- A little about the country
- Where to begin?
- Legal ways to move to Iceland for permanent residence
- All works are good
- Learning with pleasure
- You will be declared husband and wife
- Think for yourself, decide for yourself
Translated from Icelandic, the name of this island sounds like "land of ice". Iceland is only 105th in terms of territory in the world ranking, and over 93 percent of its inhabitants are descendants of the Vikings - the indigenous population speaking their native language. Foreigners rarely choose this state as a place of permanent residence, and a much smaller percentage of potential immigrants are considering options for moving to Iceland compared to other European countries. Both the strict legislation and the mentality of the Icelanders themselves, who almost never practice mixed marriages with overseas brides and grooms, are not very conducive to the influx of foreigners.
A little about the country
Despite the fairly northern latitudes in which the island is located, Iceland's climate is quite mild. The reason for this is the warm ocean current of the Gulf Stream. Even in winter, the weather in the land of ice makes you feel comfortable enough. Ideal living conditions are also guaranteed by the level of Iceland's economy, in all respects comparable to other Scandinavian states.
Where to begin?
To immigrate to the ice island, foreigners will need to go through several stages:
Obtain a visa of national importance, category D, which can be issued on the basis of marriage, work contract or an invitation to study. You will have to live in Iceland on the basis of a temporary residence permit for at least three years and obtain permanent resident status. This procedure will require documentary evidence of no criminal record and the availability of sufficient funds to maintain the applicant's financial solvency. Accept Icelandic citizenship, granted after about seven years of legal residence in the country.
Legal ways to move to Iceland for permanent residence
Foreigners with good reasons for immigration usually do not experience problems in obtaining a visa, and then a residence permit. The reasons for moving to the country are most often:
Family reunification. Minor children born to citizens of Iceland, or, on the contrary, their parents who have reached the age of 66, can become its full members. The last category of citizens must have confirmation of the financial solvency of children and their consent to support their parents. Education in the country's universities. To obtain a residence permit, a foreign student must provide documents of enrollment in an educational institution. A work contract, according to which a foreign citizen can find a job on the island. Registration of marriage. The country's authorities are especially picky about this category of immigrants in terms of control, but loyal to the timing of the naturalization process. A foreign spouse will be able to obtain citizenship after three years of legal residence in Iceland. Civil marriages on the island are also recognized as an argument for issuing residence permits and citizenship. The couple's recognized cohabitation for 5 years entitles them to obtain an Icelandic passport.
All works are good
In Iceland, like the rest of Europe, there is a law according to which the priority right to get a job is first given to its citizens, and then to residents of the states participating in the EU. Only in the third place will the local employer consider the candidacy of a citizen of Russia or Ukraine. Most often, only narrow specialists in the field of computer technology, qualified engineers or builders manage to conclude a work contract.
If the contract is nevertheless signed, the potential employer must issue a work permit for a foreigner, because illegal work in the country is strictly prohibited, and migrants can move to Iceland on a work visa only by perfectly fulfilling all the points of local legislation.
Learning with pleasure
A rather limited number of foreigners choose Icelandic universities as their alma mater, and students from abroad make up no more than five percent of the total number of students here. The main obstacle is the difficult Icelandic language to learn, which is most often taught in the country. Some programs in English are offered by the universities of the capital, but the competition in them is very difficult for a foreigner to withstand.
There are only eight higher educational institutions in Iceland, and for admission, a foreign applicant will have to pass the entrance exams with honor. Students are not pampered here with a scholarship, but the system of discounts and loans issued for training allows students to fit into the amount of expenses equal to 1000 euros per year.
You will be declared husband and wife
Having registered a marriage with an Icelander or Icelandic woman, or entering into a relationship that local law would consider a civil marriage, be prepared for several years of life under the supervision of the migration authorities. You will have to prove your marital intentions on a daily basis, answer highly personal questions in interviews, and gather evidence that your couple is not pursuing the goal of circumventing the law. It is possible to obtain Icelandic citizenship by marriage a little faster than under a work contract, but much more attention is paid to such applicants.
Think for yourself, decide for yourself
In 2003, the Icelandic government passed a law allowing dual citizenship. It became possible to obtain a passport without renouncing the citizenship of the country in which the immigrant was born.
Stateless persons born on the island can become full citizens of Iceland after three years of residence there. If you already have citizenship of Norway, Denmark, Sweden or Finland, you will be allowed to receive an Icelander's passport after four years of residence on the island.
