Working in Denmark from Uzbekistan: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

Is Denmark realistic for Uzbek trade workers?

Denmark is one of the highest-paying countries in Europe, but you must know the practical reality before spending time or money. Denmark is a very difficult destination for non-EU workers seeking general manual, warehouse, basic construction, or lower-skilled agricultural work. The Danish government enforces strict rules regarding official skill shortages and minimum salary levels. If you do not have certified trade qualifications, getting a legal work permit in Denmark as an Uzbek citizen is very rare.

If you want a faster, more direct path to work legally in Europe, countries like Poland, Lithuania, Czechia, or Germany are much more realistic choices for Uzbek trade workers right now. These nations have broader employment routes and regular quotas for workers in general construction, driving, and farm work. However, if you are a highly qualified trade specialist - such as a certified welder or precision machinist - Denmark does offer specific legal pathways. This guide explains how the Danish work permit system works for Uzbek applicants, what it costs, and how to avoid costly scams.

Official work permit routes and where to apply in Uzbekistan

To work legally in Denmark as a citizen of Uzbekistan, you cannot apply for a general work visa on your own. You must qualify under an official scheme managed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Your employer in Denmark must start the process online before you submit your details.

• The Positive List for Skilled Work (Positivlisten for faglærte): This is the primary route for trade workers. SIRI updates this list twice a year to include specific roles facing labor shortages in Denmark, such as specialized industrial welders, metalworkers, and certified technicians.
• The Pay Limit Scheme (Beløbsordningen): This route allows entry if your job offer meets a high minimum annual salary set by Denmark (approximately 480,000 DKK per year, or around 64,000 EUR). This threshold is high and rarely applies to standard manual or trade positions.
• Who applies first: The process begins online on the official Danish portal (nyidanmark.dk). Your employer creates a Case Order ID, pays the official processing fee, and completes their portion of the online application form (Form AR1). Once completed, they give you the reference number to complete your section.
• Where to submit biometrics: After submitting the online application, you must record your biometrics (photo and fingerprints) within 14 days. You do this in person at the nearest Denmark embassy or visa centre serving Uzbekistan, or at the official VFS Global centre in Tashkent. You must bring your physical Uzbek passport for verification.

Required documents, apostilles, and real costs

Danish authorities check every document carefully. Any official document issued in Uzbekistan must be properly legalised and translated to be accepted by SIRI during the permit review.

• Valid passport: Your Uzbek passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay and have at least two blank visa pages.
• Signed employment contract: You need a binding written job offer from a registered Danish company. The contract must state your salary, working hours (typically 37 hours per week), and job duties matching standard Danish working conditions.
• Proof of qualifications: You must provide vocational diplomas, certificates, and work history documents (such as reference letters) proving you are fully trained for the position.
• Police clearance certificate: An official criminal record check issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan or obtained through the E-Gov portal (my.gov.uz).
• Apostille and translation: Because Uzbekistan is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your police clearance certificate and educational diplomas must receive an official Apostille stamp from competent Uzbek authorities (such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Justice). Documents must be translated into English or Danish by a certified translator.

Budgeting correctly helps you avoid unexpected costs during the process. Here are the main expenses you will encounter:

• SIRI processing fee: Set by Denmark, this official fee is approximately 4,800 DKK to 6,000 DKK (around 640 EUR to 800 EUR). In many legitimate job arrangements, the employer pays this fee directly, but you must clarify this in your agreement.
• Processing time: SIRI takes approximately 1 to 3 months to process a complete skilled work permit application.
• Uzbek police clearance: Costs approximately 30,000 UZS to 100,000 UZS (around 2 EUR to 8 EUR), depending on processing speed.
• Apostille stamps: Obtaining an Apostille in Uzbekistan costs approximately 100,000 UZS to 250,000 UZS (around 8 EUR to 20 EUR) per document.
• Certified translations: Official translation into English or Danish costs approximately 150,000 UZS to 350,000 UZS (around 11 EUR to 26 EUR) per document.
• Flight ticket: A one-way flight from Tashkent to Copenhagen typically ranges from approximately 4,000,000 UZS to 8,000,000 UZS (around 300 EUR to 600 EUR).

Recruitment fees and illegal agency charges

Under Danish law and international labor standards, employers carry the costs of recruitment. No agency or employer in Denmark or Uzbekistan may legally charge you a fee in exchange for providing a job offer or employment contract.

Be extremely cautious of intermediaries in Uzbekistan demanding cash payments (often thousands of euros) labeled as guaranteed job placement or processing fees. These requests are almost always fraudulent. Legitimate Danish companies pay recruitment fees themselves. You are only responsible for your personal document costs, official government visa fees, translation services, and travel.

Three trades Denmark hires for

While basic manual work permits are restricted, Denmark actively looks for international workers in specific specialized trades:

• Specialized Welders: Industrial manufacturing companies hire certified TIG and MIG welders with verified experience in heavy industry or pipeline projects.
• CNC Machinists: Advanced production facilities recruit skilled operators capable of setting up and running computer-controlled metalworking machinery.
• Agricultural Technicians: Specialized commercial farms hire trained agricultural technicians who hold vocational diplomas to operate modern farm machinery and technical equipment.

Myths vs facts

• Myth: You can enter Denmark on a tourist visa and convert it into a work permit after finding a job.
• Fact: Non-EU citizens cannot start working or convert a short-stay visa into a work permit while inside Denmark. You must apply for and receive your permit before traveling.
• Myth: Agencies in Tashkent can get you a Danish work permit for general farm work or cleaning.
• Fact: Denmark rarely issues work permits to non-EU citizens for lower-skilled manual work or general cleaning, so agencies making these promises are not being honest.
• Myth: Official Danish work permit fees are refunded if your application is rejected.
• Fact: The SIRI processing fee covers the administrative cost of reviewing your file and is non-refundable, even if your application is turned down.
• Myth: You do not need English skills if you work in a skilled manual trade in Denmark.
• Fact: Almost every Danish employer requires basic conversational English so you can understand safety rules, follow technical instructions, and communicate on site.

Before you sign

Check these items carefully before signing an agreement or paying for document preparations:

• Verify wage standards: Confirm that your contract meets Danish collective agreement standards for working hours, salary, and holiday pay.
• Check employer registration: Make sure the company is officially registered in Denmark with a valid CVR business number.
• Confirm Form AR1 details: Ensure your employer has created the official online application order with SIRI and shared the Case Order ID with you.
• Refuse placement payments: Never pay any agency or agent money just to secure a job offer or work contract.
• Legalise your documents: Ensure your Uzbek criminal clearance and educational diplomas carry official Apostille stamps and certified translations.
• Review housing details: If the employer provides accommodation, make sure the rent cost and living conditions are detailed clearly in writing.

Take your next step with Workuro

If you have qualified trade experience and want to explore legal work options in Europe, start by preparing your information clearly. Create your profile on Workuro and include the key details employers look for. Add your main trade - such as welding, CNC machining, or specialized mechanical work - and list your vocational qualifications, work history, and English language level. Note clearly whether your Uzbek passport and official police clearance are ready. A complete profile makes it easy for verified European employers to review your skills directly. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.