Changes to Danish law affect foreign nationals

On 1 August 2010 a series of law changes entered into force, which affect many foreign nationals in Denmark.

An application for extension must be submitted before your current residence permit expires.
If you wish to apply for an extension of your residence permit, it is now crucial that you submit your application for an extension before the date your current residence permit expires. Otherwise you should expect your application to be rejected because you are residing illegally in Denmark.

If your application is rejected, the Immigration Service will not process your application, and you will have to leave Denmark and apply for a new residence permit in your country of origin. Such an application will be regarded and processed as an entirely new application for a residence permit, i.e. it will be processed in accordance with the rules that apply to first-time applicants. In other words, you will lose the right to an extension of your previous residence permit.

If you are residing illegally in Denmark you risk being expelled and given an entry ban, i.e. you will be banned from entering Denmark for a certain period of time. You also risk being reported to the police for illegal residence. Read more about how to apply for an extension under the different types of residence permit (work, study, au pair, family reunification etc.).