Documents to be submitted to the Directorate of Immigration

For students, other than Phd students, employed by the University of Iceland: Work Permit Application for Students. The form should be signed by both parties, the applicant and the employer, and confirmed by the relevant trade union securing the statutory minimum wage terms. Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner. For MS students who are offered a funded Phd position: Work permit application requiring expert knowledge. Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner. Change of residence permit is required, from student based to work based permit For Phd students who are offered a postdoc position: Work permit application requiring expert knowledge. Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

We fill out the work permit application form and sign on behalf of the employer. Make sure you start early as we can not process the forms immediately, expect at least a week. Please follow these steps: Have your UI employment contract made by the HR team at your school. Fill out the required work permit form with personal information and sign the form. Email the UI employment contract and the required work permit form to internationalstaff@hi.is We fill in the employment terms according to the terms of your UI contract and sign on behalf of the employer. We will send you the signed form by email. Every work permit form requires an opinion from a relevant labour union. This is to verify the wages are following the relevant collective agreement. Students working for the University of Iceland usually belong to one of the following labour unions: FH - Félag háskólakennara, FÍN Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga or Sameyki. We provide the union opinion electronically for those who are in FH. Those who belong to the other two need to bring the work permit form and UI employment contract to the relevant union to have the salary terms confirmed. Sessional teachers do not belong to any labour union but still need confirmation on their salary. Please contact us for further information. Mail the two forms to the Directorate of Immigration.

Documents to be submitted to the Directorate of Immigration

For all applicants Forms to submit to the Directorate of Immigration: An online application for a residence permit renewal. For an employee or a funded PhD student: Work permit application requiring expert knowledge. The form should be signed by both parties, the applicant and the employer, and confirmed by the relevant trade union securing the statutory minimum wage terms. Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner. For MS students employed by the University of Iceland: Work Permit Application for Students Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner. For guests researchers/guest teachers: Work permit based on service agreement between two higher education organizations

Make sure you start early as we can not process the forms immediately, expect at least a week. Please follow these steps: Have your UI employment contract made by the HR team at your school. Fill out the required work permit application form, with personal information only and sign the form. The signature is essential. Email the required forms, work permit application and UI employment contract to internationalstaff@hi.is. We sign the application form on behalf of the employer. We will send you the signed form by email. The salary terms need confirmation from a relevant labor union- two options FH- Félag háskólakennara or FÍN - Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga. We provide the confirmation electronically. Apply online for a residence permit renewal and attach your work permit application and contract to it on the DOI site. Please be aware the DOI opening hours are limited, more detailed information can be found on the DOI site.

Work Permit

Listen

Those students who aquire a job like research assistant, teaching assistant, sessional teachers and other possible jobs on campus, cafeteria assistant etc.

Work during the academic year

Students are allowed to work 60% during the academic year - equals 22.5 hours per week. Work permit is always required.

If working for two employers, a work permit is required for each job and the total work can never exceed the 60% limit.

Work during the summer

Students are allowed to work 100% during the summer. Work permit is always required, one for each and every employer.

If working for two employers, a work permit is required for each job and the total work can never exceed the 100% limit.

The above rules do not apply for Phd students as Phd studies are considered as a full time job. Phd students are eligible to apply for a work permit requiring expert knowledge. This permit is beneficial in the long run as it is issued for a longer time and gives opportunity to accummulate rights for a permanent stay in Iceland. This also requires a different residence permit, one based on work.

Those who are not students and aquire a job at the University, postdocs for example or other experts jobs, apply for a work permit based on expert knowledge. Phd students are considered as experts.

For students, other than Phd students, employed by the University of Iceland:

Work Permit Application for Students. The form should be signed by both parties, the applicant and the employer, and confirmed by the relevant trade union securing the statutory minimum wage terms.
Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

For MS students who are offered a funded Phd position:

Work permit application requiring expert knowledge.
Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.
Change of residence permit is required, from student based to work based permit

For Phd students who are offered a postdoc position:

Work permit application requiring expert knowledge.
Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

We fill out the work permit application form and sign on behalf of the employer. Make sure you start early as we can not process the forms immediately, expect at least a week.

Please follow these steps:

Have your UI employment contract made by the HR team at your school.
Fill out the required work permit form with personal information and sign the form.
Email the UI employment contract and the required work permit form to internationalstaff@hi.is We fill in the employment terms according to the terms of your UI contract and sign on behalf of the employer. We will send you the signed form by email.
Every work permit form requires an opinion from a relevant labour union. This is to verify the wages are following the relevant collective agreement. Students working for the University of Iceland usually belong to one of the following labour unions: FH - Félag háskólakennara, FÍN Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga or Sameyki. We provide the union opinion electronically for those who are in FH. Those who belong to the other two need to bring the work permit form and UI employment contract to the relevant union to have the salary terms confirmed. Sessional teachers do not belong to any labour union but still need confirmation on their salary. Please contact us for further information.
Mail the two forms to the Directorate of Immigration.

Submission of documents to the Directorate of Immigration for renewal needs to take place at least 4 weeks before the permits expiration date. Further information on work-based residence permits and forms are to be found on the Directorate of Immigration website.

If the Directorate of Immigration renewal deadline is followed, four weeks prior to the expiration date, the applicant still has a legal status in the country even though the renewal process may be delayed and go beyond the period of validity of the permit. However, if a renewal is not applied within the time frame, the application may be processed as a first permit application, not a renewal and takes considerably longer time to process.

With travel plans ahead it is even more crucial to submit the renewal application sooner then advised in order to have a new permit card prior to the departure date. It can cause various problems at boarders if travelling with an expired permit card. That should be avoided by all means.

For all applicants

Forms to submit to the Directorate of Immigration: An online application for a residence permit renewal.

For an employee or a funded PhD student:

Work permit application requiring expert knowledge. The form should be signed by both parties, the applicant and the employer, and confirmed by the relevant trade union securing the statutory minimum wage terms.
Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

For MS students employed by the University of Iceland:

Work Permit Application for Students
Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

For guests researchers/guest teachers:

Work permit based on service agreement between two higher education organizations

Make sure you start early as we can not process the forms immediately, expect at least a week.

Please follow these steps:

Have your UI employment contract made by the HR team at your school.
Fill out the required work permit application form, with personal information only and sign the form. The signature is essential.
Email the required forms, work permit application and UI employment contract to internationalstaff@hi.is. We sign the application form on behalf of the employer. We will send you the signed form by email.
The salary terms need confirmation from a relevant labor union- two options FH- Félag háskólakennara or FÍN - Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga. We provide the confirmation electronically.
Apply online for a residence permit renewal and attach your work permit application and contract to it on the DOI site.

Please be aware the DOI opening hours are limited, more detailed information can be found on the DOI site.

The Directorate of Immigration strongly advises against traveling during the renewal process.

Some of the countries within the Schengen area have become more strict in terms of travel permits within the area. If you know your travel plans, apply for a renewal in a timely manner rather than taking the risk of travel with an expired permit card that might cause serious consequenses at borders.

The DOI does not issue a letter or confirmation on applicants status in the renewal process for the purpose of travelling without a valid permit card.