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  2. FAQ

FAQ


Who has the right to asylum or international protection in Iceland?

Persons, who are subject to persecution in their own countries or for other reasons fall under the refugee term according to Icelandic law, have the right to asylum in Iceland. In pressing instances, for example, serious illness or particularly difficult social circumstances in the home state, granting a residence permit on humanitarian grounds is permissible. Further information here.

What is a refugee?

A refugee is a person who has been granted asylum on grounds of fear of persecution in his/her own country or on other grounds according to law. Further information here.

What is the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee?

An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for asylum irrespective of whether he/she is considered to be a refugee. A refugee is a person who has been granted asylum.

Where and how do I apply for asylum?

An application for asylum must be submitted (presented) to the police who process the first steps of the application procedure. The application is then sent to the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, which takes it for procedure. Further information here.

Can I send an application for asylum to you, for example, by e-mail or fax?

According to Article 46, paragraph 1, of the Foreigners Act, an individual wanting to seek asylum in Iceland must be in Iceland or must apply upon arrival in Iceland. Therefore, applications that are received by e-mail, fax or in a similar fashion will not be taken for procedure by the Directorate of Immigration. If you feel you are in need of protection, the Directorate of Immigration suggests that you request the assistance of help organizations in your own country, and a special reference in this respect is made to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

How long does processing and deciding on an application for asylum take?

Applications that are received after 25 August 2014 shall be finalized by the Directorate of Immigration in 90 days, however, in special instances deciding on an application may take longer. The processing time for applications that were received before 25 August 2014 has been quite different, ranging from a few weeks to two years.

Why does it take so long to decide on an application for asylum?

In recent years the number of applications for asylum has greatly increased in excess of the capability of the Directorate of Immigration to process and decide on them at the same time the institution has undergone budgetary cuts and reduction in the number of personnel. This has resulted in finalizing some cases taking more time than it should. Additionally, asylum cases are frequently comprehensive and complex, requiring much research and effort.

Who safeguards the rights of asylum seekers during the processing of applications?

The Icelandic Red Cross provides asylum seekers who apply for asylum from 25 August 2014 with legally trained spokespersons, as well as other legal assistance. Persons who applied before this date have been appointed legal spokespersons from amongst members of the legal profession in general.

Do asylum seekers get assistance by interpreters?

Asylum seekers receive assistance by interpreters during the procedure of their case by the Directorate of Immigration. Every effort is made to get an interpreter in the native language of the asylum seeker or in another language which the asylum seeker is comfortable in speaking. In some instances double interpretation may be needed, i.e. with one interpreter interpreting from one language to another and then a second interpreter interpreting from the second language.

Can decisions by the Directorate of Immigration in asylum cases be appealed?

All decisions by the Directorate of Immigration in asylum cases may be appealed to the Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board. Further information here.

What does the Dublin Regulation actually mean?

The Dublin Regulation states which member states of the Regulation are responsible for processing an application for asylum, including deciding whether an applicant is in need of protection. All applications for asylum in Iceland are therefore first examined on grounds of whether another member state is obligated to process an application and to receive again an applicant. If another member state is responsible for processing an application for asylum, the Icelandic authorities will not form a position as to whether an applicant needs protection as the receiving member state, according to the Dublin Regulation, should assess the need and provide the necessary protection. Further information here.

Most or all asylum seekers have been in other European states before coming to Iceland. Is Iceland then ever responsible for processing cases?

About 50% of all asylum applications that are submitted in Iceland are taken for consideration on the merits by the Icelandic authorities.

How many people apply for asylum in Iceland?

The number of applications for asylum in Iceland has increased in recent years after some decrease during the years 2008 and 2009.


73 applications for asylum were received in 2008.

35 applications for asylum were received in 2009.

51 applications for asylum were received in 2010.

76 applications for asylum were received in 2011.

118 applications for asylum were received in 2012.

172 applications for asylum were received in 2013.


By 31 July 2014 a total of 75 applications for asylum had been received.

Further information here.

Have any asylum seekers been granted asylum in Iceland?

Every year a number of individuals is granted asylum or provided with other international protection in Iceland but their number is different from one year to the next. The percentage of the total number of applications is also somewhat different. Below are some statistics regarding the cases that were examined, i.e. decisions were made as to whether an applicant has the right to asylum.

In 2011 a total of 14 cases of applications for asylum that were processed on the merits in Iceland were concluded with asylum being granted, whereas 7 were denied. Hence, asylum was granted in 67% of the instances.

In 2012 a total of 7 cases of applications for asylum that were processed on the merits in Iceland were concluded with asylum being granted, whereas 10 were denied. Hence, asylum was granted in just over 41% of the instances.

In 2013 a total of 13 cases of applications for asylum that were processed on the merits in Iceland were concluded with asylum or a residence permit on humanitarian grounds being granted, whereas 59 were denied. Hence, asylum was granted in just under 16% of the instances. The low rate of granted asylum is mainly due to large groups of asylum seekers having come from European countries, particularly Albania and Croatia.

Until 31 July 2014, a total of 16 applications for asylum that were materially processed in Iceland were concluded with asylum or residence permit on humanitarian grounds being granted, whereas 17 were denied. Hence, asylum was granted in nearly 50% of the instances.

Further information here.

  • Asylum and International Protection
  • Basic concepts and definitions
  • Application process
  • - How to apply
  • - Application examination
  • - Withdrawing application
  • - Case closed with UTL's decision
  • Escorting out of Iceland following denial of protection
  • Rights and services for asylum seekers
  • - Temporary residence and work permit
  • List of safe countries
  • FAQ

Links

  • Ministry of Justice
  • Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board
  • The Icelandic Red Cross
  • Multicultural and Information Center
  • The UN Refugee Agency
  • Icelandic Human Rights Center
  • The Directorate of Labour
  • Registers Iceland

Information

  • Directorate of Immigration
  • Residence permits
  • Visas
  • Icelandic Citizenship
  • Asylum

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Thursday 9 - 14
Fridays 9 - 12

Tel.: 444 0900

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Location

The Directorate of Immigration | Dalvegur 18 | 201 Kópavogur | Tel: +354 444 0900 | Fax: +354 444 0901 | Email: utl@utl.is