Your SIRI appointment — biometrics, documents & what to expect
The SIRI biometrics appointment is where your Danish residence permit becomes real — fingerprints, photo, and document check. For most people, it is also the most stressful step: unclear booking systems, long waiting times, and anxiety about having the right documents. This guide walks you through every step so you arrive prepared.
What is the SIRI biometrics appointment?
SIRI (Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration) is Denmark’s immigration agency. When your residence permit is approved, SIRI requires you to attend an in-person appointment to provide biometric data: a photograph and fingerprints. This data produces your residence card (opholdskort) — the physical card proving your right to live and work in Denmark.
The appointment is mandatory. Without it, you will not receive your residence card. It is also time-sensitive — you typically must attend within a set period after approval or arrival.
How to book your appointment
- 1Wait for your SIRI invitationAfter permit approval, you receive a letter or email with instructions. In some cases, you can book proactively via nyidanmark.dk → “Book tid.”
- 2Select your SIRI officeChoose Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, or Aalborg. You can book at any location regardless of where you live — travel for faster slots.
- 3Pick an available time slotAvailability varies wildly. Copenhagen fills up fast. Aalborg and Odense often have earlier slots. Book immediately — do not wait.
- 4Save your confirmationYou receive an email with date, time, location, and document list. Print it or keep it on your phone for the day.
August–October and January–February are the busiest times. Book the instant you receive your invitation. If Copenhagen is full, Odense is 1.5 hours by train and often has slots weeks earlier. Check for cancellations daily — they appear without notice.
What to bring — complete checklist
- Valid passportCurrent, unexpired. If changed since application, bring both old and new.
- Appointment confirmationThe email or letter confirming your booking. Print it or have it on your phone.
- SIRI case number (sagsnummer)Appears on all SIRI correspondence. A long number starting with your application year.
- Passport photo (if requested)Some offices take it on-site; others ask you to bring one. Check your confirmation. 35×45 mm, white background.
- Any additional documents from your confirmationEmployment contract, pay slips, university enrolment, or proof of address — whatever is listed. Missing anything means rebooking.
If you arrive without required documents, SIRI will not complete your appointment. Over-prepare: bring originals and copies of everything related to your application, even items not explicitly listed.
What happens at the appointment
The appointment takes 15–30 minutes:
- Check-in. Arrive 10 minutes early. Present passport and confirmation at reception.
- Document verification. An officer reviews your passport, case number, and supporting documents against your application file.
- Photograph. Passport-style photo taken on-site (unless you brought one). Remove glasses, non-religious head coverings.
- Fingerprinting. Both index fingers scanned digitally. Takes seconds. If prints are unclear (dry skin, cuts), they try multiple times.
- Confirmation. Officer confirms biometrics are recorded and tells you when to expect your residence card (typically 2–4 weeks by post).
SIRI office locations and typical waits
| City | Address | Typical wait for slot | Travel from CPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | Ryesgade 53, 2100 Kbh Ø | 4–8 weeks (longest) | — |
| Odense | Rugårdsvej 1, 5000 Odense | 2–4 weeks | 1.5 hr train |
| Aarhus | Lyseng Allé 1, 8270 Højbjerg | 2–5 weeks | 3 hr train |
| Aalborg | Slotspladsen 1, 9000 Aalborg | 1–3 weeks (shortest) | 4.5 hr train / 1 hr flight |
You can book at any SIRI location. Many expats travel to Odense or Aalborg to save weeks of waiting. A DKK 300 train ticket is a small price for getting your residence card a month earlier.
Current waiting times (indicative, early 2026)
Busiest: August–October (academic year, corporate relocation) and January–February (renewals). Check real-time availability at nyidanmark.dk. Cancellations open earlier slots — check daily.
Tips and common problems
- Check for cancellations daily. Log into the booking system each morning. Cancellations appear without notification.
- Children need separate appointments. Each family member requiring a residence card attends individually. Children under 6 are exempt from fingerprinting but still need a photo.
- Moisturise your hands. Dry or damaged fingerprints cause scan failures. Use hand cream in the days before.
- This is not the permit decision meeting. The biometrics appointment records your data — your permit is decided separately, usually before this appointment.
- Bring your Danish phone number. SIRI may need to contact you. Ensure they have a working Danish mobile.
After the appointment
Your residence card (opholdskort) arrives by post at your registered Danish address within 2–4 weeks. While waiting, your permit is still valid — the approval decision grants your right to stay, not the physical card. If you need to travel before the card arrives, contact SIRI about a temporary travel document.