Directorate of Immigration
The right to family reunification
24th November 2023
In response to the high number of inquiries regarding the possibility of a residence permit in Iceland for family members in Palestine
A residence permit based on family reunification can be granted to the closest relative of a person who resides in Iceland and has the right to family reunification.
The Directorate of Immigration asks those who wish to submit applications to familiarize themselves with who may be entitled to family reunification before applying.
Closest relatives
The closest relatives, according to the Act on Foreign Nationals, are
children under the age of 18, in the custody and provided for by the relevant permit holder, and
As the above shows the right to family reunification is limited to the nuclear family. Other family members or relatives, such as adult siblings, nieces, nephews, or parents under the age of 67, are not entitled to a residence permit based on family reunification.
Right to family reunification
A right to family reunification have:
Icelandic citizens,
Nordic citizens,
foreign citizens who have a permanent residence permit,
foreign citizens who have a temporary residence permit:
as a qualified specialist,
on grounds of shortage of labor,
as an athlete,
on grounds of a collaboration or service contract
as a student
as a spouse or cohabiting partner,
on grounds of international protection,
on grounds of humanitarian views or
on grounds of special ties to Iceland.
Special rules for unaccompanied children
Special rules apply to unaccompanied children living in Iceland on a residence permit based on international protection. They alone have the right to family reunification with the following relatives:
parents (regardless of age) who have custody of them and intend to live with their child in this country and
siblings under the age of 18 who are unmarried and living with their parents or guardian.