Denmark Working Holiday Visa Application

Overview

Working holiday visa applications in Germany take a long time, so I chose Denmark for my application instead. I have been interested in Scandinavia for a long time, and Denmark stood out to me due to its high ranking in global happiness. I saw it as a great opportunity to experience life there. I was particularly drawn to the work-life balance and the high standards of the education and healthcare systems. Although I was concerned about the high cost of living, I believed that living and working there would allow me to stay for an extended period, so I decided to give it a try.

Documents Required

The documents required for the Denmark Working Holiday visa application are as follows:

• Passport (PDF of the cover page, the face photo page, and all stamp pages)
• Balance certificate (15,000 DKK or more, with English text notation)
• Return ticket confirmation or proof of funds for ticket purchase
• (Optional) Overseas insurance application certificate

Note: For Japanese citizens, there is no application fee. Applications can be made online through the Immigration Bureau (SIRI) website. For other nationalities (e.g., Canada, South Korea, Austria, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand), a fee of 2490 DKK (approximately 353 USD) is required.

Application Timeline

11-Jul-2023: Online Application

I entered my details in the application form on the Danish Immigration website. Considering the processing time, I set the start date for about two months later, on September 4. After submitting the application, I was able to make an appointment at the local SIRI office. Appointments are available at various SIRI centers in Denmark, but the most flexible date and time options were in Copenhagen. Therefore, I scheduled my appointment for a week later.

18-Jul-2023: Biometrics in Copenhagen

I visited the SIRI office as scheduled, and the following procedures were carried out:

• Confirmation of my original passport
• Collection of fingerprints and facial photos
• Confirmation via mail to the address I provided

At that time, I did not have a stable address in Denmark, so I registered my address with permission from the owner of the Airbnb where I was staying. After the biometrics, I received the implementation certificate. This certificate is crucial as legal proof of stay while awaiting the visa, so it’s important not to lose it.

Late July to early August was spent traveling through the Nordic region, followed by mid-August to early September, when I stayed with German friends at a relatively low cost, spending time at both a Japanese friend's house and a German friend's family home. During this period, I also applied for the Work Permit, noting that the application expires if not started within 10 days.

September 4: Visa Start Date

The start date specified at the time of application. I stayed with my friends in northern Germany (Berlin and Flensburg) and waited, as I had the flexibility to enter a week before or after this date.

September 12: Denmark Immigration

I traveled by bus from Flensburg, Germany, to Aarhus, Denmark's second city. I chose Aarhus because it is more affordable compared to Copenhagen and better suited as my living base.

September 14: Aarhus Welcome 2024 Event Participation

I participated in the city-sponsored "Aarhus Welcome 2024" event for new residents, with an introduction by a Japanese living in Aarhus. Fortunately, while at the event, I discovered the SIRI booth. When I inquired about the progress of my visa, I was informed that the visa documents were usually mailed to the address I had submitted to SIRI. However, they provided me with a copy of the issued visa documents on the spot.

• Issue Date: September 11, 2024
• Validity Period: September 4, 2024 – September 3, 2025

Remarks

Denmark offers several advantages compared to other European countries:

• Local Application: Can be applied for during travel within Europe.
• Free Application for Japanese: Lower financial burden compared to other countries.
• Quick Process: Typically completed in about 2 months (longer processing times in other countries).

For those under 31 considering a long stay in Europe, the Denmark Working Holiday Visa is a great option. If you're interested in Scandinavian life, it's a chance to experience life in a country with a high standard of living, while also achieving financial stability through work!

Author

Yuriko Oguro is a physiotherapist by profession. She has been traveling the world for over two years. She started her journey to explore new places and meet people. She believes in living honestly and maintaining both mental and physical health.