UK Visa From Denmark: UK Immigration

If you’re a Dane looking to travel to, or move to, the UK, there are a number of immigration and visa options available to you.

For more information on moving to the UK from Denmark, including if you need bespoke advice regarding your own visa application or relocation situation, get in touch with one of our legal advisers today on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online.

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At IAS, we understand that every case and client is unique, so we provide bespoke assessment and support to each client. With us, you get a dedicated immigration lawyer who is dedicated to ensuring your application is successful. Enjoy the following benefits with IAS:

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Overview of Travelling to the UK From Denmark

As of 2021, there were an estimated 32,000 Danish nationals in total living in the UK.

Although this represents a fairly small proportion of EU/EEA national groups in the UK, there is still a noticeable presence of Danish culture and community in the UK.

The number of Danes in the UK is steadily rising year on year, and there are several potential immigration and visa pathways available for new Danes wishing to immigrate to the UK.

Some of these are suitable for long-term settlement, such as the EU Settlement Scheme and visas that lead to indefinite leave to remain, while others are better suited for shorter-term stays.

Can I Still Apply for the EU Settlement Scheme?

The EU Settlement Scheme is the main way for EU citizens, including Danes, to settle in the UK long-term in the wake of the UK’s departure from Europe.

The main deadline to apply for the scheme was 31 June 2021. However, certain Danes may still be eligible to apply in a few limited circumstances.

You may be able to apply to the scheme if any of the following situations apply to you:

You have a Danish (or other EU) family member who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
You’re exempt from immigration control, or you stopped being exempt from immigration control after 30 June 2021
You’re already in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK (such as if you’re here on a work or study visa) which expires after 30 June 2021
You’re a family member of a British citizen who you lived with in the EU
- You must have lived with them in that country by 30 December 2020, and returned to the UK with them

In addition to this, you may still be able to apply if you had reasonable grounds for missing the deadline, such as if you were in an abusive relationship, or if you had a serious medical condition.

Get in touch with our immigration experts for help with your move to the UK from Denmark.

UK Family Visa From Denmark

Danish nationals can apply for a UK Family Visa to join a family member in the UK. You can obtain a Family Visa to live in the UK with your:

Spouse/partner
Fiancé/fiancée or proposed civil partner
Parent
Child
An adult relative who will provide long-term care for you.

You can also switch to a Family visa if you’re already on another visa route in the UK. However, you cannot switch to a Family visa if you’re in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You must leave the UK and apply for your Family Visa from Denmark.

To qualify for a Family Visa, your UK family member must be either of the following.

A British or Irish citizen
A person with settled status – they hold an indefinite leave to remain or settled/pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
An EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelander, or Liechtenstein national with pre-settled status must have lived in the UK before 01 January 2021.

You must provide sufficient evidence of your relationship with the UK family member to support your visa application.

The visa fee for a Family visa for those joining their spouse/partner (Spouse visa, unmarried partner, fiancé visa), and each accompanying dependent (child or parent) is £1,938. The visa application fee for other relatives (other adult dependents that are not a parent) is £3,413. Note that these fees are for applications made outside the UK.

UK Spouse Visa From Denmark

A Spouse visa allows Danish citizens married to or in civil partnership with a British/Irish citizen or a UK permanent resident to join their spouse/partner in the UK. You can also apply for a Spouse Visa if your UK resident spouse or partner has a:

Turkish Worker visa or Turkish Businessperson visa
Humanitarian protected status or leave to remain as a refugee
Permission to stay as a stateless person.

The spouse visa is issued based on a clear intention to live permanently with your partner in the UK. To qualify, you must prove one of the following:

You’re in a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK
You’ve lived with your spouse/partner for at least two years at the time of application.
You’re a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner and will marry or register your civil partnership within 6 months of entering the UK.
You’ve been in a relationship with your spouse/partner for at least 2 years, but live separately because of work, studies, or cultural barriers.

In addition to proving a subsisting relationship, you must prove that you have basic knowledge of English and that you or your spouse/partner can financially support you in the UK.

Spouse visa application costs £1,938 for applications made from outside the UK and £1,321 for applications made from within the UK. However, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme if your partner has settled or pre-settled status.

The Spouse Visa is typically issued for 2 years and 9 months. You can extend it for another 2 years and 6 months before the visa expires. However, if you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, your visa will be valid for 6 months, after which you can apply for an extension.

UK Work Visas from Denmark

If you’re not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, one of the most common ways in which you may be able to enter the UK from Denmark is by obtaining a work visa.

If you wish to settle in the UK long-term, there are a range of visas available to suit your personal circumstances.

The Skilled Worker visa, for example, is the UK’s general work visa intending to cover a broad range of occupations and industries.

Other work visas, meanwhile, tend to be more specialised in their scope. For instance, the following are some UK work visas that you may be eligible for, depending on your circumstances:

All of these visas will allow you to apply for indefinite leave to remain after spending a minimum amount of time in the UK.

Short-Term Work Visas

On the other hand, if you’re not eligible for a long-term visa, or you simply wish to stay in the UK for a short period of time, there are a wide range of short-term work visas that you may be eligible for. These include the following:

Although these visas may not be viable pathways to long-term settlement in the UK, you may be able to pick up additional valuable experience that may be helpful if your longer-term goal is to settle in the UK.

UK Student Visa for Danes

One of the most common ways for Danes to experience what life is like in the UK is to apply for a Student visa.

This will allow you to study at one of the UK’s further education institutions, as long as you have a confirmed place and meet the minimum financial and language requirements, among other things.

In addition to your studies, you will also be able to work in the UK to support yourself during your stay. However, you must note that your work allowance may depend on what you’re studying and what time of the year you wish to work.

After your student visa expires, you may be eligible for a Graduate visa, which will allow you to stay and work in the UK for another 2 years. After this visa expires, you may then be able to apply for a long-term visa to stay in the UK, if you wish to do so.

Understand the UK Visa Application Process

In most cases, you will have to apply for a UK visa before you travel, on the gov.uk website.

The gov.uk website is also the place where you will find the most recent official updated information about UK visas and immigration.

As part of the application process, you will need to give a range of personal information and supporting documents for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to approve your application and clear you for entry to the UK.

You may also be required to attend a visa application centre (VAC) in Italy to give your biometrics information in the form of your fingerprints and photograph.

There is one UK VAC located in Copenhagen for Danish nationals to use.

General Requirements for a UK Visa From Denmark

Danish nationals may have to meet the following requirements to obtain a visa (depending on individual visa eligibility):

Have a valid Danish passport
Complete an online visa application form
Provide your biometric information
Submit two passport-style photographs along with your application
Provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK
Have an employment contract and a valid certificate of sponsorship from a UK employer, if you’re applying for a Work visa.
Have a valid admission offer and a certificate of sponsorship from a qualifying UK higher institution if applying for a Student visa.
Prove that you have a genuine relationship with your UK-resident family member if applying for a Family visa.
Prove that you have adequate accommodation in the UK
Pay the applicable UK visa fees
Submit any other visa-specific required documents
Provide certified translations of all documents that are not in English or Welsh.

UK Visa Application Fees for Danish Nationals

Below is a breakdown of some UK visa application fees for Danish nationals:

Visa Type	Applying Outside the UK	Applying Inside the UK
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)	£30	Not applicable
Visit visa – short up to 6 months	£127	Not applicable
Visit visa – long up to 2 years	£475	Not applicable
Visit visa – long up to 5 years	£848	Not applicable
Visit visa – long up to 10 years	£1059	Not applicable
Family Visa (Child, Parent)	£1,938	Not applicable
Family Visa (Other adult dependent who is not a parent)	£3,413	Not applicable
Spouse Visa	£1,938	£1,321
Skilled worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£769	£885
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£1,519	£1,751
Skilled Worker – immigration skill list where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£590	£590
Skilled Worker, immigration skill list where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£1,160	£1,160
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£304	£304
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£590	£590
Student Visa	£524	£524
Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants	£1,274	£1,590
Indefinite leave to remain – main applicants and dependants	Not Applicable	£3,029
Naturalisation (British citizenship)	Not Applicable	£1,605
Naturalisation – British overseas territory citizens	Not Applicable	£1,070
Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult	Not Applicable	£1,446
Nationality registration as a British citizen – child	Not Applicable	£1,214

Note that visa application fees are non-refundable. You can pay the visa fee online on the gov.uk website using a debit/credit card. Some UK Visa Offices also allow direct transfers to their bank accounts. You must also pay an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge fee, depending on your category as indicated below.

Category	Fee
Student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa – per year	£776
Student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa – 2 years	£1552
Visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at the time of application	£776
All other visa and immigration applications – per year	£1035
All other visa and immigration applications – 5 years	£5,175
6 months or less – If you’re applying from inside the UK, you’ll have to pay half the yearly cost. Student, Youth Mobility Scheme, or under-18 applications	£388
6 months or less – If you’re applying from inside the UK, you’ll have to pay half the yearly cost. For any other application	£517.50

Common Reasons for UK Visa Rejection From Denmark

Applying for a UK visa does not guarantee you’ll be granted leave to enter the UK. The Home Office often rejects visa applications for several reasons. The common causes of UK visa rejections include:

Incomplete Application Form: Mistakes in your application or not filling out all required sections can cause the Home Office to reject your application.
Incomplete/Incorrect Documentation: Failure to provide all required documentation to prove your eligibility or submitting the wrong documents can result in visa rejection.
Inadequate Funds: The Home Office often rejects applications due to the inability of applicants to prove that they have the required funds to support themselves in the UK.
Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria: Each UK immigration route has specific eligibility criteria. Failure to meet all the requirements for your visa can cause the Home Office to reject your application.
Poor Guidance: Although you can apply for your visa yourself, immigration professionals generally have a better understanding of UK immigration laws and know how to avoid pitfalls that lead to visa application rejections.

Immigration Advice Services (IAS) provides personalised assistance tailored to meet each client’s needs. Our UK immigration experts will guide you through the application process, ensuring there are no mistakes or omissions that can cause the Home Office to reject your application.

If you’ve already applied and your application was refused, we can help you review the rejection and appeal the decision.

Can I Get Citizenship in the UK?

Depending on your visa route, you can apply for an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after a few years (typically 5 years) of residence in the UK. An ILR is the UK’s permanent resident status. It grants you the right to live, work, and study in the UK permanently without sponsorship.

After one year of holding an indefinite leave to remain, you can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation.

Comprehensive Relocation Support for Your Move to the UK

IAS also offers personalised relocation assistance as part of our comprehensive immigration support. Our international relocation team provides high-quality, custom services to support your relocation from Denmark until you settle in the UK. Our relocation services include:

Pre-departure planning
Residence and visa applications
Legal departure assistance
Logistics and shipping assistance
Home finding assistance
Home sales and management
School/education assistance
Settling in services
Orientation and integration
Travel and trip planning
Pet relocation services
Corporate and business relocation

Call us today at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us online to learn how we can assist you with moving to the UK.

How Can IAS Help with Your UK Immigration from Denmark?

Navigating the UK immigration system can be tricky for foreign nations looking to travel to the UK.

If you’re a Dane looking to come to the UK, whether with the intention of settling here long-term or just to visit for a short period, IAS can help.

We offer complete and comprehensive immigration support for EU/EEA nationals seeking travel to the UK. Whatever your reason for travelling, we can help support your visa application and relocation process from your home in Denmark right up until the point where you settle into your new home in the UK.

We can also assist with untangling UK immigration rules and eligibility for your chosen visa, ensuring that you have the maximum possible chance of getting your application accepted.

For further information about the services we offer, and everything you need to know about moving to, and visiting, the UK, reach out to us today or request a meeting with our advisers. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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Written by Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha

Director – Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha is the director of the Immigration Advice Service. He is a committed human rights and immigration lawyer. He was awarded the IoD North West SME of the year award and commended for his work in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many of these come from specific groups and organisations that are dedicated to connecting and supporting the Danish community in the UK, such as the Anglo-Danish Society, local Danish churches, Danish-language schools and broader Scandinavian groups that also encompass Danish culture and individuals.

A full list of organisations, as well as more important information about the Danish community in the UK, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark website.

You can’t travel to the UK with an EU residence card. You must obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for short trips of less than six months and a valid UK visa for longer trips.

You need a visa to travel to the UK from Denmark for long-term stays. However, for short visits of less than 6 months, you only need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Danish citizens can work in the UK with the appropriate work visa. Danes with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme can work in the UK without a visa.

Before Brexit, Danish citizens could travel freely to the UK and live and work without a visa as part of the EU free movement scheme. However, since Brexit, Danish citizens can no longer travel to or transit through the UK without a visa. Like other third-country nationals, Danes must apply for a visa to travel to the UK.

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