What is considered to be full-time studies and satisfactory progress?

A foreigner, intending to study full time in Iceland, may be granted a residence permit, subject to him fulfilling the requirements of preparation for the intended field of study, including language knowledge.

Full time studies is 100% studies at a university level, vocational training or other studies requiring educational background equivalent to university admission requirements.

Full-time studies

When applying for residence permit as a student, one of the conditions for granting a permit is that the applicant is registered for full-time studies.

• Full-time studies at a secondary school is 17 units, per term.
• Full-time studies at a University is 30 units (ECTS), per term.

Satisfactory progress of studies

When applying for an extension of a student permit, the applicant needs to prove, by documentation from the applicable school, that the progress of his/her studies for the previous semester has been satisfactory.

For first renewal:

• Satisfactory progress at a secondary school is 50% for the term, or at least 8.5 units per term.
• Satisfactory progress at university is 50% for the term, or at least 15 units (ECTS), per term.

Subsequent renewals:

• Satisfactory progress at a secondary school is 75% for the term, or at least 13 units, per term.
• Satisfactory progress at university is 75% for the term, or at least 22 units (ECTS), per term.