Residence permit for humanitarian reasons

A residence permit for humanitarian reasons is granted to applicants for international protection, who do not meet the conditions for international protection or subsidiary protection, if they can demonstrate a strong need for protection, for example for health reasons or because of difficult social circumstances or due to difficult general conditions in their home country or in a country to which the person would be deported to.

A humanitarian permit is also granted to applicants for international protection, if they have not received a decision on their case at the administrative level within 18 months of applying, or 16 months in the case of a child. The conditions for granting a residence permit in those cases are that:

• a statement about international protection has been taken from the applicant,

• there is no doubt about the identity of the applicant,

• nothing is known that could result in the expulsion of the applicant, and

• the foreign national has supplied information and assistance to resolve the case.

Passport for foreign nationals

Holders of a a residence permit for humanitarian reasons, granted following the substantive processing of an application for protection, may apply for a passport for foreign nationals for traveling abroad.

Applicants must reside legally in Iceland and be able to demonstrate that they cannot obtain a travel document from their home country or that they are stateless.

Law

The residence permit is granted on the basis of Article74 of the Foreign Nationals Act.