Skip to main content

Residence permits on grounds of legitimate and special purpose

Residence permit application

A residence permit on grounds of legitimate and special purpose is granted in exceptional instances, and only when special circumstances exist, to individuals who do not meet the requirements for other residence permits.

The provision entails an authorization for granting a residence permit on legitimate and special purpose, however, not an obligation to grant such a permit under any circumstances. A residence permit is either granted or rejected on grounds of an overall assessment of the circumstances of the relevant person, as well as the documents of the case.

Application

Applications can only be submitted in paper form.

They can either be sent by regular mail to the Directorate of Immigration or delivered to the drop box in the Directorate’s reception. It is necessary to first pay the processing fee by bank transfer and submit the payment receipt with the application for confirmation, see information on how to pay the processing fee.

Directorate of Immigration (see map)
Dalvegur 18
201 Kópavogur
Iceland

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.

Processing fee

The fee for an application is 16 000 ISK. An unpaid application will be returned to the applicant. The processing fee is not refunded if the applicant cancels the application.

Stay in Iceland during application procedure

Law

The residence permit is granted on the basis of Article 79 of the Foreign Nationals Act.

Residence permit application