When a rejection from the immigration authorities arrives in your digital mailbox, the clock starts. You typically have only 8 weeks to file an appeal with the Immigration Appeals Board. Miss the deadline, and the appeal is normally dismissed — no matter how well-founded.
How is the 8-week deadline calculated?
The deadline runs from the day you receive the decision — typically via e-Boks. The date is stated both in the decision and in the e-Boks receipt log. The last day to appeal is exactly 8 weeks (56 days) after the date of receipt. If the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, it is extended to the next business day.
What happens after you appeal?
- Reconsideration: The authority that issued the original decision reviews the case. Read more about reconsideration.
- Referral to the Immigration Appeals Board: If the rejection stands, the case is sent to the Board.
- Processing: The Board can uphold, change, or remand the decision. Total processing time is typically 12-24 months.
5 tips to strengthen your appeal
1. Read the rejection carefully
The rejection must describe which requirement is considered unmet. That is the starting point for your argumentation.
2. Gather relevant new documentation
Appeals with new documentation have significantly higher success rates than appeals that merely repeat earlier arguments.
3. Argue legally — not emotionally
Refer to specific provisions in the Danish Aliens Act, orders, or relevant Board precedents.
4. Include personal circumstances that support the case
Health, common children, long-term cohabitation, or special ties can trigger dispensation.
5. Get legal help early
A lawyer can assess whether there is grounds for appeal — and how the appeal should be framed most effectively. We have won more than 150 appeal cases at the Immigration Appeals Board.
Should you appeal yourself or use a lawyer?
You can appeal yourself. But many appeals are dismissed solely because the argument doesn’t address the actual rejection grounds. A lawyer can typically:
- Identify which specific provisions were applied incorrectly.
- Find relevant exceptions and dispensation possibilities.
- Structure the appeal so the Board quickly gets an overview.
Contact us as soon as possible after a rejection — the earlier we receive the case, the better we can prepare the appeal.
Received a rejection?
We have more than 10 years of experience in Danish immigration law and have won more than 150 appeal cases at the Immigration Appeals Board. Get a non-binding first assessment of your case — we respond within 24 hours.
