Student Residence Permit

Residence permits for students are granted for: Full time studies at a university in Iceland. Post graduate (doctoral) studies at a foreign university, collaborating with an Icelandic university. Exchange studies organized by recognized exchange student organizations. Internships, when a job in Iceland is part of your studies. Technical studies and recognised workplace studies at secondary school level.

First, you need to gain admission to a study program that is recognized as the basis for a student permit.

A residence permit for general students applies to individuals who intend to engage in undergraduate, graduate and post graduate (doctorate) programmes at an Icelandic university.

A foreign exchange student may be granted a residence permit on grounds of study at an Icelandic secondary school if the applicant comes to Iceland based on an acknowledged exchange-student organization ( AFS eða Rotary

A student must demonstrate their own independent financial means.

The minimum amount required as secure means of support is: 259.951 ISK for individuals per month.

An insurance certificate must be submitted, confirming that the applicant has taken out (purchased) a health insurance that is valid in Iceland, for at least three months from the date of the registration of the applicant's legal domicile in Iceland, with a minimum coverage of ISK 2,000,000.

The student must be enrolled in full-time studies in Iceland, confirmed by a certificate or letter from the relevant educational institution. Full-time studies is defined as 30 ECTS per semester. An exemption from the condition of full-time studies may be granted, for example due to the organization of the study program, based on a request from the school concerned.

Holders of student residence permits must now demonstrate satisfactory academic progress each time they renew their permit, rather than only at the first renewal. Satisfactory academic progress means completing at least 75% of a full-time course load during the academic year.

Student residence permit holders may work in Iceland without a work permit for up to 60% of full-time employment while studying. The 60% limit applies to the student's total employment. If a student works for more than one employer, the combined workload may not exceed 60%.

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. The work forms part of a formal workplace training or internship programme.

Only student permit holders enrolled in full-time university studies leading to a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree have the right to family reunification with their marital spouse , cohabiting spouse , after at least one year of cohabitation, children under the age of 18 , if the holder has custody of them.

Students enrolled in diploma programmes are not eligible for family reunification.

A residence permit for students can be granted for up to one year.

The permit can be renewed for up to one year at a time, if the conditions of the residence permit are still met and if satisfactory study results are shown

A holder of a student residence permit who completes a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree at an Icelandic university may be issued a special residence permit for employment seeking 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

The permit cannot be the basis for a permanent residence permit except in instances where the applicant has held a residence permit that may be the basis for a permanent residence permit for at least two years, has previously held a student residence permit for at least two years and thus has resided in Iceland legally for at least four years.