Foreigners situated in Iceland who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation are allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa until 10 August 2020, according to a new temporary provision of the Regulation on foreigners, that has already taken effect.
An earlier permission, added to the Regulation on foreigners with a temporary provision in the beginning of April, has thereby been extended by a month.
To whom does the temporary provision apply?
The provision applies to foreigners who stayed in Iceland before the introduction of travel restrictions on 20 March 2020, on the basis of:
- a residence permit, which has now expired or expires before he/she can leave the country,
- a visa, which has now expired or expires before he/she can leave the country,
- being visa exempt, but will have stayed longer than 90 days in the Schengen Area before he/she can leave the country.
To whom does the temporary provision not apply?
The provision does not apply to foreigners who were in illegal stay before 20 March 2020 and does not prevent an expulsion on that or other basis in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act.
Do I need to ask for a permission to stay longer in Iceland?
No, you do not need to ask for a permission to stay longer in the country. The amendment to the regulation gives everyone who it applies to an automatic right to stay longer in the country without a residence permit or a visa.
How long can I stay?
Foreigners in this situation are asked to leave the country as soon as possible, by 10 August 2020 at the latest.