Immigration Pathways
Visas, work permits, permanent residence, citizenship, fees and processing times for immigrating to Iceland.
Covered in this guide:
Icelandic immigration matters rest on Útlendingalög (the Foreign Nationals Act, Lög nr. 80/2016), administered by Útlendingastofnun (UTL, the Directorate of Immigration). EU/EEA and Swiss citizens enjoy free movement and register with Þjóðskrá Íslands (Registers Iceland) after 3 months. Nordic citizens need no registration for the first 6 months. Citizens from outside the EU/EEA need a residence permit before arrival, applied for online; work permits are granted alongside and require a job offer. Temporary permits run 1-2 years and are renewable, permanent residence is reached after 4 years, and citizenship after 7 years (5 for Nordic citizens, 4 for spouses of citizens).
Key Laws
Útlendingalög
Lög nr. 80/2016 (Lög um útlendinga)
The main legislation on the entry, residence and removal of foreign nationals
Lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt
Lög nr. 100/1952 (Lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), með síðari breytingum
Rules on acquiring and losing Icelandic citizenship
Reglugerð um útlendinga
Reglugerð nr. 540/2017
Detailed rules implementing the Foreign Nationals Act
Lög um réttindi og skyldur útlendinga
Lög nr. 116/2012
Immigrants' rights regarding social services and community integration
EES-samningurinn
EES-samningurinn, innleiddur í íslenskan rétt
The rights of EU/EEA citizens to free movement in Iceland
The Applicant's Route to an Icelandic Work Permit
This page is the applicant's guide — finding which Icelandic work permit suits you, the ISK 15,000 fee and the progression 1 year → 2 years → unlimited after 3 years. If you are an employer wanting...
Non-EEA Family Reunification in Iceland
Non-EEA sponsors who hold an Icelandic residence permit can bring close family members to Iceland by this route. Use this page if you (or the family member you want to bring) are a citizen from...
Student Visas and Studying in Iceland
Iceland welcomes international students at its universities and higher-education institutions. Non-EEA students need a student residence permit issued by the Directorate of Immigration.To be...
Permanent Residence in Iceland
Permanent residence in Iceland is available to foreign nationals who have lived legally in the country for a continuous period of at least 4 years with a valid residence permit. This is shorter than...
Icelandic Citizenship and Naturalisation
Icelandic citizenship is mostly acquired through naturalisation, which requires legislation by the Althingi (Parliament). Each year, the Althingi passes an act granting citizenship to eligible...
Asylum and Humanitarian Protection
Iceland provides international protection to people fleeing persecution and serious harm. Útlendingastofnun (UTL) processes all asylum applications.Two main forms of protection are available: refugee...
Immigrants' Rights and Protections
All immigrants in Iceland enjoy fundamental rights protected by the Constitution of Iceland and international conventions, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.As regards healthcare,...
Common Immigration Mistakes to Avoid
The Icelandic immigration system is relatively simple, but a few common mistakes can disrupt your application or even lead to expulsion. Understanding these pitfalls will help you navigate the...