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China → Denmark

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
China
To
Denmark
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
2,049
Change since 2018
+1.1%
Share of all arrivals in Denmark, 2023
2.61%
Inflow 20232,049OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<DKCHINA<DENMARK<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
CN3<DK1<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Migration from China to Denmark

Inflows of nationals of China recorded by Denmark; stock of nationals of China living there; and acquisitions of Denmark's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

1,1372,274200020032006200920122015201820212023
1,1372,2742000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000527
2001654
20021,026
20031,426
20041,225
2005999
2006786
20071,014
20081,272
2009950
2010791
2011777
20121,305
20131,602
20141,799
20151,906
20162,071
20171,927
20182,027
20192,274
20201,417
20211,380
20221,550
20232,049
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—12,105—
20232,04911,49040
20221,55011,17685
20211,38010,86189
20201,41711,289117
20192,27410,85941
20182,02710,45552
20171,92710,140175
20162,0719,619348
20151,9068,94423
20141,7998,370105
20131,602—19
20121,3057,49497
20117777,550103
20107917,366103
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in China who live in Denmark: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

8,07316k19901995200020052010201520202024
8,07316k19902000201020202024
Data table
19901,250
19952,023
20003,584
20058,162
201010,507
201512,426
202014,577
202416,145
Estimate, 2024
16,145
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.9%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
16
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Denmark's consulates in China

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Denmark's consulates located in China.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
202424,55821,0363,06312.5%
202313,87211,8991,46710.6%
20221,9581,56824312.4%
202186372210512.2%
20203,1073,4421324.2%
201944,76442,9191,3373.0%
201846,26844,5741,0062.2%
201737,84337,3428702.3%
201636,75234,5418352.3%
201530,74629,9203071.0%
201424,73623,9691490.6%
201323,66722,8491590.7%
201221,85121,0701750.8%
201119,54318,7671961.0%
201014,49814,1723242.2%
200912,23512,0591761.4%

Applications by year

23k46k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
23k46k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200912,235
201014,498
201119,543
201221,851
201323,667
201424,736
201530,746
201636,752
201737,843
201846,268
201944,764
20203,107
2021863
20221,958
202313,872
202424,558
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Denmark

First residence permits issued by Denmark to citizens of China (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Work1,026
  2. Education989
  3. Family627
  4. Other reasons43
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
20252,685000
20243,1000921,704
20232,9760401,645
20222,5400851,658
20211,9630891,484
20202,08401171,381
20193,0530411,237
20182,9390521,182
20172,81501751,107
20162,91903481,285
20152,72701631,116
20142,69201051,168
20132,5280191,204
20122,2040970
20112,13401150
20102,22201320
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities527
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)272
  3. Researchers227
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
13,417
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
213
Changed status into work, 2025
82
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Denmark: national statistics office

Residence permits granted by Denmark to citizens of China, by type of permit (Statistics Denmark).

YearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
20252,7121,5001,075111026
20243,1861,7671,275125118
20233,0921,4921,387178233
20222,6101,2021,29399016
20212,0077941,08811429
20202,1628881,13014004
20193,1471,4731,56410451
20183,0201,3831,46816144
20172,8821,3701,33217226
20162,9811,4391,35118326
20152,7901,3461,23620314
20142,7871,4711,092212012
20132,5901,3441,007222116
20122,2761,0041,135117218
20113,0979282,021115033
20103,1617632,119209466

All by year

2,2464,49220052007200920112013201520172019202120232025
2,2464,492200520092013201720212025
Data table
20054,302
20062,781
20073,679
20084,492
20093,888
20103,161
20113,097
20122,276
20132,590
20142,787
20152,790
20162,981
20172,882
20183,020
20193,147
20202,162
20212,007
20222,610
20233,092
20243,186
20252,712
Residence permits granted, October 2025 – September 2026
2,559
of which for work
1,607
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Denmark, 2023; China ranks 11.

Inflows to Denmark, 2023
  1. Ukraine8,215
  2. Romania6,129
  3. Germany5,042
  4. Poland4,879
  5. United States4,154
  6. Italy3,424
  7. India3,376
  8. Spain2,288
  9. Iran2,166
  10. Nepal2,149
  11. China2,049
  12. Sweden1,939
Other destinations for people from China, 2023
  1. South Korea132,855
  2. Japan106,717
  3. United States57,240
  4. Canada39,350
  5. Australia36,349
  6. New Zealand26,214
  7. Germany20,866
  8. Spain20,471
  9. Italy8,062
  10. Netherlands7,991
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more