Holders of a job-seeking residence permit for bachelor's, master's, or other degrees can also apply separately for an unrestricted work permit after graduation, with a processing fee of DKK 840 listed by SIRI. If you receive a job offer during the job-seeking period, you can also reapply for a residence and work permit based on employment.
Comparison of Old and New Rules
| Situation | Job-Seeking Residence Period (General) |
|---|---|
| State-approved program, student residence applied before 2026-10-01 | 6 months or 3 years |
| State-approved program, applied on or after 2026-10-01, obtaining a bachelor's, master's, or other degree | 6 months or 1 year |
| Obtaining a Danish Ph.D. | 3 years |
| Non-state-approved program, applied before 2025-05-02 | 6 months after graduation |
| Non-state-approved program, applied on or after 2025-05-02 | Not eligible for job-seeking residence |
A few notes:
- The degrees covered by the new rules, as listed on the website, include academy profession degrees, professional bachelor's degrees, bachelor's degrees, part-time master's degrees, master's degrees, and master's programs for working professionals.
- The website states that a certain period is "generally" granted, but the page does not elaborate on the specific conditions that determine the exact duration. It is subject to the approval results.
- Turkish citizens are subject to the EU-Turkey Association Agreement and have separate arrangements, which are not detailed in this article.
Non-State-Approved Programs: No Work Allowed
This point is easy to overlook. The SIRI website clearly states: students enrolled in non-state-approved higher education programs who apply for a student residence permit on or after May 2, 2025, will not be granted a limited work permit, meaning they cannot work during their studies and will not receive a job-seeking residence permit after graduation.
Therefore, during the school selection stage, it is crucial to confirm whether the program is state-approved by the Danish government. The SIRI website has specific information on which programs are state-approved, or you can confirm directly with the school.
How Much Can You Work During Your Studies?
Students enrolled in state-approved programs will receive a limited work permit along with their residence permit:
- Up to 90 hours per month during the regular academic term from September to May of the following year;
- Full-time work is allowed in June, July, and August;
- Working hours are calculated by calendar month.
Working overtime is considered illegal work and may result in warnings, fines, or even the revocation of your student residence permit.
Financial Requirements and Visa Fees
| Item | Amount (2026 Standards) |
|---|---|
| Living expense requirement | DKK 7,426 per month |
| For studies exceeding one year | Calculated for 12 months, up to DKK 89,112 |
| Student residence processing fee | DKK 3,060 |
| Standard processing time | 2 months, up to 3 months if additional documents are required |
Proof of funds can be bank statements in your own name (issued within the last 30 days), or approved scholarships or student loans. If you have already paid the first semester's tuition, the website states that this can serve as one of the proofs of sufficient funds. SIRI only accepts liquid assets; sponsorship declarations from others are not accepted.
Additionally, holders of a student residence permit must not deregister their Danish address, nor can they stay outside the country for more than 6 consecutive months, otherwise the residence permit will become invalid.
Impact on Applications
- The deadline has passed: The new rules took effect on October 1, so students enrolling in Fall 2027 will generally fall under the new regulations.
- Plan earlier: Previously, many families factored the 3-year job-seeking period after graduation in Denmark into their overall planning. Under the new rules, the period for bachelor's and master's graduates is generally 6 months or 1 year, so job preparation must begin before graduation.
- Confirm program status first: Whether a program is state-approved determines if you can work and if you are eligible for a job-seeking residence permit.
- Monitor future updates: The page was just updated on October 1, and there may be further detailed rules. Please refer to the latest information from SIRI.
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