You will need two important cards during your semester abroad: A Danish Residence Permit and a CPR Card. Refer to our resources outlining what each card is used for here.
The guidelines outlined on this page are relevant to students from Entry Visa-Free countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, South Korea, and Japan. Find a full list of Entry Visa-Free countries here.
Your Legal Residence Process depends on both 1) the passport you enter Denmark on and 2) where you live in or around Copenhagen during your time as a DIS student. It is therefore very important to pay attention to your specific process, as it may differ from that of your peers.
Read the information here closely and look out for communications from DIS. DIS will send you individualized instructions on how to apply for your Residence Permit and CPR Card.
Timeline for Your Legal Residence Process as an Entry Visa-Free Student
Your Legal Residence Process consists of two parts:
- Applying for your Residence Permit
- Applying for your CPR Card
Part 1: Applying for Your Residence Permit
Your Residence Permit is proof you are a legal resident of Denmark during your time as a DIS student. It is especially important to have when traveling.
If you are a student from an Entry Visa-Free country, the Danish Immigration authorities allow you to enter Denmark without a Danish Residence Permit, as you will enter using the 90 visa-free days you have as a visa-free passport holder. You will then complete your application after arrival. This is different from many other countries where you are required to apply for and receive a visa before traveling, so you may have a different process from friends going to Spain or Italy, for example.
You should not apply for a Residence Permit independently and are not required to go anywhere in person in the U.S. to apply for your Residence Permit before you arrive in Denmark. However, you will begin the process of applying for the Residence Permit prior to departure. The steps for the Residence Permit process are outlined below:
Step 1: Submit required documents in Student Registration.
In order to submit your application on your behalf, DIS will require you to upload two documents: a copy of your signed (and valid) passport, and a copy of a power of attorney form giving DIS the ability to apply and monitor your application on your behalf.
Note: This Power of Attorney form is only valid for your Residence Permit application and has no bearing on medical or financial situations while abroad.
You will upload these via your DIS Registration.
Step 2: Attend a biometrics appointment at the Danish Immigration Services
During your first weeks in Copenhagen, you will be brought via buses organized by DIS to Immigration Services (SIRI) to get your biometric information recorded and complete your visa application. DIS staff will assist you with this process, and you will receive an important newsletter from us with details about your bus departure time.
This appointment is essential for the progression of your Residence Permit application. In order to ensure you will not have any conflicts with this appointment, DIS requires that you do not schedule any travel for the first three weeks of the program. We finalize the date of this Biometric Weekend closer to the program start, and it will eventually be posted on the semester calendar as well as in your Compass Course.
The week after your biometric appointment, DIS will receive a Residence Permit Approval Letter on your behalf. At this point, you will be ready to proceed with Part 2: Applying for Your CPR Card.
Please note: You are responsible for paying the Residence Permit fee through Student Registration. Your school might pay on your behalf; refer to the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
Part 2: Applying for Your CPR Card
Your yellow CPR Card is equivalent to a social security number. It gives you access to social systems, including the use of free Danish healthcare while living in Denmark. Obtaining a CPR Card is a mandatory step in your Legal Residence Process.
Step 1: Receive “Next Steps” Email from DIS and Submit Application
About one week after you have gone to Immigration Services, DIS will email you with information about your next steps, along with all relevant documents (i.e. Residence Letter, proof of address) needed for your CPR registration. You can expect this email approximately three to four weeks after the start of the semester.
This email will include detailed instructions for registering with your kommune (the municipality you reside in) in Denmark. Depending on where you live, you will either complete an online application or apply in person at your local kommune. Remember to pay attention to your individualized process!
Step 2: Receive Your Cards by Mail
Your pink/purple Residence Permit Card and your yellow CPR Card will be sent to your home address in Denmark within 2-3 weeks of registering with your local kommune. Please make sure that your name is on your mailbox at your housing site.
If you do not receive your Residence Permit card after those 2-3 weeks, please reach out to the Student Hub Staff (studenthub@dis.dk) to get instructions on how to get a re-entry permit in lieu of a residence permit card. If you do not receive your CPR Card, make sure to contact your kommune to check on the progress.
Need to see a doctor before you receive your CPR Card? You can still access Danish medical care. Find information about visiting a doctor or hospital in Denmark here.
Watch a quick video recap below:
What Should I Do Before Departure?
- Submit necessary documents for your Residence Permit application in Student Registration. Log on to Student Registration here
- Ensure you have added the Student Hub email (studenthub@dis.dk) to your ‘safe senders’ or contact list. Follow these instructions based on your mail provider
- As your semester approaches, look out for emails from DIS with important information about your Legal Residence Process
- Add the biometric weekend dates to your calendar and do not make travel plans on that weekend
Am I allowed to travel in the EU after the end of the semester?
As stated in your Residence Permit, “You are allowed to stay in the Schengen area countries, including Denmark, for up to 90 days within a 180-day period (visa-free period) starting immediately after the expiry of your Residence Permit. You do not have the right to work during a visa free period.” For more information about the conditions of your Residence Permit, we recommend reading through all pages of the permit.