Application guide for extension

If you have previously had an application approved under the Startup Denmark scheme and still have an active company in Denmark, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit after two years.

The application must first be submitted to the Startup Denmark expert panel. If your extension is approved by the Startup Denmark expert panel, you can then apply for an extension of your residence permit with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and

Integration (SIRI) It is your responsibility to apply before your residence permit expires, but you can apply no earlier than three months before your permit expires. You may submit your application to SIRI even if you are still waiting for a response from the expert panel. If you submit your application in time, you can stay in Denmark while SIRI is assessing your application for an extension, even if your permit has expired.

Please note that the approval of the progress report does not in itself constitute an extension. The approval is a precondition for applying for an extension of your residence and work permit at SIRI.

You must complete the online template, answering a number of questions about the company’s progress and development. 
In addition, you must upload relevant documentation. This could, for example, include: 

  • the company’s latest financial statement,
  • the number of employees,
  • documentation of customers,  
  • investments.

Your application will be assessed based on the submitted material, compared with your original application. It is your responsibility to account for any changes that have occurred since your original application.

The assessment will focus on an overall evaluation of whether the company is established and adheres to the original business plan that formed the basis of the expert panel’s initial approval.

Your company must be formally established with a CVR number. The company must not be under compulsory dissolution or bankruptcy.

You can fill out the online form for an extension and submit your application below.

Fill out the application on Virk

When you apply for an extension, your progress report and relevant appendices will be forwarded to the Startup Denmark secretariat. The secretariat will relay the material and original business plan to be evaluated by a member of the expert panel. 
There are three possible outcomes of the evaluation process:

  1. If your progress report is approved by a Startup Denmark expert panel, you will receive an approval letter from the Startup Denmark Secretariat.

    The letter entitles you to apply for an extension of your residence and work permit as a self-employed entrepreneur under the Startup Denmark scheme at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.

    This means that the approval of the progress report does not in itself constitute an extension. The approval is a precondition for applying for an extension of your residence and work permit at SIRI.  
     
  2. If your progress report is rejected by the Startup Denmark expert panel, it is possible to appeal the rejection to the Danish Business Authority.

    A representative of the Startup Denmark expert panel, who was not involved in the original evaluation of your progress report, will be selected to reassess your case.   

    You can only appeal a rejection once. Thus, the reassessment stands.

    You will receive instructions on how to file an appeal if your progress report is rejected.
  3. If your progress report is deemed unclear by the Startup Denmark expert panel, you may be called for an interview with the representative.

    The interviews are generally scheduled for 45 minutes. During the first 15 minutes, you are asked to present your business. In the remaining 30 minutes, you are interviewed about the progress of your business.

    The interview will be conducted by the expert panel representative who is responsible for the assessment of your progress report. A government official representing Startup Denmark will attend as an observer. 

    The interview will be recorded and logged.

    After the interview, you will be notified in writing about the outcome of the interview (whether your application for extension as been approved or rejected).

    You will receive further information about the process and practicalities, if you are called for an interview.

In order to be granted an extending permit you must also reapply for the visa. Therefore, please make sure that you meet the requirements for the extension here as well before applying.

Read more about the requirements at New to Denmark