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Post-Study Employment-Seeking Residence Permit

IcelandWork

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

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

The pathway is designed for foreign nationals who have completed a university degree in Iceland and are seeking employment based on their qualifications.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not specify the exact occupation or professional activity beyond 'qualifications'.
  • The document does not state whether the permit is limited to certain fields or sectors.
  • Extended stay after graduation
    Foreign nationals who have completed a university degree in Iceland may now renew their student residence permit for up to 18 months after graduation to seek employment based on their qualifications.

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

The sources do not state an employer condition. The permit is applied for as a renewal of the student residence permit, and it is meant as a bridge between the student permit and a residence permit for work requiring expert knowledge.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The sources do not say in so many words that no job offer is needed.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

The decisive professional characteristic is completion of a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree at an Icelandic university and seeking employment based on qualifications.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not specify occupation, salary, skill level, shortage status, or labour-market condition.
  • The document does not define 'qualifications' beyond the degree level.

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

A graduate who has completed a university degree in Iceland and is living there while looking for work based on their specialist qualifications may work more than the 60% limit that applies to students. The official source does not state whether family can accompany the holder.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The sources do not state the family position for this employment-seeking permit.
  • https://island.is/en/residence-permit-students/residence-rights
    Students may work more than 60% if one of the following applies: The work takes place during scheduled breaks between academic terms in accordance with the institution's academic calendar. The individual has completed a university degree in Iceland and is residing in the country while seeking employment based on their specialist qualifications.

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

The permit may be renewed for up to 18 months after graduation. It is meant as a bridge between the student permit and a residence permit for work requiring expert knowledge.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not state how the permit is renewed or any longer-term residence direction.

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

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