Last checked against official Danish sources on 12 November 2026. Immigration rules and fees change, so confirm every figure on nyidanmark.dk before you pay or apply.
Many Nepali students want to know whether a husband, wife, partner or child can join them in Denmark. The Denmark student dependent visa was once a common route for students with families. On 1 October 2026, that changed.
Short answer: Since 1 October 2026, most international students in state-approved bachelor's, professional bachelor's and master's programmes cannot bring a spouse, partner or children on an accompanying-family residence permit if the student applied on or after that date. PhD students are not affected. Students who applied before 1 October 2026 may still have limited options, mainly for children under 18.
Your eligibility depends on three things: your programme, the date your application was submitted, and your relationship to the family member. This guide explains each, along with fees, processing time and the application steps from Nepal.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Denmark Student Dependent Visa?
- Does Denmark Allow Dependents on a Student Visa?
- Who Can Apply for a Denmark Dependent Residence Permit?
- Denmark Student Dependent Visa Requirements for Nepali Students
- Financial Support Requirements
- Denmark Student Dependent Visa Fee and Cost
- Denmark Dependent Visa Processing Time
- How to Apply from Nepal
- Can a Dependent Work in Denmark?
- Can I Change a Dependent Visa to a Student Visa?
- How to Invite Family to Denmark as a Student
- Denmark Student Visa Requirements for Nepali Students
- Does Denmark Require IELTS?
- Important Considerations for Nepali Students
- How Rain Education Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is a Denmark Student Dependent Visa?
"Student dependent visa" is the everyday phrase. Officially, Denmark grants a residence permit as an accompanying family member to the spouse, partner or child of a student or PhD student. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) handles it. It is not a tourist visa.
Three documents are often confused:
- Student residence permit: for the student, based on admission to a Danish programme.
- Accompanying-family residence permit: for a spouse, partner or child, linked to the student's permit.
- Short-stay visitor visa: for visits of up to 90 days. It gives no right to live in Denmark.
Does Denmark Allow Dependents on a Student Visa?
It depends on the student's category and application date. Denmark has not banned all dependents of international students.
The new rules apply to non-EU/EEA students in state-approved professional bachelor's, bachelor's, part-time master's and master's programmes, including master's programmes for working professionals. They also cover Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+ and Nordic Master joint programmes. SIRI is clear that the date the application was submitted decides which rules apply, not the date of the decision.
Source: SIRI announcement, 30 September 2026.
A few related points:
- Non-state-approved programmes have been restricted since 2 May 2025. Spouses and partners applying on or after that date cannot get a permit.
- Turkish citizens covered by the EU-Turkey Association Agreement have separate rules. This does not apply to Nepali applicants.
- Job seeking after study was also cut from 3 years to 1 year for students applying on or after 1 October 2026.
What this means today: A Nepali student applying now for a new bachelor's or master's permit falls into the "on or after 1 October 2026" row. Their family cannot join on this route. A child of a student who applied before 1 October 2026 may still be able to apply. A spouse who did not apply before that date cannot.
Who Can Apply for a Denmark Dependent Residence Permit?
For families of students and PhD students, SIRI lists four relationships: spouse, registered partner, cohabiting partner and child under 18. Parents, siblings and adult children are not listed in this category.
- Spouse: the marriage must be legal where it took place, both partners must have been physically present and at least 18, and it must not be a marriage of convenience.
- Registered partner: the same conditions apply to the registration.
- Cohabiting partner: you must have lived together in a committed relationship for at least the last 1.5 to 2 years before applying. Shared leases, bank accounts, insurance and joint post can show this.
- Child under 18: the relationship must be documented. If only one parent with joint custody travels, written consent from the other parent is needed.
Applicants must also live at the same address as the student and hold a valid passport.
Meeting the family definition does not create eligibility. The student's programme and application date still decide the outcome.
Denmark Student Dependent Visa Requirements for Nepali Students
These apply to families who are still eligible: PhD families and transition cases from before 1 October 2026. SIRI's checklist includes:
- Receipt for the paid SIRI fee
- Copy of every passport page, including the cover
- Documentation of financial support (not required if the sponsor is a salaried PhD)
- Spouse or registered partner: original marriage or partnership certificate with translation
- Cohabiting partner: proof of shared address, such as a lease, insurance or bank letters
- Child: birth certificate showing both parents' names, plus the other custody holder's consent, a copy of their passport or ID, and custody proof where relevant
Not every item applies to every applicant. Nepali certificates may need translation, and SIRI sets rules for how documents must be presented. Use SIRI's official checklist as the final authority, not older blog posts.
Family members must not receive benefits under the Active Social Policy Act.
Denmark Dependent Visa Requirements: Financial Support
The financial requirement is on the student (sponsor), who must show enough funds to support the family during the stay, for a maximum of 12 months.
- Amount (2026 level): DKK 7,426 per family member for each month of stay. One person for 12 months is DKK 89,112. For several family members, the amount is DKK 7,426 per person per month.
- Evidence: the sponsor's bank statement, a scholarship, a student loan or similar.
- Bank statement content: the sponsor's full name, date, currency and balance. The statement can be no more than 30 days old at application. Multiple statements must share the same date.
- Salaried PhD sponsors: SIRI does not require financial documentation for the family.
This is separate from the student's own self-support requirement, so check SIRI's self-support page for the combined total in your case. Do not rely on a bank balance quoted by a consultancy or a social media post.
Denmark Student Dependent Visa Fee and Cost
Each family member needs an individual application, case order ID and fee. A spouse and two children would need three applications and DKK 9,240 in SIRI fees alone, if they are eligible.
The SIRI fee is the Danish government's charge. VFS charges a service fee for receiving applications and recording biometrics. The two are separate. We have not converted DKK to NPR because rates change daily, so check the rate on the day you pay.
Denmark Dependent Visa Processing Time
SIRI lists a normal processing time of 2 months for this category, and up to 3 months if more information is needed or because of high caseloads.
SIRI can normally start only after biometrics are recorded, which must happen within 14 days of submitting the application. Missing documents, unclear translations and late biometrics all delay a decision. These are estimates, not guaranteed decision dates, so apply well before your travel plans.
How to Apply for a Denmark Student Dependent Visa from Nepal
- Confirm eligibility. Check the student's programme category and whether the student applied before or on or after 1 October 2026.
- Confirm the family member qualifies as a spouse, partner or child under 18.
- Gather documents and arrange translations.
- Create a case order ID on SIRI's site and pay the fee, separately for each applicant.
- Complete the online application form for accompanying family (SIRI showed form MF1 at the time of checking). This is separate from the student's own application. Applicants without MitID can use SIRI's sworn declaration.
- Pay the embassy handling fee online before attending VFS.
- Attend VFS Global in Kathmandu within 14 days of submission, in person, for biometrics. Bring your passport and the confirmation letter. Children under 6 attend but give only a photograph.
- Track the application. VFS forwards applications to the Danish Embassy in New Delhi. SIRI decides the case and may ask for more information.
- After approval, VFS says the embassy issues a D-visa for entry.
Not every applicant is required to attend an embassy interview. SIRI contacts applicants if it needs more information.
Can a Dependent Work in Denmark?
Yes. SIRI states that an accompanying family member to a student holds the right to work, so no separate work permit is needed. The family member can also run a business and take education.
Some limits apply:
- The right to work applies in Denmark only, not other Schengen countries.
- Children under 18 face special working-hour rules.
- Leaving your Danish address or staying abroad for more than 6 months in a row can cause the permit to lapse.
- Receiving Active Social Policy Act benefits can lead to revocation.
Permits normally run for the same period as the student's, and extensions must be filed before expiry.
Can I Change a Denmark Dependent Visa to a Student Visa?
Not automatically. A dependent permit does not convert into a student permit.
To study, a family member needs admission to a Danish programme and a new student residence permit application that meets the student rules in force at that time. SIRI says a person who wants to remain after their family situation changes normally applies for a permit on a new basis, such as study or work. If that application is filed before the family permit is revoked, the person can stay while it is processed.
Whether you may submit from inside Denmark depends on SIRI's "legal submission" rules, and the programme category and application date matter. Confirm your specific case with SIRI before enrolling, and do not assume a switch is always possible.
How to Invite Family to Denmark as a Student
A short visit and long-term residence are different things.
- Visit: Family members can apply for a short-stay Schengen visa (up to 90 days in 180 days). Hosts in Denmark can complete an online invitation (VU2) on nyidanmark.dk, and applicants apply through the Danish foreign ministry's ApplyVisa system. The Danish foreign ministry's 2026 fee lists show an adult Schengen visa fee of EUR 90. Check the Nepal requirements with VFS.
- Residence: Staying longer needs an accompanying-family residence permit, covered above.
A visitor visa gives no right to live, work or study in Denmark. Entering as a visitor with the intention to stay can seriously damage later applications.
Denmark Student Visa Requirements for Nepali Students
To apply for a student permit you need admission to a state-approved higher education programme, full-time study, the SIRI fee (DKK 3,060 on the date checked) and proof of funds. SIRI sets the self-support level at DKK 7,426 per month (2026 level), up to DKK 89,112 for 12 months. Students who have paid tuition are not required to document separate self-support. Biometrics are recorded at VFS in Kathmandu.
For the full admission and student permit process, read Study in Denmark from Nepal. Rain's guide covers costs, programmes and the student application in detail.
Does Denmark Require IELTS?
Often for admission, but it is not a universal immigration rule.
- English requirements are set by each university and programme. Study in Denmark says all higher education programmes require a high standard of English, and scores are decided by the institution.
- IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge exams are commonly accepted. Some institutions accept other evidence, such as prior education taught in English, under their own admission rules.
- Check your programme page for the exact score. Do not rely on a generic figure.
For dependents, SIRI's family checklist does not list a language test. A family member does not need IELTS simply because the student is studying in Denmark.
Important Considerations for Nepali Students
- Check the programme category before paying tuition. Ask whether it is a state-approved higher education programme or a PhD.
- Check the application date against 1 October 2026 before making family plans.
- Know the difference between spouse and child. Spouses must also have applied before 1 October 2026. Children under 18 have a wider transition window.
- Do not trust old information. Blogs, videos and agent claims from before October 2026 may describe rules that no longer apply.
- Budget for every family member. Fees and funds apply per person.
- Prepare genuine relationship evidence, especially for cohabiting partners.
- Ask when family may apply. SIRI allows applying at the same time as the sponsor.
- Plan for separation if needed. If your family cannot join you, decide with them early whether study abroad still makes sense.
How Rain Education Can Help Nepali Students Planning to Study in Denmark
Rain Education is a consultancy in Putalisadak, Kathmandu. We help students with the steps that come before and around the Danish application:
- Study destination guidance and Denmark university and course selection
- Application process navigation and documentation preparation
- Visa application guidance on documents, forms and interview preparation
- Scholarship application support
- IELTS and PTE test preparation
- Pre-travel support and onboarding assistance
Final immigration decisions are made by Danish authorities. Rain Education does not control them and cannot guarantee admission or any permit.
If you are comparing programmes or want to check your eligibility, contact Rain Education for individual guidance. Our office is at Putalisadak, Kathmandu, and you can call +977 01 4010551 or +977 01 4010725.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denmark allow dependents on a student visa?
Not for most new students. Since 1 October 2026, spouses, partners and children generally cannot get a family permit if the student applied on or after that date. PhD students are the main exception. Some pre-October applicants have transition rights.
Is a dependent allowed in Denmark on a student visa?
It depends on the programme. Students in state-approved bachelor's and master's programmes who applied on or after 1 October 2026 cannot bring dependents. PhD students can, and so can some pre-October transition cases.
What is a student dependent visa?
It is the common name for a residence permit as an accompanying family member to a student. SIRI grants it to spouses, partners and children under 18, and each person applies separately.
What are the Denmark student dependent visa requirements?
An eligible student category, a recognised relationship, a valid passport, the paid fee, financial support documents (unless the sponsor is a salaried PhD) and relationship evidence. The family member must live with the student in Denmark.
How much is the Denmark dependent visa fee?
SIRI's fee is DKK 3,080 per applicant. VFS and embassy charges are separate. A spouse and two children would need three fees.
How long does Denmark dependent visa processing take?
SIRI lists 2 months normally and up to 3 months if more information is needed or caseloads are high. It is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Can my spouse work in Denmark on a dependent permit?
Yes, in Denmark. An accompanying family member to a student can work without a separate work permit and can run a business. The right does not extend to other Schengen countries.
What is the fee for a work permit at the Danish Embassy?
It depends on the scheme. Work permits are filed with SIRI, and applicants submitting abroad also pay an embassy handling fee (DKK 1,875 on 2026 fee lists). For example, SIRI lists DKK 6,810 for the Pay Limit Scheme. The DKK 3,080 family fee is not a work permit fee, and student family members do not need a separate work permit.
How can I invite my family to Denmark?
For a visit of up to 90 days, they apply for a short-stay visa, and the host can complete an online invitation. For a longer stay, they would need a family residence permit, which most new students cannot use.
Can I change my dependent visa to a student visa?
Not automatically. You need admission and a new student permit that meets current rules. Confirm your case with SIRI first.
Does Denmark need IELTS?
Many programmes require proof of English, and IELTS is commonly accepted, but each institution sets its own rules. Dependents are not automatically required to take IELTS.
Can Nepali students bring their spouse to Denmark?
Not if they applied on or after 1 October 2026, unless they are PhD students. A spouse of a student who applied before that date must also have applied before it.
Can PhD students bring dependents to Denmark?
Yes. SIRI states that PhD students are not affected and their family members can still apply. Financial support documents are not required for a salaried PhD sponsor.
Conclusion
The Denmark student dependent visa now works very differently from what many guides still describe. Since 1 October 2026, most bachelor's and master's students cannot bring a spouse, partner or children, while PhD students and some earlier applicants keep limited options.
Before you plan to move with your family, confirm your programme category, your application date and each family member's eligibility on SIRI's website. If you want help comparing programmes, preparing documents and understanding the process, contact Rain Education for individual guidance.
