International protection for children of refugees

A child whose parent has a residence permit on the basis of international protection or subsidiary protection is entitled to international protection in Iceland through family reunification with the parent. The child must have been born before the parent was granted protection in Iceland, be younger than 18 years old, in the custody of the parent it whishes to be reunited with in Iceland and unmarried.

Children granted international protection through family reunification, receive the same rights and obligations as the refugee they are reunited with in Iceland. The child is defined as a refugee, according to Icelandic law and international agreements, and can therefore not travel back home without the risk of the international protection and residence permit in Iceland being revoked.

Who is this application not for?

• A child whose parent has a residence permit as the spouse of a refugee is not entitled to international protection through family reunification with the parent.

• A child born after the parent was granted protection in Iceland is not entitled to international protection through family reunification with the parent.

For these children, a general residence permit for children without international protection must be applied for.

Application

Applications can only be submitted in paper form, either to the drop box in the lobby of the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18 in Kópavogur or by sending the application by regular mail to the same address. Applications can also be submitted at the offices of District Commissioners outside the capital area.

The application must be in its original form, duly completed and signed by the custodial parent.

Processing fee

There is no fee for an application for international protection through family reunification with a refugee.

Law

International protection is granted on the basis of Ariticle 45 of the Foreign Nationals Act.

A residence permit on grounds of international protection is granted on the basis of Article 73 of the Foreign Nationals Act.