Iceland
Warning: As of February 12th 2025 there are likely no viable routes to gain Refugee/Asylum status for current U.S. Citizens. Please, consult an immigration lawyer before making an asylum claim, there is a high bar for documentation required to make these claims and it should not be considered a viable option in most cases.
Why Iceland?
- Legal gender recognition
- Anti-discrimination laws
- Highest equality index in the world (both regarding legal and social acceptance)
- Public healthcare
- Strong LGBTQ+ rights and community
Why not Iceland?
- Limited immigration pathways
- Housing crisis shortage
- High cost of living
- Merciless climate
Access to trans health care
In general, individuals who move to Iceland have access to public healthcare (which partially covers the cost of regular GP visits and most procedures, including emergency procedures) after residing in Iceland for 6 months. Until then, one must rely on private insurance and be ready to pay significant amounts for doctor's visits.
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Immigration
All non-EEA citizen need a residence permit in order to live and work in Iceland. The permits can be issued on several grounds, which are:
- work
- studies
- family reunification
- international protection
- special ties to Iceland
The website of the Directorate of Immigration offers more information on different types of permits and paperwork required to apply for them.
Work Permit
Work-related residence permits in Iceland are typically granted in two main cases: when a job requires specialized expertise or when there is a shortage of workers in a particular field. In both situations, the employer must demonstrate that your skills are essential to the company and that no suitable candidates were available within the EEA. However, this process can be challenging, as a work permit is required before you can begin employment, but securing a job offer often depends on already having the necessary permit.
Study permit
Permits based on studies are issued for one year at a time to full-time students (30 ECTS per semester) enrolled in Icelandic universities. While most bachelor's programs are taught in Icelandic, some are available in English. A popular pathway for international students looking to integrate into Icelandic society, settle in, and eventually find work is the Icelandic as a Second Language program at the University of Iceland.
For more details on study options, check out the list of universities and higher education institutions in Iceland.
Keep in mind that for master's programs, even those officially taught in Icelandic, there is often greater flexibility in submitting assignments and taking exams in English. It is best to contact the faculty directly for clarification.
As a student permit holder, you may also apply for a temporary work permit, allowing you to work up to 60% of full-time hours (22,5 hours per week) while studying.
Family reunification
The family reunification permits apply for children (18 or under), spouses or cohabitation partners (proof of being in a cohabitation for longer than a year will be required), or elderly parents (67+) of Icelandic citizens, citizens of EU/EEA or other residence permit holders.
International protection
Individuals who are at risk of persecution in their home country or face the threat of capital punishment, torture, or inhumane treatment have the right to seek international protection as refugees in Iceland. However, the criteria for what qualifies as unsafe are strict and narrowly defined, and the Directorate of Immigration has a high rate of permit denials and deportations. It is important to note that Icelandic law classifies the United States as a "safe country" which can make it difficult to be considered eligible for asylum on these grounds.
Permanent Residency Permit
To qualify for a permanent residence permit in Iceland, a foreign national must have lived in the country continuously for at least four years on a residence permit that qualifies as a basis for permanent residency. Continuous residence means that you cannot be outside Iceland for more than 90 days per calendar year during this period. However, not all residence permits count toward permanent residency, so it’s important to review the specific rules and requirements before making long-term plans.
Citizenship
To apply for Icelandic citizenship, you must have permanent residence in Iceland at the time of application. The standard requirement for citizenship is 7 years of continuous legal residence in Iceland. However, in some cases, a shorter residency period may apply, such as if you are married to an Icelandic citizen (four years of residence) or if you are a Nordic citizen.
Community & Social Support
Practical guide to living in Iceland
Language
Most Icelanders speak good English, in some workplaces English is fine as a work language too (much of IT, research, and engineering, maybe others). Most Icelanders know at least one other language as well, most likely a Nordic language, German or Spanish.
Expenses
Summary of cost of living in Iceland: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 4,985$ (707,869 ISK) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,334$ (189,398 ISK) without rent. Cost of living in Iceland is, on average, 25.9% higher than in United States.
Rental prices are one of the highest in the world, ranging from 560-1,100$ (80,000-160,000 ISK) for a single room in a shared accommodation to 2000-3,500$ (280,000-500,000 ISK) for a 1-3 bedroom apartment.