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  1. Home
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  4. International protection

Frequently asked questions

What is a refugee?

A refugee is a person who has been granted international protection 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 applicant for international protection and a refugee?

An applicant for international protection is a person who has asked for international protection irrespective of whether he/she is considered to be a refugee. A refugee is a person who has been granted international protection.

Who has the right to 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 international protection 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.

Where and how do I apply for international protection?

An application for international protection must be lodged with the police or Directorate of Immigration who register the application. Further information here.

Can I send an application for international protection to you, for example, by e-mail?

An individual wanting to apply for international protection in Iceland must be in Iceland when he lodges the application or apply upon arrival in Iceland. Applications received by e-mail or letter 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 aid organizations in your own country. A special reference in this respect is made to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Can I apply for a humanitarian visa to travel to Iceland?

The Directorate of Immigration does not issue humanitarian visas.

If you feel you are in need of protection, the Directorate of Immigration suggests that you request the assistance of aid organizations in your own country. A special reference in this respect is made to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

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

The duration of the application process depends on the type of procedure. Applications are processed in priority procedure within a few days. Applications processed on the basis of the Dublin regulations are decided on in roughly three months and in substantive procedure in seven months on average.

Who safeguards the rights of applicants for international protection?

The Icelandic Red Cross provides applicants with legally trained spokespersons, as well as other legal assistance, while the application is being processed by the Directorate of Immigration and the Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board.

Do applicants for international protection get assistance by interpreters?

Applicants for international protection receive assistance by interpreters during the procedure of their case at the Directorate of Immigration. Every effort is made to get an interpreter in the native language of the applicant or in another language that the applicant 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 be appealed?

All decisions by the Directorate of Immigration in cases regarding international protection 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 state of the Regulation is responsible for processing an application for international protection, i.e. deciding whether an applicant is in need of protection. All applications for international protection in Iceland are therefore first examined with regard to whether another member state is responsible for processing the application and receive the applicant again. If another member state is responsible for processing an application, 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 applicants for international protection have been in other European states before coming to Iceland. Is Iceland then ever responsible for processing cases?

Information on the number of different types of decisions on applications for international protection is available on the asylum statistics page.

How many people apply for protection in Iceland?

Information on the number of applicants by nationality and gender is available on the asylum statistics page.

How many have been granted protection in Iceland?

Information on conclusions of decided cases by nationality and gender is available on the asylum statistics page.

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+354 444 0900

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Directorate of Immigration | Dalvegur 18 | 201 Kópavogur | +354 444 0900 | utl@utl.is

ID number 670269-6399 | Account number 0515-26-410424 | IBAN: IS05 0515 26 410424 670269 6399

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