The Positive List for People with a Higher Education

You have been offered a job included in the list of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark.

Normal processing time
1 month

Processing fee
DKK 4,670,-

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What is the Positive List for People with a Higher Education?

The Positive List is a list of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark.

If you have been offered a job included in the Positive List, you can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on the scheme.

You must have an educational background that makes you qualified for the job.

A job title can appear in the list, if there is a regional or national shortage of qualified professionals for the position.

A job title can be added to the Positive List if:

  • Ongoing labour market monitoring (the Labour Market Balance Model) shows that there is a national shortage of qualified professionals for a job title,
  • Profession specific unemployment insurance funds (a-kasser) assess that there is a national shortage of qualified professionals for a job title, or
  • The Regional Labour Market Councils assess that there is a regional shortage of qualified professionals for a job title. 

The update of the Positive List based on the ongoing labour market monitoring happens twice a year - 1 January and 1 July.

The Regional Labour Market Councils and the profession specific unemployment insurance funds also update the Positive List twice a year, but this normally happens on 1 April and 1 October. However, in case of an acute shortage of qualified professional for a job title, the Regional Labour Market Councils and the profession specific unemployment insurance funds can at any time add a job title to the list.

The job titles in the Positive List can be delisted no sooner than two years after the time they were added to the list.

If you are an asylum seeker and have found a job included in the list, you can use the scheme to apply. 

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Is my job on the Positive List for People with a Higher Education?

The Positive List for People with a Higher Education

Here is the overview of the job titles on the Positive List for People with a Higher Education arranged according to the professional field.

The list will state whether a job title has been added by the Regional Labour Market Council (RAR) or the profession specific unemployment insurance funds. If nothing is stated the job title has been added based on the Labour Market Balance.

The job titles added by one of the Regional Labour Market Councils (RAR) will only apply to the geographical area (municipalities) covered by the stated council. 

Read more about the Regional Labour Market Councils and what areas they cover (opens in new window)

For every job title, you can also see when the job title in question can be delisted.

The required education must be within a field relevant to the job.

Each of the job titles is listed with the corresponding classification code (DISCO-08-code). 

Find information about the occupational classification DISCO-08 and the classification codes on the webpage of Statistics Denmark (opens in new window)

132400: Warehouse Manager
Required education: At least three years education at bachelor level
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

No professions

No professions

211300: Chemist
Required education: Master’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

214100: Automation Engineer
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

214200: Civil Engineer 
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

2164000: Town Planner
Required education: Master’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

221100: Chief Physician
Required education: Master's degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

221100: Medical Doctor
Required education: Master's degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

221200: Doctor with a Specialty
Required education: Master’s degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

222110: Nurse
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

222120: Nurse with a Specialty
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

222200: Midwife
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

 

226200: Pharmacist
Required education: Master’s degree
Only for the areas: RAR Zealand (opens in new window), RAR Capital Region (opens in new window) and RAR Northern Jutland (opens in new window)


226510: Dietary Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

226910: Occupational therapist
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

232010: Subject Teacher at a Vocational Upper Secondary Education
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition* 
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

233010: Business College Teacher
Required education: Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* 
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

234120: Primary School Teacher
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

234310: Child Care Worker/Support Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree 
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

234310: Social Education Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

241100: Auditor 
Required education: Master's degree 
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

241100: Accounting Controller
Required education: At least three years education at bachelor level
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

251110/251120: IT Consultant
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

251120: IT Architect
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

251120: IT Engineer
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

 

251120/251220: Programmer and system developer
Required education: Higher educational programme
Only for the areas: RAR Funen (opens in new window) and RAR southern Jutland (opens in new window)

 

252900: IT Security Consultant
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

263100: Economist 
Required education: Master’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

263500: Social Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

263600: Priest
Required education: Master’s degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

311200: Architectural Technology and Construction Manager
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

321100: Radiographer
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree + Danish authorization*
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

321310: Pharmacy Technician
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official permission**
Is on the list until 30 June 2025

* Requires Danish authorisation / official recognition: read more here

** Requires Danish official permission: read more here 

What do you want to print?

What are the conditions?

Your job must be included in the Positive List. In addition, there are a number of other conditions.

It is a condition for all job titles on the Positive List for People with a Higher Education that you have completed a higher educational programme.

The list contains information about what educational level is required for each job title.

For example, if you are offered employment as a civil engineer, you must document that you have, as a minimum, completed a professional bachelor's degree.

For som job titles it is in addition a requirement that you have obtained a Danish authorisation or official recognition.

Read more about the authorisation requirements

Your salary and terms of employment must correspond to Danish standards. This means that your salary, holiday entitlements and terms of notice etc. must not be inferior to the standards within the professional field in which you are going to work.

When you apply, you must attach a copy of your employment contract or job offer. All terms of employment must be stated in the contract or the job offer.

See which information the employment contract as a minimum must include

If SIRI has any doubts whether your salary and terms of employment correspond to Danish standards, we can ask experts in the field, e.g. one of the regional labour market councils, to assess your terms of employment.

It is a condition that your working hours are usual. This means that you typically must work full time (normally 37 hours a week). However, within certain industries there might be job positions with employment of less than 37 hours per week, which in some instances may be considered usual.

Your salary must be paid to a Danish bank account in a bank operating legally in Denmark.

Accordingly, your salary cannot be paid to you in cash or to a foreign bank account.

It is not a requirement that the transfer to the Danish bank account must happen from a Danish bank account.

There are no immediate limits to the type of bank account you can use. A currency account or basic bank account can both be used.

In order to create a Danish bank account, you must contact a bank yourself. If you have not yet received a Danish address or CPR number and are experiencing diffuclties creating a Danish bank account, in order to find out what options you have in terms of creating a basic payment account,you can read more on www.basalbetalingskonto.dk (opens in a new window)

The Danish bank account must be opened no later than 90 days after the date of being granted a Danish residence and work permit, or 90 days after the employee enters Denmark, whichever happens last. Your salary during your first 90 days in Denmark can be paid to a foreign bank account. If you already hold a residence permit for no less than 3 months, your salary must be paid to a Danish bank account from the first payment of salary .

The requirement does not apply if you apply under the Positive list for the highly educated, under the researcher scheme or the researcher track under the Fast-track Scheme and your employment does not exceed 180 days from the day of entry. However, the requirement will apply to you if your short term employment is extended beyond 180 days.

The salary you have been offered must not be lower that normal within the field you will be working in. 

SIRI can only take into account, following pay, when accessing whether the offered salary is corresponding to Danish standards:

  • Salary in the form of liquid assets, including fixed supplements which are, therefore, guaranteed salary

  • Payments to labour market pension schemes, including the pension contributions paid by both the employer and the applicant

  • Paid holiday allowance 

If you earn holiday allowance, which can only be paid to you in the following year, it cannot count towards the annual salary for the year in which you have earned it. Moreover, it is only holiday allowance paid by the employer whom you are currently allowed to work for, that can be counted as part of your salary.

Your employer might offer you, as a supplement to your salary. These salary components cannot be taken into account when assessing whether your salary corresponds to Danish standards:

  • Paid living and housing expenses

  • Per diems

  • Free use of car

  • Paid phone

  • Paid internet

  • Benefits-in-kind

  • Subscriptions

  • Other services offered to you by your employer.

Read more about Danish standards for salary and terms of employment and requirements for the employment contract

In some cases it is required that you have a Danish authorisation. This applies if you are a doctor, for example. 

Please note that you must attach documentation proving that you have obtained Danish authorisation, or attach a receipt proving that you have submitted an application for Danish authorisation. Therefore, you should wait to apply for a residence and work permit at SIRI, until after you have applied for your Danish authorisation.

Read more about authorisation for healthcare workers at The Danish Patient Safety Authority (opens in new window)

Read more about which professions are regulated by law – that is, which professions that you can only hold if you have a Danish authorisation or a similar Danish permit - on the webpage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (opens in new window)

One of the conditions for a residence permit under this scheme is that an accompanying family member (spouse, cohabiting partner, children or in certain circumstances other family members) has not had its residence permit revoked more than once due to lack of a required work permit.

 

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What are my rights, if I am granted a permit?

What are you allowed to do with a Danish residence and work permit based on the Positive List? – and what are you not allowed to do?

You are only allowed to work in the job and in the company that you have been granted a permit to work in.

If you have been granted a residence permit for a job based one of the Regional Labour Market Councils have additions , you can only for for the  company or a branch of the company in that particular geographical area (municipalities) the council covers. However, you can participate in meetings in other areas of Denmark and go for business trips abroad as part of your job.
Read more about the Regional Labour Market Councils and what areas they cover (opens in new window)

After having a residence permit for 4 years, you are allowed to have you primary place of work in a different geographical area without having to apply for a new residence permit.

You are allowed to carry out unpaid voluntary work. Read about unpaid voluntary work.

Please note that your work permit can expire before your residence permit. This happens if you have been granted a permit to stay in Denmark for a period of time while looking for a new job.

It is important that you do not work during this so called job seeking period as it is only intended for job seeking in Denmark.

If you are offered a new job, you must apply for a new permit. This also applies if you are offered a new position within the same company.

If you wish to take a sideline job, you have to obtain a separate permit. Read more about sideline employment.

A Danish residence and work permit does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries. Read more about Schengen. 

Read more about working conditions in Denmark and 'The Danish labour market model.

A residence and work permit based on the Positive List allows you to stay in Denmark for the period of time your permit is valid.

In addition, a permit allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within the latest 180 days period. The permit, however, does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries.

You must not give up your Danish address or stay abroad for longer than 6 successive months. A violation will result in the lapse of your permit. This means that you will lose your right to stay in Denmark.

If you need to stay abroad for an extended period of time, e.g. if you are stationed abroad for a period of time by your employer, you can apply for a dispensation to prevent your permit from lapsing.

You can read more about permit lapse and dispensation options here.

You must be able to support yourself and your family during your stay. For instance, you are not allowed to receive benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act – and there might be other benefits that you cannot receive. 

If you or your family members receive such benefits during your stay, your permit can be revoked – and you will lose the right to stay in Denmark. 

If an authority, e.g. a municipality, disburses benefits to foreign nationals, SIRI will be notified.

Read more about benefits that you are not allowed to receive.

With a residence permit in Denmark, you are entitled to free Danish lessons. However, you must have turned 18 years and have your Danish address registered in the Danish National Register.

If you have a residence permit in Denmark based on work, study, etc. you have to pay a deposit before you can start receiving lessons. Be aware that you can lose your deposit if you do not pass the different modules within a specific timeframe.

Your municipality of residence is obliged to offer you Danish lessons and refer you to a language centre. If you have not been offered Danish lessons within a month after registering your address in Denmark, you can contact your municipality. 

You will (typically) be taught together with other foreign nationals who have arrived in Denmark recently.

If you are going to stay and work in Denmark, there are a number of things to acquaint yourself with. Depending on your personal situation, you might need other important information and options.

The portal lifeindenmark.dk (opens in new window) provides you with information, links and in many cases also options concerning the most important subjects such as:

• NemID
• The CPR register
• Health card
• Tax matters
• Holiday entitlements 
• School and daycare
• Housing
• Danish lessons
• Car registration and driver’s licens

What do you want to print?

How long can I stay in Denmark?

If you apply from abroad, you can be granted a residence permit valid for 1 month before you start working in Denmark. It will give you the time to settle in Denmark. When you apply, you must declare that you can support yourself and any accompanying family members during this time.  If you do not declare this, your residence permit will be valid for 14 days before you start working.

If you apply in Denmark, your residence permit will be valid from the day you start working.

If you are employed for a shorter period than 4 years, your residence and work permit will normally be valid for the period of your employment. If you wish to continue working in Denmark after this time, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit.

In addition, you will automatically be granted a 6 month job seeking permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark.

You are not allowed to work during your job seeking period.

If you find a new job, you must submit a new application based on the new job – it can either be based once again on the Positive List or it can be based on another of our work schemes. When you have submitted your application based on the new job, you do not have to wait for your permit before you start working. You can start your new job on the day you submit the new application.

If your employment contract is extended, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit.

It is very important that you apply for an extension before your permit expires.

If you submit your application for an extension in time, you can stay in Denmark and continue to work even though your permit is expiring. 

If your employment is for a period of 4 years or more, you will normally be granted a permit valid for 4 years. If you wish to continue to work after the first 4 years, you must apply for an extension of your residence and work permit based on the extension of your employment.  ´

It is very important that you apply for an extension before your permit expires.

If you submit your application for an extension in time, you can stay in Denmark and continue to work, even though your permit expires before SIRI makes a decision on your application for an extension.

A residence permit can only be valid until 3 months before the expiry date of your passport.

If your passport has a shorter validity than the otherwise possible period of stay, your residence permit will be shortened. This means that the validity of your residence permit will be shorter than it could be. When you have renewed your passport, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit – however, this can only be done 3 months before your permit expires at the earliest. 

Read more about the passport requirements.

What do you want to print?

What should I do, if I lose or change my job?

When you are granted a permit based on the scheme, your residence permit is linked to your job in Denmark. Your employment is the basis for your permit. 

You must always inform SIRI if you lose or change your job.

Your work permit is limited to the employment that is the basis for your permit.  You are not allowed to work in other positions than the one stated in your permit. This also applies if you are offered a new position in the same company.

You must inform SIRI if you lose your job. Your residence and work permit will be revoked as it is based on this exact job. 

However, if you become unemployed through no fault of your own, e.g. due to cutbacks, you can apply for an extra 6 month residence permit allowing you to look for a new job in Denmark. 

You must apply for a job seeking permit no later than two days after your employment ends.

You are not allowed to work while you have a job seeking permit.

If you find a new job, you must apply for a new residence and work permit based on one of our work schemes. When you have submitted your new application, you can start working even though you have not been granted a permit yet. More about this job change rule here.

If you find a new job while working in Denmark, you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit with information on your new employment. When you have submitted your new application, you can start working even though SIRI has not granted you a permit yet.

What do you want to print?

Can my family be granted a residence permit?

A residence and work permit based on a job in Denmark allows your family to come with you to Denmark.

A permit can be granted to your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner as well as children under the age of 18 living at home.

Read more about accompanying family members here.

What do you want to print?

What more do I need to know before I apply?

An application for a residence permit on the basis of work must be submitted to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

As a general rule, you must have an employment agreement with a company registered in Denmark to be able to apply. However, there are certain exceptions, e.g. if you work for a foreign company that provides services in Denmark.

Before submitting your application, you must create a case order ID for your application and pay a fee to cover SIRI’s case processing expenses. You can do this on the “How to apply” tab to the right. Here you also find the relevant application form, AR1.

Your employer must fill in one of two parts of the form. Your employer must be the first to fill in his or her part. When your employer has completed his or her part, a reference number and password will be shown, which your employer must pass on to you. You are then able to open the online application and complete your part.

If you have granted your employer power of attorney to handle the application on your behalf, your employer must use the AR6 form. This form is only filled in by the employer.

Please note that, as a rule, SIRI will refuse your application for a residence permit on new grounds, if the application is submitted prematurely in relation to the wished for start date for your stay in Denmark.

 

If you submit such an application earlier than 6 months before your stay in Denmark will begin, you can expect a refusal to your application. If you have paid SIRI's case processing fee, you will not receive a refund of the fee.

SIRI will contact you or your employer if we need further information to process your case.

What do you want to print?

Below you will find a step-by-step guide to submitting an application to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

It is important that you have carefully read the conditions for being granted a residence permit before you begin step 1. You can do this on the tab “Need to know” on the left.

If you are a commuter and will not be residing in Denmark and for this reason will only apply for a work permit, you do not need to create a case order ID or pay a fee. Instead you kan go directly to step 3. Read more about commuting here.

When submitting an application or appeal with a fee, you must first create a case order ID.

Case type:

The Positive lists

Fee:

DKK 4,670,-

Information about the applicant

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Are you sure you do not want to receive a receipt by mail?
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Are you exempt from paying the fee?

Are you sure a fee is not required to be paid in your case?

Only certain applicants are exempt from paying a fee. If the immigration authorities decide at a later stage that the applicant/appelant is not exempt from paying a fee, the application/appeal will be rejected.
If you have paid a fee and the following case handling shows that the fee should not have been paid, the whole fee will be refunded.

In certain cases the fee is not warranted (fee exemption). Examples are:

  • The Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey
  • Denmark’s international obligations

You are still required to create a case order ID, even if you are not required to pay a fee.

If you have paid a fee and it is not warranted, the whole fee will be refunded.

Read more about Fee exemption

The information is incorrect

Case order ID

All fees are regulated every year on 1 January. Make sure to create your Case Order ID, pay the fee and submit your application in the same calendar year. If you pay the fee before 1 January and submit your application after 1 January, your application may be rejected.

If no case order ID is shown in the field below, please type your case order ID and click on View payment status.

The information is incorrect The information is incorrect
The information is incorrect

Case Order ID:

Fee:

Payment status:

Payment options

It is a good idea to gather the necessary documents before you start to complete the application form. You can use the check list below.

If you submit documents not written in English, German, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish, you must also submit certified translations into Danish or English.

You must submit:

If you have applied based on a job added by one of the Regional Labour Market Councils, you must also submit:

You can see which information the employment contract must include here

Expect to use

30 minutes

completing the application

2 persons

You and your employer are each required to complete a part of the form.

In this step you and your employer have access to the relevant application forms.

Make sure that you have completed all the preceeding steps before you begin.

All our application forms contain careful instructions on how to complete the form and what kind of documents you must submit along with the form.

You can read more about how we process your personal data here.

You can choose between these two online application forms:

  • AR1, in which you and your employer each are required to complete separate parts of the form

  • AR6, in which you grant your employer power of attorney to apply on your behalf

In the AR1 form your employer must complete the first of the two parts of the form. When your employer has completed his or her part, a reference number and password will be shown, which your employer must pass on to you. You are then able to open the online application and complete your part.

In the AR6 form only your employer must complete the form

Read more about power of attorney and download an approved power of attorney standard here.

Make sure you have all documents ready in digital form, in order to attach them as you complete the application form.

If you do not have a MitID, you must sign, scan and attach to the application the document 'Sworn declarations and information'.

You can download the document 'Sworn declarations and information' here (also available in the form)

 

Use the form AR1                    Use the form AR6

 

Please note that it is mandatory to use this application form. Under special circumstances, you can be exempted from the requirement to use an online application form. You can read more here.

When you apply for a residence permit, you must have your biometric features recorded. This means that you must have a facial photo taken and your fingerprints recorded. The facial photo and your fingerprints will be stored on a microchip embedded in the residence card, which will be issued to you if you are granted a permit.

If you do not agree to have your biometric features recorded, your application will be rejected. This means that your application will not be processed.

Read more about biometrics here.

You must have your biometric features recorded no later than 14 days after you submitted your application.

If you are unable to have your biometric features recorded within the time limit of 14 days, because you are unable to book an appointment at a Danish diplomatic mission, you can inform us of the appointed time you will have your biometrics recorded. This way you can avoid having your application rejected.

You are abroad

You can have your biometric features recorded at a Danish diplomatic mission or an application centre in the country, where you reside.

See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ list of diplomatic missions or application centres where you can have your biometric features recorded (opens in new window)

In certain countries Denmark does not have a diplomatic mission or application centre. In these instances the list will refer you to one of the Norwegian missions with which Denmark has made an agreement or to the nearest Danish diplomatic mission or application centre in the region.

If you submit your application to a Norwegian diplomatic mission, you must also submit one passport photo. If you are granted a residence permit based on your application, you must within a specific time frame afte you entry to Denmark have your biometric features recorded.

We recommend that you visit the local diplomatic mission’s webpage to get more information before you submit the application. The individual diplomatic mission can have additional requirements regarding payment of additional fees, submission of additional passport photos or additional copies of the application.

You are in Denmark

If you are residing legally in Denmark, you are normally able to have your biometric features recorded in Denmark. This is the case, if you:

  • hold a valid visa

  • is exempt from the visa requirement or

  • already hold a valid residence permit.

Read more about the legal residence requirement and submission of your application in Denmark. 

You can have your biometric features recorded in one of SIRI’s branch offices

If you plan to have your biometrics recorded in one of SIRI’s branch offices, you must remember to book an appointment. 

You can also send the application to SIRI.

If you are a commuter and does not reside in Denmark and for this reason will only apply for a work permit, you do not need to have your biometrics recorded. Read more about commuters here

You have submitted your application succesfully if you have:

  • created a case order ID
  • paid the fee
  • submitted the application
  • had your biometric features recorded

You can see the normal case processing time to the right on this page. When we make a decision in your case, you will receive an answer.

SIRI will contact you or your employer if we need further information to process your case.

Read more about what you can expect while you are waiting for an answer.

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Last updated 08-11-2023 - Published by: SIRI

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