The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that new rules took effect on October 1, 2026, for certain third-country students in state-approved higher education programs in Denmark. The rules will also affect students’ ability to bring their family members to Denmark.
Among other things, the new rules mean that the period of a residence permit for job-seeking after completing an educational program will be reduced from three years to one year.
At the same time, it will no longer be possible for accompanying family members to be granted a residence permit under these rules.
The new rules apply to third-country students in state-approved professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, part-time master’s, and master’s degree programs in Denmark, including master’s degree programs for working professionals. The rules also apply to third-country students in the Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+, and Nordic Master joint programs. PhD students are not affected by the changes and therefore retain the same rights as before.
Students
- Those who applied before October 1, 2026 can be granted a residence permit for job-seeking for up to three years after completing their educational program.
- Those who apply on or after October 1, 2026 can be granted a residence permit for job-seeking for up to one year after completing their educational program.
The spouse, cohabiting partner, or registered partner of a student
- The student applied before October 1, 2026: Those who also submitted their application before October 1, 2026 can still be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student. Those who submit their application on or after October 1, 2026 cannot be granted a residence permit.
- The student applies on or after October 1, 2026: the spouse, cohabiting partner, or registered partner cannot be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, regardless of when they submit their application.
The child of a student
- The student applied before October 1, 2026: The child (under 18 years old) of the student can still be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, even if they apply on or after October 1, 2026.
- The student applies on or after October 1, 2026: The child of the student cannot be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, regardless of when they apply.
Turkish citizens covered by the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey who apply for a residence permit for a state-approved professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or master’s degree program in Denmark may still be entitled to a 3-year job-seeking permit and a residence permit for accompanying family members.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.