How to Immigrate and Work in Denmark as an Architect?

Do I need a visa to immigrate and work in Denmark as an architect? 

The answer is up to your nationality. If you are from a non-EU country, you need a work visa and work permit to work as an architect in Denmark.

The fact is that you need a work permit before you get a work visa. The work permit is permission to work in Denmark as a non-EU national, and the work visa is permission to enter the country.

So, if you are a non-EU national, you will definitely need a work visa to work in Denmark. But, if you have a valid residence permit from one of the EU countries, you might be able to work in Denmark without a work permit.

How to immigrate and work in Denmark as an architect?

These are the steps you have to follow to immigrate and work as an architect in Denmark. But depending on your nationality and education, you might not need one or two of them;

Work on your Danish language proficiency.

As explained in the above section, you need Danish language proficiency to immigrate and work in Denmark as an architect.

For the first step, you need to understand Danish planning and building regulation laws. The authorities are strict over them, and there is no exception. You have to obey them and act accordingly. You will have to read the rules and regulations in detail and with care. This is not a simple language test, but you need to learn and memorize the rules.

Then, you have to find a job offer from a Danish employer. So it’s a must to speak with him/her and pass the interviews.

After you get your work visa and enter Denmark, you will have to work with Danish co-workers. So you will have to understand them and cooperate well.

All in all, Danish language proficiency is an essential aspect, and you have to master it if you are determined to immigrate to Denmark as an architect.

Look for a job offer from a Danish employer.

You have to find a job offer with a Danish employer for the beginning part. It’s a must, and you have to do it; there is no other choice. Why? Because the employer must get the authorization so you can work as a foreign or non-EU person in Denmark. EU nationals do not need permission to work in Denmark. But non-EU nationals need it. It gets called the work permit.

Only the Danish employer can apply for a work permit, and the requirement is signing an employment contract.

Here are the ways you can use to find a job in Denmark as an architect;

Websites that advertise job positions.

Some websites advertise jobs and vaccines in every country. So it is with Denmark. You can look for an architect position in them. You have to prepare an English or Danish resume and search for positions that suit your education and work experience.

This is a list of the websites that can help you find a job in Denmark:

• OFiR.dk
• Jobindex. dk
• Jobnet. dk
• Stepstone. dk
• IT-Jobbank. Dk
• job.jobnet.dk
• jobsincopenhagen.com/
• Sydjob.dk
• LinkedIn
• CareerJet.dk
• WorkwithUS.dk

You can look for an architectural position on the above websites. This is your best list of the available websites. 

Find a job through recruitment agencies.

Employment or recruitment agencies can also help you find a job in Europe and Denmark. They know employers and have a job bank. Also, employers might ask them to find a suitable employee.

This is a list of the famous agencies in Europe where you can find a job with one of them.

• Lordstone Corporation
• Agelix Consulting LLC
• Approach People Recruitment
• MAS Recruiting
• European Recruitment
• Hasselhoff Recruiter
• Tiger Recruitment
• Huxley Associates
• CareersinEurope
• Chronos Consulting
• EMEA Recruitment
• Computer People
• Euro London Appointments
• Hays
• Purcon Recruiting
• Michael Page
• Kelly Services
• Randstad
• Artemis Solutions – Talent Search
• Adecco
• Antal International
• Ajilon Recruiting
• Alderwick Consulting Limited
• Expertise Recruitment
• Manpower
• Hoffman and Associates

The choice is yours to pick which one of them. Do research or visit their website to know their policy and whether they can help you find a job in Denmark as they work in Europe.

There is a fee or cost for finding a job for you and determining if you can afford it or not. 

Visiting Denmark to find a job.

Your third option to find a job in Denmark is to visit the country in person. You can send resumes and take part in the interviews in person to encourage employers to hire you. It becomes more likely if you attend the in-person meetings and company officials see you. They can get a clear understanding and evaluate you better.

How to visit Denmark?

Some countries enjoy the visa-waiver program with Denmark. It means they can visit the country for 90 days without applying for a visa. Their passport allows them to enter and stay in Denmark for 90 days. You can find the list of visa-waived countries in the Visa Library article.

If you are not a national of these countries, then you need a visa to enter Denmark. You can use a Denmark tourist visa to enter the country and stay for some time. You can look for a job and attend interviews. But you have no permission to work. If you work and the immigration authorities find out, there will be heavy consequences for you. You might never be able to get a Denmark visa.

Just use the opportunity to find a job and persuade the employer to hire you. You can watch the Denmark tourist visa video on the Visa Library channel or read the article from the link a few lines back.

Sign an employment contract with the Danish employer.

After you find the job offer, it’s a must to sign an employment contract with the Danish employer. The contract is part of the supporting documents to apply for and receive the work permit. It must contract every aspect of employment and describe the tasks you will do in Denmark. This is a sample of the items that must be included in the contract:

1. Job title
2. Job description
3. Team & department assignment
4. Role requirements
5. Skill requirements
6. Annual salary or hourly rate
7. Raises, bonuses, incentive opportunities
8. Health benefits (medical, dental, eye care, things like this)
9. Company stock options
10. investment/retirement plans
11. bonuses

If you know other necessary items, you would better include them in the contract and negotiate with the employer.

Your salary, perks, and bonuses are all essential. Negotiation is an art, and you have to learn it or do research about it.

You can also ask for help from your lawyer. Determine every aspect of the contract and find out about the obligations.

Then you must sign the contract and send it to the employer.

visa application process to immigrate and work in Denmark as an architect.

At this stage, you have to complete the visa application process on the SIRI website. Here are the stages you have to follow:

Step 1. Create case order ID.

You must create a Case Order ID on the SIRI website at this stage. After you enter the website, you will see a series of options. You have to pick one of them that suits your conditions: 

• Fast track scheme
• Pay limit scheme
• Positive lists
• Etc.

As you are an architect, one of the above three options is for you. But you have to pick one of them by your offered job conditions. Then you have to create a case order ID. It’s like creating an account on the SIRI website.

. You have to insert the below information to create it: 

• Personal names.
• Passport number.
• Email address.

Be careful while you complete the information, as it must be according to your documents.

You also have to pay a fee of DKK 1,890. 

After you receive the case order ID, you have to pay the fee for processing. Prepare your credit or debit card to pay it after completing the empty sections. After you pay the fees, you have to keep the receipt or a screenshot of the payment as you have to submit it along with the rest of the supporting documents.

Step 2. Gather the supporting documents.

Here, you have to collect the supporting documents to prove you are eligible to receive the authorization.

You have to gather this list of documents: 

• Receipt of paid application fee.
• A copy of all of your passport pages.
• Proof of having enough money to pay for the basic costs in Denmark.
• Insurance. It must be worth 30.000 EUR and valid in the EU and Schengen Area.
• Two photos according to the EU rules. They must be passport-sized with a white background.
• Power of attorney. You need this if your employer is gonna complete the application process on your behalf. This form must be completed and signed.
• A Copy of the work contract. It must clarify everything, including your income.
• Covid-19 vaccination certificate
• Your Educational certificates.

If your documents are not in English or Danish, you must get them translated into English or Danish by a verified translation office. The office must have a stamp, address, and telephone number, and the translation must be in their heading.

This was a general list of supporting documents; the SIRI website will inform you of the full list. You have to gather all of them according to the instructions written on the SIRI website.

If you doubt one piece of document, contact the SIRI officials or the Danish embassy in your home country.

Step 3. Complete the application form.

Now you have to complete the application form. There are two options; online and paper application forms.

The online application form is faster and will be processed quickly. It outweighs the paper application form. The SIRI link in the above section provides you with the link to the online and paper application form. You just have to go through the section that suits you, and it will lead to the online application form.

There are detailed instructions on how to complete the application forms. You need the Case order Id number and the receipt of paid application to complete the application form.

Step 4. Submit the application form.

If you complete the online application form, it will be submitted to the SIRI officials automatically.

But suppose you pick the paper application form. In that case, you have to submit it with the rest of the documents to the Danish embassy, consulate, or visa center responsible for visa processing in your home country. You can find a list of them from this link.

Step 5. Submit biometrics.

You have to submit your biometrics, digital photo, and fingerprints. You have to do it in 14 days after completing the online application form. If you can not submit your biometrics in the time frame, you have to inform the SIRI of the reason and submit your biometrics at the first available time.

There are a few scenarios with submitting your biometrics.

If you are in Denmark at the time of application, you can submit your biometric with the SIRI’s offices in the city you live.

If you are applying from your home country or a foreign country, not Denmark, you can submit your biometrics to the Danish embassy, consulate, or the visa center responsible for visa processing.

Step 6. Wait for processing and answer.

The processing time of your application is about one month, but it might take longer. You have to wait for the SIRI’s decision.

After the authorization is approved, you will receive instructions to get your permit and move to Denmark.

The residence permit will let you stay in Denmark for one year or the duration of your employment contract.

If your application is rejected, the SIRI officials will send you a letter and explain the reason. You can remove them and apply again unless there is a serious issue with your application.