Multicultural and Information Center

The Multicultural and Information Center is a part of the Labor Office, which is a public institution. Advice on immigration issues is provided to individuals organizations and municipalities in Icelandic, English, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish.
For detailed and useful information in multiple languages about moving to Iceland or living in the country, visit website at www.mcc.is.
Our open interview hours at Grensásvegur 9 are from 9 AM to 1 PM, Monday to Thursday, and from 9 AM to 12 PM on Fridays.
The MCC Web chat is available every weekday from 9 AM to 11 AM.
Telephone consultation during VMST opening hours at 450-3090 and 515-4800.
For inquiries, feel free to email us at mcc@vmst.is.

The Icelandic Red Cross

The Icelandic Red Cross offers services and social activities for immigrants.
The work involves creating social connections, psychosocial support and ways to get to know the community.
These include projects such as the immigrant friendship project, practice speaking Icelandic, various counselling and events.
In addition, the movement's diverse volunteer programs are open to immigrants.

Aid Organisations

Refugees (and other immigrants) have also made use of the resources available with other aid organisations such as Church Aid (Hjálparstarf kirkjunnar), the Salvation Army (www.herinn.is) and Samhjálp.
Church Aid has offered projects that relate to psychological and social support and functionality resources, especially for women who are applying for, or have received, international protection. www.hjalparstarfkirkjunnar.is
Samhjálp, for example, runs the Samhjálp Coffee Place (Kaffistofa Samhjálpar) in Borgartún 1a, Reykjavík. There, they offer free meals for people who live under difficult social circumstances; breakfast, snacks and a hot lunch, every day of the year, weekends as well as public holidays. www.samhjalp.is

Registers Iceland

The National Registry of Iceland maintains a real estate register and a national register. The Registry publishes passports, personal identity cards and various certificates.
The National Registry of Iceland has a record of everyone who lives or have lived in Iceland. People who move within the country should report the move within seven days.
The National Registry issues ID numbers (kennitala). It is also where the names of children, or name changes, are registered.
It is important that names and dates of birth are registered correctly from the start in the National Registry - it can be difficult to change later.
Those who are getting married must contact the National Registry and obtain conformation of marital status.
The National Registry of Iceland is located at Borgartún 21, 105 Reykjavík and Hafnarstræti 107, 600 Akureyri.
Many things can be done online at the National Registry website. www.skra.is

Residence Permit

Many foreigners that want to live in Iceland need a residence permit.
Residence permits are issued by the Directorate of Immigration (www.utl.is).
Location of Directorate of Immigration: Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur.
There are different types of residence permits based on the purpose of stay.
The conditions for a residence permit are divided into a) basic conditions that apply to all residence permits and b) other conditions that apply to each type.
Foreigners from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or EFTA member states, who intend to stay in Iceland for more than three months, must be issued a residence permit.
It is the responsibility of each individual to make sure that they have a valid residence permit in Iceland.
All foreigners living in Iceland are obliged to apply for a residence permit themselves, if necessary, and to renew the permit as needed (with at least one month's notice before the permit expires).
The Directorate of Immigration can deport people who don't have a valid residence permit.
The service desk at the Directorate of Immigration provides information on what documents must accompany the applications and this information can also be found at www.utl.is
The Directorate of Immigration receives applications and accompanying documents, takes photos for residence permits, scans fingerprints and conducts interviews if necessary.

Permanent Residence Permit Citizenship

The rules on the right to a permanent residence permit and Icelandic citizenship are easily obtained at www.utl.is
There are many conditions to be met and many accompanying documents needed for such applications.
It may delay or prevent the granting of a permanent residence permit or Icelandic citizenship if the applicant:
has received financial aid from a municipality or the state.
has been convicted of an offence, e.g. traffic violations.
has an unresolved case with the police or the courts.
has an unresolved case with the government that can lead to their deportation.

International protection

Those who are persecuted in their home country or in danger of capital punishment, torture or inhumane treatment or punishment, have a right to and can apply for international protection in Iceland.
International protection may also be granted on humanitarian grounds.
Proceedings for such applications are covered in the Act on Foreigners.
The Directorate of Immigration handles the processing of applications.
The Directorate of Immigration's decisions can be appealed to the Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board (Kærunefnd útlendingamála). www.knu.is
Applicants for international protection receive accommodation and a support grant while their application is being processed.
Applicants for international protection often have the opportunity to attend courses. The number and types of courses depend on the rules of the institution that handles the case of the individual concerned.
The Icelandic Red Cross provides social support and advocacy for applicants. www.raudikrossinn.is