Applications for Palestinian family reunification no longer given priority

Since mid-October 2023, applications from Palestinian citizens for family reunification have been prioritised by the Directorate of Immigration. They were given priority over applications for family reunification from citizens of other countries, which as a result have had to wait longer for an answer.

At the time of the decision, 150 applications from Palestinian citizens were waiting to be processed by the Directorate. About half of the applications were already over six months old.

Since October 2023, 280 residence permits based on family reunification with refugees in Iceland have been granted. Of these, 160 were granted to Palestinian citizens and 120 to other citizens, in particular Syrians, Venezuelans and Somalis.

Around 20 applications for family reunification with refugees from Palestinian citizens are currently being processed by the Directorate of Immigration. In addition, a large number of applications have been received from Palestinians who are not covered by the right to family reunification according to law. More than 320 citizens of other countries are waiting for an answer to an application for family reunification with refugees, especially from Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan.

In light of this and after consultation with the Ministry of Justice, it has been decided that applications for family reunification from Palestinians will no longer be given priority over other applications. This applies to applications that are received as of today.