Application for a residence permit

Application for a residence permit

Application for a residence permit (pdf, 1870 kb)

Forms for residence permit applications can be obtained from the following sources:

• Útlendingastofnun (Directorate of Immigration)
• Vinnumálastofnun (Directorate of Labour)
• From District commissioners offices throughout the country
• Fjölmenningarsetur (Multicultural and Information Centre)
• Alþjóðahúsið (Intercultural Centre)

Providing authorisation

If the applicant cannot deal directly with the Directorate of Immigration, s/he must grant another individual who is resident in Iceland the authorisation to:

• Follow along with the processing of the application for a residence permit/visa by the Directorate of Immigration
• Receive documents from the Directorate of Immigration
• Appeal to the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs any decision by the Directorate of Immigration to deny the issuance of a residence permit/visa.

The individual who has authorisation from the applicant is that person's agent.

What the agent is permitted to do and what the purpose of the authorisation is shall be clearly defined in the authorisation.

When an individual grants another her/his authorisation, s/he is required to confirm the statement of authorisation by signing it, with her/his full name and date of birth, and the signature shall be witnessed by two individuals, with their signatures and the date of signing.

The full name of the agent, her/his Icelandic identification number, telephone number, address, and email address must be mentioned in the statement of authorisation.

Residence permit categories

The application for a residence permit must be in accord with the purpose of a foreigner’s stay here in Iceland.

A Residence permit without a work permit

B Residence permit and work permit

C Residence permit and limited work permit

D Non-renewable residence permit and work permit

E Residence permit for family members, according to Section 13 of the Act on Foreigners

F Residence permit for students

G Au-pair permit

H Residence permit on humanitarian grounds, according to the second paragraph of Section 11 of the Act on Foreigners

J Residence permit for citizens of EFTA or EEA member countries

K Permanent residence permit

The residence permits which may count as a basis for permanent residence permits (K permits) are as follows: B permits, E permits, H permits, and J permits.

If a child/children younger than 18 years of age accompanies the applicant, a special application form must be filled out for each child, i.e. to obtain an E permit. A parent/guardian must sign the application on behalf of the child.