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

Please note: At the moment, the processing time is prolonged and can be expected to take
1-4 months

Processing fee
DKK 4,405,-

What do you want to print?

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 Danish residence and work permit based on the Positive List Scheme.

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

The Positive List is updated twice a year – 1 January and 1 July.

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

What do you want to print?

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

The Positive List as of 1 January 2023

Here is the overview of the job titles on the Positive List arranged according to the professional field. 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). 

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

 

132100: Head of Product
Required education: At least three years education at bachelor level

No professions

No professions

211300: Chemist
Required education: Master’s degree

213120: Biologist
Required education: Master’s degree

214100: Mechanical Engineer
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree

214200: Civil Engineer 
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree

214300: Environmental Engineer 
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree

215200: Electronics Engineer
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree

2164000: Town Planner
Required education: Master’s degree

221100: Medical Doctor
Required education: Master's degree + Danish authorization*

221100: Hospital Doctor
Required education: Master’s degree + Danish authorization*

222120: Nurse 
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree + Danish authorization* 

225000: Veterinarian
Required education: Master’s degree + Danish authorization*
 
226100: Dentist 
Required education: Master's degree + Danish authorization*

226410: Physiotherapist
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization*

226910: Occupational therapist
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorization*

231010: Ph.D., Social Sciences
Required education: Master’s degree

231020: Assistant Professor at a University College
Required education: Master’s degree

232010: Subject Teacher at a Vocational Upper Secondary Education
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition* 

233010: Upper Secondary School Teacher, Natural Sciences and Sports
Required education: Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* 

234120: Independent School Teacher
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree

234120: Primary School Teacher
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition*

234310: Child Care Worker/Support Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree 

234310: Social Education Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree

235210: Special Education Teacher
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition*

241100: Auditor 
Required education: Master's degree 

241100: Accounting Controller
Required education: At least three years education at bachelor level

241310: Financial Analyst
Required education: At least three years education at bachelor level

251210: IT Architect
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level

251120: IT Engineer
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level

251210: IT Project Leader
Required education: At least three years education at university or business school level 

251210: IT Consultant
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level

251220: Programmer and System Developer
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level

252200: System Administrator
Required education: At least three years IT education at bachelor level

261900: Legal Officer
Required education: Master's degree

263400: Psychologist 
Required education: Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* 

263500: Social Worker
Required education: Professional Bachelor’s degree

263600: Priest
Required education: Master’s degree

265200: Organist, cantor
Required education: At least three years education at bachelor level 

311200: Architectural Technology and Construction Manager
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree

325120: Dental Hygienist
Required education: Professional Bachelor's degree + Danish authorisation*

* Requires Danish authorisation / official recognition: read more here 

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What are the conditions?

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

Your education must match the job on the Positive List for People with a Higher Education.

If you are offered employment as for example an IT engineer, you must as a minimum document that you have completed a 3 year IT educational programme at university og business school level.

All job titles on the list presupposes an educational background on bachelor's degree level or higher.

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

Read more about the authorisation requirement here

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.

You can see which information the employment contract must, at least, include here

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.

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 nor can expenses for rent, lunch or similar be deducted before the salary is paid to a Danish 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.

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.

Your salary can only consist of:
•Salary in the form of liquid assets
•Payments to labour market pension schemes
•Paid holiday allowance

Only paid holiday allowance from the employer whom you are currently allowed to work for can be counted as part of your salary. 

If you earn holiday allowance paid to you in the following holiday year, the holiday allowance cannot be counted as a part the annual salary of the year in which you earned the holiday allowance. 

Salary components like the following cannot be taken into account when assessing the wage level:
•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.

The list is not complete.

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

Read more about authorisation for healthcare workers. 

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.

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.

Furthermore you are allowed to carry out 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. You can read more about sideline employment here.

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

You can read more about working conditions in Denmark and 'The Danish labour market model' here.

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.

 You can see a list of benefits that you are not allowed to receive here.

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 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. 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.

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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. You can choose between an online form and a print form. It is best to use the online form as it is both safer and more efficient.

Your employer must fill in one of two parts of the form – and if you use the online 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 online 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 4,405,-

Information about the applicant

The information is incorrect
The information is incorrect

Are you sure you do not want to receive a receipt by mail?
The information is incorrect

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:

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. You can choose between an online form and a print form. It is best to use the online form as it is both safer and more efficient.

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.

 

Online applications

If you apply online, you must choose between these two online application forms:

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

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

In the AR1 online 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 online 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 NemID, 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 online form AR1                    Use the online form AR6

 

Printable application forms

In the printable application form AR1 your employer must complete part 2 of the form. When your employer has completed his or her part, you must complete your part. Once parts 1 and 2 have been completed, they must be submitted together – read more in the next step.

You must submit the necessary documents with the application.

The printable application form in Word format can be completed on screen before you print. The application form in pdf format must be printed first and then completed by hand.

Download the printable form AR1 (Word format)

Download the printable form AR1 (Pdf format)

You have applied online

If you have applied online, your application has already been submitted. Read more about having your biometrics recorded in the next step.

You are are submitting the application abroad

The application can be submitted to a Danish diplomatic mission or an application centre in the country where you are residing.

See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ list of diplomatic missions or application centres where you can hand in your application

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.

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 submitting the application in Denmark

If you are residing legally in Denmark, you are normally able to submit the application 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 submit the applicaton in one of SIRI’s branch offices.

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

You can also send the application to SIRI.

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 have applied online

If you have submitted an online application form, you must have your biometric features recorded no later than 14 days after you submitted your application.

Your biometric features can be recorded at

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 by email of the appointed time you will have your biometrics recorded. This way you can avoid having your application rejected.

You are are submitting the application abroad

If you submit an printable application form, 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

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 submitting the application 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 04-01-2023 - Published by: SIRI

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