Humanitarian permit on the basis of collective protection
Rights and obligations
A humanitarian permit on the basis of collective protection can be granted for up to one year.
If the holder of the permit stays abroad for more than three consecutive months, the residence permit can be revoked. A foreign national’s residence permit is automatically revoked if his/her domicile, which was registered in Iceland, has been registered abroad for a period of three months.
Even though the residence permit has been revoked, it is possible to apply for a renewal, if this is done within the validity period of the previous residence permit and the reasons for doing so recommend it.
Right to work
The residence permit entails the right to work in Iceland without a work permit.
Right to family reunification
A humanitarian permit does not grant the right to family reunification until after it has been renewed twice.
An exception to this condition may be granted if compelling reasons of fairness recommend this, due to urgent care considerations.
The permit confers the right to family reunification for the holder's
cohabiting spouse, after at least one year of cohabitation,
children under the age of 18, if the holder has custody of them,
Right to permanent residence
For the first five years, a humanitarian permit on the basis of collective protection does not form the basis of a permanent residence permit.
After five years, a humanitarian permit that may be the basis for a permanent residence permit can be granted. After one year on such a permit, a permanent residence permit may be issued.
Please note that one of the conditions of a permanent residence permit is that you have not resided abroad for more than 90 days in total each year during the period of validity of the residence permit, counting from the date of issue of the permit.
Service provider
Directorate of Immigration