Residence permits based on work
Work requiring expert knowledge
An individual may apply for residence permit based on expert knowledge. The expert knowledge must be important to the Icelandic company involved and must consist of university-level education, industrial, artistic or technical training, which is recognised in Iceland.
The experts at LOCAL relocation will assist you in fulfilling the conditions for being granted with a work permit in Iceland based on employment requiring specialist knowledge (specialist license) all in accordance with the provisions of Icelandic law. We will guide you through the process and advice you on the necessary supporting documents.
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Shortage of workers/labour
A residence permit based on a shortage of labour may be granted when an employee is neither found in the Icelandic labour market nor in the EEA labour market, in the EFTA states or in the Faeroe Islands, i.e. because of shortage of labour (labour shortage permit).
Work permits issued based on shortage of labour are only granted as an exception as the permits are considered in the purpose of responding to temporary fluctuations in the Icelandic labour market. An employer is required to search for an employee who already has access to the Icelandic labour market before an application is submitted on the basis of shortage of labour.
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Athletes
A residence permit may be granted for athletes who are employed by an Icelandic sports club under the umbrella of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland.
An athlete shall have entered into an employment agreement with an Icelandic sports club in order to engage in a specific sport or to be a trainer for a specific sport at the relevant club.
The experts of LOCAL relocation will guide you through the necessary documentation with an application for a temporary work permit for athletes.
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Qualified professionals on grounds of collaboration and service contracts
A residence permit may be granted based on specialized work for an employer who does not have his place of business in Iceland on the basis of a service agreement, between a foreign service company and an Icelandic user company, or a collaboration agreement for educational, scholarly or scientific work.
The experts at LOCAL relocation will advice the specialised employee, the foreign service company and the Icelandic user company on the required documentation necessary for applying for residence permit for specialised employees based on a service agreement.
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Work permit for students
In case a foreign citizen is engaged in studies in Iceland (Student work permit) a work permit may be granted to the student. Amongst the conditions for a student work permit are that the foreign citizen has entered into an employment agreement with an employer in Iceland. It is also required that the full time work ratio of the foreign citizen is no more than 40% with the exception of work that is performed during school vacations or in the course of vocational training. Furthermore, it is required that the foreign citizen has been granted with a student residence permit in Iceland.
Work permit based on family reunion
A foreign citizen can apply for a work permit in Iceland if his/her relative is an Icelandic citizen or has a specific type of work permit in Iceland.