Before you start your move to Iceland, you must first understand your options and what to do regarding visa and residence permits. Here, we’ve detailed everything for you in a few simple steps.
Step 1. Understanding Your Immigration Options
You can move to Iceland for the following reasons:
- For work.
- To study.
- To join a family member.
Moving to Iceland for Work
Moving to Iceland for work is one of the most common and easiest ways. To do this, you must first have a job offer from an employer in the country and apply for one of the following visas:
- General employment visa. You can apply for this visa if you have an employer in Iceland and a valid work contract. This visa also includes skilled workers and workers needed due to staff shortage.
- Remote worker visa. This visa is for those who have visa-free entry in the country and can prove they work remotely. So, if you need a visa to enter Iceland, you’re not eligible for this work visa.
- Au pair visa. You can apply for this visa if you have a valid agreement with someone in Iceland regarding your au pair work.
- Working holiday visa. This visa is issued only to residents of Andorra, the United Kingdom, Chile, Japan, and Canada.
Where to Find Jobs?
To help you find a job in Iceland, use the following portals:
- Island.is (the Directorate of Labour job listings)
- Alfred.is
- Hrr.is
- Reykjavik.is
English-speaking Jobs in Iceland?
To help you find English-speaking jobs in Iceland, you can use the following sites:
List of Professions in Demand in Iceland
Some of the most in-demand professions in Iceland include the following fields:
- Healthcare.
- Construction.
- Tourism and Hospitality.
- Information Technology.
- Marine and Fishing Industry.
- Education.
Moving to Iceland for Family Reunion
If you have a spouse or a cohabitation partner living in Iceland, you can apply for a residence permit based on family reunification to join your spouse. To apply for the visa, you must show proof of the relationship between you and your spouse, for example, a marriage certificate, a custody agreement, a joint rental agreement, and so on.
Moving to Iceland for Study
You can also move to Iceland to study as long as you meet one of the following conditions:
- You have been admitted to a full-time study program in Iceland.
- You are completing your doctoral studies at a foreign university but have an agreement with an Icelandic university.
- You are participating in an exchange program.
- You are completing an internship, which is a part of your studies.
- You are completing an apprenticeship for recognized vocational training at the upper secondary school level.
Step 2. Applying for a Visa
The visa application process can get complicated depending on whether you’re from a country that has a visa agreement with Iceland or not, as follows:
- If you can enter the country visa-free— you only have to apply for your residence permit, then enter the country and pick up your permit.
- If you need a visa to enter the country— you have to apply for your residence permit first, then if it’s approved, obtain an entry visa and pick up your permit.
The process may change slightly depending on which type of visa you’re applying for, so we highly recommend you check out the Directorate of Immigration website.
Apply for a Residence Permit
Before you start the application process, you have to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for the residence permit you’re applying for, and then you can continue with the rest of the steps:
- Fill out the application form. You can find each of the forms on the website of the Directorate of Immigration, which can be different depending on the residence permit; see here.
- Prepare the required documents. Print out the application form and prepare the complete application by attaching the additional documents such as your passport, identity photographs, travel insurance, and proof of employment or study (see below the full list).
- Pay the processing fee. Before you submit your application, you have to pay the fee by bank transfer and submit proof of payment with the rest of the application.
- Submit your application. Send your application to the Directorate of Immigration by post or deliver it to a designated mailbox in the lobby of the agency.
a. Directorate of Immigration
Dalvegi 18
201 Kópavogur
Iceland
- Wait for approval. You can check out the status of your application here and monitor it until it’s approved. Once it is, you will receive an email with instructions on how to proceed next.
- Apply for an entry visa if required. If you need a visa to enter the country, you have to apply for one and then retrieve your residence permit. The Directorate of Immigration will provide you with information about how to go about it. In some cases, you may be asked to apply through an embassy or send another application for an entry visa to the Directorate.
Documents
The documents you need for your application include the following:
- Your valid passport.
- Application form.
- Proof of travel insurance.
- Proof of enough financial means to support your stay.
- Proof of employment contract.
- Proof of university admission.
- A certificate proving that you are not under investigation or have been convicted of crimes.
- Documents that showcase your qualifications and professional experience.
The Directorate of Immigration may ask for any additional documents.
Fees
The application fee is ISK 16,000 (approx. $117). The fee has to be paid before you submit your application in most cases. But if you’re already in the country when you submit your application, you can pay the fee the day you submit your application at the Directorate of Immigration office.
Step 3. Settling in Iceland
Within 90 days of entering Iceland, you have to complete the final bureaucratic steps to be a legal resident in the country. This includes registering your residence, going through a health check, submitting your biometrics, and so on.
Please note that if you don’t complete these steps in 90 days, your residence permit will not be issued, and you will be asked to leave the country.
Find Accommodation
You must have a valid address in Iceland to receive your residence card. We suggest you look into finding accommodation before entering the country. You can check out the following sites:
Additionally, expats utilize many Facebook groups to help each other find accommodation, so make sure to join one and find community support.
Register Residence
To complete the registration process, you have to fill out the registration form and put down your new address.
Additionally, you must make an appointment with the Directorate of Immigration or a district magistrate here to attend a photoshoot for your residence card. Please bring your passport with you on the day of the appointment.
Medical Check-Up
Within two weeks of entering Iceland, you have to complete a medical check-up. The information about the medical examination may be only in Icelandic, so you may need some help from a translator.
Once you complete all of the required steps for your registration, your residence card will be ordered, and you can pick it up at the same location where you took your photographs.
Please note that you will also receive an Icelandic ID number, “Kennitala”. You will need this identification number for anything else you want to do in the country.
Obtain Health Insurance
Anyone living for more than six months in the country must register with the public health insurance system. During the first six months, you cannot remain uninsured, so you must sign up with a provider to cover you. You can find a list of approved providers to cover you during that time here.
Then, you can apply for Icelandic health insurance.
Moving to Iceland as an EEA/EFTA Citizen
EEA/EFTA citizens who want to move to Iceland must register their new residence if they plan to stay there for longer than six months.
To do this, you must request to register in the National Register here, and at the same time, you will also be requesting a national ID number valid in Iceland, and that’s all. Once registered, you’ll be an Icelandic resident.
Obtaining Iceland Citizenship
You can become a citizen of Iceland after living in the country continuously for seven years. At the time of the application, you must have a permanent residence permit. Additionally, you must also pass a language exam and meet other eligibility criteria, such as not having a criminal history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Money Do I Need to Move to Iceland?
According to the Directorate of Immigration, you need to show you have enough money to live independently in the country with a minimum amount of ISK 247,572 (approx. $ 1,818) for individuals and a minimum of ISK 396,115 (approx. $2,908) for a couple.
Plus, for each additional family member 18 and older, you need to show proof of an additional ISK 123,786 (approx. $908).
How Much Is the Average Salary?
In 2024, the average monthly salary in Iceland stood at around ISK 770,000 (approx. $5,660). Although there isn’t a specific number for 2025, Statistics Iceland has reported an overall increase of 9.1% in the monthly wage index for the past 12 months.
So, it’s expected that the average salary will continue to increase in Iceland.
What Are the Living Costs in Iceland?
The monthly living costs for a single person in Iceland are around ISK 194,379 (approx. $1,429) without rent.
With rent included, your expenses will increase:
- Rent— ISK 150,000 to 200,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Reykjavik (around $1,000 to $1,500).
- Groceries— ISK 40,000 to 60,000 per month (around $300 to $440)
- Electricity— ISK 20,000 to 30,000 per month (around $150 to $220)
- Internet— ISK 7,000 to 10,000 per month (around $50 to $70)
- Entertainment and eating out— ISK 20,000 to 30,000 per month (around $150 to $220)
What Is the Work Culture Like?
Icelanders appreciate a great work-life balance, so you will often see people using their holiday days to the maximum. A typical working week has around 40 hours, but most companies are flexible in their work schedule to accommodate employees.
There isn’t a rigid hierarchy among employees, and most work environments are casual but respectful. You’ll notice that most of July is quiet, and people are enjoying their summer, so make sure to use your vacation time as intended.
Do I Need to Learn Icelandic?
While there is no specific language requirement for your visa application, we always recommend learning the language since you intend to make it your new home. It’s important to at least know the basics before arriving, and afterward, you can learn as you go.
Knowing Icelandic will help you integrate, meet new people, and be more involved in your work or studies.