Iceland: Permit Validity and Dependent Rights Improved
August 31, 2023
Country / Territory
Share
At a Glance
The government has implemented several key improvements in residence and work permit validity periods and other aspects of the immigration process for foreign nationals, dependents and students in an effort to improve current labor and skills shortages. Key changes include:
- Four-year validity for a residence permit for a job that requires expertise (up from two years);
- A new rule allowing foreign nationals who completed university studies in Iceland to now renew their residence permit for up to three years from the date of graduation (up from six months) to look for a job in Iceland; and
- A new rule for dependent spouses and children of foreign citizens with a residence permit for work that requires specialist knowledge to work automatically without a work permit in Iceland.
The situation
The government has implemented several key improvements in residence permit validity periods and other aspects of the immigration process for foreign nationals, dependents and students.
A closer look
| CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Residence permit validity improvements |
|
Longer validity periods under various permits will help keep foreign workers in Iceland, which is crucial during the current labor and skills shortages in the country. |
| Improvements for residence permit holders based on study and cultural exchange |
|
Students and cultural exchange participants now benefit from easier access to residence and work permit rights in Iceland, which will help to improve current labor shortages in Iceland and the region. |
| Residence permit based on family reunification |
|
These improvements make it easier for children and spouses (as applicable) to obtain residence and/or work rights in Iceland. |
Background
These changes – which seek to advance a more transparent and consistent residence permit process – come amid an increase in the number of immigrants to Iceland (especially from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)) and an increased impetus to ensure Iceland remains economically competitive.
Looking ahead
- Increased non-EEA national migration. Iceland anticipates more non-EEA nationals to migrate to the country over the coming years, and migration rules are likely to continue to be liberalised in line with this trend.
- Tight labor market. Iceland is currently facing a labor shortage in certain industries, and will look to continue to liberalise immigration pathways in order to attract global talent.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
