Once you register, visit the Directorate of Immigration’s office to be photographed for your residence card. EU/EEA citizens do not have to complete any other steps to become legal residents of Iceland. This right to residence is available to anyone who is a citizen of Spain, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, or Slovenia.
All applicants must meet the basic requirements for residence, including proof of identity, proof of health insurance, a place of residence in Iceland, and the ability to support yourself financially. The specific eligibility requirements for legal residence in Iceland depend on the type of residence permit you’re seeking. To evaluate the criteria for different categories, visit https://utl. is/index. php/en/residence-permits.
The form requires you to provide information about your identity, citizenship, education, work experience, as well as your personal and criminal background. Answer all questions completely and honestly.
Don’t delay in gathering these documents. Some must be certified copies, and may take longer for you to get. Documents not in English or a Scandinavian language must be translated by an authorized translator. Submit the certified translation along with the document in its original form.
The Directorate of Immigration only accepts direct transfer to its bank account as a method of payment. Transfer funds to account number 0515-26-410424 in the Central Bank of Iceland, Íslandsbanki hf. Kopavogur, Iceland. The ID number for the Immigration Service is 670269-6399. Include your name and date of birth in the information when submitting the payment.
If you are the spouse or dependent of an Icelandic citizen or permanent resident, you may remain in Iceland while your residence application is processed.
You can request expedited processing in writing. However, expedited processing is typically only granted for exceptional circumstances, such as a natural disaster or serious illness of a family member. If you receive a request for additional documentation, supply it by the deadline noted on the letter. Failure to supply requested documentation by this deadline will result in rejection of your application. Provided you meet the requirements for a residence permit, it will be granted. If you need a visa to enter Iceland, the visa request will be sent to the Icelandic embassy nearest you.
If you fail to make this visit within 90 days of your arrival in Iceland, your residence permit will not be issued and you may be subject to deportation. Your residence permit card will be mailed to you at the address on file within 10 days.
By submitting your renewal application 4 weeks before your previous permit expires, you are protected even in the event that your application is not processed in time. You may continue to stay in the country until processing is complete. Otherwise, you would have to leave the country and your renewal would be treated as a first application.
If you have a student resident permit, you only have to live in Iceland for 2 years before you can apply for permanent residence. You must meet all other qualifications for permanent residence. Your stay in Iceland must be consecutive. While short visits abroad are permitted, if you stay outside of Iceland for more than 90 days during your “stay period,” it will not be considered consecutive.
Approved courses are available through the Mími Lifelong Learning Center. Visit the center’s website for more information about the courses, or to sign up. You must attend at least 85 percent of all courses you register for to count those courses towards your required 150 hours.
A copy of the application for permanent residence is available at https://utl. is/images/Eydublod-2017/D-200-Otimabundid-dvl-EN-19. pdf, or you can pick up a paper copy at the office of the Directorate of Immigration in Reykjavík.
You may also include other documents that prove you have secure financial support, including bank statements or pay stubs.
The fees for a permanent residence application are the same as those for a temporary residence permit. You must submit your application for permanent residence at least 4 weeks before your current residence permit expires. If your residence permit expires before your permanent residence application is approved, you can remain in the country provided you submitted your application on time. Otherwise, your stay will not be considered continuous and you will have to start the whole process over.
If documents are missing or incomplete, the Directorate of Immigration will send you a letter requesting them. Submit the requested documents as soon as possible to avoid extended delays.
If you are a Nordic citizen (a citizen of Denmark, Norway, or Sweden), you only need to live in Iceland for 4 years. If you are married to an Icelandic national, you only need to live in Iceland for 3 years before you can apply for citizenship. Even if you’re eligible to apply for citizenship after fewer than 7 years, your residence in Iceland must be continuous.
Generally, a steady job demonstrates that you are capable of supporting yourself. If you are unable to work because of a disability or serious medical condition, you must be able to prove that you can rely on family members for support. If you are married to an Icelandic national who is the primary supporter for your family, you must be able to show that neither of you have received government support grants.
Likewise, your application for citizenship may be refused if you have substantial debt, are over-extended in terms of financial obligations, or have missed payments on debt.
For more information on Icelandic language courses approved by the Directorate of Immigration, visit the Mími Lifelong Learning website. In addition to the language itself, these courses also cover Icelandic government, Icelandic society, and cultural traditions.
If your birth certificate is in a language other than English or another Nordic language, you will need a certified translation by an authorized translator along with the original copy. You may be able to provide a copy of a government-issued identity card instead of your passport.
To be eligible for citizenship, you must be able to show that you make at least 180,550 kr. in a month. For couples, the 2 of you together must make at least 270,825 kr. in a month. These amounts are accurate as of 2018, but are based on the minimum wage ratio and may change. Check the website of the Directorate of Immigration for the most up-to-date numbers. Iceland will not grant citizenship if you have filed for bankruptcy within the 3 years preceding your application.
The letters will testify as to your work ethic, good character, and good reputation as a member of the community. Choose individuals, such as your supervisor at work, who are familiar with you professionally and personally.
If an offense is repeated, the interval period no longer applies. If you commit the same crime more than once, you are not eligible for Icelandic citizenship.
For more information on the Icelandic language test for Icelandic citizenship, visit the Educational Institute website at https://mms. is/islenskuprof-vegna-rikisborgararettar. The test includes reading, writing, speech, and listening comprehension. Generally, you should be able to understand and engage in simple conversations about everyday life. The Icelandic language test also includes questions on basic customs in Icelandic society. You may qualify for an exemption from the language test if you are over the age of 65, or if you cannot take the test because of a serious mental or physical disability or condition.
Applications for citizenship are available at https://utl. is/index. php/um-utlendingastofnun/eydhubloedh. Citizenship applications are only available in Icelandic. Along with your application, include payment of the 25,000 kr. (as of 2018) processing fee. [25] X Research source If payment is not made within 90 days of the date your application is submitted, it will be denied.
The average processing time for a citizenship application is 6 to 8 months. During processing, if you have not submitted sufficient supporting documentation, the Directorate of Immigration will send you a letter in the mail requesting the missing documents. [27] X Research source
When sending your application to parliament, you must pay an additional handling fee of 25,000 kr. (as of 2018). [29] X Research source If the parliament refuses to grant citizenship, you may appeal to the Ministry of Justice. [30] X Research source
