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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Copenhagen, Denmark
Save Time Using the Passport Renewal-by-Mail Option; Commercial Flights to the U.S.
By
12 MINUTE READ
June 17, 2020

Location:  Denmark

(NEW) Save Time Using the Passport Renewal-by-Mail Option: Most adults can renew their passport using the mail-in option. Due to the limited number of in-person embassy appointments and the application processing backlog, we ask that you use the mail-in option if you are eligible. This saves you time and leaves available appointment slots for your fellow citizens who require an in-person interview with a consular officer.  Eligibility and step-by-step instruction for the passport renewal-by-mail option can be found on our website:  https://dk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport/renewal/

(NEW) Commercial Flights to the U.S.:  From Kastrup Airport there are multiple flights per week on various air carriers to other European hubs from which you can board a U.S.-bound flight.  The most common hubs are Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, and Paris.  The most common air carriers operating at this time are SAS, KLM, British Air, Lufthansa, and Air France.  Flight routes from Kastrup Airport are being added or modified frequently.  Book tickets directly with your airline.  Check with your airline directly to see if your flight is confirmed.

SAS Airlines resumed nonstop flights from Copenhagen to Chicago and New York on June 10. However, if you have an SAS airline ticket for summer travel to other U.S. destinations, do not assume the flight is guaranteed.  SAS has previously cancelled flights with short notice; check with SAS to see if your flight is confirmed.

U.S. citizens transiting through Frankfurt or Amsterdam will not be allowed to leave the airport while transiting.  They must stay at the airport between flights.  Anyone transiting through France to reach the United States must have an attestation, available in English here.  You do not need an endorsement from the Embassy for this attestation.

Danish border remains closed for most tourism: The Danish border closure – imposed on March 14 – remains in place for most tourism-related travel.  The ban applies to all foreign tourists coming to Denmark, except for those permanently living in Germany, Norway, and Iceland who – effective June 15 – will be permitted to enter Denmark if they have a lodging reservation for six nights or more.  The ban does not apply to foreigners who have valid Danish work or residency permits; foreign spouses, children, or parents of Danish citizens or foreign legal residents in Denmark; and those the Danish government determines have a “worthy purpose” of travel. There is no definitive date as to when the border will reopen to additional tourism-related travel.  There are no travel restrictions for U.S. citizens who want to depart Denmark.

Exceptions to the Danish border closures are added frequently, often with little to no notice.  A full list of exceptions to the Danish border closure requirements can be found on the Danish government COVID-19 information page.  Contact the Danish National Police hotline number for advice about whether your purpose of travel is permissible.  The hotline has English speaking operators and is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local and weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local at:  +45 7020 6044.

U.S. Embassy Copenhagen Continues Mission Critical Citizenship Services:  The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen continues to offer mission critical appointments for citizenship services:  U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA).  If you are eligible to renew your passport by mail, use this option to avoid wait times for an in-person appointment. Expect delays to receive your new passport or CRBA.  The printing facilities in the U.S., which print the physical passport books and CRBAs for U.S. citizens worldwide, recently reopened with reduced staffing and are working through a backlog.

Notaries and Social Security Services Remain Suspended: Routine notarial and social security services remain suspended due to COVID-19.  If you need a certified copy of a document for Social Security, consider mailing your documents to us for this service while routine operations remain closed.  Email us at CopenhagenACS@state.gov for more information.

U.S. Citizens in Sweden: Visiting the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen for routine consular services has not been deemed a “worthy purpose” of travel by the Danish government; non-Danish nationals risk being barred entry into Denmark. A full list of exceptions to the Danish border closure requirements can be found on the Danish government COVID-19 information page.  U.S. citizens in Sweden who require consular services should contact the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm

Emergency services remain available: In an emergency, our embassy can assist with a limited-validity, emergency passport for an adult or a minor.  If you have not received your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), an emergency passport may still be issued by your nearest embassy/consulate. In an emergency, our embassy can assist with a limited-validity, emergency passport for an adult or a minor.

Danish residency permit renewals:  We are aware that the suspension of passport services during COVID-19 has impacted  the ability of U.S citizens to renew their residence permits in Denmark.  The Danish Immigration (SIRI) authorities are also aware that U.S. passport processing was temporarily suspended across the globe and that U.S. passport services are currently working through a backlog of cases.  SIRI has agreed to continue processing resident renewal applications for U.S. citizens impacted by passport processing delays.  Monitor the SIRI website often for updates.

Global Level 4 Health Advisory:  The Department of State released a Global Level 4 Health Advisory on March 19 advising all U.S. citizens who live in the United States to arrange for immediate return, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  If the Kingdom of Denmark is your normal place of residence and you plan to remain here, avoid travel to other, third locations until the crisis is over.  If you wish to depart Denmark for the United States, you should contact your airline immediately to arrange commercial air travel home.  If your travel has been disrupted due to flight cancellations, please contact your airline immediately to rearrange your booking.

Unsubscribe from STEP:  A temporary change to email messaging was made for the health and safety of all Americans unexpectedly kept abroad during the COVID-19 crisis.  As a result, it is not possible for STEP registrants to opt out of receiving messages at this time.  Once the COVID-19 crisis is over you may unsubscribe from these emails following our regular procedures by going to this website and following the simple instructions to unsubscribe:  https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Subscribe.aspx.

Actions to Take:

  • Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
  • Call the Danish COVID-19 hotline if you are in Denmark and experiencing flu-like symptoms:  +45 70 20 02 33.
  • For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
  • Expect additional travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.
  • Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
  • Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
  • Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Denmark.
  • Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

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