All citizens (except Nordic) who come to Iceland for the purpose of study need a residence permit if staying longer than three months in Iceland. Some need to obtain the residence permit before arriving; some can apply after they arrive.

Nordic countries
Citizens of Nordic countries that plan to study in Iceland need to register at the Icelandic National Registry upon arrival in Iceland. Nordic citizens do not need work permit.

EU and EEA member countries
Citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area, who plan to stay longer than three months in Iceland, need a residence permit. The permit may be obtained after arriving in Iceland for most of the EU and EEA countries. The residence permit is applied for at the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, Skógarhlíð 6, 105 Reykjavik, tel. +354 510 5400. EU and EEA citizens do not need special work permit, only residence permit.

Non European countries
Citizens of countries other than EU and EEA must obtain the visa before entering Iceland. Some nationals outside EU and EEA, are exempted from the obligation to carry a visa on arrival in Iceland for a stay of up to three months in all within the Schengen area. The total stay within the Schengen area must not exceed three months in any period of six months. (See on the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration´s website which countries are part of the Schengen agreement). The residence permit is applied for at the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
If a residence permit is granted, the applicant shall, upon arrival in Iceland, register his domicile with the National Registry (Þjóðskrá), Borgartúni 21a, 150 Reykjavik, tel. +354 528 1000. All citizens should bring a passport which is valid at least three months after the scheduled departure as well as get a health check upon arrival (see in health issues).

For more information, please contact the Office of International Education