Iceland

Iceland was settled in the 9th century by Nordic, Scandinavian and British people. It is said that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavík now stands. Iceland was the country that had the world’s first republican government. The parliament was established in Þingvellir in 930 and met continuously until 1291 when Iceland became part of the Kingdom of Norway by treaty, and later the Danish Crown.

There were several independence movements during the 18th century and finally in 1918 Denmark recognised Iceland as a sovereign state under the Danish monarchy, with the signing of The Act of Union. One of the most famous figures of this period is Jón Sigurðsson. His birthday, June 17, was chosen as Iceland’s National Holiday to recognize his efforts towards Iceland´s independence. His portrait can be seen on ISK 500 banknotes.

During World War II Iceland was occupied, first by the British army and then by the United States. At the same time the German Nazis occupied Denmark. Then, in 1944 Iceland, though still occupied by the US, declared the country an independent state, and Sveinn Björnsson became the first President of the Republic of Iceland while Denmark was still occupied by the Nazis troops.

During the 1990´s, Iceland experienced fast economic growth, particularly the banking sector, and became one of the richest countries in the world until the economic collapse in 2008, which hit Iceland hard. Since then, Iceland has recovered remarkably. It is considered one of the most developed countries in the world.

Despite its name, and the fact that it is geographically located just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland has a relatively moderate climate. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool, temperate maritime climate with refreshing summers and mild winters.

Summers are pleasant, with average temperatures between 10-13 °C (50-55 °F) and daylight that extends far into the night. Winters are mild with an average temperature around 0 °C (32 °F). Weather in Iceland is always susceptible to change on a moments notice. It is possible to experience all sorts of weather in just a matter of hours. Winds can be strong, and winter storms can be frequent. Dress accordingly. Always keep alert for weather warnings and follow official instructions to stay indoors if necessarily.

Every Icelander has an ID number called a Kennitala, without one life in Iceland can become quite tricky. It’s used for everything from getting a membership at your local swimming pool to registering at university and opening an Icelandic bank account. You will get one as soon as you have applied for your residence permit at the National Registry (EU citizens) or your visa from the Directorate of Immigration.

There are three banks in Iceland, Íslandsbanki, Landsbanki and Arion Banki and all offer a range of services for students. When setting up a bank account you will need to have your kennitala and a valid ID, for example a passport. If you are opening a student account you will also need to show your valid student ID.

Why Iceland?

What makes Iceland an enticing study abroad destination? Is it the prospect of studying in a sparsely populated country? Maybe it is the allure of taking a closer look at its amazing energy generation system that makes use of renewable resources. Perhaps it is simply the idea of staying in a place rich in Viking culture and history. And the cherry on top of this mega-cool study abroad cake? You can study in Iceland in English.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to call Iceland home as an international student—and the (ACTUAL) Northern Lights aren’t enough to convince you—read on to answer the question: “Why study abroad in Iceland?”

Six Reasons to Study in Iceland

1. Clean, Delicious Air

Iceland still relies on fossil fuels for energy but not for powering its cities. Icelanders use fossil fuels for transport and agriculture. Their cities, however, are powered solely by renewable energy. Almost 75 percent of electricity generation comes from hydroelectric plants, and the rest from geothermal plants.

Icelanders owe the nation’s cleaner air to Iceland’s unique geology, which allows for the continuous production of renewable energy. Two of these renewable energy sources, stem fields near volcanoes and glacial rivers and waterfalls, are abundant in Iceland.

Air pollution still exists, however, because vehicles and fishing vessels use imported fossil fuels, but this is about to change. At present, there are moves to shift from fossil fuels to hydrogen, which is renewable. The first step among many is the Ecological City Transport System (ECTOS), which involved three hydrogen fuel cell buses and one fuel station and ran from 2001 to 2005.

2. Healthier People

Icelanders are a healthy bunch. Recent development surveys found that over 75 percent of populations sampled reported being in good health. This wonderful fact is due in part to Iceland’s use of cleaner energy sources, add to this environmental consciousness and a low population density and Iceland has a sure-fire formula for healthy citizens.

Of course there might be other reasons for this golden age of health for Icelanders, including the fact that all of them are covered by a government-administered universal health care system that appears effective. So effective that visitors shouldn’t be surprised to find hardly any private hospitals or health care providers in the entire country.

3. Smoked Lamb, Anyone?

A study abroad trip isn’t complete without tasting the local cuisine. Food in this northern Atlantic country is mostly comprised of lamb, fish, and dairy. The dish students must try during any study abroad trip in Iceland is the Þorramatur, a buffet usually served at midwinter festivals. The buffet includes a wide selection of cured meat and fish served with dense, dark, sweet rye bread and flavored spirit called brennivin. Truly an Icelandic tradition that can’t be missed while you study in Iceland in English!

4. Deep Creative Cultural Roots

Iceland’s culture is both deep and rich, which is readily apparent in its literary heritage and traditional arts, like weaving, wood carving, and silversmithing. Painting and sculpture are fields not to be taken lightly in the nation either. The work of sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson that adorns the main building of the University of Iceland in Reykjavik or the paintings of Johannes Sveinsson Kjarval and Einar Hakonarson clearly illustrate Iceland’s artistic roots.

Icelandic literature, particularly literature of the medieval times are without a doubt a source of Iceland’s culture. Eddic poetry, Skaldic poetry, and Sagas poetry all of belong to medieval Icelandic literature collections. Iceland enjoyed a literary revival in the 19th century and produced some of the country’s best pieces of literature, including Gunnar Gunnarsson’s Guest the One-Eyed and Ships of the Sky.

Who hasn’t heard of Bjork? This eclectic singer and composer from Reykjavik has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and one Academy Award. She even won a Best Actress Award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival for her work in Dancer in the Dark. Needless to say, Bjork is among the best musicians Iceland has produced.

Another Icelandic singer who deserves mention is Emiliana Torrini. If the name doesn’t readily ring a bell recall the “Gollum’s Song” part of the soundtrack for Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Torrini is the recording artist of “Gollum’s Song.”

5. Personal Growth

One major perk from studying in Iceland is the ability to see yourself in a foreign land. Study abroad in Iceland will be a time for pushing your comfort zone, staying open to new experiences, and working REALLY hard to be intentional about the way you spend your time. Yes, that means actually studying while abroad, but that also means doing personal reflection and goal setting to ensure you’re maximizing the benefits of the experience. Being thoughtful about your self-development while abroad makes conversations in future job interviews about your study abroad experience MUCH easier.

6. Other-Worldly Landscapes

Iceland’s hot springs, geothermal pools, and volcanic activity make for great recreational opportunities. There are dozens of waterfalls—the kind worth chasing—not to mention black sand beaches, giant glaciers, fjords, and… puffins! Just remember that you’ll be studying just south of the Arctic Circle, so packing warm clothes and waterproof gear is a must must must.

Where else can you find green hillsides dotted with slightly squat horses, adorable Nordic churches, and the aurora borealis?

Education System

There are seven universities in Iceland. Most of the higher education institutions are run by the state or private parties with state support. Currently there are approximately 18000 students enrolled in the higher education system, of which about 5% are international students.

International students either attend Icelandic higher education institutions as exchange students or as degree-seeking students. For exchange options, please consult the international office at your home university, where you can get information on partner universities.

The Icelandic academic year traditionally runs from September to May and is divided into two semesters; autumn and spring. Generally, the autumn semester is from the beginning of September until late December, and the spring semester from the start of January until the end of May, although some disciplines may vary.

Tuition fees at higher educational institutions differ between institution and the amount can depend on whether the institution is state or privately owned. Public universities do not have tuition fees although they do have an annual registration or administration fee which all students must pay. Please find further information about fees on each school’s website.

If you are looking for studies in Iceland, The Ploteus Database for Learning Opportunities and Qualifications in Europe offers an extensive list of available studies in Iceland.

Bachelor degrees (B.A., B.S., and B.Ed.) are awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed three to four years of study (180-240 credits) in a Bachelor degree programme. Bachelor degrees do not usually confer professional certification, except for nursing (B.S.) and compulsory schoolteachers (B.Ed.). The bachelor degree constitutes a formal qualification for postgraduate study. Candidatus degrees (kandidatsgráða) qualify the holder for a special office or profession and usually take four to six years. Postgraduate certificates are offered in some subjects after one year of postgraduate study. Masters degrees (M.A., M.S. – meistaragráða) are awarded after completion of two successful years of postgraduate study. A major thesis or research project is a substantial part of the programme. Doctorate degrees (Ph.D.- doktorsgráða) are awarded by the following universities: The University of Iceland, Reykjavík University and The Agricultural University of Iceland in cooperation with The University of Iceland. PhD degrees are awarded to those having successfully completed a doctorate programme and defended a doctoral thesis. For further information on programmes offered, please contact each university or college.

Examination and Grading System

Assessment

Student assessment is generally based on written, oral or practical examinations, semester papers and assignments carried out throughout the whole course of study. Teachers are responsible for evaluation, but each university or college department provides the overall organisation of the examinations within the regulatory framework of the institution. In some cases there are external examiners. Examinations are generally held at the end of each semester. Students can normally apply to resit an examination once, after which, in certain cases, dispensation may be given for one further resit. Normally a programme of study comprises one major subject (2/3) along with one or more minor subjects.

Grading System

As a general rule grades are expressed on a scale of 0-10, where the passing grade is 5 and above, or with a pass/fail assessment. Course grades are usually given in increments of 0.5, and averages are computed to two decimal places. In most institutions of higher education, courses of study require a combined average of 5 or a minimum grade of 5 in each subject to pass. In some institutions average grade points are not calculated, and in individual courses the minimum required grade can be higher than 5. According to regulations in most institutions, a student may sit for examination in a given course twice. When a student’s grade-point average is calculated, failing grades (marked F) are not included in the calculation.

Credits

In most institutions, studies are divided into study credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). 60 credits amount to one year of full-time study, and 30 credits constitute one semester’s full-time study. The number of credits is generally indicated in the course catalogue of each institution.

Accreditition

Quality Assurance

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of educational institutions in the educational system in Iceland.

External evaluation is organised by the Ministry and can include evaluation of schools/institutions, evaluation of internal evaluation methods or other defined parts of school activities. Since the establishment of the Directorate of Education, most aspects of the process belong under the auspice of Directorate. At pre-primary and compulsory school levels, the municipalities are, by law since 2008, responsible for their own evaluation of schools and school activities.

Laws on pre-primary, compulsory and upper secondary education stipulate that the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is to conduct comprehensive external evaluation at these school levels with the Directorate of Education. The rationale for this was to gather reliable information concerning factors such as quality control in operating schools, the educational achievement and careers of pupils, teaching practices and their impact on educational achievement, communication within schools, and relationships with parties outside schools. Provisions for quality control of teaching and research in higher education were laid down in the Higher Education Act of 2006. The monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance in adult education is explained in the Act on Adult Education.

Every three years, the Minister of Education, Science and Culture is to deliver comprehensive reports to the Parliament on pre-primary, compulsory and upper secondary education. The reports explain schools’ operation and activities, based on systematically gathered information, evaluation and research (both national and international).

Since 2000, Iceland has taken part in the OECD PISA studies and since 2009 in the TALIS study. Iceland also participates on a regular basis in OECD work on developing student-achievement indicators. The Icelandic educational system has been regularly reviewed by OECD experts.

All pupils in compulsory grades 4, 7 and 9 undergo national examinations in Icelandic and mathematics and in grade 9 in English in addition.

The purpose of these examinations is to monitor to what extent the National Curriculum Guides are fulfilled in the Icelandic educational system, guide teachers and schools regarding the individual students teaching, provide information of individual students’ educational achievement for students, parents and schools and provide information for schools and school districts regarding the educational achievement in individual schools. These examinations are prepared, graded and organised by the Directorate of Education. The results of the national co-ordinated examinations are distributed, i.e. pupils receive their own marks and the mean figures are distributed to the public for each examination at every compulsory school in the country where pupils in that grade in the school are more than ten, as well as for each region and region wide.

The journeyman’s examination for the skilled trades is the only nationally co-ordinated examination at the upper secondary school level. Under the Upper Secondary School Act, the Minister of Education, Science and Culture may decide to set nationally co-ordinated examinations in individual upper secondary school subjects.

Laws on the four levels of education, pre-primary, compulsory, upper secondary and higher education level all highlight the importance of systematic internal evaluation to measure and improve quality. Each school or institution is required to systematically evaluate internal activities with active participation of staff, students, pupils and parents as relevant. They are to publish information on the internal evaluation, compliance with the school curriculum guide and plans for improvement.

Education and training providers in adult education need to carry out a systematic internal evaluation of the quality of their activities and publish information about their quality control and plans for improvement.

Accommodation

Iceland is home to a progressive and peaceful nation that has formed a modern society where freedom and equality are the most important qualities. Iceland continuously ranks near the top of measurements for quality of life, gender equality and democracy, and is one of the highest ranked countries in the world in terms of health care, education and internet availability.

Iceland is a country of extreme geological contrasts. Widely known as “The Land of Fire and Ice” Iceland is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and some of the world’s most active volcanoes. Iceland is also the land of light and darkness. Long summer days with near 24-hours of sunshine are offset by short winter days with only few hours of daylight.

The cornerstone of Icelandic culture is the Icelandic language, which has spawned a literary tradition that dates back to the ancient Icelandic Sagas. Violent tales of blood feuds, traditions, family and character. A strong literary tradition still thrives in modern Iceland. Icelandic authors publish more books per capita than in any other country in the world. Iceland also boasts a prospering music scene, a burgeoning film industry, and Icelandic design is coming of age.

There are student flats near most of the universities in Iceland. Students are advised to contact their school for further information. The international office at your host university assists students in finding housing. Students attending the University of Iceland can apply for housing from the Icelandic Student Services (Félagsstofnun stúdenta). The Service operates student apartments and is responsible for allocating flats.

University students in the greater Reykjavík area may rent flats in the old Nato Defence Base at Keflavík Airport. The student flats are intended for individuals and families. Further information may be found on the website of Keilir, the Atlantic Centre of Excellence.

Students who do not have access to campuses or student flats must find accommodation on the general accommodation rental market. They are advised to find out about their rights on the websites of the municipalities in question. Students may be eligible for renting benefits.

Students’ Life

Iceland offers a vibrant and fulfilling student life; with fantastic nature and stunning landscapes on your doorstep, to an active and exciting student life within the university and the local community.Universities have students’ unions which are there to promote and protect the interests of all students within the university. They often offer a range of services as well as putting on regular events and engaging with both the Icelandic and international student populations. Each subject or department at a university usually has a student society which offers all sorts of activities, from quizzes, study support and the Icelandic student tradition of the vísindaferð. Vísindaferð – or Science Trip – is when a group visits an organisation or place of interest, usually on a Friday afternoon. They are often given a tour, something exciting to do, as well refreshments and snacks which often moves downtown later in the evening. The places and organisations student societies can go are very varied from phone and tv companies, businesses, museums, local charities or local government, football clubs and many more. These are often the staple of Icelandic student life.

Universities also host “International Days” which give the opportunity for international students to show off their own country, its traditions and cuisine, allow Icelanders to learn about new cultures, and to allow Icelanders and international students network and get to know each other better. Universities often have their own networks for international students and/or exchange students which put on events, orientation and the like.
In addition there are a range of facilities at Icelandic universities often comprising of gyms, cafés, bars and other student services.

Health Insurance and Facilities

There is a medical centre or hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland. The emergency phone number (24 hours) in Iceland is 112. EU citizens must bring their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) with them to prove that they are entitled to health care in their own country. If you visit a doctor you must present your EHIC Card and Passport in order for you to pay the reduced, insured, rate. Nordic Students need only to provide confirmation of insurance in their home country, for example, a health insurance card or similar documentation.

Non-EU citizens must have health insurance prior to their arrival to Iceland. Health insurance from one‘s own country is sufficient or one can purchase health insurance from an Icelandic health insurance provider, such as Sjóvá, TM, VÍS or Vörður.

Pharmacies are called “Apótek” and are open during normal business hours. Only a few are open at night. Medical Care can be obtained by visiting a Health Care Centre, called “Heilsugæslustöð”in Icelandic, during opening hours. For information see www.heilsugaeslan.is.

For further information, visit www.sjukra.is.

Work Permit

Citizens of the European Economic Area (the European Union, Norway and Lichtenstein) do not need to apply for a working permit in Iceland but citizens all other countries must do so.

Work permits

An employer who intends to hire a foreign national who is a national of a state outside of the European Economic Area, of an EFTA-state or the Faeroe Islands, shall apply for and already have received a work permit prior to the foreign national beginning work. Applications for work permits must be submitted, including the necessary supporting documentation, to the Directorate of Immigration who then forwards the application to the Directorate of Labour if the conditions for the issuing of a residence permit for the relevant foreign national are met.

If a foreigner is a national of a state from within the European Economic Area, an EFTA-state or the Faeroe Islands then it is not necessary to apply for a work permit concerning the foreigner’s work for the employer. If it is necessary to obtain an ID number for the foreign national then you need to contact Registers Iceland, see more information at www.skra.is. In order to get information regarding which state’s nationals are exempted with respect to a work permit in Iceland.

Categories of work permits

Click on the relevant category for more information regarding the requirements for the issuing of various types of work permits.

Temporary work permit for a job that requires expert knowledge

A temporary work permit may be issued for a specific position in Iceland when the job requires specialist knowledge (specialist license), cf. 8. Article of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals’ Right to Work. The conditions for granting a work permit according to this provision are i.a.:

That the assistance of the Directorate of Labour has been called upon to find an employee in Iceland and within the EEA, the EFTA- states or in the Faeroe Islands,
That the foreign national has entered into a contract of employment with the employer to fill a specific position that requires expert knowledge provided that this is not a temporary work project,
That the expert knowledge of the foreign national is essential for the relevant company, and
that the expert knowledge of the foreign national connotes an education from a university, trade school, an art school, or a technical education that is recognised in Iceland, or in exceptional circumstances that the foreigner possesses a long work experience that can be equated to expert knowledge.

An application for a specialist license must be submitted to the Directorate of Immigration including the necessary supporting documents. It speeds up the process if such an application is submitted at the same time when the application for a residence permit is submitted to the Directorate of Immigration.

Requisite documentation with the application:

Original copy of the application for a temporary work permit for a job that requires expert knowledge.
a) A formal statement from a trade union entered on the application must be obtained before the application is returned (box IV in the application).
b) Both the foreign national and the employer need to sign the application.
A contract of employment between a foreign national and an employer wherein the following must be included:
a) Information about the prospective job of the foreigner with the employer.
b) Information about a pension fund to be paid into with respect to the work of the foreigner.
c) The foreign national’s terms of employment must be similar to the terms of employment of other specialists that work in the relevant sector.
Certified copy of the foreign national’s diploma in Icelandic or English.
a) If this involves a regulated professional title or legally protected trade it must be accompanied with an attestation from competent Icelandic authorities that the foreign national possesses the required certification to be able to undertake the job that he or she is hired to do.
If the foreign national’s expert knowledge is based on a lengthy work experience the application must be accompanied by information about earlier workplaces and period of service.
Information about the attempts by the employer to hire an employee who already has access to the Icelandic job market before searching outside the EEA for employees, or if this was not done, the reasoning for this having not been done before searching for employees outside the EEA.
Confirmation that the employer will pay for the return travel of the foreign national at the end of the period of service if the contract of employment is terminated due to causes not the fault of the employee, or if a foreigner becomes disabled for a long time because of illness or accident. It must be specified to which country the return travel extends.

When applying for an extension of a specialist license only the documentation that is specified in items 1 and 2 above has to be submitted.

A temporary work permit for a job that requires specialist knowledge can be the basis for an unrestricted work permit.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to present the necessary documentation for the application for a temporary work permit. If all the documentation is not submitted with the application it will result in a delay in the processing of the application or in the rejection of the application. The Directorate of Labour may request additional documentation if the agency finds this to be necessary.

Temporary work permits due to labour shortage

A temporary work permit may be granted for a particular job in Iceland when personnel is neither found in the domestic labour market nor in the EEA labour market, in the EFTA states or in the Faeroe Islands, i.e. because of shortage of labour (labour shortage permit), cf. Article 9 of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals Right to Work. The conditions for granting a work permit according to this provision are i.a.:

That the assistance of the Directorate of Labour has been called upon to find staff in Iceland and within the EEA, the EFTA- states or the Faeroe Islands,
That the foreign national has entered into a contract of employment with the employer,
That a statement from the relevant union has been obtained, and
That the employer provides specific reasoning for the necessity to hire foreign employees from states outside the EEA, the EFTA states or the Faeroe Islands, and i.a. in what way this is important for the employer’s business.

The Directorate of Labour draws attention to the fact that work permits issued because of labour shortage are only granted as an exception, and in such cases for the purpose of responding to temporary fluctuations in the Icelandic labour market. The employer will furthermore need to search for an employee who already has access to the Icelandic labour market before applying for such permit as well as when applying for an extension.

Temporary work permits for athletes

Temporary work permits may be granted in the case of athletes working for sports clubs that are members of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland cf. Article 10 of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals Right to Work. The conditions for granting a work permit according to this provision are i.a.:

That the foreign national has entered into a contract of employment with a sports club in order to engage in a specific sport or to be a trainer for a specific sport at the club where the contract of employment includes information about the pension fund to be paid into with respect to the work of the foreigner, and
That the sports club will pay for the return travel of the foreign national upon the conclusion? of the period of service in specific instances.

Necessary documentation with an application for a temporary work permit for athletes:

An original copy of the application for a temporary work permit foran athlete.
Both the foreign national and the representative of the sports club need to sign the application.
A Contract of Employment between the foreign national and the sports club in which information about the following must be included:
Information about the foreign national’s expected job for the sports club.
Information about the pension fund to be paid into with respect to the work of the foreigner.
The terms of employment for the foreign national and other benefits that he is entitled to.
Confirmation that the employer will pay for the return travel of the foreign national at the end of the period of service if the contract of employment is terminated due to causes not the fault of the employee, or if the foreign national becomes disabled for a long time because of illness or accident. It must be specified to which country the return travel extends.

An application for an extension of a temporary work permit for sportspeople shall be accompanied by the same documentation as a new application.

Temporary work permits granted for special reasons

A temporary work permit may be granted exceptionally for special reasons, cf. Article 11 of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals Right to Work if the following conditions are met:

that the foreign national has previously been granted one of the following residence permits:
- temporary residence permit,
- a residence permit based on humanitarian grounds, or
- residence permit under paragraph of Article 11 of Act No. 96/2002 on Foreigners,
That the foreign national has entered into a contract of employment with the employer, and
That a statement from the relevant Union has been obtained.

Necessary documentation with application for a new temporary work permit granted for special reasons

Original copy of application for a temporary work permit granted for special reasons
It is necessary to obtain a statement from a Union before returning the application form (box IV on the application form).
Both the foreign national and the employer need to sign the application form.
A Contract of Employment between the foreign national and the employer including information about the following:
a) Information about the foreign national’s expected job for the employer.
b) Information about the pension fund to be paid into with respect to the work of the foreigner.
c) The foreign national’s terms of employment must be compliant with current wage agreements.
d) If the foreign national is expected to be engaged in work that involves a regulated professional title or a legally protected trade it must be accompanied with an attestation from competent Icelandic authorities that the foreign national possesses the required certification to be able to undertake the job that he or she is hired to do.

The same documentation must be submitted an application for an extension of a work permit granted for special reasons as in the case of a new application.

A temporary work permit for special reasons in connection with a residence permit based on humanitarian grounds may be the basis for an unrestricted work permit.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit the documentation shown on the list. If all the documentation is not submitted with the application it will result in a delay in the processing of the application or in the rejection of the application. The Directorate of Labour may request additional documentation if the agency finds this to be necessary.

Temporary work permit based on family reunion

A foreign national may be granted a temporary work permit if his or her closest relative is an Icelandic citizen or has a specific type of work permit in Iceland, cf. Article 12 of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals Right to Work. The conditions for granting a work permit according to this provision are i.a.:

That the foreign national is:
-a cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen,
-the child of the spouse or of the cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen provided further conditions are met,
-the spouse, cohabiting partner or child over 18 years of age provided further conditions are met, of a foreign national who has been granted one of the following types of work permits:
Temporary work permit for a job that requires expert knowledge, cf. Article 8 of the Act on Foreign Nationals Right to Work,
Temporary work permit that is connected with a residence permit based on humanitarian grounds, cf. Article 11 of the Act on Foreign Nationals Right to Work, or
A permanent work permit, cf. Article 17 of the Act on Foreign Nationals Right to Work
That the foreign national has entered into a contract of employment with the employer, and
That a statement from the relevant Union has been obtained.

Necessary documentation with application for a new temporary work permit to be granted on the basis of family reunion.
An original copy of the application for a temporary work permit to be granted on the basis of family reunion.
It is necessary to obtain a statement from a Union before returning the application form (box IV on the application form).
Both the foreign national and the employer need to sign the application form.
A Contract of Employment between the foreign national and the employer where the following information must be included:
Information about the foreign national’s expected job for the employer.
Information about the pension fund to be paid into with respect to the work of the foreigner.
The foreign national’s terms of employment must be compliant with current wage agreements.
If the foreign national is expected to be engaged in work that involves a regulated professional title or a legally protected trade the application form must be accompanied with an attestation from competent Icelandic authorities that the foreign national possesses the required certification to be able to undertake the job that he or she is hired to do.

An application for an extension of a work permit granted because of family reunion must be accompanied by the same documentation that must be submitted as in the case of a new application.

A temporary work permit based on the grounds of family reunion may be the basis for an unrestricted work permit if the foreign national derives his or her right from a temporary work permit that has already been granted to a foreign national with an unrestricted work permit, or from an Icelandic citizen.

Temporary work permits for students

A temporary work permit may be granted in the case of a foreign national who is engaged in studies in Iceland (student work permit) cf. Article 13 of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals Right to Work. The conditions for granting a work permit according to this provision are i.a.:

That the foreign national has entered into a contract of employment with an employer,
That the full time work ratio of the foreign national is no more than 40% with the exception of work that is performed during school vacations or in the course of vocational training, and
That the foreign national has been granted a student residence permit under the Act on Foreigners.

Necessary documentation with an application for a student work permit:

An original copy of the application form for a temporary work permit for students.
A Contract of Employment between the foreign national and the employer where the following information must be included:
Information about the foreign national’s expected job for the employer.
Information about the pension fund to be paid into with respect to the work of the foreigner.
The foreign national’s terms of employment must be compliant with current wage agreements.
If the foreign national is expected to be engaged in work that involves a regulated professional title or a legally protected trade the application form must be accompanied with an attestation from competent Icelandic authorities that the foreign national possesses the required certification to be able to undertake the job that he or she is hired to do.

An application form for an extension of a student work permit shall be accompanied by the same documentation as a new application.

Temporary work permit for specialised employees based on a service contract

A temporary work permit may, under certain circumstances, be granted for specialised employees based on a service contract, cf. Article 15 of Act No. 97/2002 on Foreign Nationals Right to Work. The conditions for granting a work permit according to this provision are i.a.:

That the foreign company that will provide the service in Iceland does not have a place of business here in Iceland,
That a service agreement has been made between the foreign service company and the domestic user company, and
That the service agreement, or a certified annex to it, indicates that it is necessary that the foreign national for whom the work permit is being applied performs the intended service,

The necessary documents with the application for a new temporary work permit for specialised employees based on a service agreement:

An original copy of the application for a temporary work permit granted on the basis of a service agreement.
Service agreement between the foreign service company and the domestic user company
That it is indicated in the service agreement, or in a certified annex to it, that it is necessary that the foreign national for whom the work permit is being applied does perform the service that is to be provided.
A Contract of Employment between the foreign national and the service company which must include the following information:
Information about the terms of employment for the foreign national while he/she stays in Iceland.

An application for an extension of a work permit for specialised employees on the basis of a service agreement must be accompanied by the same documentation that must be submitted as in the case of a new application.

Spouse Visa

Residence permit for spouse or cohabiting partner

Foreign nationals from a country outside of the EEA and/or EFTA, who plan to stay in Iceland for more than three (3) months, must have a valid residence permit.

Residence permits on grounds of marriage or cohabitation are granted on grounds of Art. 70 of the Act on Foreigners no. 80/2016.

A residence permit is granted to an individual intending to move to Iceland to live with his/her spouse or cohabiting partner in Iceland. The requirement is that the spouse or cohabiting partner is an Icelandic or a Scandinavian citizen, a foreign citizen holding a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit on grounds of work requiring qualified expertise, for athletes, for parents, on grounds of international protection, humanitarian grounds, special connection to Iceland or advanced studies.

Certain special requirements apply regarding family reunification for individuals who hold a residence permit in Iceland on grounds of international protection, humanitarian grounds, special connection or a residence permit as a parent. The spouse or cohabitant of the applicant who applies for reunification in Iceland must have worked or studied in Iceland in legal stay for the last four (4) years before submitting an application (unless an exemption applies).

You may have a right to a residence permit as a spouse or cohabiting partner if all of the following requirements are met, as well as others

You are older than 18 years,
you were 18 years of age or older when you married or entered cohabiting partnership,
you are married or have been in cohabiting partnership for more than one (1) year,
you have a spouse or cohabiting partner who lives in Iceland and is an Icelandic or Scandinavian citizen, or a foreign citizen holding a permanent residence permit or a foreign citizen staying in Iceland on grounds of a residence permit as stated above,
the marriage meets the requirements for registration according to the law regarding domicile,
you will have a permanent home at the same location as your spouse or your cohabiting partner,
you can prove that you are able to provide for yourself during your stay,
you have a valid insurance with an Icelandic insurance company (in the field Insurance Companies) or a foreign insurance company authorized to operate in Iceland (in the field Foreign Insurance Companies),
you have not served a criminal sentence abroad during the last five (5) years or been sentenced by a court of law for an offence which would be punishable by more than three (3) months imprisonment according to Icelandic law, and
your spouse has not been sentenced by a court of law or been subject to public safety measures for the last five (5) years (unless an exemption applies), and
the spouse//cohabiting partner in Iceland consents to the permit being granted.

You may not

have married or be a cohabiting partner for convenience purposes (i.e. for other reasons than being together with your spouse, for example, the only purpose being to obtain a residence permit in Iceland),
have been in cohabiting partnership for less than one (1) year if you apply for a cohabiting partnership permit,
start working until a residence and work permit has been granted, unless you are the spouse or cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen, in which case you do not have to apply for a work permit (please note that a cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen may not start to work before his/her residence permit has been granted),
work for an employer other than the one on which the work permit is based, and
stay in another country longer than three (3) months in every 12-month period of the residence permit period; otherwise the residence permit may be cancelled or revoked.

An application for a residence and work permit and supporting documents shall be submitted to the Directorate of Immigration or at the offices of the district commissioners outside of the Reykjavík Metropolitan Area.

Note that different rules may apply to a permit to stay when an application is submitted and while it is being processed. Spouses and cohabiting partners may be in Iceland when an application is submitted if they base their right on a person who falls under the categories above except a spouse/cohabiting partner of a student if he/she is required to have a visa. See further information in the section on rights that are attached to the permit.

If an applicant does not fulfill these requirements and the requirements discussed below, the application for a residence permit will be refused and the applicant must leave Iceland. An applicant who does not leave the country may be subject to expulsion or an entry ban. An entry ban is also an entry ban into the Schengen Area for a specific period of time or for two (2) years as a minimum.

The applicant is responsible for applying for renewal of his/her residence permit at least four (4) weeks before the validity of the permit expires. If this is done, the applicant is permitted to stay in Iceland while the application for renewal is being processed by the Directorate of Immigration. If a renewal of a residence permit is not applied for before the period of validity expires, the application will be handled as if this were a first permit, not renewal. An application received after the previous permit has expired will be refused if the applicant does not have a permit to stay in Iceland while the application is being processed.

See further the procedure of applications and permission to stay.

Further on a residence permit for a spouse and cohabiting partner

Rights attached to the permit

Application for a first permit

Renewal

Special requirements

RIGHTS ATTACHED TO THE PERMIT

APPLICATION FOR A FIRST PERMIT

The application shall be accompanied by all the same documents as required by the Directorate of Immigration to confirm that the requirements for a residence permit are met.

Supporting documents with application for a residence permit for a spouse and cohabiting partner:

Payment receipt (if the application has been paid for at a bank). The name of the person for whom payment is being made must be clearly stated. List the name of the applicant, his/her date of birth as a reference.
Application for a residence permit. (Please download and save on computer before filling out). In original format, carefully filled out and signed by the applicant. (It is important that the applicant states his/her place of residence in Iceland. If the address is not stated when the application is made the applicant must notify his/her place of residence within two (2) weeks from the applicant’s date of arrival in Iceland (for example when being photographed).

Please select the appropriate permit:

D-201 Application for a residence permit for spouse or cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen

D-202 Application for a residence permit for spouse or cohabiting partner of a foreign citizen

Additional supporting documents with application for a residence permit for a spouse

Confirmed copy of the original marriage certificate. Note the requirement for a certified original of the marriage certificate, i.e. with apostille or double authentication. The copy must be stamped by an authority competent to do so.
Confirmed copy or original translation of the marriage certificate by an authorized translator. This applies only to foreign certificates in languages other than English or a Scandinavian language. Note the requirement for a certification of the translation if it is done by a translator who has not received an authorization as a translator in Iceland, i.e. apostille or double stamp.

Additional supporting documents with application for a residence permit for cohabiting partner

Confirmed copy of the original of a marital status certificate of the applicant and the cohabiting partner and other documents confirming that they have cohabited for at least one (1) year. Note the requirement for a certification of the marital status certificate, i.e. apostille or double stamp. The copy must be stamped by an authority competent to do so.
Confirmed copy or original translation of the marital status certificate by an authorized translator. This applies only to foreign certificates in other languages than English or a Scandinavian language. Note the requirement for a certification of the translation if it is done by a translator who has not received an authorization as a translator in Iceland, i.e. apostille or double stamp.

Documents that may be submitted

Application for a work permit on grounds of family reunification and employment contract, if the applicant is neither a spouse nor a cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen, and intends to work in Iceland. An application for a work permit and an employment contract must be submitted in original format and signed by both the applicant and the employer.
Power of Attorney signed by two (2) witnesses.The Power of Attorney does not have to be submitted unless the applicant wants someone other than him/her to receive information about the processing of the application by the Directorate of Immigration.

If the applicant meets all requirements of a residence permit, the residence permit will be granted and the applicant will be sent a notification of the granting of the permit. The residence permit will not be issued, however, until the applicant has come to be photographed at the offices of the Directorate of Immigration or at offices of district commissioners outside of the Reykjavík Metropolitan Area, reported his place of residence to the Directorate and undergone medical examination. The applicant should come to be photographed within one (1) week from his/her arrival in Iceland and must report his/her place of residence (for example, when photographed). Please note that the applicant must present a valid passport when photographed for identification.. Furthermore, the applicant must undergo medical examination (in Icelandic only) within two (2) weeks from arrival in Iceland. The Directorate of Immigration will not issue a residence permit if the applicant does not meet the requirements stated above. This could lead to illegal stay and expulsion.

RENEWAL

A residence permit may be renewed on grounds of family reunification if its requirements are still met. A renewal of a residence permit must be applied for at least four (4) weeks before the permit’s period of validity expires. If this is done the applicant is permitted to stay in Iceland while the application for renewal is being processed by the Directorate of Immigration. If a renewal of the residence permit is not applied for before the period of validity expires, the application will be processed as if this were an application for a first permit, not a renewal. An application that is received after the period of validity of the older permit has expired will be refused if the applicant does not have permission to stay in Iceland while the application is being processed.

See further information on application process and permission to stay while application is being processed by the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration and during renewal of residence permit.

The applicant must appear in person when applying for renewal of his/her residence permit, either at the reception area of the Directorate of Immigration or at offices of district commissioners outside of the Reykjavík Metropolitan Area. The applicant will be photographed and must submit a sample of his/her signature. The applicant should bring his/her passport along.

Documents to be submitted

Application for a residence permit. (Please download and save on computer before filling out). In original format, carefully filled out and signed by the applicant.
Photocopy of the passport. The period of validity must be at least 90 days beyond the period of validity of the residence permit. This must include photocopies of the passport’s personal information page and the page containing the applicant’s signature.
Documents on support, confirming secure support during the period of residence. There is a legal mutual obligation for spousal support. If the applicant is married, he/she does not have to prove own support, if the spouse can show sufficient support for the couple. A cohabiting partner must prove independent means of support.

Please choose the appropriate permit:

D-201 Application for a residence permit for spouse or cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen

D-202 Application for a residence permit for spouse or cohabiting partner of a foreign citizen

Further documentation that may be submitted

Application for a work permit on grounds of family reunification and employment contract, if the applicant is neither a spouse nor a cohabiting partner of an Icelandic citizen, and intends to work in Iceland. An application for a work permit and an employment contract must be submitted in original format and signed by both the applicant and the employer.
Power of Attorney signed by two (2) witnesses.The Power of Attorney does not have to be submitted unless the applicant wants someone other than him/her to receive information about the processing of the application by the Directorate of Immigration.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Residence requirements for a spouse in Iceland with international protection and other permits

Marriage or cohabitation of convenience

Consent of both married parties

Violence and abuse

Death of spouse or cohabiting partner

End of marriage or cohabiting partnership and a new residence permit based on social and cultural circumstances in the applicant‘s home country

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SPOUSE IN ICELAND WITH INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION AND OTHER PERMITS

If an applicant bases his/her right on an individual who has a residence permit in Iceland on grounds of international protection, humanitarian grounds, special connection or family reunification of parents, this person must have worked or studied in Iceland in legal stay during the last four (4) years before an application for a spouse is submitted. An exemption from this may apply, for example, to persons who were married before the spouse residing in Iceland moved to Iceland, both persons had a residence permit when they married or they expect a child together. Other special circumstances may also apply.

MARRIAGE OR COHABITATION OF CONVINIENCE

The Directorate of Immigration is authorized to refuawan application for a residence permit if the sole purpose of the union is to obtain a residence permit. This is referred to as marriage of convenience / cohabitation of convenience.

In the instance of founded suspicion of marriage of convenience / cohabitation of convenience, the applicant must prove in a clear manner that such suspicion is unfounded. A marriage of convenience / cohabitation of convenience does not grant the right to a residence permit and is punishable according to Article 70 of the Act on Foreigners. In order to examine whether marriage/cohabitation is possibly a union of convenience, the Directorate of Immigration may call in the applicant and the spouse/partner for interviews at the offices of the Directorate of Immigration, according to Article 10, paragraph 4, of the Regulation on Foreigners 540/2017. A refusal a residence permit on grounds of marriage of convenience / cohabitation of convenience is a decision based on assessment made by the Directorate of Immigration.

One of the reasons for refusing a residence permit to an applicant in a marriage of convenience/cohabitation of convenience is to protect persons vulnerable to pressure or any kind of abuse.

CONSENT OF BOTH MARRIED PARTIES

If marriage or cohabiting partnership is in breach of Icelandic law and the rule of public order, this will result in refusal of a residence permit. This applies, for example, to a marriage ceremony if the married persons or one of them was a minor when they were married, or if only one or neither person in the marriage was present during the ceremony (referred to as proxy marriage). The same applies to a marriage ceremony where the person conducting the ceremony is not authorized to do so in the country of the ceremony and also in case of polygamy or polyandry. A violation of the rule of public order or the principal rules of law, in an international civil-law context, refers to an activity in one country, however, the same activity being considered as such violation of the rules of law in another country, where the activity is to be exercised, that rejecting it is considered appropriate.

The basis of this provision is protection views, i.e. it is intended for example to prevent forced marriages.

VIOLENCE AND ABUSE

If marriage or cohabiting partnership ends because the applicant or his/her child has been subject to violence or abuse during the relationship, the applicant may be granted a residence permit on grounds of special connection, provided he/she meets the requirements for support, as well as meeting the other requirements of law, and if strong reasons of fairness warrant it. The applicant must previously have held a residence permit on grounds of marriage or cohabitation.

Such violence or abuse must have been reported to the police or the child protection authority, or other documentation must be presented as proof of the situation. When considering whether a person should be granted a residence permit on these grounds, the focus will be on his/her connection to Iceland and the requirement for support may be deviated from although the support is unsecure for a short period of time. The duration of the marriage or cohabiting partnership is also relevant.

The reasoning behind this provision is to avoid circumstances where the applicant feels forced to remain in a marriage or cohabiting partnership in order to maintain his/her residence permit if the applicant or his/her children are subject to abuse or violence by the spouse.

The Directorate of Immigration points out that strict requirements of proof are not placed on the applicant to state the reasons for his/her breakup, however, the applicant must demonstate the abuse or violence to the extent possible. A decision on renewal of a residence permit on these grounds is exceptional and the Directorate of Immigration must assess the circumstances in every single case. In order for the Directorate of Immigration being able to consider a renewal of a residence permit on these grounds, the Directorate must be provided with as detailed documents as possible. Medical records, psychological records, police records or a statement from the Women’s Shelter or other institutions where an applicant has stayed could support statements by him/her about what happened.

DEATH OF SPOUSE OR COHABITING PARTNER

If marriage ends due to the death of the spouse the applicant may be granted a residence permit on grounds of special connection provided that he/she continues to meet the requirements for support, as well as meeting other conditions of law and if strong reasons of fairness warrant it. The applicant must have had a previous residence permit on grounds of marriage or cohabitation.

Reasons that may prevent an applicant receiving a residence permit on grounds of special connection due to death of his/her spouse include, for example, if the period of marriage or cohabitation was very short.

END OF MARRIAGE OR COHABITING PARTNERSHIP AND A NEW RESIDENCE PERMIT BASED ON SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE APPLICANTS HOME COUNTRY

A residence permit may be granted on grounds of special connection even though a marriage or cohabiting partnership ends, provided the applicant is able to prove that the social and cultural circumstances in the home country make it difficult for him/her to return to that country. The applicant must continue to meet the requirements for support, as well as other conditions of law and if strong reasons of fairness warrants it. The applicant must have had a previous residence permit on grounds of marriage or cohabiting partnership.

An applicant for such a permit must be able to prove that because of divorce or breakup it would be difficult for him/her to live in the country of origin because of the social and cultural circumstances. In such instances the ties of a foreign national to Iceland is assessed and consideration is given to whether it would be very difficult for the foreign national to return to his/her home country, or it would cause him/her major problems to return there due to the changed social position. Reference is made to, for example, how women can be banished from certain communities if they are divorced.

Deciding on a renewal of a residence permit on these grounds is exceptional and the Directorate of Immigration must assess the information that exist in every single case.

Resident Permit

Residence permits for students are issued to foreigners over the age of 18 who intend to study in Iceland at a university level or other studies meeting university admission requirements. The applicant must be registered for full time studies.

Fall semester
Application and all supporting documents must be received by the Directorate of Immigration no later than July 1st, in order to grant the permit before semester starts.

Spring semester
Application and all supporting documents must be received by the Directorate of Immigration no later than November 1st, in order to grant the permit before semester starts.

Residence permits for most students are granted for six months, or one semester at a time. Permits for doctorate students are issued for one year at a time. It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for a renewal of the permit at least four weeks before it expires.

Applications are made through the Directorate of Immigration.

Permanent residence permit

A permanent residence permit entails the right to permanent stay in Iceland. The main rule is that an applicant must have stayed in Iceland for four (4) years on grounds of a residence permit that may be the basis of a permanent residence permit. An applicant may have the right to a permanent residence permit after a shorter stay than four (4) years or without the requirements regarding a previous stay being met. Other requirements than the requirement on stay must nevertheless be met.

Following residence permit may be the basis for permanent residence permit:

Permanent residence permit is granted based on Art. 58 of the Act on Foreigners No. 80.2016

You may have the right to a permanent residence permit if all the following requirements are met together with others

You meet the requirements for the time of stay that apply to you;
meet the requirements of the residence permit that is valid;
have sufficient wages, own money or other reliable means of support;
have secure maintenance and are able to provide for yourself in a lawful manner;
have attended a course in the Icelandic language for 150 hours of courses as a minimum or have undergone a status test in the Icelandic language.

You may not

Have received financial assistance by a municipality or the state;
have unfinished affairs with the police or court;
have unfinished affairs with the authorities that may result in your expulsion from Iceland.

Rights attached to a permanent residence permit

The applicant has the right to a permanent stay in Iceland.
The applicant receives an unlimited work permit and may work or change work without applying at the Directorate of Labor.
The residence permit contains the right to family unification. A residence permit based on family reunification may be applied for:
- the applicant’s spouse or cohabitor after at least one (1) year of cohabitation.
- the children of the applicant under the age of 18 if the applicant has custody of the children,
- the applicant’s parents who are 67 years of age or older
The residence permit allows a stay abroad for up to 18 months over a four year (4) period without the permit becoming invalid. A stay abroad may affect an application for Icelandic citizenship.

The application for a permanent residence permit shall be submitted at the Directorate of Immigration or at the offices of district commissioners outside of the Reykjavík metropolitan Area.
If an applicant does not meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit, the application for a permanent residence permit will be refused. In such an instance the applicant must submit an application for the renewal of the previous permit or an application for a new permit. If this is not done the applicant’s stay in Iceland will become illegal, which may result in expulsion and a re-entry ban.

An application for a permanent residence permit must be submitted at least four (4) weeks before the expiry of the current permit. If the application is received four (4) weeks before the current permit expires the applicant is permitted to stay in Iceland while the application is being processed. If the application is submitted after the residence permit expires, the applicants stay in Iceland is not considered continuous and the applicant is not entitled to a permanent residence permit. Thus, the application will be refused. The applicant can submit a new application that will be processed as if it were an application for a first permit. When applying for a first permit there are certain rules that apply to whether an applicant is permitted to stay when the application is submitted and while it is being processed.

Permanent residence permit

Following residence permit may be the basis for permanent residence permit:

Permanent residence permit is granted based on Art. 58 of the Act on Foreigners No. 80.2016

You may have the right to a permanent residence permit if all the following requirements are met together with others

You meet the requirements for the time of stay that apply to you;
meet the requirements of the residence permit that is valid;
have sufficient wages, own money or other reliable means of support;
have secure maintenance and are able to provide for yourself in a lawful manner;
have attended a course in the Icelandic language for 150 hours of courses as a minimum or have undergone a status test in the Icelandic language.

You may not

Have received financial assistance by a municipality or the state;
have unfinished affairs with the police or court;
have unfinished affairs with the authorities that may result in your expulsion from Iceland.

Rights attached to a permanent residence permit

The applicant has the right to a permanent stay in Iceland.
The applicant receives an unlimited work permit and may work or change work without applying at the Directorate of Labor.
The residence permit contains the right to family unification. A residence permit based on family reunification may be applied for:
- the applicant’s spouse or cohabitor after at least one (1) year of cohabitation.
- the children of the applicant under the age of 18 if the applicant has custody of the children,
- the applicant’s parents who are 67 years of age or older
The residence permit allows a stay abroad for up to 18 months over a four year (4) period without the permit becoming invalid. A stay abroad may affect an application for Icelandic citizenship.

TIME REQUIREMENTS AND CONSECUTIVE STAY

An applicant for a permanent residence permit must have stayed in Iceland consecutively during the last previous years based on a residence permit that could be the grounds of a permanent residence permit. In order for stay being considered as consecutive stay (unbroken) the applicant may not have stayed abroad for more than 90 days per year based on the residence permit’s period of validity.

The main rule is that an applicant must have stayed in Iceland for four (4) years. An example is that an applicant must have held a residence permit on grounds of work requiring professional expertise for at least four (4) years before being able to apply for a permanent residence permit. There are certain exemptions from this main rule:

Spouse of an Icelandic citizen

A foreigner who is married or in registered cohabitation with an Icelandic citizen and has lived with him/her consecutively for at least three (3) years after marriage or the establishment of registered cohabitation. A residence permit of an applicant having been issued on grounds of marriage or cohabitation is not a requirement.

Child of an Icelandic citizen

A foreigner whose parent is an Icelandic citizen may apply for a permanent residence permit after at least two (2) years of consecutive stay before submitting an application. The requirement is that the parent of the applicant has had Icelandic citizenship for at least five (5) years. Not significant in this instance is whether a residence permit held by the applicant could be basis for a permanent residence permit.

Child born in Iceland

A child born in Iceland may apply for a permanent residence permit if his/her custodian parent has a permanent residence permit.

Youth 18 years of age or older

A youth who has reached the age of 18 and has stayed in Iceland for four (4) years or more on grounds of family reunification and has studied or worked in Iceland.

Student

A foreigner who has had a residence permit that may be the basis of a permanent residence permit for at least two (2) years and has previously resided in Iceland continuously under a residence permit in connection with study, such that the total continuous stay exceeds four (4) years.

A foreigner who has completed his/her doctorate studies in Iceland and has had a residence permit on grounds of work requiring professional expertise for at least three (3) years prior to submitting an application.

Former Icelandic citizen

A foreigner intending to settle down in Iceland and who was an Icelandic citizen at birth, however, has lost his/her citizenship or has waived his/her citizenship may apply for a permanent residence permit in Iceland without having lived in Iceland before.

ICELANDIC LANGUAGE STUDY

An applicant must have completed a 150 hour course in Icelandic for foreigners and his/her class attendance must be at least 85%. An applicant may also undergo a status test in the Icelandic language held by an acknowledged education and culture ministry.

Exemptions from the requirement regarding a course in Icelandic are as follows:

The applicant is older than 65 and has lived in Iceland for at least the past seven (7) years, or
the applicant is unable to attend a course in the Icelandic language for physical or mental reasons and this is confirmed by a competent specialist, or
the applicant is able to submit documents confirming that he/she has completed study in the Icelandic language at primary, secondary or university level which gives cause to assume that the relevant applicant has obtained satisfactory knowledge of the Icelandic language.

MEANS OF SUPPORT

An applicant must prove that his/her means of support has been secure during time of stay and that he/she was able to provide for him-/herself in a lawful manner during the stay in Iceland. Payments in the form of social assistance by the state or municipality are not considered as secure maintenance. If means of support has been unsecure for a short period of time, however, deviating from this requirement is permitted, for example, because of maternity leave or accident.

The requirements on means of support do not apply to applicants for a residence permit on grounds of international protection or on humanitarian grounds.

REVOCATION OF A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT

The Directorate of Immigration decides whether a permanent residence permit should be revoked in the instance of a permit holder having stayed abroad longer than 18 months during a four year (4) period. A foreigner’s permanent residence permit is automatically revoked when his/her domicile which was registered in Iceland, however, has been registered abroad for 18 months consecutively. Subject to a presentation of an application, a foreigner may be authorized longer stay abroad without his/her permanent residence permit becoming invalid if the holder of the residence permit:

has to serve in the military forces or other similar service in his/her home country;
has to stay abroad temporarily because of his/her or spouse’s work;
has to stay abroad together with spouse, cohabiting partner, mother or father who holds a pay job with the Icelandic state or is an employee of an international organization;
has to stay abroad due to his/her temporary illness or that of a close relative, cf. Art. 69 of the Act on Foreigners.

The applicant must submit a written request for an authorization to stay abroad longer than 18 months over a four year (4) period. Such a request must be received by the Directorate of Immigration before the stay abroad reaches 18 months. The request shall be accompanied by documents confirming the need to stay abroad, for example, a medical certificate or other documents as required by the Directorate of Immigration.

APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT

The application shall be accompanied by any such documents as required by the Directorate of Immigration confirming that the requirements for a permanent residence permit are met.

Documents that must be submitted

Application for a permanent residence permit, in original format, carefully filled out and signed by the applicant

Photocopy of passport. The period of validity must be at least 90 days beyond of the period of validity of the residence permit. This must include photocopies of the passport’s personal information page and the page containing the applicant’s signature

Documents on support, including income-tax payment overviews for the last 12 months, employment contract or other documents showing secure support.

Confirmed copies of recent years’ tax-return forms, i.e. in accordance with the time requirements that apply to the applicant.

Original certificate on an Icelandic-language course, stating that the applicant has completed at least 150 hours with 85% class attendance, a status test organized by an acknowledged party, a written exemption request or a medical certificate regarding an exemption request.

Documents that may be submitted

Power of Attorney signed by two (2) witnesses. The Power of Attorney does not have to be submitted unless the applicant wants someone other than him/her to receive information about the processing of the application by the Directorate of Immigration.

The applicant is responsible for submitting the necessary supporting documents with his/her application. If satisfactory documents are not received by the Directorate of Immigration, this may result in delays in processing the application, or in the application being refused. The Directorate of Immigration may request additional information when special circumstances warrant it.

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