➢ The most common types of work permits in Iceland are:
- Work Permit for Experts – Available to individuals possessing specialized knowledge in a particular field
- Work Permit for Labor Shortages – Granted when there is a lack of suitable employees in Iceland or another EU country
- Work Permit for Athletes – Designed for athletes associated with sports clubs within the Icelandic Sports and Olympic Federation
➢ Requirements for a Work Permit for Experts:
- You must request the assistance of the Directorate of Labour to find a suitable employee in Iceland, the EU, or the Faroe Islands
- The foreign national will enter into an employment contract for a specific job that requires specialized expertise as outlined in Article 8 of the Foreign Nationals’ Right to Work Act, no. 97/2002
- The foreign national’s expertise is of vital importance to your company
- The foreigner has unique skills that encompass university-level education and specialized training recognized in Iceland
➢ Requirements for a Work Permit for Labor Shortages:
- You must reach out to the Directorate of Labour to assist in finding a suitable employee in Iceland, the EU, and the Faroe Islands
- The foreign national will formally enter into an employment contract with your company
- You have acquired the opinion of the relevant labor union
- You are able to justify the necessity to employ foreign workers in Iceland from countries outside the EU
➢ Requirements for a Work Permit for Athletes:
- The foreign national must officially sign a job contract with a sports club, either for active involvement in a specific sport or as a dedicated coach for a particular sport. You must bring the foreign national on board as an employee, not a self-employed contractor
- In certain instances, the sports club must undertake the expenses for the foreign national’s return travel once their employment term concludes
➢ Post a job ad on VideoWorkers and select from the candidates who applied or search the database directly
➢ After finding a good match, conduct the interview, make a job offer, then sign an employment contract
➢ You must submit the application for a work and residence permit to the Directorate of Immigration
➢ Required documents:
- A passport-size photo of the worker (35 X 45 mm)
- Copy of the worker’s passport, valid for at least 90 days beyond the expiration date of the work permit
- Criminal record certificate not older than 12 months
- Health insurance covering at least ISK 2,000,000
- Job description
- Application for the appropriate work permit confirmed by the relevant trade union and signed by both you and your prospective employee:
- Employment contract
- If applicable, information regarding your attempts to find a suitable candidate in Iceland, EU, and the Faroe Islands
- For a work permit for experts:
- Certified copy of the worker’s diploma translated into Icelandic or English
- If applicable, a copy of the required license issued by the competent Icelandic authority
- Evidence of the foreign national’s relevant work experience, showcasing their expertise
- For a work permit for labor shortages:
- Comprehensive justification outlining why it is crucial for your business operations to hire the specific foreign national
- For a work permit for athletes:
- Confirmation that you will fund the foreign national’s return travel if their employment ends due to non-employee fault or long-term disability from illness or accident. You can include this information in the employment contract
➢ Processing fee: ISK 16,000. For expedited applications, the fee is 48,000 ISK, in addition to the standard processing fee, totaling 64,000 ISK
➢ Processing time: For information on the application processing time, please refer to this link
➢ Upon approval of the work and residence permit, you will receive a notification. If your future employee needs a visa to enter Iceland, the competent authorities will send a request for an entry visa to the relevant Embassy. The foreign national must use the visa to enter the country
➢ After entering Iceland, your employee must undergo a medical examination and attend an appointment for a Residence Permit Card
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