NOTE: This post is old and has not been updated recently. Please refer to nyidanmark.dk for the updated rules for family reunification.

Good day, everyone! Like what I promised in my introductory blog, I’m going to walk you through the process of how I applied for Familiesammenføring or Family Reunification visa on spousal ground. 

Before I dive into the details, I should give you a little background into my story. I came to Denmark in 2014 under the au pair scheme, and after I married my husband in 2016, my au pair visa was automatically cancelled. As a result, I had to apply for a new residence visa on the grounds of family reunification. Please note that this post will be a bit lengthy.

How Did I Start?

I first researched the requirements for a spousal visa application online. My husband and I had already looked into these requirements before we got married so that I could have a smoother application process. The Danish Immigration Service (DIS) website, nyidanmark.dk, has all the necessary requirements for applicants. However, due to the current strictness of immigration authorities, it is impossible not to feel insecure even if you have all the requirements.

I tried to find a way to feel secure amidst all this confusion so I decided to do some research. I also asked some people who, I knew, went through the same process recently. I received a lot of very useful tips but it also made me even more stressed as applications are being processed on a case-to-case basis. There were some who met problems that others didn’t experience. So, I didn’t entirely feel at ease. 

My husband and I sought to liberate ourselves from stress by calling the immigration authorities directly. We had encountered some issues with certain documents that we initially did not understand, and wanted to be sure that we were submitting our family reunification application correctly. The immigration authorities possess the necessary expertise and knowledge to provide the guidance we needed

The Requirements

There are different sets of requirements that depend on you and your spouse’s status, such as marital status and nationality. To ensure you are downloading the correct application form, be sure to read through the immigration website carefully.

Generally, the requirements include being at least 24 years of age, having a strong attachment to Denmark, and signing an agreement to actively integrate and contribute to the Danish society.

My husband, a Dane born and raised in Denmark, and I were asked to provide the following documents.

  • Application form FA1
  • Case Order ID and Application Fee
  • Documentation (Copies of our passports, (my) current residence permit, marriage certificate)
  • Housing documentation
  • Proof of financial independency (spouse or the sponsor’s part)
  • Bank Guarantee of  DKK 54,289.48 (2017-level)

Application Form FA1. This is the first step in the application process. My husband and I had to fill out the forms and answer all the questions consistently. The forms asked for our personal information, as well as information about our marriage. As I was filling out the forms, I received some tips from people I met online. They said that both our answers should be consistent, and that a discrepancy could raise a red flag. I‘m not sure if this is actually true, as it may depend on the individual case. However, it is important to answer the questions correctly, making sure that the dates for our marriage and the expiration of our current permit to stay in Denmark are valid and accurate.

Case Order ID. Before submitting an application for family reunification (familiesammenføring), you must pay the processing fee or the case order ID. In 2016, the fee was DKK 6,200, and it has since risen to DKK 6,300 or 845 Euro (2017 price). Certain applicants are exempt from paying the fee, such as those whose sponsor is a refugee, is ill, is disabled or has a child from a previous marriage that they live with or regularly visit. As my husband is single and has no children, we had to pay the fee.

Documents (passports, residence permit copy, marriage certificate). This part should be the easiest, as you already have all the documents in hand. For the passport, my husband and I were asked to scan and copy the cover and the back page, the main page with all the information, and all the pages filled in with travel details. I am holding a residence card under the au pair scheme which will expire a few months before we got married. Thus, I had to scan it as well and provide them with a copy. Furthermore, we had to include both our marriage certificate in Danish and the English translation, just to be sure.

Proof of Financial Independency. My husband had to go to the Kommune or municipal government where he was registered to obtain written proof of his financial independence. This document is to demonstrate that he has not received any type of financial assistance from the government, specifically social security or kontanthjælp, for the three years prior to our application. The full list of government help is listed on page 22 of the FA1 application form, and I have provided a screenshot of it for you to see. It is a good idea to contact the immigration office to confirm if you need to provide a certificate for this.

Housing Documentation. Aside from the rule that couples must be living together and registered at the same address, there are other requirements concerning your housing situation. My husband and I rent an apartment, but it doesn‘t matter whether you rent or own the apartment, so long as it meets the requirements for familiesammenføring. Firstly, the place must have a minimum of 20 square meters of living space per person, with its own room and entrance. Secondly, the place of residence must be registered under your spouse‘s name, whether it is rented or owned. The name of the spouse must be present in the housing documents in order to demonstrate that he/she has the capacity to house the applicant.

My husband has been living in a 40 sqm studiotype flat which meets the size requirements for registration. To ensure a smooth process, I recommend that you request the necessary housing documentation in advance as the housing authorities can be slow at times. In our case, we had to wait for nearly three weeks for the paperwork to be processed before we received it.

Bank Guarantee. Before you can post the money in the bank, the immigration authorities will typically have already reviewed the other requirements and verified the information they need. Therefore, your application is nearly approved. Additionally, some people may be exempt from posting a bank guarantee if they fall into the following categories: they are a refugee, they are seriously ill or disabled, or they have a child from a previous marriage with whom they live or regularly see. To be certain, you should contact the immigration authorities.

Step-by-step Process in Applying Family Reunification

Step 1. Prepare all the requirements needed. If you haven‘t seen the full list of requirements you and your spouse must meet before applying, you can always check out the Danish Immigration Service‘s website. Get all the information you need to ensure you meet all the criteria and are ready to submit your application.

Step 2. Create a Case Order ID and pay the fee. Create a case order number and pay the fee here. Be sure to check the box that indicates you may be exempt from the fee if you think you meet the requirements. Note that if the Danish Immigration Service decides you do not qualify for the exemption, your application may be rejected. If this happens, you may be eligible for a refund.

Step 3. Fill out the family reunification application form or FA1 form. Download this form and carefully review all of the requirements and information that need to be filled out. If any details are missed, your application will be rejected. Take the time to doublecheck your work for accuracy before submitting it.

Step 4. Turn in your application and get your biometric features registered. If you are in or near Copenhagen, you can submit your application at the Danish Immigration Service Citizen Center at Ryesgade 53, 2100 Copenhagen Ø. Check their website for operating hours and capacity. If you live somewhere else in Denmark, you can mail your application to the Danish Immigration Service or submit it to a police station able to record your biometric features. If you are living outside of Denmark, you can visit the Danish consulate in your home country. If there is no Danish embassy or consulate in your country, you may contact the Norwegian or Swedish embassy and ask if they accept applications; other embassies may do so as well.

When you turn in your application in person at the Danish Immigration Service, be prepared to answer questions from the immigration personnel who are processing your documents. Bring the original forms with you in case they require them for verification. During my application process, the personnel asked for my original passport and residence card for double checking. They also provided feedback on my application form, such as whether it had been filled out correctly and if the information/requirements given were clear enough. After they have examined the forms and requirements, they will tell you to have your biometric features recorded. This includes your photo, fingerprints, and signature, which will appear on your residence card once your application is approved.

Step 5. Wait for the result of the application. You will receive a letter from the Danish Immigration Service concerning the status of your application. Though processing times may be longer due to the volume of applications received and the type of cases being handled, a carefully completed application with all necessary details and requirements should take at least 6 months for a response. In our case, it took 6 months, although we were initially asked to wait for a response for up to 12 months. Feel free to contact the Danish Immigration Service for an update on your application, or to check its status on the agency‘s online portal. Upon receiving the approval letter, you should take the necessary steps to complete your application, such as posting a back guarantee (unless your husband is exempt from doing so). No matter how long it takes, you will be notified of the next steps via mail.

Step 6. Posting of bank guarantee. Once you receive the letter from the DIS saying that your application has been deemed for approval, you will need to act quickly to post the required bank guarantee within the specified time period. My husband already had the money in his bank account, so when we received the letter, he went directly to Danske Bank and filled out the necessary forms. He then sent these to their main office in Århus. After we received the response mail from Danske Bank, my husband went to the kommune and presented the bank document. We were then asked to wait while the kommune would communicate with the immigration regarding our application. As a useful tip, once you receive the goahead from the immigration, make sure you visit your bank as soon as possible; this stage of the process can take some time.

After a couple of weeks of anticipation, we finally received confirmation that our application had been approved by the immigration service. We could finally relax knowing that our application had been accepted.

What’s Next After Your Family Reunification Gets Approved

When you have been granted a residence permit for spousal grounds, you will receive your residence card within 46 weeks. It is important to note that you must pass a Danish A1 language test within 6 months and A2 within 15 months of being granted a permit. If you have already taken the Danish A1 test, you can take a break while your bank guarantee is reduced. Learning the Danish language can help you become selfsufficient and better integrated into Danish society. 

As a way to take advantage of the residence permit, it is beneficial to start an education or look for a job right away. In my case, I attended language school while my papers were being processed and as soon as I received my permit, I began working.

Things to Consider While Applying for Family Reunification

  • You are not allowed to work while your application is being processed. You risk your application being rejected and yourself being deported due to illegal work.
  • You will be allowed to stay in Denmark while your application is in process. This is only applicable when you are already in Denmark and was holding a residence permit before you apply. For an au pair like me whose au pair visa gets nulled once you apply for a new one, you are allowed to stay once your paper is turned in. Proof of this is a stamp that will be put on your passport when the immigration accepts your application.
  • You can go outside of Denmark while your paper is in process. You can travel outside Denmark while your paper is in process, provided that you apply for a re-entry permit at the Danish Immigration Services.
  • If you want to study Danish while your application is in process, you need to communicate with your kommune. There are cases where you are allowed to study for free (like in my case, as I was an au pair and was previously taking Danish classes before I got married). There are others though who paid for it themselves because they were not allowed to study. The best way is to communicate with your municipal officer.
  • I was warned by someone prior to submitting my application that the immigration officers might ask questions about my marriage. However, after going through the process, I realized that they were simply doing their job and verifying the information I provided. While they may investigate further if there is cause for suspicion, the majority of applicants will not be subjected to a thorough interrogation.
  • If you have already satisfied the Danish language requirement, you should include proof of this in your application. Afterward, the immigration officers will inform you of the amount of guarantee money you need to deposit.
  • The bank guarantee is only being demanded at the end of the application process, so relax, you can put it in your account while the application is ongoing.
  • Lastly, if your application gets denied, don’t worry; it‘s not the end of the world yet. You can always re-appeal your case by staying in communication with the immigration authorities and following their advice.

There are a lot of questions you will encounter as you process your application and it can be difficult to know who to ask and which answers to trust. To ensure you get the most accurate information, it is best to consult directly with the authorities, such as the immigration department. Doing so will save you time and energy, and help to reduce stress and anxiety.

If you have any further questions about family reunification or any other related matters, please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance. Although I may not have all the answers, I will do my best to help you. Additionally, if you have any useful experiences or additional information, you can share them in the comments section to help others who might be going through the same process.

I wish you the best of luck with your application!

8 comments on “How to Apply for Family Reunification in Denmark (For Non-EU/EEA Citizen Married to a Dane)

  1. I am so happy I found your website. I am from the Philippines and my fiance and I are planning to get married this year. My fiance is also a Dane. We have so many questions about the application and one of them is when do we have to pay the deposit, is it right after the wedding or right after we submit all documents and requirements? I also want to ask, if I go back to Denmark on a tourist visa good for 3 months and we get married on the last month of my tourist visa validity, am I allowed to stay in Denmark while we are still applying, or I have to go back to the Philippines?

    I would appreciate your response on this. The application has been really stressful for us especially that the deposit that we have to make has increased last year. I hope to hear from you soon.

    Best Regards,

    Aizel Marie

    1. Hello, Aizel Marie. Thank you so much for reading my blog, and apologies for taking too long to reply to your message. Regarding the guarantee money, you only need to post the guarantee money in the bank once you passed your application for familiesammenføring. It will be the end-phase of the application process, meaning they will have to look through your papers first and when they deem it complete, only then they will ask you to post the money in the bank. You will have to wait for their go-signal in the form of letter which basically states that, “your application is approved and now you need to post the collateral money.”

      You are allowed to stay in Denmark while your application for family reunification is on process, provided that you still have a valid visa by the day you submit the application. Just make sure you have all the requirements ready after the wedding so you can apply immediately. It’s better to be safe than stressed after your big day. Hope this helps! Good luck!

  2. HI there,
    Thank you for this. It’s very helpful. One question I have is regarding the collateral or money requirement. Given that it’s 2019, it is my understanding that we need 205,000kr. I am trying to understand how long that money needs to be held? I am also reading you get some of that money back as you complete the A1 and A2. Any help would be appreciated on this

  3. Hi, I’m a Filipina with a Danish boyfriend. We are planning to get married in Denmark. I don’t live with him yet and it will be my first time going there. Can we get married with a tourist visa? Can I apply for family reunification after? Thank you.

  4. Hi is it possible to get married 3 months before au pair contracts end then apply for the family reunification? will they not send me home? if i apply 3 or 2 months befor3 end of contract?

  5. Hi there,

    I hope you can answer my questions:

    1. I am from Australia, as part of the integration requirements, I have to pass B1 english, can I be exempt from this?

    Thank you so much

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