Foreign guest researchers, visiting PhD and staff at CC

Process for affiliation of foreign, unpaid guest researcher/PhD >14 days

Guidance for you as a host

Guidance for you as a host, when entering into an agreement with a foreign, unpaid, non-employed guest researcher, non-enrolled visiting PhD student, or researcher on a small AUFF scholarship or a minor grant for an extended stay (more than 14 days).


When entering into an agreement with a foreign guest researcher, it is important that you

  • early in the negotiation phase, contact the International Staff Office (ISO)/Guest Researcher Support, who can assist both you and the guest researcher with various questions or uncertainties regarding work and residence permits, as well as other mobility issues.
  • at the same time, inform your local secretariat (as to practical stuff) and the research consultant (as to sharing or processing of research or personal data).

Read below to find out how to ensure this.

1. Contact is initiated between the guest researcher and the host

The academic staff or grant holder agrees to initiate a collaboration with a foreign guest researcher/PhD.


2. The host gets the agreement approved by the head of the department

Agreements with guest researchers/PhD candidates must always be approved by the head of department, who needs to:

  • Check whether the visit fits in terms of timing, staffing, and space
  • Be aware of the guest researcher's/PhD candidate's nationality (certain nationalities must apply for work and residence permits in advance, and additional precautions regarding data security vs. nationality may need to be taken).

Is the guest researcher already requesting an invitation letter?

Find CC's guidelines here.


3. The host fills out ISO's questionnaire to get assistance with the visiting scholar's residence and work permit.

Note! Only when ISO's questionnaire is completed does ISO assist the guest with the application. If it is not filled out, ISO will not provide assistance. This also applies to EU citizens.


4. The host informs the local secretariat and the research consultant

  • When filling out the form for ISO, the academic staff/host MUST ensure that the local secretary is informed. At the beginning of the form, the contact information for the local secretariat can be entered. See the screenshot of the questionnaire in section 3 - yellow marking.
  • The secretariat will send a brief email to the guest, so the guest has a contact person to reach out to for practical questions.
  • The academic staff/host ensures that the school's research consultant, (Helle Breth Klausen), is informed. Helle helps the academic staff/host ensure that guidelines are followed if research or personal data needs to be shared or processed in connection with the guest visit.

5. Welcome email and reception at the school

  • Approximately one month before the start date, the secretariat sends welcome materials to the guest researcher/PhD and ensures the previously agreed-upon practical details.
  • The academic staff/host handles the introduction to the network and academic environment when the guest researcher starts at the school.

The host's questionnaire to ISO

Use this questionnaire to get assistance with work and residence permits.

See all asked questions. 

Invitation letters

Who issues them? Who signs them?

Contact secretaries

These department secretaries assist with the practical aspects of the reception.


Process for hiring and onboarding foreign employees

When you, as a grant holder, academic staff, or head of department, need to hire a foreign employee, the process is primarily handled by Arts HR.

How to handle the hiring and residence and work permit for a foreign employee

Hiring process, including application for residence and work permit

The administrative part of the hiring process, as well as the residence and work permit, is handled by Arts HR

  1. Job is Posted
    Jody informs the local secretariat.
  2. The candidate is offered the job
    Arts HR informs the candidate about the International Staff Office (ISO), researcher taxation, possible housing assistance, etc., so that the candidate is aware of the conditions for living and working in Denmark.
  3. ISO contacts the candidate
    ISO informs them about their services.
  4. The candidate receives the contract
    Arts HR sends a salary offer, and negotiations begin.
  5. Arts HR informs local HR
    Once the candidate has accepted, Anne Overballe is informed, and she will notify the local secretariat.
  6. The secretariat initiates pre-boarding
    The secretariat sends welcome materials to the new employee and ensures the previously agreed-upon practical details.

Onboarding of the foreign employee

The introduction, buddy system, and reception are handled by the host.