Accredited studies in Icelandic as a condition for granting a permanent residence permit

Para. 1 of Article 15 of the Act on Foreigners No. 96/2002 states that a foreigner may be granted a permanent residence permit if he has resided in Iceland continuously for the previous four years holding a residence permit which can be grounds for a permanent residence permit. Article 50 of Regulation on Foreigners No. 53/2003 states that an applicant for a permanent residence permit shall have attended an Icelandic course for foreigners, no less than 150 hours. The applicant shall submit a certificate proving attendance of such a course and attendance shall be at least 85%. A certificate of attendance shall be issued by an institution accredited by the Ministry of Justice. An exemption of para. 1 on course attendance may be granted if the applicant has gained satisfactory knowledge of Icelandic and submits a certificate confirming that he has successfully completed an examination in Icelandic for foreigners. The certificate shall be issued by a person/institution licenced by the Ministry of Justice to conduct exams in Icelandic for foreigners intending to apply for a permanent residence permit.

Below is a list of the courses/exams approved by the Ministry of Justice: