Work and residence permits for researcher and academic staff at AU

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:

Please see the new to Denmark website for information about the Fast-track scheme and the conditions that apply.

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