Denmark job seeker permit after graduation

You must hold a valid study permit and have completed a Danish academy profession, professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, part-time master’s, master’s or PhD programme approved by a state authority. If you applied for the study permit before 1 October 2026, a 3-year job seeking period was generally granted with it; for applications on or after 1 October 2026 it is generally 1 year, except after a PhD, which still gives 3 years. Graduates of master’s programmes for working professionals get up to 6 months.

Students of non-state-approved programmes who applied on or after 2 May 2025 get no job seeking period. Turkish citizens covered by the EU–Türkiye Association Agreement are treated differently: for a state-approved degree below PhD level they may be entitled to 3 years even when applying from 1 October 2026, and for a non-state-approved programme to 6 months or 3 years.

SIRI normally adds the job seeking period to the study permit automatically if your passport is valid long enough. Apply separately only if the study permit was shortened by your passport expiry date, or you finished after the prescribed study period and the remaining period is shorter than you are entitled to. The application can be made when 4 months or less remain on the student permit. Processing takes 3 months, up to 4.

An extension of a job seeking permit can be requested at the earliest 4 months before it expires, within the maximum period you are entitled to. A permit allows 90 days in any 180 elsewhere in Schengen but no work there. Do not give up your Danish address or stay abroad more than 6 consecutive months.

You keep the work rights you had as a student: 90 hours per calendar month, and full time in June, July and August. Graduates of a state-approved bachelor’s, professional bachelor’s, part-time master’s or master’s degree can also apply for a work permit without limits for DKK 840. When you get a job offer, apply for a permit under a work scheme; Positive List and Pay Limit applicants can start working once the application is submitted.

A refusal can be appealed to the Immigration Appeals Board within 8 weeks for DKK 1,040. If you are given a departure deadline you may not work during it.