The number of applications for residence permits for students increased by 40% this year compared to last year. The Directorate of Immigration received 740 applications for first residence permits for the autumn between March and August, while the same period in 2024 saw the Directorate receive around 530 applications. This is an increase that was not foreseen, but the number of applications for first residence permits for students was virtually flat between 2023 and 2024.

Applicants for a residence permit must submit a variety of documents with their application and it is the duty of the Directorate of Immigration to review each case on an individual basis. This includes checking that the applicant is who he/she claims to be, gives correct information about the purpose of his/her stay in Iceland and is able to support himself/herself in Iceland. The processing time for applications varies and depends primarily on whether sufficient documents are submitted with the applications. When additional documents or explanations are requested, the processing time is prolonged.

In recent years, the Directorate of Immigration has said that in order to ensure that a student’s residence permit is processed before the start of the autumn semester, the application and satisfactory supporting documents must be submitted by 1 June at the latest. About 60% of the applications this year (455 out of 740) were submitted on time and about 80% of them have already been processed. Most of the applications that have not been processed have required more thorough examination due to insufficient documentation. 285 applications for the autumn semester were submitted after 1 June and about one third of them have already been processed.

The large and unanticipated increase in applications for residence permits for students is accompanied by increased work load on the Directorate of Immigration, which is difficult to manage, especially during the summer season. The Directorate of Immigration will not be able to ensure that student residence permits continue to be processed on time before the start of the autumn semester without moving the application deadline forward. Further information will be published on the Directorate’s website later.