Iceland Labour shortage work permit

Residence permit for a job where the employer shows no suitable worker could be found in Iceland, the EEA, EFTA states or the Faroe Islands; granted only in exceptional circumstances. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least ISK 259,951 a month (≈ $2,130) · Minimum secure means of support for an individual, before tax, for as long as the permit is valid (equal to the basic financial assistance of the City of Reykjavík). ¹
• A fee of ISK 80,000 (≈ $660) · Processing fee for a residence permit based on work. ¹

Requirements

• The applicant is 18 or older and has an employment contract with a specific employer. ^{1 2}
• The employer has asked the Directorate of Labour to find an employee in Iceland, the EEA, EFTA states or the Faroe Islands. ²
• The employer gives detailed reasons why a worker from outside the EEA, EFTA states or Faroe Islands is needed. ²
• Permits are granted only in exceptional circumstances to answer temporary swings in the labour market. ²
• Applicants who need a visa to travel to Iceland may not be in Iceland when applying or during processing. ¹
• Secure means of support of ISK 259,951 (≈ $2,130) a month before tax for the whole period of the permit. ¹
• Processing fee: ISK 80,000 (≈ $660). ¹
• An employment contract stating all wage figures in line with the relevant collective agreement. ¹
• Proof of the employer's attempts to hire, and a justification of why the foreign worker is needed. ¹
• Health insurance valid in Iceland with at least ISK 2,000,000 (≈ $16,400) cover for three months from registering a legal domicile. ¹
• A criminal record certificate from the country of residence, not older than 12 months. ¹
• The Directorate may ask the employer to advertise the job through the Directorate of Labour and EURES, ideally for three weeks. ²
• A first permit for a specific job is granted for up to one year at a time. ^{2 4}
• Seasonal jobs can be granted for the season, and permits can be renewed for up to two years. ^{2 4}
• Holders who lose their job can get a six-month permit to look for another job. ⁴

Stay

• First permit up to one year for a specific job; renewable for up to two years at a time; the employer must advertise the job again at renewal unless exempted.
• First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Nationals of countries outside the EEA and EFTA. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Work only for the employer named in the work permit; a new employer needs a new work permit before starting.

Family

Marital spouse, cohabiting spouse after one year of cohabitation, children under 18 in the holder's custody and parents aged 67 or older can apply for family reunification.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Residence permit based on work · Directorate of Immigration of Iceland (Ísland.is) · checked 2026-10-11
2. Apply for a work permit: shortage of employment · Directorate of Labour and Directorate of Immigration (Ísland.is) · checked 2026-10-11
3. Apply for a work permit · Directorate of Labour and Directorate of Immigration (Ísland.is) · checked 2026-10-11
4. Residence permit based on work: rights and obligations · Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) · checked 2026-10-11
5. Permanent residence permit · Directorate of Immigration of Iceland (Ísland.is) · checked 2026-10-11
6. Application for Icelandic citizenship: when can I apply · Directorate of Immigration (island.is) · checked 2026-10-11
7. Residence permit based on work: application and fee · Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) · checked 2026-10-11