Passports for foreign nationals (alien's passport)

A passport for foreign nationals will only be issued if the applicant

• resides legally in Iceland and

• can demonstrate

  • that he/she cannot obtain a travel document from his/her home country or

  • that he/she is stateless.

Application

Applications can only be submitted in paper form, either to the drop box in the lobby of the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18 in Kópavogur or by sending the application by regular mail to the same address. Applications can also be handed in and paid for in the Directorate’s reception or at the offices of District Commissioners outside the capital area.

The application must be in its original form, duly completed and signed by the applicant or the custodial parent/parents in the case of children younger than 18.

Processing fee

The fee for an application is 6.000 ISK, see information on how to pay the processing fee.

Supporting documents

• Confirmation in writing from the competent authorities that the applicant cannot obtain a passport issued by the home country, consulate or embassy.

• If the applicant is in possession of a passport issued by his/her home country or a travel document issued by any other country, he/she must submit them with an application.

• If an applicant has previously been issued a passport for foreign nationals from the Directorate of Immigration, he/she must submit it with an application for a new passport.

Application approved

Once an application has been approved, the applicant will be given an appointment to have his/her photo taken.

Application rejected

Passport issuance may be refused:

• The identity of the applicant has not been established or doubt exists as to his/her identity.

• An applicant is wanted by the police, a warrant has been issued for his/her arrest or he/she is subject to a prohibition of departure.

• An applicant has received a final conviction of a very grave crime and is deemed a danger to society.

• When foreign policy or reasons concerning the security of the state militate against it.

Rights and obligations

If the holder of a passport for foreign nationals acquires a passport from his/her home country, he/she must return the passport for foreign nationals to the Directorate of Immigration.

If a passport for foreign nationals is lost or destroyed, the police and the Directorate of Immigration shall be notified thereof immediately by completing this form.

Revocation

A passport for foreigners shall be revoked when

• the holder of the document is expelled

• the holder acquires a travel document from his/her home country,

• the holder is prohibited by law from leaving Iceland,

• departure from Iceland would be in violation of a court verdict or ruling or an official decision

• the appearance or content of the document has been unlawfully altered.

A passport for foreigners may be revoked when

• it has been damaged or is unfit for use for other reasons,

• the photograph or information in the document are inconsistent with the holder’s identifying features,

• it is found in the keeping of an unauthorised person,

• the holder no longer has a permit to reside in Iceland.

Law

Passports for foreign nationals are issued on the basis of Article 46, paragraph 3 of the Foreign Nationals Act, Article 1 of the Passports Act and Article 16 of the Regulation on Icelandic Passports.