Last Updated on February 23, 2023
This article was originally published on 20 September 2022 and was updated on 22 November 2022 to reflect new information.
22 November 2022 Update: The government of Iceland announced that a shipment of residence permit cards is expected to arrive earlier than expected from a government provider. The government will continue to limit the issuance of residence permit cards and will instead issue letters of confirmation in a letter format. The letter will contain information on the validity period and employment rights of the applicant.
Official residence permit cards will only be issued to individuals seeking to travel outside of the country. However, these travelers will no longer need to send travel documents to the Immigration Service Agency for confirmation for an official residence card to be issued.
Key Points
The government of Iceland announced changes to who will qualify for a physical copy of a residence permit card due to resource shortages in the production of cards
Overview
Effective 15 September 2022, the government of Iceland will only issue physical residence permit cards to individuals who need to travel outside the country. For the time being, all other applicants will receive a letter confirming the issuance of a residence permit in order to conserve related resources.
The government clarified that individuals seeking to obtain a physical residence permit card will need to submit proof of travel documents, such as a flight ticket, to [email protected]. From there, the applicant will receive confirmation and approval for the issuance of a physical residence permit card.
What are the Changes?
The government of Iceland announced that physical residence permit cards will only be sent to holders who need to exit the country. Foreign nationals who qualify for a residence permit card, and who do not plan to travel outside of the country will receive a letter of confirmation of the issuance of a residence card, which will contain information on the card's validity period and the employee's employment rights. According to the announcement, this decision will conserve the government’s resources and supplies for cards.
Looking Ahead
Continue to check the government of Iceland’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.
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Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.
