Visa

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter Greenland. A list of countries that need and do not need a visa to enter can be found here.

Note that there is a processing fee applicable to all visa applications.

If you need a visa to enter Greenland, you will most likely also need a Schengen visa, since most travel goes through a Schengen country (e.g. Denmark and Iceland). You can apply for a visa to Schengen and Greenland through Danish embassies and consulates. If you are seeking to obtain a visa to enter Greenland, as well as a Schengen visa (through Denmark), you only need to submit a single application to the embassy/consulate. Find more information here.

A visa normally grants you the right to stay in the entire Schengen region for up to 90 days.

If you wish to stay in Greenland/Denmark for a longer period, you must apply for a residence permit. More information on being a guest researcher at Greenlandic institutions, and how to apply, can be found here: https://nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Guest-Researcher.

Covid-19

You can find general information and links to relevant COVID-19 related information for Greenland on https://nun.gl/emner/english?sc_lang=da.

Greenland can only be reached via Denmark or Iceland – unless you travel by charted aircrafts. You can find further information regarding the temporary Danish travel restrictions here: https://en.coronasmitte.dk/rules-and-regulations/entry-into-denmark. For travels to Greenland via Iceland, see permit system page for Iceland.

Instrumentation (import/export)

Export control exists for dual use items that have the potential to threaten international peace and security. Read more here: https://www.businessingreenland.gl/en/Erhverv/Export-control-of-duel-use-items.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Climate.

Import/Export of threatened species

Greenland is party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment is the agency with responsibility for implementing CITES and the issuing of permits.


Contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment.

Chemicals (import/export) and use

In general, it is recommended to use a shipping/transport agency, in order to assure compliance with complex regulations. Research stations and institutions may provide access to some types of chemicals that can be used by visiting scientists.

Special regulations apply to import and export of dangerous chemicals to and from the EU. Find information from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Contact to the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment.

Radioactive substances

The use of radioactive substances most likely requires a permit or registration before use. This is done via the Danish Health Authorities. Here you will find (in Danish) different ways of registering or applying for permits depending on the radioactive source. For use in human health studies in Greenland, a copy of the permit/registration must be submitted to the Science Ethics Board of the Greenlandic Health Authorities (see section on ‘Human health studies’ under ‘Permits to conduct research’).

Remote areas

A permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment to enter ‘Remote parts of Greenland’ (The Greenland Ice Sheet, the National Park in North and East Greenland, and remote coastal areas of East Greenland and North Greenland). Contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment.

Note that a Search and Rescue insurance is required for all foreign, and most national scientists.

Information on the areas, rules, and procedures of other permit types can be found here: https://exp.gl/.

Application form to ‘Remote parts of Greenland’.

Protected areas

Nature and cultural protection areas may have restricted access. It is recommended to search for relevant executive orders (available in Danish and/or Kalaallisut – see www.lovgivning.gl), or to contact the responsible ministry/authority to learn about possibilities for access to these areas.

Nature protection areas

Nature protection areas are managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment, who can grant dispensation from regulations for scientific purposes.

Map of protected areas

Cultural protected areas

Cultural protection areas are managed by the Greenland National Museum and Archive, who can grant dispensation from regulations for scientific purposes.

Overview of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greenland

Contact Greenland National Museum and Archive at nka@natmus.gl.

The Ilulissat World Heritage Site has an online application system for dispensation from regulations.

Bird protection areas

Bird protection areas have restricted access during the breeding season.

A map of bird protection areas can be found in the appendix of the executive order on protection and harvest of birds: http://lovgivning.gl/lov?rid={5456AAE4-1602-4DD3-A45D-241041DFF511} (in Danish).

Responsible ministry is the Ministry of Fisheries and Hunting.

Restricted areas

There is limited access to the US Military Thule Air Base. Information on permits to travel to, and transit through the base, can be found here.

You may need one or more research permits, licenses or authorizations for conducting scientific research in Greenland. Whether you need to obtain such document(s) depends on the area you want to go to and the type of research you conduct.

There is no central coordination of research applications in Greenland. Scientists need to identify all relevant permits themselves and obtain them from relevant authorities.

Information on applying for the majority of permits listed below can be found here: https://exp.gl/About

Note that it may take up to two months to process an application.

Permits to conduct research

Depending on your research aims and activities, you may need permits to do research in Greenland. Relevant information is available from two locations:

For expeditions to remote parts of Greenland, incl. the additional permits that may be needed: https://exp.gl/Permit-Application/Additional-Permits. Contact Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment
For business and land use (big.gl Contact Ministry of Industry, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Climate at email: iian@nanoq.gl.

Mammals, birds, and fish

You can apply to conduct research on marine mammals, birds and fish here: https://exp.gl/Permit-Application/Additional-Permits.

Note that the application form states that it only relates to permits falling under the Executive order on travels in Remote Parts of Greenland. To learn what is needed outside the ‘remote areas’ contact the Ministry of Fisheries and Hunting at apnn@nanoq.gl.

Biological resources

If you intend to collect samples containing biological material (species or samples from species), you need a permit to collect biological resources from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Climate. Information on permits can be found here.

Contact the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Climate at iian@nanoq.gl.

Animal welfare/Wildlife handling

Studies involving animal welfare and handling of wildlife may require a permit.

Contact the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Climate at iian@nanoq.gl.

Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage studies may need permit from authorities.

Contact the Ministry of Education, Culture and Church at ikin@nanoq.gl

Archaeology

Studies related to archaeology, and collection of meteoroids and fossils requires a permit from the Greenland National Museum and Archive. Guidelines and application form.

Contact Greenland National Museum and Archive at nka@natmus.gl or the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Church at ikin@nanoq.gl.

Geological and mineral resources

Scientific surveys of geological and mineral resources require a permit from the Mineral Resources Authority. Guidelines and application form can be found here: https://govmin.gl/#.

Contact the Mineral Resources Authority.

Human health studies

Studies involving humans and their health need approval from the Science Ethics Board of the Greenland Health Authorities. Guidelines, forms and required documentation can be found here (in Danish): https://nun.gl/emner/english/science_ethics_committee?sc_lang=da.

Contact the Greenland Health Authorities at nun@nanoq.gl.

If you intend to set up field instruments (or other equipment, fuel etc.) anywhere in Greenland for two months or more, you need an area allotment. You can apply here: http://ver1.nunagis.gl/en/.

The application form must be submitted to the relevant municipality (see below). For the National Park in North and East Greenland it must be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Self-sufficiency, Energy and Environment (see below).

For a delineation of municipalities see: http://lovgivning.gl/lov?rid={357AA123-BD0F-4AB2-B302-920E3639D2BF} (in Danish).

Municipality and ministerial contacts

Avannaata Kommunia (email: areal@avannaata.gl)

Kommune Qeqertalik (email: qeqertalik@qeqertalik.gl)

Qeqqata Kommunia (email: qeqqata@qeqqata.gl)

Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq (email: kommuneqarfik@sermersooq.gl)

Kommune Kujalleq (email: kommune@kujalleq.gl)

Drone use

The use of drones is regulated in Greenland: https://droneregler.dk/Droneflyvning-i-Groenland-og-Faeroerne# (in Danish).

If you need dispensation from the rules, you must contact the Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Agency at info@tbst.dk for more information.

If you need to bring a firearm into Greenland, you need a permit from the Police. Application form (in Danish)

If you need to bring a weapon into the National Park in North and East Greenland you can find the application form here (in Danish).

If in doubt, you can contact the Police.

Radio permits

Use of PLBs (Personal Locater Beacon) and other radio equipment in Greenland requires a permit from the Radio Administration. Requirements and an application form can be found here: https://exp.gl/Permit-Application/Additional-Permits. Contact the Radio Administration here (email: RVF@nanoq.gl).

If you work out of a research station, it is highly recommended to ask for guidance from the station manager. Information about station specific permits and policies can often be found on their respective websites. Contact information for all INTERACT stations.

The Research Unit under the Department for Education, Culture, Sports and Church is tasked with managing the Government’s research policies with the objective to strengthen research efforts and cooperation in Greenland and the Arctic. The unit is also acting as liaison between the research community and the relevant authorities.

Greenland Research Council

Nunatsinni Ilisimatusarnermik Siunnersuisoqatigiit/Greenland Research Council (NIS) was established in June 2014. NIS was established to (i) promote research anchored in Greenland, (ii) finance research and (iii) handle the research professional advice for e.g. Naalakkersuisut, the Minister of Science and international stakeholders.

ISAAFFIK Arctic Gateway

ISAAFFIK Arctic Gateway is a user-driven platform for collaboration in science.