The Directorate of Immigration once again needs to limit the issuance of residence permit cards due to low stock levels of such cards.

Residence permit cards will only be issued to individuals who can proof that they need them for travelling abroad. Valid travel records, e.g. airline tickets, must be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Instead of residence permit cards, applicants will receive a letter of confirmation from the Directorate, confirming the issuance of a residence permit, including information on the permit’s validity and the applicant’s right to work.

The Directorate of Immigration sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience that this may cause. 

The transition period following Britain’s departure from the European Union ends December 31, 2020.

Travel restrictions

As of January 1, 2021, British citizens will no longer enjoy the freedom of movement and travel as EEA/EFTA nationals.

This means that British citizens, who do not have a registered right of residence in Iceland, will become subject to the COVID-19 related travel restrictions to Iceland like other third country nationals.

British citizens with a registered right of residence in Iceland will not be subject to the travel restrictions.

Detailed information on what travel restrictions are in place, exemptions to the restrictions and what documents must be presented at the border by those exempted, is available on the website of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police.

Proof of residence in Iceland

In the coming months the Directorate of Immigration will be issuing residence cards for British citizens, who had a registered right of residence in Iceland before the end of the transition period. It is not possible to apply for this residence card yet. It will be announced on this website as soon as the residence card can be applied for.

In the meantime, British citizens can proof their right of residence in Iceland with a Residence certificate (C-122) issued by Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá).

British citizens with a registered right of residence in Iceland are advised to have the Residence certificate with them when traveling abroad in order to demonstrate their residence in Iceland upon return.

For further information please visit the Information page for British citizens.

The procedure for processing applications for residence permits has been modified. From now on it will be enough for applicants to submit a copy of a criminal record that neither needs to be authenticated with an apostille authentication nor a chain authentication. The certificate must cover the last 5 years before submitting the application and must not be older than 12 months when submitted.

Note that in certain cases the Directorate of Immigration may still need to request a certified original criminal record.

Work is underway to update the website in accordance with this change.

Information on current travel restrictions to Iceland will from now on be available on the website of the Icelandic Police - Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19

Please note that Icelandic authorities do not grant any authorization before travelling to Iceland. Passengers need to bring the necessary documents confirming exemption from travel restrictions to submit at the border on arrival in Iceland. The decision on entry is made by border guards on arrival.

Detailed information on who is exempt from travel restrictions and what documents must be presented upon arrival can be found on the information page.