International protection for siblings of unaccompanied refugee children

• A residence permit based on international protection as the sibling of an unaccompanied refugee child is generally granted for four years at a time and is renewable.

• 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.
  
  International protection is granted on the presumption that it is unsafe for a refugee to return home. Going back would imply that the situation in the country of origin has improved and that the refugee is no longer in need of international protection.

Right to family reunification

• The residence permit does not confer the right to family reunification.

Right to work

• The residence permit entails the right to work in Iceland without a work permit.

Right to permanent residence permit

• The residence permit may be the basis for a permanent residence permit.

  • 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.