A spouse and child of a refugee, as well as the parents and siblings of an unaccompanied refugee child, are entitled to international protection and a residence permit based on family reunification with a refugee in Iceland.
Individuals granted international protection due to family reunification with a refugee will have the same rights and obligations as the refugee with whom they are reunited in Iceland. They will be defined as a refugee according to Icelandic law and international agreements and can therefore not travel back to their home country/-ies without the risk of the international protection and residence permit in Iceland being revoked.
Alternatively, immediate relatives of refugees in Iceland can apply for a general residence permit based on family reunification without international protection.
Other family members or relatives, such as adult siblings, cousins, nieces, or nephews, are not entitled to family reunification with a refugee.
The right to refugee family reunification does not extend to relatives of individuals granted a residence permit on humanitarian grounds in connection with their application for international protection. Their immediate relatives can apply for a general residence permit based on family reunification.
Applications for residence permits and international protection
International protection for spouse of a refugee
International protection for child of a refugee
International protection for sibling of an unaccompanied refugee child
International protection for parent of an unaccompanied refugee child
Applications for residence permits without international protection
Family reunification for spouses