New type of Residence Permit Cards being issued by the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration and applications being accepted by District Commissioner Offices.

As of August 17, 2007, a new type of residence permit card will be issued for foreign nationals residing in Iceland

As of August 17, 2007, a new type of residence permit card will be issued for foreign nationals residing in Iceland. This is in compliance with EU regulation No. 1030/2002 on uniform format for residence permits.

This causes a significant change to the current procedure in applying and receipt of applications.

One of the main changes is that a foreigner applying for a residence permit must appear in person, bring his travel documents/passport used for entering the country and has to be photographed. The applicant must have been photographed before a card is issued. Applications by mail will no longer be accepted, except from citizens of countries outside the EEA who must apply before arriving in Iceland.


Therefore there are two ways to apply for a residence permit.
A foreigner who is in Iceland brings in his application along with supporting documents and payment and is photographed.
A foreigner who applies before arriving in Iceland must be photographed after his arrival. In this case the individual will get a notice from the Directorate that he needs to report to be photographed in order to get his residence permit issued.


Another important change in the application procedure is that District Commissioners will start accepting applications for residence permits 24th of August. This enables foreigners living outside the Reykjavik area to go the office of the regional District Commissioner, hand in an application for a residence permit and be photographed for the residence permit card.
District Commissioners in Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður along with the Directorate Office accept applications from persons living in the greater Reykjavik area.

When a residence permit card has been issued it will be sent to the applicant by mail.

Older types of residence permit cards and stickers will remain valid until the holder needs to renew his residence permit.