Biometry - Extension - Termination of a residence permit

Residence cards with biometric features

After 20 May 2012, all non-EU citizens over the age of 18 applying for residence permits under the terms of the Aliens Act must have their biometric features (facial image and fingerprints) recorded when submitting their application. Biometric features will also be recorded when applying to renew a residence permit and when applying for permanent residence.

Applicants who are physically unable to have their fingerprints recorded will not be required to do so.

If the application is submitted at an embassy or consulate that has agreed to process Danish applications for residence, the applicant will be required to appear at the embassy or consulate in person to submit two facial photos. Applicants who are granted residence will be informed that they will be required to have their biometric features recorded within a specific time period after arriving in Denmark.

A residence card serves as proof that an individual has Danish residence.

Immigration authorities will reject applications for residence if the applicant refuses to include a facial image and fingerprints for use in a biometric residence card, should the applicant be approved for residence. If the application is submitted at the embassy or consulate of a country that has agreed to process Danish applications for residence, the application will not be rejected if it does not include fingerprints. Foreign embassies and consulates cannot reject applications.

Recording biometric features

An applicant must appear in person to have his/her biometric features (facial image and fingerprints) recorded when submitting an application for residence at a Danish embassy or consulate, a Danish police station or at the office of the Immigration Service/Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment. Applicants will also be asked to provide a signature.
Applicants for residence are required to present their passport or other forms of travel document when submitting an application. For information about where to apply for residence and work permit to Denmark, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Individuals, who submit their application at the Immigration Service, Agency for International Recruitment and Integration or at a police station will have their biometric features recorded at that time. Individuals who submit their application at a Danish embassy or consulate abroad will have their biometric features recorded at that time.

Individuals who submit their application at a foreign embassy or consulate that has agreed to process Danish applications for residence will be required to include two facial photos with the application. Individuals who are granted residence will have their biometric features recorded after arriving in Denmark.

In addition to biometric features, applicants will also be asked to provide a signature. If an applicant is granted residence, his/her biometric features will be stored on a microchip embedded in the residence card.

Asylum seekers will have their biometric features recorded by the police when submitting an application for asylum at Center Sandholm. Quota refugees will have their biometric features recorded at a police station after arriving in Denmark.

Extension of a temporary residence permit as an au pair

Application form AU1 (English/Danish)

How to apply for an extension

As an au pair, you can be granted a residence permit for a maximum of 24 months, but no longer than the duration of your au pair contract. If you have been granted a residence permit as an au pair for less than 24 months, and you apply for an extension, you may continue as an au pair while the Immigration Service is processing your application, provided that you are with the same host family and that the conditions for your stay, remain unchanged. The condition for extending a residence permit is, first and foremost, that you still meet the conditions for your original residence permit. Normally, you must submit your application in Denmark. If you wish to apply for an extension of your residence permit as an au pair, you should use the same application form as when you applied for your first permit (application form AU1). Please state that you wish to apply for an extension.

You can submit your application for an extension no sooner than two months before your residence permit expires. It is crucial that you submit your application for an extension before your current residence permit expires!!!

You can obtain a printed version at The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), where you can also submit your application. If you live outside the Greater Copenhagen area, you can also obtain the form and submit your application at your local police station.

Personal inquiries

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI)
Tel: +45 72 14 20 02 (Line 2)
Call center opening hours
Monday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday closed
Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 3. p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Other ways to contact SIRI

Important information about your passport

When you apply for an extension of your residence permit, make sure that your passport is valid. SIRI can revoke or refuse to extend your temporary residence permit if you do not hold a valid passport or other travel documents.
Please note that your residence permit can only be extended up to three months before your passport expires. In other words, if your passport expires in 12 months, your residence permit can only be extended by nine months. If you hold a national passport (i.e. a passport from your country of origin), the diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general) of your country of origin, will renew it.
SIRI is responsible for renewing Alien’s passports and Convention passports.

Termination of residence permit

Even though you have been granted a Danish residence permit, your permit can be revoked or denied the extension, which removes your right to reside in Denmark. If your residence permit has been revoked or denied the extension, and you do not hold another residence permit, you will be given a deadline to leave Denmark, i.e. you will be required to leave Denmark before a specified point in time. After this point, you will be considered an illegal resident in Denmark. If you are residing illegally in Denmark, you risk being expelled and given an entry ban. To be expelled from Denmark means, you will be banned from entering all EU and Schengen countries, including Denmark, for a minimum of two years. If you are expelled, you may be deported by the police. The appeal process will be explained in detail when you receive the Immigration Service's decision.

The residence permit can be revoked or denied an extension for a number of reasons

If your situation changes

The Immigration Service may revoke or refuse to extend your residence permit, if the grounds on which it was granted no longer apply, for example, if you break your au pair contract. It may also be the case, if any of the other conditions attached to your residence permit no longer apply, for example, if your work hours exceed the legal limit, or if you carry out work outside your host family's home.
You are obliged to inform SIRI of any changes in your personal situation, which could affect your right to reside in Denmark. If you have found a new host family, you must apply for a new residence permit before beginning as an au pair with the new family.

Fraud

SIRI has the right to revoke or refuse to extend your residence permit if you are found to have obtained it by giving the authorities false information.

Missing passport

SIRI has the right to revoke or refuse to extend your residence permit if you no longer possess a valid passport or other legitimate forms of travel documents.
If you apply for an extension of your residence permit, you must include a copy of your passport with the application. If your passport or travel documents are invalid, the Immigration Service will not proceed with the case before you have had your existing passport, renewed or have acquired a new passport. You will typically be given one month to do this.

The Schengen Information System

SIRI has the right to revoke or refuse to extend your residence permit if you have been reported as an undesirable in the Schengen Information System (SIS). You must have been reported, because of serious crimes, which would warrant deportation if committed in Denmark.

Other circumstances

SIRI has the right to revoke or refuse to extend your residence permit if you are considered a threat to national security, to public order, safety or health. Your residence permit can also be revoked if you are a war criminal, or have committed a serious non-political crime outside Denmark. Finally, your residence permit can be revoked if, while outside Denmark, you have been convicted of a crime that would warrant deportation if committed in Denmark.

Your personal situation is taken into consideration

If your personal situation indicates that revoking your residence permit would be particularly traumatic, SIRI may choose not to do so. The following factors will be taken into consideration:

• Your connection with Danish society, including the duration of your residence in Denmark.
• Your age, health, and other personal circumstances.
• Your connection to other residents of Denmark.
• Your connection to your country of origin.
• Whether returning to your country of origin would endanger you.

Residence abroad can make your residence permit lapse

If you leave Denmark for an extended period of time, or if you no longer maintain a residence in Denmark, your residence permit can lapse.
If you keep a residence in Denmark (that is if you are registered at a Danish address), there is a limit to how long you may be outside the country, if you wish to keep your residence permit. If you do not return to Denmark within the time limit, your residence permit will automatically lapse.