Residence permit applicants cannot log in to the Directorate of Immigration's website to get information about the status of their application.

On the information page about waiting times, you can see which applications are currently being processed based on when they were submitted. Applications received later than the month specified on the page are waiting to be processed.

While applications are waiting to be processed, no further information regarding the application can be provided by phone, email, or web chat.

It is not possible to say exactly how long you will need to wait for a decision on your renewal application. Many factors affect the processing time, such as the number of applications awaiting processing by the Directorate of Immigration, whether you have submitted a complete application, or whether we need to request additional information from you.

In 2025, the average processing time for approved applications for residence permit renewals was 2,5 months.

No, it is not possible to request expedited processing.

Complete applications, submitted with all necessary supporting documents in the required format, can be processed faster.

The processing time may be longer if:

• the application has not been filled out sufficiently,

• further documents need to be requested,

• the applicant needs to be called in for an interview, or

• the applicant has requested an exemption from the requirements.

To withdraw an application, you need to contact the Directorate of Immigration.

Your name, date of birth, and the email address you provided in your application must be included in the request.

The processing fee is not refunded if you withdraw your application.

Additional documents that do not need to be originals can be sent by email to utl@utl.is. The documents must be marked with the applicant's full name and date of birth.

Documents that must be submitted as paper originals can be sent by post to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18 in Kópavogur, handed in at the reception desk, or placed in the drop box in the lobby.

You need to contact the Directorate of Immigration to let us know about changes in address, phone number or email.

You should also inform us if you have new information that could affect your application, for example if you have received a new passport, gotten married or had a child.

If you apply to renew your residence permit before your previous permit expires, you may continue to work while your renewal application is being processed. This also applies even if your residence permit expires before the renewal application is approved.

If you need a work permit to be allowed to work in Iceland, you may only continue to work for the same employer for whom the previous work permit was granted while you are between permits. You may not start working for a new employer until a work permit has been granted based on that employment.

If you do not need a work permit to be allowed to work in Iceland, you may work for any employer while your renewal application is being processed. For this to apply, your residence permit card must state “atvinnuþátttaka heimil” (participation in the labour market permitted).

The Directorate of Immigration advises against travelling abroad while an application for renewal is under consideration.

A valid residence permit card is the only proof that a foreign national has the right to reside in Iceland and to travel within, into, and out of the Schengen Area. If a valid residence permit card is not held, the Directorate of Immigration is unable to issue any document permitting travel abroad.

The Directorate of Immigration cannot assist you if you encounter problems at a foreign border and do not have a valid residence permit card. Therefore, any travel abroad is entirely at your own risk.