In these past few months there has been a great disruption of the issuance of visas in specific locations, partially as a result of representative agreements being temporarily suspended.

Iceland is heavily dependent on representative agreements with regards to the issuance of visas. As a result, some individuals who have been granted a residence permit, have not been able to obtain their visa. Likewise, individuals who are exempt from travel restrictions but require visa, have not always been able to apply for a Schengen visa.

Unfortunately, this is inconvenient for many but be sure that we are working on a solution. It is however apparent that it may take some time before the situation can be fully rectified.

For a few months now the Directorate of Immigration has been offering appointments for taking photos for residence cards and for urgent errands that cannot be resolved by phone or e-mail. The purpose of offering appointments is primarily to shorten our customers’ waiting time at the Directorate and to provide more effective services.

Along with the introduction of appointments, the Directorate has been successfully experimenting with offering individuals an appointment outside the advertised opening hours when necessary.

If for some reason you are unable to attend within the advertised opening hours, you can contact us by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and we will try to find a suitable time. Please put as subject line "Appointment outside the advertised opening hours".

The next Icelandic tests for Icelandic citizenship applicants will take place in:

• Akureyri, November 18, at 13.00
• Reykjavík, November 23 - 27, at 9.00 and 13.00

Registration starts online September 22 on mimir.is. Last day to register is Novemer 3.

Registration fee is 35.000 ISK

Spouses of Icelandic citizens and other EEA/EFTA citizens are allowed to work in Iceland while their application for a residence permit is being processed.

Given that the processing of applications for residence permits can take several months and that individuals do not receive an ID number until the residence permit is issued, these rights have not been as useful as they could be, as an ID number is necessary for an individual to establish a bank account for their salary and a prerequisite so the employer can pay withholding tax on wages.

To solve this problem, it has been decided that the spouses of Icelandic citizens and other EEA/EFTA citizens can obtain a system ID number issued while a residence permit application is being processed.

The conditions are that the person in question has:

1. submitted and paid for an application for a residence permit on the basis of marriage at the Directorate of Immigration and
2. has a paid job.
   
   

How do you apply for a system ID?

Spouses of Icelandic citizens and other EEA/EFTA citizens can apply for a system ID to the Iceland Revenue and Customs by:

• Filling in an Application for a system ID number (RSK 3.30)
• The application must be signed by both the applicant and the employer.
• The applicant must bring the application together with a passport / travel document at the Iceland Revenue and Customs.

We hope that this new arrangement will be beneficial for spouses who are waiting for a residence permit to be processed but have the right to work here.

If an individual thinks it is in his or her interest to obtain a system ID number for another reason, the person in question is advised to contact Registers Iceland.