General information:

An application for a first residence permit shall normally have been approved before a foreigner arrives in Iceland (Art. 10 of the Act on Foreigners No. 96/2002).  A foreigner present in Iceland when applying for a residence permit for the first time, must leave the country before his application is processed.

The exceptions from the general rule are:
Spouse/co-habiting spouse of a citizen of Iceland, EEA and EFTA member countries, or of foreigners holding permanent residence permit or unrestricted permit *
Child under the age of 18, of a citizen of Iceland, EEA and EFTA member countries, or of foreigners holding permanent residence permit or unrestricted permit.

*The following residence permits are unrestricted:
-  Residence permits for qualified professionals;
-  Residence permits based on shortage of labourers (SVB) (foreigner having a residence and work permit issued before August 1, 2008, residing in Iceland continuously since then);
-  Residence permits for athlete (ITB) having a residence and work permit issued before August 1, 2008, residing in Iceland continuously since then.

Residence permit categories:
An application for a residence permit shall correspond to the foreigner‘s reason for seeking a residence permit in Iceland.  Please choose the permit category and applicable application form according to the list below: 

Work

Au-pair

Student 

Family of  EEA/EFTA citizen? 

Family reunification 

Permanent residence permit