Work and residence permit for researchers and academic staff
General conditions
A residence and work permit is required to conduct research in Denmark. However, as researcher you have access to the most flexible conditions provided.
Your HR-contact will help you to apply for your work and residence permit.
To have your work and residence permit timely processed by the immigration authorities, please act promptly throughout the application process or when asked by your HR-contact.
You can apply for a work and residence permit via several different schemes. Usually, you apply for a work and residence permit via the Fast track-scheme for researchers, because it provides you with the best and most flexible conditions. Read more about the different schemes below.
Please note that a researcher who wishes to engage in any other activities (external examiner, external lecturer etc.) may need to apply for a work permit for sideline activities (whether paid or unpaid). Read more about sideline activities
Please also note that non-Nordic citizens are required to hold a work and residence permit to work or conduct research in Greenland or the Faroe Islands. Special conditions apply and the processing time is 3 months. Contact your HR-contact for further information.
Fast-track scheme for researchers
The Fast-track scheme enables researchers employed at AU to apply for a work and residence permit and provides the most favourable and flexible conditions.
Requirements
You need to meet the following requirements to be on the Fast-track scheme:
- Hold a master’s degree or equivalent (as a minimum)
- Be employed as a researcher in an academic position at AU
- Have a written job contract or job offer that specifies salary and employment conditions
- Uphold salary and employment conditions that correspond to Danish standards (which is compulsory for employments at AU)
Advantages:
- You are free to work both in and outside Denmark - within the duration of your permit - without your permit lapsing.
- Your permit will usually include a residence permit of an additional 6 months. You can use the permit to stay in Denmark to look for a job. You are not allowed to work during the 6 months unless you have a new work permit.
- Full-time employment is not a requirement
- You will usually be able to move to another research-position at AU without applying for a new work and residence permit
- On certain conditions you can start working at AU before you are granted a work and residence permit
For detailed information:
Researcher scheme
Requirements:
You need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a master’s degree, PhD degree or equivalent
- Be employed as a researcher in an academic position at AU
- Have a written job contract or job offer that specifies salary and employment conditions
- Uphold salary and employment conditions that correspond to Danish standards (which is compulsory for employments at AU)
Advantages:
- You are free to work both in and outside Denmark - within the duration of your permit - without your permit lapsing.
- Full-time employment is not a requirement
- You will usually be able to move to another research-position at AU without applying for a new work and residence permit
Please be aware that:
- Your permit will not include additional months for job seeking in Denmark
- You are not able to start working at AU before you have been granted a work and residence permit
For detailed information:
Pay Limit scheme
Requirements:
- You must uphold a job with a minimum gross annual pay. The minimum gross annual pay is adjusted every year. See the current amount
- Have a written job contract or job offer that specifies salary and employment conditions
- Uphold salary and employment conditions that correspond to Danish standards (which is compulsory for employments at AU)
Advantages:
- Your permit will usually include a residence permit of additional 6 months during which time you can stay in Denmark to look for a job
- There are no requirements for the position and your educational background
Please be aware that:
- You are not able to start working at AU before you have been granted a work and residence permit
- You are not allowed to work outside Denmark - within the duration of your permit - without your permit lapsing. Your permit will lapse if you give up your Danish address or travel abroad for more than 6 months.
- You must apply for a new work and residence permit if you move to another research-position at AU
- You are required to work full-time (37 hours per week)
- There are certain requirements for the minimum gross annual pay. Please make sure to read all the details
For detailed information:
Stays of less than 90 days
You are not required to hold a work permit if your stay is less than 90 days, and you are either:
- Invited as a researcher to conduct research, teaching, participate in research projects or similar activities. Researchers are academic staff such as research assistants, assistant professors, professors and lecturers.
- Invited to participate in meetings and briefings at AU
- Invited as a lecturer to teach or lecture at AU
Requirements:
- Your stay must not exceed 90 days, calculated from the day of arrival in Denmark/the Schengen area
- You must be employed as a researcher at AU or in Denmark
- If you are a citizen of a country with a visa requirement to enter Denmark, you must obtain a short-term visa valid for the entire stay before you enter Denmark.
- If you are a citizen of a country with no visa requirement to enter Denmark, you must still meet the general visa conditions.
Advantages:
- You are allowed to work only based on a short term-visa or (if you are exempted from the visa requirement) without any work or residence permit
Please be aware that:
- If your stay in Denmark is expected to exceed 90 days, you must have a work and residence permit covering the entire period, including the first 90 days. You must obtain the permit before you arrive in Denmark.
- You will not be able to register as a resident in Denmark and will not be covered by Danish health care
For detailed information:
Please refer to the new to Denmark website for detailed information about a short-term visa
Not employed by AU
If you are on a research stay at AU with no employment, please refer to our website for guest researchers / guest PhD’s for further information.
