Basic requirements for all residence permits
List of documents which all applicants for residence permits, 18
years of age and older, must submit with the first application for a
residence permit.
The checklist regarding renewal of a residence permit is on the website of the
Directorate of Immigration.
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Print out the checklist, the checklist on the special requirements for individual residence permit,
and the application form for a residence permit. Note that the form for a residence permit can be
filled out before printing it.
Gather documents and check the appropriate box when the documents have been gathered.
View the guidelines regarding every document.
More detailed information about documents together with the checklists
regarding the special requirements for residence permits are on the website of
the Directorate of Immigration
Note that different rules apply as to whether an applicant may be in Iceland during the
processing of his/her application. See the checklist regarding the special requirements for
each type of residence permit.
It is the applicant‘s responsibility to submit the documents that are listed in the checklist. If all the
required documents are not submitted together with the application, this could result in delays in
processing the application or in a denial. The Directorate of Immigration may request additional
documents in some cases.
Applicants must submit confirmed photocopies or the originals of translated versions by a
certified translator of foreign documents that are in other languages than English or the Nordic
languages. It is the applicant‘s responsibility to obtain translation and to pay for it. Note that
criminal record certificates must be original versions, see below.
The Directorate of Immigration and the district commissioners receive applications for residence
permits upon payment of a handling fee. When applying for a residence permit for the first time,
sending the application by mail to the Directorate of Immigration is permissible together with a
payment receipt. The handling fee is currently ISK 12,000 for persons 18 years of age or older.
Skógarhlíð 6 – 105 Reykjavík - Sími 510 5400 - Símbréf 510 5405 – Netfang utl@utl.is
Documents which all applicants must submit (18 years of age or older):
☐1. Payment receipt (if payment for the application has been made at a bank)
-Clearly state for whom payment is being made. Enter date of birth, year and name in the reference.
☐2. Application for residence permit
-The application form must be filled out and all questions must be answered.
-Please enter your e-mail address in the form.
-Note. The applicant must personally sign the application, except in respect of a child, in which instance
the custodians must sign the form
☐3. Passport photo (35mm x 45mm)
☐4. Photocopy of the passport (does not have to be confirmed)
-The period of validity must be at least three months beyond the period of validity of the residence permit.
-The personal information page of the passport must be photocopied and the page in the passport
containing the applicant’s signature.
☐5. Confirmed original of a foreign criminal record certificate
-The criminal record certificate may not be older than six months.
-Criminal record certificates shall be submitted from all the states where the applicant has resided over
the last five years.
-Note the requirement of the certification of the criminal record certification, ie. Apostille certification or
double authentication.
-Persons who have resided in the United States or Canada in the last five years must submit a certificate
with fingerprint registration by the FBI or RCMP. See the guidelines here:
USA:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/abroad/legal-matters/criminal-record-check.html
Canada:
http://www.rcmp.gc.ca/cr-cj/fing-empr2-eng.htm
Skógarhlíð 6 – 105 Reykjavík - Sími 510 5400 - Símbréf 510 5405 – Netfang utl@utl.is
☐6. Housing certificate or rental agreement
- The housing certificate form is accessible on the website of the Directorate of Immigration.
-Note the special rules regarding students.
☐7. Medical insurance
-The applicant must submit a confirmation of a six-month insurance amounting to at least ISK 2,000,000.
This must be a confirmation by an insurance company that is licensed to operate in Iceland. See list here:
http://www.fme.is/media/eftirlitsstarfssemi/Listi-yfir-erlend-vatryggingafelog.pdf
☐8. Support
-The minimum amount of support of one person is ISK 163,635 per month and ISK 245,453 per month
for a family of two.
- If an applicant is married, it is sufficient that the spouse proves means of support for both.
-See more detailed information on the website of the Directorate of Immigration.
☐9. Power of attorney in original format, witnessed by two persons
-Note. A power of attorney does not have to be submitted unless the applicant wants someone else
than him/her receiving information about the processing of the application by the Directorate of
Immigration.
-The power of attorney must clearly state what the holder is authorized to do. See the form for power of
attorney (authorisation) on the website of the Directorate of Immigration.
-Note that a spouse must have a power of attorney if the applicant wants his/her spouse to receive
information about the application.
NOTE
This is only a checklist on the basic requirements for a residence
permit. Applicants must also fulfil the special requirements of the
type of residence permit applied for. See the relevant checklists on
the website of the Directorate of Immigration.
Skógarhlíð 6 – 105 Reykjavík - Sími 510 5400 - Símbréf 510 5405 – Netfang utl@utl.is
Directorate of Immigration bank details:
Account number: 0516-05-411973
ID no: 670269-6399
Additional information regarding payments abroad:
Bank details – IBAN: IS59 0516 0541 1973 6702 6963 99
Name of bank: Íslandsbanki, Kirkjusandi, 105 Reykjavík
SWIFT CODE: GLITISRE
Please note that a service fee charged by foreign banks must be included when payment is
made through banks that do not have branches in Iceland.
Address of the Directorate of Immigration:
Útlendingastofnun
Skógarhlíd 6
105 Reykjavík
Skógarhlíð 6 – 105 Reykjavík - Sími 510 5400 - Símbréf 510 5405 – Netfang utl@utl.is