Apply for a work permit

Conditions

• That the person to be hired has an employment contract with the employer.

• That the employment rate of the person concerned is not more than 60 %, except work performed on a leave of absence or in vocational training.

• That the individual has been granted a residence permit for studying under the Act on Foreigners.

Required data

Original application

Application for a temporary work permit for studying

Employment contract

The employment contract is made between the individual and the employer. It must include:

• Information about the planned job of a foreigner with the employer.

• Information on the employment rate.

• Information on working arrangements.

• Information on the pension funds payable for foreign work.

• The wages of foreigners must be in accordance with the applicable collective agreements. All wage figures must be stated in the contract.

Work permit for apprentices and vocational students

Applications for a temporary work permit may be made for work for apprentices and vocational students who conduct vocational training in the workplace. In such cases, the apprentice may work in full employment for the duration of the vocational training.

The conditions for granting such a permit are that a contract of employment has been concluded that guarantees the student a salary in accordance with the applicable law and collective agreements and that a confirmation is provided by the educational institution that the student studies at that the vocational training is part of the student's education and is assessed as an individual. A work permit is not granted for unpaid vocational training or unpaid training.

Signs

Both the individual who is to be hired and the representative of the sports club must sign the application and the employment contract.

Responsibilities of applicants

It is the applicants responsibility to submit the necessary documents with an application for a temporary work permit. If necessary documents are missing, the application may be delayed or rejected. The Directorate of Labour requests additional documents if they are considered necessary.

Submit an application

The application is submitted to:

Directorate of Immigration

Dalvegur 18

201 Kópavogur

Outside the capital area

The application is submitted to the relevant office of the District Commissioner.

Student employment rate

In general, students may not work more than 60% of their hours during their studies. In exceptional cases, the Directorate of Labour may grant a work permit in excess of 60% of the hours when the work is directly related to the student's studies, such as in the form of vocational training.

Students may also work in full-time capacity on study leave, such as summer or Christmas breaks, with the employer where the work permit is valid.

Revalidation of the work permit

With an application for an extension of a student permit, the same documents must be submitted as with a new application. If an application for an extension of a permit from the same employer is submitted before the previous permit expires, an employee may continue to work while an application for an extension is being processed.

It is the responsibility of both applicants to submit the data contained in the list. If all data is not submitted with the application or if information on it is incomplete, this will lead to delays in processing or rejection of the application. The Directorate of Labour may request additional data if the Directorate deems it necessary.

New employer

With an application for a new work permit from a new employer, the same documents must be submitted as with a new application, i.e. the application form and the employment contract. Care must be taken to ensure that the necessary information is included in the documents and obtain the opinion of the union before submitting the application for processing.

Employee retires

If an employee leaves before the work permit expires, applicants are obliged to inform the Directorate of Labour. It is sufficient that notification is received by e-mail at

General rules of the relevant collective agreement apply to the termination of an employee, as employees who work on the basis of a work permit shall enjoy the same rights as domestic employees.

Right of foreigner to reside in Iceland after studying

A foreigner who has completed a university degree in Iceland may be renewed for up to three years from the date of graduation in order to seek employment based on his/her expertise.

For more information, see

Laws and regulations

Article 13 of Act No. 97 of 2002 on the employment rights of foreigners.