The most important rule when extending a residence or work permit in Denmark: you must submit your application for extension BEFORE your current permit expires. Applications can be submitted as early as 3 months before the expiration date. The specific conditions for extension depend on the type of permit you hold (work, study, internship, family reunification, etc.), but the general principle is that you must still meet the conditions for that type of permit.
Specifically for the Pay Limit Scheme: the extension fee is DKK 6,810, and the normal processing time is 4 months (which may extend to 5 months if additional information is required). You must still be employed by the same company, and throughout the validity period of your old permit, you must have worked and received salary in accordance with your contract.
If you submit your extension application on time (before your old permit expires), you are allowed to continue residing and working legally in Denmark with the same rights as your original permit, while awaiting SIRI’s processing of the new application — even if your old permit expires before a decision is made.
Note: If you DO NOT submit your extension application before your permit expires, you lose your legal right of residence; applications submitted after expiration while you are in Denmark are usually rejected. Continuing to work after your permit expires without having submitted an extension is considered illegal employment — both the employee and the company may be penalized.
How to Submit an Extension Application
- Submit your extension application online at nyidanmark.dk, typically using form AR3 or AR7 depending on the type of permit.
- You must continue to meet the conditions for the type of permit you wish to extend (e.g., for a work permit, you must still be employed by the same company and comply with your employment contract).
- It is advisable to submit your application as early as possible within the 3-month period before expiration, avoiding submission close to the expiration date to allow sufficient time to provide additional documents if requested by SIRI.
Documents Required
- Receipt confirming fee payment.
- All passport pages (copy).
- Current employment contract.
- Salary documentation (payslips, confirmation email from HR department).
- Valid professional license (if required by the profession).
- Power of attorney (if an authorized representative submits the application).
- Holiday account statement (if applicable).
- Relevant documents if you have received public benefits (sickness, maternity, childcare, etc.).
Does Changing Companies Affect Extension?
If you hold an “unlimited work permit,” you may work freely for any company or be self-employed without needing to apply for a new permit when changing workplaces, even if working for multiple companies simultaneously.
Note: Most permits under the Pay Limit Scheme or Positive List are tied to ONE specific company. The condition for extending this type of permit requires you to still be employed by the same company for which the initial permit was granted. If you change to another company, this is no longer an extension but requires submitting an application for a NEW work permit.
Accompanying Family Members
Accompanying family members (spouse, children) may submit their residence permit extension applications concurrently, based on the approval of your (the main applicant’s) extension application.
References
- https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/EmployersAndEducation/Employers/Extension
- https://nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-extend/Work—extension/The-Pay-Limit-Scheme
Note: Most permits under the Pay Limit Scheme or Positive List are tied to ONE specific company. The condition for extending this type of permit requires you to still be employed by the same company for which the initial permit was granted. If you change to another company, this is no longer an extension but requires submitting an application for a NEW work permit.
Accompanying Family Members
Accompanying family members (spouse, children) may submit their residence permit extension applications concurrently, based on the approval of your (the main applicant’s) extension application.