Currently in Iceland: Q&A for non EU/EEA nationals

If you arrived in Iceland before 20 March 2020 and have already been in the Schengen Area for 90 days and you are unable to return home due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation, you are allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa until 10 September 2020.

You do not need to ask for a permission to stay longer in Iceland but you are asked to leave the country as soon as possible, by 10 September 2020 at the latest.

Please note that the provision does not apply to those who were already in overstay before the introduction of travel restrictions.

If you arrived in Iceland before 20 March 2020, your visa has since then expired and you are unable to return home due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation, you are allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa until 10 September 2020.

You do not need to ask for a permission to stay longer in Iceland but you are asked to leave the country as soon as possible, by 10 September 2020 at the latest.

Please note that the provision does not apply to those who were already in overstay before the introduction of travel restrictions.

If you were staying in Iceland before 20 March 2020, your residence permit has since then expired and you are unable to return home due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation, you are allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa until 10 September 2020.

You do not need to ask for a permission to stay longer in Iceland but you are asked to leave the country as soon as possible, by 10 September 2020 at the latest.

Please note that the provision does not apply to those who were already in overstay before the introduction of travel restrictions.

No. The Directorate will regard temporary measures, such as the Government's benefits due to reduced employment ratio because of COVID 19, as secure, regular payments for support that can serve as a basis for your support.

Yes, the Directorate continues to process applications for travel documents.

Currently, we do not know the impact the situation will have on our processing time but it is likely that it will lead to longer waiting times in some cases.

On our website you can find regularly updated information on which applications are being processed at the moment.

We are aware that because of the situation it might be difficult to gather certain documents. Please ask for an extension via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

If you are delayed in your studies due to COVID-19, we will take this into account when we process your application for renewal.

It is important that you explain the reason for the delay and document this in your application.