Permanent Residence Permit.

Please note that an application will not be processed until it has been paid for. See here.

Estimated application processing time for a Permanent Residence Permit is 90 days from the date when all required documentation has been received by the Directorate.

The requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit are:

• The foreigner has attended a course in Icelandic for foreigners.

• There are no circumstances which may cause the applicant to be deported.

• Secure financial circumstances.

• The foreigner has held the same type of residence permits for the four years preceding his application and that the provisions for issuing such a residence permit still apply.

• The foreigner does not have any outstanding cases in the criminal justice system wherein he is a suspect or has been charged with a punishable act.

A permanent residence permit becomes invalid when a foreigner has resided in another country continuously for over 18 months.

A foreigner must submit his application for a permanent residence permit at least one month before his current permit expires.

Applicant shall personally submit application and will be photographed at that time, unless otherwise stated. See here.

The following documentation must be submitted with the application:

If sufficient documentation has not been submitted, the application processing time will be considerably longer.

1. An original application form for a permanent residence permit, completed and signed by the applicant.
2. Photocopy of the applicant’s passport/travel document. It is important that the passport is still valid.
3. Certified copies of the applicant’s tax returns for the previous four years. Those who submit their tax reports electronically to Internal Revenue Directorate (RSK) can send a certified copy to the Directorate of Immigration by E-mail to busetuleyfi@utl.is
4. Certificate from the applicant’s Icelandic language course. The applicant shall provide original documentation showing that he has completed 150 hours of Icelandic language studies, or taken a test attesting his proficiency in the Icelandic language.
5. A signed employment contract (if applied for unlimited work permit)
6. Paychecks for the last three months/proof of support.
7. Social Services Certificate. The applicant must submit a certificate from the applicable municipal services, indicating whether or not he has received any financial social support for the past four years.

When the processing of the application is completed, the applicant will be advised by a written notification.

Permanent residence permits for children under the age of 18: The only requirements other than the application form (signed by parent/legal guardian) is a copy of the child’s passport.