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Legitimate and Special Purpose Permit - Icelandic Court Case or Other Exceptional Purpose

IcelandSpecial cases

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

It is the residence permit on grounds of legitimate and special purpose (Article 79 of the Foreign Nationals Act). It exists to allow a permit in exceptional instances, only when special circumstances exist; the Directorate is authorised but not obliged to grant it and decides on an overall assessment.

See recorded sources

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

Among the instances listed by the regulation: a foreigner who is a party to a lawsuit before an Icelandic court whose stay is necessary for the court case. The list is not complete; the Directorate assesses whether other instances are legitimate and special. The applicant must be 18 or older.

See recorded sources

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

Access is activated by a purpose of stay that is legitimate and special (for this route, being a party to an Icelandic court case where presence is necessary) and by not meeting the requirements for other residence permits.

See recorded sources

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

The applicant must submit a statement describing the purpose of stay with supporting documentation (for example confirmation from parties in Iceland), plus secure means of support (minimum ISK 259,951 per month for an individual), health insurance of at least ISK 2,000,000 and a criminal record certificate. The application is filed on paper; the processing fee of ISK 40,000 must first be paid by bank transfer and the receipt submitted with the application.

See recorded sources

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

A residence permit for up to one year. It may be renewed only if circumstances remain unchanged and only in exceptional instances, as it is meant for temporary circumstances. It gives no right to family reunification, work requires a separate work permit tied to one employer, and it is not a basis for a permanent residence permit.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not state explicitly what happens if the court case ends before the permit expires; it only says renewal requires unchanged circumstances.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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