If you are enrolled in a university in Iceland and receive a salary from the university while you are studying for a doctoral degree , you can apply for a residence permit based on work requiring expert knowledge.

Doctoral students who receive a salary from a foreign university, but are studying for a doctoral degree in Iceland, may apply for a residence permit on the basis of collaboration or service contract.

If you are studying for a doctoral degree at a university outside of Iceland that is affiliated with an Icelandic university and you receive payments in the form of a grant, you apply for a residence permit for students.