Telephone hours of lawyers, regarding residence permits, visas and Icelandic citizenship, are cancelled between December 11 and January 28, 2019.
We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Plese note that questions can be sent to the Directorate by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
One of the basic requirements for a residence permit in Iceland and Icelandic citizenship is that the applicant can show that he/she can support him-/herself securely.
The minimum subsistence criteria that the Directorate of Immigration uses is based on the financial support criteria in Reykjavík.
As of January 1st 2019 the Directorate of Immigration will apply the support criteria decided by the Department of Welfare in Reykjavik in April 2018.
The minimum subsistence amount for an individual, 18 years or older, will then be 189.875 ISK per month and 284.813 ISK for a couple per month. The amounts refers to pre-tax income.
The new criteria will be applied for applications submitted as of January 1st 2019.
Registration for Icelandic test for applicants for Icelandic citizenship is ongoing on www.mimir.is.
Next tests will take place in:
Starting September 1, 2018 a Working Holiday scheme between the governments of Iceland and Japan will take effect. The scheme provides opportunities for young people between the age of 18 and 26 to experience the culture and general way of life in each other countries. Japan is the first country with which Icelandic authorities reach such an agreement.
Japanese citizens interested in applying for a Working Holiday based residence permit must fulfil all the basic requirements for a residence permit in Iceland as well as the age criteria. The purpose of stay shall be to experience the culture and general way of life in Iceland and the permit is granted for a maximum of 12 months. A permit holder receives an unlimited work permit and may work in Iceland and change his/her job without applying at the Directorate of Labor for the duration of the stay.
Further information on Working Holiday permits is available here.
As of Monday, July 16th, telephone hours of case handlers and lawyers, for questions regarding residence permits, visas and Icelandic citizenship applications in process, are as follows:
Tuesdays 09:00 – 11:00
Thursdays 09:00 – 11:00
Please note that information with respect to case processing and requirements for permits is on the Directorate‘s website. Please check for information on the website before calling or e-mailing your questions. It is not possible to answer questions on whether all documentation is complete until the application is being processed. If any documentation is missing, the applicant or his/her agent will be contacted. Information on processing timeline is available on the Directorate‘s website.