Iceland Labour Shortage Residence and Work Permit
For a specific non-EEA hire where an employer cannot find a worker in Iceland, the EEA, EFTA states or the Faroe Islands and demonstrates an exceptional temporary labour shortage.
- Route type
- Work
- Can bring
- — Not stated in the official source
- Requirements
- 13 each quoted below
Who this route is for
Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.
13 requirements quoted from the official source.
- Age Min
A residence permit based on work requires the applicant to be at least eighteen.
- Detailed Employer Need Justification Required
The employer must explain in detail why a non-EEA hire is necessary to the business.
- Employer Application Required
The employer submits the work-permit application together with the residence-permit application.
- Exceptional Temporary Labour Fluctuation Required
The route is exceptional and intended for temporary labour-market fluctuations.
- Health Insurance Coverage Isk Min
The residence-permit requirements include Iceland-valid health insurance with at least ISK 2,000,000 coverage for the initial insurance period.
- Iceland And Eea Labour Search Required
The employer must request assistance to find a worker in Iceland, the EEA, EFTA states or the Faroe Islands.
- Job offer
A signed employment contract with the Icelandic employer is required.
- Monthly Support Individual Isk Min
The current minimum monthly means of support for an individual is ISK 259,951.
- Nationality or status
Nationals outside the EEA and EFTA generally need a work permit in Iceland.
- New Permit For New Employer Required
A change of employer requires a new work permit before work at the new workplace begins.
- Specific Job And Employer Required
The work and residence permission is based on a specific job for a specific employer.
- Job Advertisement Weeks Preferred
Where an advertisement is required, the official guidance prefers at least three weeks of active advertising.
- Regulated Profession Authorisation Required
A licence or recognition is required where the job is a regulated profession.
1 exclusion quoted from the official source.
- Work Before Approval Prohibited
Employment may not begin until the required work permission has been granted.
- Eligibility summary
only granted in exceptional circumstances and are only intended to respond to temporary fluctuations in the Icelandic labour market
- Initial Permit Years Max
A first shortage work permit may be granted for up to one year.
- Job Loss Search Months
A holder losing the job may apply for a six-month residence permit to seek another job.
- Official source basis
only granted in exceptional circumstances and are only intended to respond to temporary fluctuations in the Icelandic labour market
- Permanent Residence Basis
The shortage residence permit can count as a basis for permanent residence.
- Report summary
only granted in exceptional circumstances and are only intended to respond to temporary fluctuations in the Icelandic labour market
Who you can bring
What the source prices
- Application Fee Isk
The current residence-permit application fee is ISK 80,000.
checked 2026-07-26
- Renewal Years Each Max
A shortage permit may be renewed for up to two years at a time.
From here to a yes
Straight answers
01Who qualifies for this route to Iceland?
For a specific non-EEA hire where an employer cannot find a worker in Iceland, the EEA, EFTA states or the Faroe Islands and demonstrates an exceptional temporary labour shortage.
Every answer is quoted from the official island.is page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.
We checked 22 points against the official source; 22 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.
See the 0 open points
Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.
Where every quote comes from
Official government source island.isLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Iceland government page.Other work routes to Iceland
6 other work routes to Iceland.
Work routes in other countries
224 other countries publish at least one work route. Nearest first.
Denmark
Norway
Ireland
Finland
United Kingdom
SwedenDoes this route fit your numbers?
That depends on your income, savings and family — the parts of the story only you know. The free 3-minute check scores your profile against every Iceland route at once, this one included. Then the full Iceland report takes you the rest of the way.
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