Iceland has amended its Foreign Nationals Act to loosen the requirements for several work and residence permits.

Key Points

  • A residence permit for work requiring expert knowledge will now be granted for four years instead of two years.
  • A residence permit that has been granted due to a shortage of labor can now be renewed for two years instead of one year. Also, if the employment relationship is dissolved, the permit holder can have an extension of six months to find another job.
  • Foreign nationals who complete university studies in Iceland may now renew their residence permit for three years instead of six months to search for employment in Iceland.
  • Residence permits for students now allow 22.5 hours of work per week, an increase from 15 hours.

Background: The changes are intended to attract foreign workers from outside the European Economic Area and to retain students from outside the EEA who have completed their studies. The proposed changes were first announced in March after a working group concluded that Iceland needed more foreign workers to drive economic growth.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Icelandic government has announced that it is restricting the issuance of residence cards.

Key Points:

  • Icelandic authorities are limiting the number of residence card the country is issuing to foreign nationals until at least the fall of 2023.
  • Instead of receiving a residence card, foreign nationals will receive a letter confirming the issuance of a residence permit, containing information on the validity of the residence and work rights.
  • The letter will not be valid for reentering Iceland; foreign nationals who are planning to travel abroad must request a residence card by submitting travel documentation to utl@utl.is.

BAL Analysis: Icelandic authorities have limited the issuance of residence cards because of supply issues caused by an unexpected increase in residence permit applications throughout 2022. Individuals who are planning travel abroad should do so well in advance to avoid complications or delays when requesting a residence card.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Icelandic government has lifted all COVID-19 border measures and entry requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 25, there are no COIVD-related entry requirements for those traveling to Iceland.
  • Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status or departure country, will no longer have to take pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 tests, quarantine upon arrival or provide proof of vaccination or recovery.
  • Travelers must still meet visa requirements to enter Iceland.

Additional Information: Icelandic health officials are still advising its citizens and residents to not travel to risk areas without being fully vaccinated. A lift of current risk areas is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Icelandic government extended its quarantine requirements and health protocols to Jan. 15, 2022, and added countries to its safe travel list.

Key Points:

  • Travelers arriving in Iceland who do not have a valid COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificate must quarantine for 14 days.
  • Individuals can shorten the 14-day quarantine to five days if they receive a negative COVID-19 test on the fifth day of quarantine.
  • Travelers from Australia, Canada, the U.S. and 37 other countries who hold vaccination or recovery certificate can enter the country without having to quarantine.

Additional Information: More information regarding Iceland’s quarantine policies can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Icelandic government eased its entry requirements and health protocols on Oct. 1.

Entry Requirements:

  • Individuals with “ties to Iceland” are no longer required to have a pre-departure PCR test but must take a test upon arrival regardless of their vaccination  or recovery status.
    • Unvaccinated travelers with ties to Iceland must also carry out a five-day quarantine and take an additional PCR test at the end of the quarantine period.
  • Fully vaccinated or previously recovered travelers with no ties to Iceland must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and do not have to take a PCR test upon arrival.
    • Unvaccinated travelers with no ties to Iceland must also carry out a five-day quarantine and take an additional PCR test at the end of the quarantine period.

Additional Information: Children born after 2005 and those transiting through the country are not subject to COVID-19 entry restrictions.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Iceland has extended the length of time that non-EU/EEA nationals can remain in the country on work permit exemptions to 90 days.

What does the change mean? Effective immediately, non-EU/EEA nationals may remain in Iceland for 90 days if they are in the country on work permit exemptions related to attending promotional business meetings or installing or repairing equipment. The previous maximum period of stay under these exemptions was 30 days.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permit exemptions.  
  • Who is affected: Employers and non-EU/EEA nationals who qualify for one of the work permit exemptions. 
  • Impact on processing times: The change may save some foreign nationals the time it takes to obtain a work permit because they will be allowed to remain in Iceland longer than was previously allowed without obtaining work authorization.

Background: Icelandic law provides work permit exemptions for those (1) attending meetings to promote goods or services; or (2) visiting Iceland to oversee assembly, installation or repair of equipment. The law was recently amended to extend the lenth of time qualifying non-EU/EEA nationals can remain in Iceland on a work permit exemption from 30 days to 90 days. The exemption is available to those who meet the criteria listed above and have either obtained a business visa or are nationals of a country that is visa exempt for stays of 90 days or less to Iceland. The list of countries in the second category includes, but is not limited to, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

BAL Analysis: The change may ultimately have relatively low impact because the exemptions are construed narrowly by Icelandic authorities and may not be the best option even for short-term assignments. Those with case-specific questions should work with BAL and its network provider in Iceland to determine which visa or permit options are best for them.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Iceland. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.