Danish Consulate NYC, New York – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Denmark Schengen Visa
Denmark, one among the Schengen countries, covers some 43,000 square kilometers and it’s packed with lots to do and see. There are forests, lakes, and gorgeous countryside which are great for exploring. Visit any of its charming cities for shopping and a fun nightlife. Plus lots of islands and beaches, perfect for relaxing. Whatever your fancy, Denmark will satisfy all your travel urges. In this article learn more about how to apply for Denmark Visa at the Danish consulate in NYC, New York, Denmark visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Danish visa application center and Denmark Visa Application Process at the NYC consulate.
Schengen Visa
In 2017, there were 152,467 Denmark Schengen visas received worldwide with 6.29% of these not approved. The Denmark consulate in NYC, New York reviewed 4,862 applications and rejected just 0.2%.
Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States
You can usually apply for a Schengen visa in the country of residence or where you have legal permission to stay, so if you are a not a US citizen, but live permanently in the US then you can apply for a visa to Denmark from the United States.
Before you do anything else, check the consulate’s website for the list of countries which do not require a visa to enter Denmark and those that do. You may not even need one!
You have to make sure you apply at the right Danish embassy and consulate. If you live in the following areas, you are free to submit your application to the Consulate General of Denmark in New York:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
This particular consulate has outsourced its visa applications to VFS Global, so you can make your application through VFS’s visa application center in New York. However, it is the Denmark consulate that will still make the decision about whether your visa will be granted or not.
Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Danish Consulate in NYC, New York
Depending on the duration of your trip, you will apply for either a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180 day period OR a National visa for stays over 90 days.
Schengen visas can be issued for purposes such as tourism, business, cultural or scientific events or visiting family and/or friends up to 90 days. They can be issued as:
- Single entry – Maximum of 1 entry
- Double entry – Maximum of 2 entries
- Multiple entry – Unlimited entries
National visas can be for work, study, religious reasons, permanent residence etc., for over 90 days. The Denmark consulate’s website has further information about this. National visas can be single entry or multiple entry only.
If you are planning to work, or any other purpose, over 90 days you will need to apply for a work and residence permit. Check the consulate’s website for more information.
You should always check the website before you do anything to learn about the different types of visas, so you can apply for the right one.
Schengen Visa Application Process at VFS Global in New York
Before you begin, check the Denmark consulate’s website for the requirements for your Danish Schengen visa and what you need to do. This will save time later.
Then, there are a series of steps that you should follow one-by-one. That way, it will make your life easier when it comes to applying for your Denmark Schengen visa.
Don’t leave it too late to apply! The consulate aims to process applications in 15 days, but it could take as many as 60 days. This may be due to the type of visa and your nationality as well as other factors like an increased number of applications during peak months.
You can apply up to 3 months ahead of your trip and the consulate recommends applying 20-30 days before. This is because it can take up to 2 weeks to get an appointment at VFS Global. In addition, your application will not be processed until it reaches the Denmark consulate. Add an extra 2-4 days onto the usual processing times for your documents to be sent from VFS Global to the consulate.
Visa applications received with less than 15 days prior to your departure may not be issued, so that’s another reason why you should apply well in advance!
Step 1: Complete your application
First, go to the Danish consulate’s website and click on: “Travel and residence” and then “Visa”:
On the next page, click on: “Business, tourist, and private visitor visa”:
On this page, scroll down and you will see: “How to apply”. Here you need to click on: “Visa self-service – Denmark”:
This is the portal for completing your application online. Once you have familiarized yourself with it, click on: “How to apply online”:
Here you will find detailed instructions on what you need to do:
The first thing to do is to register a new account, so click on: “Register user”:
Once you’ve done that, you can log in:
From there, you’ll be able to complete your visa application which will be submitted online to VFS Global. Please note, you still need to attend in person to hand over the rest of your documents.
When you have finished, you must reserve your payment for the visa and print and sign the cover letter. If this cover letter is not handed into VFS Global within 14 days, the fee will still be deducted from your account.
Step 2: Make your appointment online
The next step is to make your appointment at VFS Global. Return to the Denmark consulate’s website, and click on: “Where to apply”:
Scroll down to “Schedule an appointment” and click on the link:
From there, you’ll be directed to VFS Global’s booking system where you’ll need to log in:
Or, if this is your first time using the system, you’ll need to create a new account, in which case click on” “New user”:
Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to make an appointment.
Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Step 3: Get your documents ready
Step 3 is to get your documents ready to hand into VFS Global. It is your responsibility to provide everything they need, so check the consulate’s website for what they require before you start – there are handy checklists for you to look at.
Documents to get ready include:
1) Visa self-service cover letter –signed and dated
2) One recent color passport photo with white background and mouth closed. Not older than 6 months. Check the consulate’s website for visa application photo requirements
3) Receipt for payment from your online application
4) Original passport valid for 3 months past intended trip, issued within the last 10 years, and 2 free pages
5) Colored copy of your entire passport and a copy of previous Schengen visas with entry and exit points over the past 5 years
6) Valid original US resident alien card or a valid US visa (valid for 3 months longer than trip) including I-94 OR I-20 for students OR DS-2019 for exchange students3. Plus, colored copies of documents
7) Proof of sufficient funds – 3 x bank/credit card statements ($90 per day for hotel stays or $60 for hostel or cruise)
8) Letter from employer indicating start date and if you can return to job/latest tax returns and business license if self-employed/proof of enrolment for students/pension income for retirees/unemployed benefits or financial support proof if unemployed
10) Hotel or hostel reservations
11) Proof of medical travel insurance – minimum of $40,000 for the entire duration
12) Notarized parental consent and birth certificate for minors (translated into English if applicable)
13) Invitation letter from the host stating nature and duration of stay
14) Confirmation of registration for event/conference
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
Step 4: Submitting your file
On the day of your appointment, get to VFS Global in New York on time, make sure you have all the necessary documents, and dress smartly.
Usually, VFS Global will only require you to hand over your documents without the need to ask you any further questions. This is because they don’t process the applications themselves. As mentioned above, it is the consulate of Denmark who will review your case. If they need clarification on anything you have stated in your application, you may be called in for an interview where you will be asked a number of questions. It is in your own interest to answer these honestly and to the satisfaction of the consulate.
Typical visa interview questions include:
- Are you traveling alone?
- Is this your first time to Europe?
- Are you married?
- Will you be meeting and friends or relatives?
- How much do you earn?
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
You should have already reserved the required fee for your visa when you completed your application.
Schengen Visa Fee
Visa Type | Fee |
Schengen short-stay visa | $71/€60 |
Schengen short-stay visas children aged 6-11 | $41/€35 |
Reduced fee for applicants of the following nationalities: Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Albania, Moldova, and Macedonia | $41/€35 |
Long-stay visas (category D) | $241/€212 |
Mailing Fee | $25/$30 (courier) |
VFS Global service fee | $33 |
If you are applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, you will have to provide biometric data, which involves a scan of your fingerprints which is why you need to submit your file in person. However, if you have done this within the last 5 years, your data can be re-used and you have the option of mailing your application to VFS Global.
If this applies to you, you must send the following times in addition to the other required documents:
- One recent passport photo (not older than 90 days)
- A colored copy of your latest visa with your biometrics
- A money order or certified check made out to VFS Services USA Inc., for $63
Receiving your visa
You will be notified by letter when your passport is ready to be collected and you can either go to the visa application center or have it returned by mail.
If your visa has been agreed, you must check the information on the visa sticker matches your request. If it doesn’t you should contact the consulate immediately.
If it has not been agreed you may have the right to appeal the decision. There will be a reason why your visa was rejected:
- Lack of funds
- All required documents not present
- Invalid passport
- No hotel booking
- Reason for travel cannot be established
- Incorrect visa applied for
To safeguard against any of these rejection reasons, ensure your passport is valid and you apply for the correct visa. Provide proof, either verbally or with your documents, of your reason for traveling. Plus, submit all of the required documents including having the correct amount of travel insurance and hotel booking (s).
Contact details for VFS Global in NYC, New York
Address: 145 West 45th Street, Floor 4, New York, NY 10036
Email: Denmark.visa@vfsglobal.com
Tel: 347-329-2738
Visa application call center hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
Contact details of the Danish Consulate in NYC, New York
Tel: 212 223 4545
Email: nycgkl@um.dk
Conclusion
Overall, there isn’t much to apply for your Denmark Schengen visa. It looks like a lot, but it really isn’t.
- Complete your online application
- Book an appointment at VFS Global
- Get your documents ready
- Submit your file
Once you’ve completed these 4 steps, there is nothing to do but wait. Hopefully, you’ll receive your visa (step 5) with plenty of time to spare to start getting ready for your trip to Denmark.
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.