Published 20-08-2025

Change in the duration of residence and work permits issued in Greenland

SIRI is now changing its practice regarding the duration of residence and work permits issued to foreigners who wish to come to Greenland to work.

Under the Aliens Act, as implemented in Greenland, a residence permit may be granted to a foreign national for the purpose of working in Greenland if either ‘significant employment or professional considerations justify granting the application’. In practice, residence permits are granted for a maximum of one year from the date of the decision. 

Under the Landsting Act on the regulation of labour supply, Greenlandic employers are required to obtain a municipal permit if they wish to hire foreign labour for certain positions because qualified Greenlandic labour is not available. Foreigners applying for a residence permit on the basis of work in these areas in Greenland must present such a municipal permit in order to obtain a residence permit. These municipal permits are granted for a maximum of two years. 

In order to create a better correlation between the length of the municipal permit and the residence and work permit, SIRI is now changing its practice so that residence permits based on work in Greenland can be granted for a maximum of two years. The same applies to accompanying family members of the aforementioned group of persons, as their residence permits follow those of the sponsor.

The change in practice will also mean that it will not be necessary to apply for an extension of the residence and work permit every year. 

The change will take effect on 22 August 2025.