Immigration Information

Registering in Iceland for non-EEA/EFTA citizens

Students with citizenship outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) must apply for a student permit before arrival and be granted approval from the Directorate of Immigration.

Students should apply for a residence permit immediately after receiving their acceptance letter from the University Centre of the Westfjords. Please visit the website of the Directorate of Immigration for detailed information.

Before arrival: Submit a complete application for residence permit and supporting documents to the Directorate of Immigration before May 1st. Make sure to carefully read the information and instructions on their website. Along with the application, you will be required to submit a number of supporting documents (amongst others: a copy of criminal record certificate, health insurance confirmation, documents on means of financial support, confirmation of admission to a study program). 

Advice from a student:

“I recommend having a paper copy of every document you submit to UTL. Even if you do use a digital method, sometimes documents can get lost or delayed, so having the copies can help ensure proper submission. I also recommend getting a paper copy of the FBI certificate and making sure the financial support is only in the incoming students name and above the required minimum with the signature/stamp from the bank.”

Upon arrival: Please follow all instructions you receive from the Directorate of Immigration as part of your student permit application process. After arrival in Iceland, you have 10 days to get your picture taken for a residence permit card, either at the Directorate of Immigration, where you need to make an appointment, or at an office of the District Commissioner in Ísafjörður. Remember to bring your passport to prove your identity.

Residence permits for students are granted for 12 months and you must apply for a renewal in a timely manner if you want to remain in Iceland. To renew a student permit, you must still be enrolled in full studies and show satisfactory academic performance. 

Registering in Iceland for EEA/EFTA citizens

Citizens of EEA/EFTA countries who are studying in Iceland for more than six months must register their legal residence in Iceland. All persons who register a legal domicile in Iceland for the first time are listed in the National Registry and allocated a personal ID number – the Kennitala which is a unique, ten-digit number.

Students can start their application process before they arrive in Iceland by filling out an online application form (A-271).

Supporting documents to accompany the application are a copy/photo of a passport or legal travel document with at least 6 months remaining of its term of validity, a confirmation of school admission, a confirmation of health insurance, and documents confirming ability to provide means of support for at least three months. More information can be found on the website of Registers Iceland.

When students arrive, they have to go to the offices of Registers Iceland or the nearest registration office (you can do so in Ísafjörður) and present their passport and the other documents. Processing of the registration may take a couple of weeks.

Registering in Iceland for Nordic citizens

Citizens of Nordic countries who are studying in Iceland for more than six months must register their legal residence in Iceland. They must come to the office of Registers Iceland or the nearest police office and register their arrival to Iceland within 7 days of arriving in the country. Bring a passport or other valid travel document.

The Nordic agreement on public registration between Denmark (including Greenland and the Åland Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden applies to those who move to Iceland from other Nordic countries. The agreement stipulates that people can only register one legal domicile in the Nordic countries. When a legal domicile is registered in Iceland, Registers Iceland notifies the departure country of the registration in Iceland, and then the person is registered as having moved to Iceland in the national registry of the relevant country.

More information can be found on the website of Register Iceland.

Change of address

All changes to housing arrangements must be notified to Registers Iceland.

Leaving Iceland

Before leaving Iceland, students must notify Registers Iceland. Students who have an Icekey (Íslykill) can file form A-251 online. Students who are unable to do this online must go to Registers Iceland and file the form in person.

Work in Iceland

Student residence permit holders may work in Iceland without a work permit for up to 60% of full-time employment while studying. 

Students may work more than 60% if one of the following applies:

• The work takes place during scheduled breaks between academic terms in accordance with the institution's academic calendar.

• The individual has completed a university degree in Iceland and is residing in the country while seeking employment based on their specialist qualifications.

When renewing a student residence permit, applicants must provide information about their employment to confirm that they have not exceeded the permitted working hours.