ETIAS Visa Waiver for Denmark

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Denmark is located in Northern Europe, Southwest of Sweden, North of Germany, and South of Norway. Denmark has an area of 42,943 km², a warm climate, arable land, and sandy coasts. It has an archipelago with about 443 named islands. As of 2021, Denmark had a total population of 5.84 million. Denmark is one of the 26 countries that make up the Schengen zone.
The Schengen zone consists of 26 ETIAS countries in the European Union with open borders, allowing citizens to live, work and visit without a visa. Visitors to one Schengen country can also travel to as many other countries within the zone as they want. The Schengen authorities put the border open to allow for economic co-working between the countries.
A Schengen Visa gives non-European access to the Schengen area. It is similar to any other visa but allows for a shorter stay in the Schengen zone. It offers frequent travellers to Europe a lot of time to enjoy the scenery in the Schengen zone before applying for another visa. In six months, Schengen Visa holders are allowed to come to the Schengen area for three months (90 days). The visa has a validity period of five years before its holders will need to renew it.

Denmark Visa and Entry Requirements

Due to Denmark's position as a Schengen country, any visa that gives you access to Denmark has given you access to the rest of the Schengen zone, allowing you to take a flight, bus, or train to neighboring Schengen countries. Different visa types can give you access to Denmark, Schengen Visa, study visa, and long-term visa being some of them.
Some countries have a visa liberalization agreement with the European Union. Citizens from these countries can freely enter the Schengen zone without a visa. However, from the end of 2022, with the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver, it will be required of them. Instead of applying for a full-fledged visa, the visa waiver can act in its stead.
When applying for a visa to Denmark, your travel passport, passport photographs, birth certificate, proof of finances, among others, would be required of you. The aim of requesting these documents is to ensure you do not pose any threat to the Schengen area. If you pass the criteria for entry, your visa will be approved, and you can travel at will.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Enter Denmark?

The Schengen visa, like other visas, has requirements, and only those who meet the requirements can apply for the visa. There are two main categories of visa applicants who need a Schengen Visa before entering Denmark.
  • Citizens of countries whose government does not have a visa liberalization agreement with the European Union. In Europe, these countries are called third countries.
  • Citizens of countries with a visa liberalization consensus with the European Union but have been rejected or deported from the Schengen zone in the past.
Holders of the Schengen zone must have been certified as low-risk individuals and do not pose any risk to the Schengen area, security or financial-wise.
Obtaining the Schengen visa is relatively easy. It can be applied for and obtained at the Denmark embassy or consulate in your home country. If these are not available in your home country, you can apply through a dedicated third-party agent like Visa Facilitation Services Global (VFS global). If any of these are not available, you can apply to any other Schengen member states, then travel to Denmark after arrival.

What Documents Are Required When Applying for a Denmark Schengen Visa?

Whether you are applying for a Schengen Visa, study visa, or any other form of Denmark visa, some documents like your passport, birth certificate, and cover letter are generally required. However, when applying for a Denmark Schengen visa specifically, here are the necessary documents for the application process:
  • Two recent and identical passport photographs with dimensions 35 by 45 mm. The passport should not be older than three months to be valid.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Proof of finances or a bank statement.
  • An appropriately filled visa application form.
  • A valid passport or equivalent travel document. The passport should not be more than ten years since it was issued and should be valid for at least three months after leaving the Schengen zone.
  • Payment for visa application.
  • Fingerprint data, except it, has been captured in the last 59 months.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Medical insurance.
  • A round trip itinerary showing your flight numbers.
  • Proof of return or an onward travel.
  • If applicable, previous Schengen visas.
You would be required to show all of these documents during your interview. Ensure to get to the interview venue at least 15 minutes before the slated time for the interview.

Travelling to Denmark

Travelling to Denmark is fun and can be achieved in several ways. You can arrive in Denmark by air, road, or water vessels. There are four international airports you can arrive at when arriving by air. They are the busiest airports in Denmark.
Kastrup Airport or Copenhagen Airport located in Copenhagen, Billund Airport, Aalborg Airport, also called Nørresundby, and Aarhus Airport, are Denmark's international airports. You can also take flights from these airports to other parts of the Schengen zone.
Denmark has an excellent road network, making travel into Denmark by road a superb choice. Logistics companies like FlixBus, Swebus, Eurolines Germany, and IC Bus carry travellers from other European cities into Denmark. It is argued that travelling within Denmark by road gives you the country's best experience. When driving in Denmark, ensure your driver's license is valid, and you stick to driving rules within the country.
Visitors can also arrive in Denmark by ferry because of its numerous coastlines. There are 11 routes to Denmark from other cities. The shortest route takes about 45 minutes, while the longest takes about 18 hours. The travel time may differ based on weather conditions and type of ferry, among other variables. Car owners can also take their cars with them when going through the ferry to Denmark.

Europe's Travel Authorisations for Denmark

Based on Europe's regulations, citizens from non-European countries whose governments have a visa liberalization agreement with the European Union will be required to provide an ETIAS visa waiver before entering Denmark. The ETIAS visa waiver will be in action from the end of 2022.
The visa waiver program will have a validity period of three years and will strengthen the security of the states within the Schengen zone. Only low-risk individuals will be granted access to Denmark using the ETIAS visa waiver.
In conclusion, by the end of 2022, non-Europeans that previously had the no-visa agreement with the European Union will be required to provide an ETIAS visa waiver from now on. A Schengen Visa for Denmark is available and is an excellent choice for tourism and business trips.