Residence permits for students 2023/2024

Below are answers to common questions the Directorate of Immigration receives from applicants for student permits.

Information on the requirements, supporting documents and rights attached to the permit can be found on the site Residence permits for students.

How do I apply?

The Directorate of Immigration cannot receive applications for first permits electronically. Applications can either be sent by regular mail to the Directorate of Immigration or delivered to the drop box in the Directorate’s reception (from 8 to 16 working days) in Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur.

How do I pay for an application?

The processing fee can be paid by means of a foreign currency transfer, see information on how to pay the processing fee. Note that a fee of the bank that handles the payment must be assumed.

You can also pay for an application with Icelandic krona or a credit card in the Directorate's reception.

How long does it take to process an application for a student's permit?

Applications received with satisfactory supporting documentation before 1 June will be processed before the start of the autumn semester.

Insufficient applications received before 1 June, as well as applications received after 1 June, will be processed as quickly as possible. However it is not possible to guarantee that all such applications will be processed before the beginning of the autumn semester.

You will receive a confirmation of receipt of the application by e-mail as soon as it is registered.

We will contact you if your application or supporting documentation is inadequate and when the permit has been granted. Emails and phone calls to the Directorate with requests regarding the status of applications do not accelerate the processing.

What can be done to speed up the processing of applications?

• Make sure to submit all necessary supporting documents with your application.

• Make sure that the supporting documents meet the Directorate's document requirements (at the bottom of the same page).

In particular, you must ensure that the criminal record you submit has been issued by the highest authority authorised to issue such a certificate in the country in question. The certificate must show that a search has been carried out in the databases of the whole country and not only in certain areas (e.g. states or provinces).

For students from the United States, this means that they must submit an FBI criminal record, Canadians must submit an RCMP certificate and students from Thailand must submit a certificate issued by Royal Thai Police.

• Make sure you meet the requirement of having secure means of support and that you can successfully demonstrate your means of secure financial support.