Denmark Student Visa for Indian Students: 2026 Funds, ST1 & New Rules

Is it a Denmark student visa or a residence permit?

“Denmark student visa” is a common search phrase, but an Indian citizen admitted to a Danish higher-education programme normally applies for a residence and work permit for study through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). A short-stay Schengen visa is not the route for completing a full degree.

This guide focuses on full-time higher education, including academy profession, professional bachelor's, bachelor's, part-time master's and master's programmes. PhD, exchange, preparatory, non-state-approved, and short-stay cases can have different conditions. Always select the exact study category on New to Denmark before paying or submitting.

Core eligibility for a Danish higher-education permit

SIRI requires admission to a full-time higher-education programme and enough proficiency in the language of instruction to participate actively. The educational institution must be publicly accredited or state-approved and supervised, or the programme must satisfy SIRI's alternative approval requirements. Part-time study by itself does not qualify, apart from the specifically recognised part-time master's category described by SIRI.

Admission and immigration are separate decisions. Before paying a deposit, ask the institution to confirm the exact programme, campus, study load, state-approval status, tuition terms, start date, and the process it uses to initiate ST1. Do not assume that an English-taught course, an offer letter, or a place on a private provider's website automatically creates residence, work, family, or post-study rights.

• A valid passport and an offer for the correct full-time programme.
• A publicly accredited or otherwise qualifying institution and programme.
• Ability to study in the programme's language of instruction.
• Payment of tuition and proof of self-support where the official route requires them.
• A complete ST1 application, supporting documents, fee receipt, and timely biometrics.

2026 proof of funds: DKK 7,426 per month

SIRI's 2026 self-support level is DKK 7,426 for each month of study that must be documented, capped at 12 months. The maximum for a study period of 12 months or longer is therefore DKK 89,112. Recheck the live figure immediately before applying because SIRI updates the level.

When a bank statement is used, the higher-education page says it must be no more than 30 days old on submission and show your full name, balance, and currency. Funds must be liquid and accessible. Restricted shares, bonds, and investment portfolios are not accepted, and a bank statement in a parent's or another person's name is not accepted as your proof. If several bank statements are submitted, SIRI says they must carry the same date.

A granted scholarship or student loan can document support when it identifies you and covers the required amount. For a full degree, SIRI states that paid tuition in Denmark can satisfy the self-support documentation requirement; its higher-education guidance specifically says payment of the first semester's tuition is accepted. Follow the live instructions for your exact programme and keep the institution's payment confirmation.

Tuition and the residence-permit budget are different

Indian full-degree students generally pay tuition unless they fall within an official exemption or receive a waiver. The institution sets the programme fee and decides admission and payment matters, so use its current invoice rather than a generic national estimate. Confirm whether the quoted amount covers one semester or a full academic year and note the refund conditions if a permit is refused or delayed.

A compliant funding document is not a complete cost plan. Budget separately for tuition, housing deposit, rent, food, transport, travel, insurance, winter clothing, study materials, and arrival expenses. Part-time earnings are uncertain and should not be used to fill a pre-application funding gap.

ST1 application process, fee, and processing time

SIRI currently lists a DKK 3,060 processing fee and a normal processing time of two months for the higher-education route; a case needing more information can take up to three months. These are current official figures, not a guarantee for an individual application. Additional submission or service charges may apply in India, so check the Danish mission and application-centre instructions before the appointment.

The institution and student each complete a part of ST1. For the online form, the educational institution starts its section and enters your email address. You receive a link and must create access with the same email address. Before submitting, create the correct case order ID, pay the SIRI fee against that ID, and retain the actual receipt—SIRI says a website payment-status screen is not accepted as proof of payment.

• Accept the offer and confirm the institution will initiate the correct ST1 application.
• Create the case order ID and pay the current SIRI processing fee.
• Wait for the institution's ST1 invitation and use the matching email address.
• Complete every required field and attach clear digital copies of the documents.
• Sign and attach SIRI's sworn declaration if applying online without MitID.
• Submit the application and arrange biometrics through the official India route.
• Monitor your email and respond promptly if SIRI requests more information.

Documents and biometrics for an applicant in India

Build the file from the current SIRI checklist and the instructions inside ST1. SIRI lists proof of the case-processing fee, copies of every passport page—including empty pages and the front and back covers—and proof of self-support when required. Guest or exchange students may also need evidence of enrolment at their home institution. Documents may require translation under SIRI's documentation rules.

Residence-permit applicants must provide a facial photograph and fingerprints. If you apply online, SIRI says biometrics must normally be recorded no later than 14 days after submission. Use the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of Denmark in India information to locate the authorised application centre and check appointment, passport, photograph, copy, and local-payment requirements. A VFS appointment or accepted document packet is not an approval decision.

• SIRI fee receipt linked to the correct case order ID.
• Copy of all passport pages plus the front and back covers.
• Admission and programme details supplied through the institution's ST1 section.
• Recent bank evidence, scholarship, student-loan, or tuition evidence as applicable.
• Signed sworn declaration when required for an online application without MitID.
• Authorised translations and any additional documents requested for the individual case.
• Biometrics appointment completed within the stated deadline.

Work rights while studying in Denmark

A permit for a state-approved higher-education programme normally includes limited permission to work for up to 90 hours per month from September through May and full-time in June, July, and August. The limit is monthly, not an annual average. Work beyond the permit conditions is illegal and can lead to a warning, fine, or revocation of the student permit.

Students in non-state-approved programmes who applied on or after 2 May 2025 are generally not granted the limited work permit. This is one reason to verify the programme's status before paying. A mandatory internship within the programme can carry separate full-time permission, but do not begin a later-added full-time internship until the necessary permission has been granted.

New rules from 1 October 2026: job seeking and family

The submission date determines which rules apply. For a third-country student applying on or after 1 October 2026 for a qualifying state-approved academy profession, professional bachelor's, bachelor's, part-time master's or master's programme, the post-study job-seeking period is generally up to one year rather than the previous three years. PhD students are not affected by this reduction and can generally receive up to three years.

The same change generally prevents a spouse, registered partner, cohabiting partner, or child from receiving an accompanying-family permit under these student rules when the student applies on or after 1 October 2026. Transitional rules apply to earlier student applications, and special provisions may apply to certain Turkish citizens. Do not use an older university page or adviser checklist to plan a family move; read SIRI's dated rule notice for the exact application scenario.

The job-seeking period is not a promise of employment or permanent residence. Its limited work permission follows the student conditions—90 hours per month and full-time in June, July, and August—unless the graduate obtains separate permission for unrestricted work or a new residence and work permit.

After approval and arrival in Denmark

Read the decision letter before travelling and verify the permitted dates and conditions. SIRI says a study permit can be valid only until three months before the passport expires, so insufficient passport validity can shorten the granted period. Carry the decision, passport, admission record, accommodation, funding evidence, and university contacts in hand luggage.

After moving into a Danish address, register through the relevant municipality or International Citizen Service process. Denmark's official newcomer portal explains that a non-EU citizen staying more than three months needs the residence permit, passport, and proof of address for CPR registration. The CPR number supports access to essential public and practical services, and the residence card is sent to the registered address, so follow local deadlines and put your full name on the mailbox.

Complete university enrolment and orientation, check the work wording on the residence card, and keep SIRI informed where required. Apply for an extension no later than the permit expiry date and not earlier than four months before expiry. Changing to a different educational programme requires a new permit application.

Final Denmark student-permit checklist

This article was reviewed on 6 October 2026. SIRI, the Danish authorities, and the educational institution remain the decision-makers. Recheck their live pages before paying, submitting, booking travel, working, bringing family, or relying on a post-study route because fees, financial levels, procedures, and permit conditions can change.

• Confirm full-time admission and the programme's state-approval status.
• Verify tuition, payment deadlines, waivers, and refund conditions with the institution.
• Prepare DKK 7,426 per required month up to DKK 89,112 at the 2026 level, unless the applicable tuition or scholarship rule satisfies the requirement.
• Keep bank evidence in your own name, liquid, correctly dated, and complete.
• Create the correct case order ID, pay the live fee, and retain the receipt.
• Complete your ST1 section only after the institution initiates its part.
• Copy the entire passport and attach all declarations and translations required.
• Complete biometrics within the official deadline and monitor requests from SIRI.
• Plan around the post-1 October 2026 job-seeking and family rules.
• Wait for the decision before making non-refundable travel commitments.