Emigration and moving for permanent residence to Iceland

What you need to know

This colorful country is located on an island in the northern part of Europe.
Although nature is not always kind, this did not stop it from becoming one of the most economically developed powers and with the least amount of crime. It attracts with its pristine beauty and social stability.

Important Concepts

For a more complete understanding of the text, you need to understand such formulations.

Legal basis

For fifteen years now, a law has been adopted that regulates the stay of foreign residents on the territory of the state.
There is some differentiation in the approach to citizens arriving from countries that are members of the European Union and others.

When a person arrives in Iceland, the Migration Service requests a visa from him. There is a separate article of the legislative act that stipulates some nuances that allow it to be avoided.

There are various types of permits that allow people to reside in Iceland (Article 35). and the procedure for obtaining permits is specified in Article 39.

To replace an immigration document, a person must make a written request.

Interesting! The law provides for the registration of fingerprints.

In Art. 70 clearly defines the requirements for applicants for permanent residence.

Migration options to Iceland

There are only a few options for moving permanently to Iceland.

This:

• opening a business;
• marriage to a citizen of this country;
• Studying at the University;
• employment;
• buying a property.

Business and work

Business migration means investing finances in the territory of a given state.

Despite the authorities’ warm welcome for investment, there are areas in which foreign businessmen are prohibited from investing. The most striking example is fishing.

Any enterprises in this industry are closed to foreign investors. Access to aviation companies is also closed.

It is also not permitted to export any energy resources from Icelandic territory.

To obtain a residence permit, you will need to open a company of any type of ownership. Special permission must be obtained for this. They are issued by the Ministry of Commerce. After receiving a business permit, it is enough to fly in on a multi-visa.

After arriving in the country, documents are submitted to obtain a residence permit.

To get hired by a local employer and then apply for a residence permit, Russians need to come to Iceland with a 3-month visa.

Once a job is found, all that is required is to conclude an agreement with the employer and draw up an application for permission to work.

With these papers you need to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to obtain a residence permit.

Education

Migration to Iceland through study is one of the simplest and most affordable options. Exams are taken in English, so knowledge of the language is a must.

You will need to pass exams, pay for your studies, and then apply for a visa with these papers.

Read the list of professions for emigrating to Australia from Russia. Labor migration news. Find out further.

For men

Men in Iceland are not offered separate conditions for moving, as is customary in countries where there are several times more women.

Therefore, men should choose the category that suits them best.

Having finances, it is better to choose the path of an investor, and if your age allows, studying is an excellent option!

For permanent residence

To obtain permanent residence, the candidate must provide the following package of documents:

1. Application according to the appropriate sample.
2. Foreign and national passport.
3. Three photographs.
4. Certificate showing marital status.
5. No debts or criminal record.

For the purpose of marriage

People who marry residents of the country have the right to obtain citizenship. However, the couple has to prove their sincere feelings, and the Icelandic party is obliged to show their wealth in order to confirm the opportunity to sponsor a new family member.

Employment

This island state can hardly be called a place where many people migrate in search of work.

Despite this, some areas need qualified employees. Specialists in the field of construction, science, IT technology, fishing industry and tourism are especially in demand.

The most in-demand workers include: engineers, carpenters, healthcare workers, auto mechanics, travel agents, carpenters, social workers and IT professionals.

Studying at a university

After passing the exams, opening a visa and arriving in the country, students are most often introduced to dormitories.

Then you will need to submit papers to the immigration bureau and wait for a response.

Upon admission to full-time study, the student has the opportunity to return to Russia.

• The student will have to fill out a special questionnaire every month, which states his desire to continue his studies.
• Submitting papers for GNI will require providing financial security for the entire semester.

However, there is no need to worry. Studying in Iceland is cheap! From 300 to 500 euros per year.

Refugee

One of the simplest options if the candidate managed to arrive in the capital. In this case, 9 out of 10 migrants receive political asylum.

Immediately after sending the application, the refugee is accepted under the guardianship of the Red Cross, because it is impossible to work without documents.

Housing and food will be provided to KK. The application is considered within 3 months. If a refusal is received, it is possible to submit another petition. If the candidate refuses again, they will be required to leave the country.

Family circumstances

Close relatives of Icelandic citizens and those who plan to marry native residents can immigrate to the country.

Obtaining a residence permit and moving are available for:

1. Children under the age of majority whose parents are residents of Iceland.
2. Citizens over 66 years of age whose children legally work and live in a given state. In such cases, children are required to show their solvency in order to prove that their relatives have paid off new bills.

Through the purchase of real estate

The process of purchasing real estate in this country is not much different from a similar operation in other countries:

• you need to select an object;
• discuss the cost;
• to make an agreement;
• transfer finances.

Then you will need to issue a document for the property.

However, the purchase of real estate is not considered a compelling argument for obtaining a residence permit. The home owner needs to live in Iceland on a multiple entry visa. Having the fact of owning real estate will greatly increase the likelihood of approval of a residence permit.

In addition, if you have lived in Iceland for more than three years and have real estate in the country, you can apply for permanent residence.

Important! Foreigners are not allowed to buy land. There is an opportunity to invest in apartments and houses.

Video: When is the best time to go to the country?

Migration policy

In this state, all adopted legislative acts give priority to the Law on the Preservation of the Nation.
They are aimed at minimizing the appearance of foreigners in it. It is very difficult to obtain a residence permit. The local population is very reluctant to support the creation of families with foreigners. Therefore, even at the beginning of this century, visiting emigrants were forced to change their surname to an Icelandic one.

The Migration Directorate controls this issue, forcing people to respect the cultural and historical heritage. Only about 6% of the island's population are migrants.

General information

All decisions regarding the fate of foreign nationals are made by the Immigration Directorate.

On a note! At the beginning of the 20th century, the Icelandic legal framework obliged immigrants to change their own names to their original Icelandic ones. Since the 90s of the last century, foreigners who live in the state have been allowed to leave their first and last names.

Migration growth in Iceland has been miniscule - just over one percent over the past few years.
Migration quotas are used to resettle abandoned villages with newcomers. Local people are moving to cities due to urbanization. What kind of emigrants are there in Iceland? There is no large influx of foreign nationals in the state, despite the fact that many European nationals work in the construction industry at various sites. These are mainly Germans and Poles. The latter make up more than half of all migrants. This is confirmed by the presence of a couple of Polish supermarkets in Reykjavik - an extremely rare occurrence for Iceland. Polish and Lithuanian immigrants speak almost no Icelandic and are not integrated into society.

There are immigrants from other continents in Iceland, but in small numbers. They are from China, Thailand, Philippines. It is noteworthy that, unlike European immigrants, foreign nationals from the poorest countries have temporary residence status.

It turns out that migrants in the Icelandic state are divided into a couple of groups:

— immigrant workers from Western, Northern and Central Europe,

- a tiny number of people with refugee status.

It may be that the immigration situation in Iceland will soon change. The state is experiencing economic growth, and there is a shortage of workers.

Iceland is recommended to issue invitations to about two thousand foreign personnel annually to maintain the level of financial well-being. It is very important to develop this direction for business tourism, where foreign nationals have been employed for a long time.

The small population contributes to the conclusion of marriages between relatives. Hence the high increase in genetic diseases.

Standard of living

Iceland is currently one of the richest countries. This is facilitated by:

• abundance of natural resources;
• correct conduct of foreign policy;
• positive attitude and high working capacity of the local population.

In this country, they treat their ancestors with respect and great trepidation, support and do not forget national traditions. The main occupation of most of the population is animal husbandry, fishing and agriculture.

Read also: Obtaining Russian citizenship by parents

The sale of fish products makes a great contribution to the economic development of the country. A large amount of it is exported to various countries, including the United States of America.

Iceland is distinguished by its closedness and conservatism. Quite recently, after long discussions in parliament, a decision was made to join the European Union.

Almost the entire working-age population has a place of work. Only 15% of adult residents are unemployed.

Residence permit in Ireland

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Despite major changes in the migration policy of the Irish Republic, which have resulted in stricter requirements for immigrants wishing to obtain a residence permit in Ireland, they are not decreasing. This is due to many advantages, including excellent environmental conditions and the possibility of free movement within the Schengen countries.

Opening a visa

To enter Ireland, a foreign citizen must obtain one of the following visas: tourist, student, transit or business visa. Since 2011, citizens of the CIS countries have the right to free entry into Ireland with a British visa.

To obtain a visa from a foreign applicant, the following documents will be required:

• A completed application form;
• original + copy of foreign passport;
• a copy of the birth certificate;
• 2 photos;
• availability of grounds for entry into the territory of the state;
• certificate of health insurance, the minimum amount of which is €30,000;
• a certificate from the bank confirming the availability of sufficient financial resources to live in the country;
• certificate from the place of work (for students - certificate from the place of study);
• a copy of the marriage certificate (if available).

It is important to know!

A Schengen visa does not give the right to enter the territory of Ireland, because... This state is not part of the Schengen countries.

Reasons for acquiring an Irish residence permit

• Business
  This method is very popular among foreign citizens, because... allows you to obtain a residence permit in Ireland for a period of 3 years when purchasing or opening your own business. The main requirement for the applicant is the availability of sufficient financial resources of legal origin (minimum amount - 300,000 €).

  It is important to know!

  Unlike Ireland, most European countries provide residence permits for only 1 year.

• Employment
  Ireland experiences a shortage of certain skills in the labor market, so it is interested in attracting highly qualified labor resources to its territory. The opening of a work visa by a foreign citizen is accompanied by the preliminary conclusion of an employment contract and receipt of an invitation from the employer. Upon entry into Ireland, a foreign citizen automatically acquires temporary resident status. Each subsequent place of work will require a new work permit.
• Education
  This basis is most in demand among young people wishing to obtain higher education at an educational institution in Ireland or complete long-term language courses. For the period of study, a foreign citizen receives a residence permit, and upon completion, he can obtain a work permit for employment and permanent residence. The main condition for future students of Irish universities is a good command of the English language.
• Investments
  Any foreign citizen can obtain a residence permit in Ireland by investing in the state's economy. This could be an investment in securities, the purchase of real estate for personal residence or financing in an Irish enterprise. The state puts forward a requirement for a minimum investment amount of 1 million €. The validity of this residence permit is 2 years and can be extended for another 3 years and renewed every 5 years under certain conditions (safety of investments and absence of criminal violations).
• Family reunification
  A foreign citizen, being a close relative or spouse of a permanent resident or citizen of Ireland, has the right to apply for a residence permit. The main requirements in this case are the absence of problems with the law and the presence of a stable income.
• Birth of a child
  A child whose mother lived in Ireland for at least 10 months before his birth automatically becomes an Irish citizen. The birth of a child on Irish territory greatly simplifies the process of obtaining a residence permit, and then citizenship for one’s parents.
• Refugee
  In case of a positive response to the request for asylum, the foreign citizen automatically acquires the status of temporary resident. To do this, a foreigner must contact the local police or the Refugee Application Center in Ireland.

  It is important to know!

  Purchasing real estate in Ireland does not give you the right to obtain a residence permit.

Thinking about moving to Ireland? Consult the specialists of International Business on any questions you may have right now!

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Why is this state popular among Russians?

Although the process of emigration to Iceland from Russia is a little complicated and difficult, it still remains popular among our population. This can be explained by the following reasons:

• rich and beautiful nature - one of the most attractive countries with beautiful landscapes;
• a highly developed state - residents receive high-level medical care and education. Have decent wages;
• desire to start a family with the locals, as they have a very friendly and peaceful mentality. Citizens of this country travel a lot, lead a healthy lifestyle, and honor family relationships.

Pros and cons of emigrating to Iceland from Russia

The northern island, remote from Russia, on which Iceland is located, is a new destination for Russian tourists. Most recently, direct flights from Moscow to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, were launched. This need arose due to close diplomatic relations, as well as due to the rapid development of the tourist destination. Travelers share their experiences, but what do the Russian emigrants who moved say about life in the “Land of Ice”.

Pros of moving

You can take a closer look at Iceland by studying the following advantages:

1. Standards of living. In the ranking of countries in the world by standard of living for 2021, Iceland ranks 5th. The quality index is noted as one of the highest - 188, purchasing power - 92, safety - 76, cost of living - 97. Such indicators influence positive immigration not only from developing countries, but also from the Baltic states and the EU. This is not to say that local residents have not had problems in the past. Of course, they faced a global crisis in 2008, but were quickly able to mobilize. Perhaps due to the replacement of conservative leadership or new economic trends. Iceland is currently undergoing a large-scale diversification of industries: it is planned to open a large aluminum smelter and develop the tourism, banking and technology sectors.
2. Decent wages. Over 80% of the population are able-bodied and are employed in such areas as fishing, agriculture, and the service sector. The indigenous people, who number only 350,000 people, have well-paid jobs and can afford to buy a house, a quality car, and pay all the necessary expenses. The average salary in the country is €4,551 before taxes, and €3,157 after taxes. The Russian average salary of €567 can hardly compete. Undoubtedly, this is a worthy argument to emigrate to Iceland from Russia.
3. Safety on the island. Having experienced unrest in the CIS countries, some residents decide to move to protect their family. Iceland is very suitable for this; it has the highest level of security. One of the reasons for the lack of crime is that residents know each other well. Other reasons lie in the same level of income and law-abiding citizens.

Cons of moving

Opinions about Iceland vary widely between travelers and migrants. The North Island is not suitable for everyone; living here is very different from Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries. You need to come to terms with the peculiarities of the northern island or choose another state to move to. For those expats who would like to immigrate to Iceland, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages:

1. Climate. In Iceland, summer is very short and cool, temperatures in mid-July reach +11...+20 degrees. “White nights” are observed throughout the summer. In winter, the temperature reaches its maximum -1...-2 degrees. All seasons are accompanied by strong sea winds. The weather can change every half hour, due to the fact that the island is located in the northern part of the hemisphere, and also does not border geographically with other countries. Residents from the northern regions of Russia can emigrate here. For them the climate will not seem as harsh as for southern immigrants.
2. Monotony. This concept applies to all small states. Iceland has its own way of life - measured and family-oriented. In their free time, Icelandic families most often visit local pubs, organize parties or simply sit at home. And the weather is not for walking! For emigrants from Russian megacities, this lifestyle is probably not suitable. Although during their vacation Icelanders fly to Spain, Italy, and the Canary Islands to bask, they go to the UK, Norway, and Germany on short weekends.
3. Expensive. By Russian standards, goods and housing rentals are very expensive in Iceland. Many products are imported, and accordingly the prices are very high. Indigenous residents can afford to buy real estate, so renting houses is only for visitors. It should be noted here that it is easier for wealthy Russians to emigrate to Iceland.

Possible relocation options

There are several ways to emigrate to Iceland. If you want to obtain citizenship there and stay there, you can use one of them.

Employment

The sequence of actions when moving is as follows:

1. Find an employer;
2. Obtain permission and invitation;
3. Apply for a visa;
4. Get a residence permit.

When registering, an agreement is concluded between the applicant and the employer, which stipulates in detail all the points:

• place of work;
• salary amount;
• job title;
• basic rights and obligations of both parties.

You will also need:

• information on contributions to the pension fund and joining a trade union (EU countries);
• application for permission to work (for countries outside the European Union).

A specially created commission reviews the submitted documents and makes a decision.

Important! You can only stay in the country for three months. For further stay you need to apply for a residence permit.

His family has the right to move with the applicant. There are seven years left before obtaining citizenship.

Business immigration

For citizens of countries that are not members of the EU, some restrictions have been introduced on running their own business in Iceland. They apply to:

• energy;
• catching and selling fish;
• aviation.

You can start working only after receiving permits from the Ministry of Commerce.

People who are engaged in business, obtaining permission from local authorities and regularly paying taxes, can stay in Iceland with a multiple visa.

Important! After seven years, you can become a full-fledged citizen.

Education

One of the simplest methods is to get an education in this country.
In terms of material difficulties, this will not be a problem when compared with other countries. A student will spend about $5,000 a year on this. To enter a higher education institution, the applicant will need:

• decide on a university and pass entrance exams;
• pay tuition fees;
• find housing and move;
• pass an exam on knowledge of English or Icelandic languages;
• obtain a visa and passport;
• submit the necessary package of documents to the migration service to obtain a residence permit.

Note! Only after seven years of stay on the territory of the state can you count on receiving legalization.

Starting a family

If you managed to marry a local resident, this is still not considered a compelling argument for obtaining citizenship.
To do this, according to the legislation of the country, you need to live together with him for at least four years from the date of filing a written request. Read also: Business in Spain

Another important condition is that the wife (husband) has citizenship for at least five years before starting a family.

Buying a property

The procedure for acquiring property is no different from what happens in other countries.
A special agent can do all the necessary work. Personal presence will only be necessary when signing papers and handing them over to the owner. Interesting! Foreigners can take advantage of the opportunity to obtain a loan to purchase a house.

The homeowner is not given any concession when obtaining citizenship. However, some leniency on the part of local authorities is still possible.

But it is impossible to purchase land in Iceland. They are only allowed to be rented.

For refugees

It is quite possible to obtain a similar status when migrating to Iceland from Russia. For this you need to provide compelling reasons.

The country provides them with good social benefits.

After living in this situation for three years, you can expect to receive citizenship.

Retirement age

Elderly people can move in with their adult children.
They must be legal residents of Iceland and the parents are over 66 years of age. This is not the most common way. Therefore, they resort to it extremely rarely.

For children

The offspring may move in with their fathers or mothers. To do this, you need to adhere to the following nuances:

• children must be under eighteen years of age;
• parents are staying in Iceland legally.

Usually families migrate at the same time.

Other methods

Children can become full-fledged residents of the country through adoption. This applies to orphans and those left without guardianship in Russia. If the child is under twelve years old, he can be adopted by residents of Iceland. Therefore, they freely move there to live.

If children were born on the territory of this country and lived there for three years, then they automatically become its citizens.

Grounds for obtaining citizenship

There are several ways to obtain citizenship of a given country: from the most obvious and simple - based on Icelandic roots, to the relatively long and tedious path of naturalization “for work”.

Let's take a closer look at them.

By birth or descent

The easiest way to obtain Icelandic citizenship is if one of your parents is a citizen of this country.

Through marriage

Another route to citizenship is through marriage to an Icelandic citizen. Several conditions must be met:

• Minimum three years of legal stay in the country;
• The spouse must have been a citizen for at least 5 years;
• The marriage must last for at least 4 years;

Citizenship is available in case of proven cohabitation with an Icelandic citizen for at least 5 years, subject to the same conditions as for marriage.

Adoption

A child under 12 years of age adopted by an Icelandic citizen receives citizenship.

If the adoption took place outside the country, a special application is required.

Education

Not the easiest way, but quite accessible to many.

To do this, you first need to enroll in an Icelandic university and obtain a student residence permit. After graduating from university, you are given about a year of legal stay in the country to find a job. (See the next section of the article - Work ).

Education at public universities is practically free, but at private universities it is not too expensive: approximately 2 - 5,000 dollars per semester. However, it is worth noting that living expenses on the island are by no means small.

Higher education in this country begins at the age of 20, and applicants from Russia and the CIS countries must already have at least two university courses under their belt to enter local universities.

Job

It is not easy for a foreigner to find a job in Iceland due to the small labor market. If you are a highly qualified specialist, especially in the field of medicine and IT, then you can try to find an employer remotely.

In this case, you will receive a work visa and will be able to legally live and work in the country. Another way to find a job in Iceland is, as mentioned above, to study at a local higher education institution and find an employer on the spot.

After 2-4 years of legal stay in the country (the terms of study and work are counted), you can obtain permanent residence.

After 7 years of legal stay, you can apply for citizenship (if you have not yet found a local spouse during this time)

Buying real estate and doing business

Purchasing real estate is not a basis for obtaining citizenship.

Doing business in the country allows you to obtain a Business visa, and then a residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship, but does not provide any additional privileges compared to other paths of naturalization.

You can obtain Icelandic citizenship for outstanding achievements in certain fields. The decision to grant citizenship on this basis is made by the Althing (local parliament). For example, the famous chess player Bobby Fischer became a citizen of Iceland.

Refugee

Iceland is very tolerant when it comes to accepting refugees and issuing asylum. But first they need to somehow get to this remote northern island, which for many refugees is too costly or even impossible.

After receiving refugee status, you must live in the country for at least 5 years to obtain citizenship.

Double citizenship

Since 2003, Iceland has recognized dual citizenship. Previously, a person was deprived of Icelandic citizenship if he acquired citizenship of another country.

Restoration of citizenship

Former citizens need 1 year of residence in the country to regain citizenship.

The most in-demand professions

Iceland is a country where there are very few job openings. Therefore, it is difficult for employment. There are very few industries that require workers. These include:

• fishing industry;
• scientific and agricultural sphere;
• travel business;
• construction;
• Computer techologies.

The following professions are most often required:

• engineers;
• carpenters;
• auto mechanics;
• social and medical workers;
• tour guides.

Seasonal work on sowing and harvesting is popular. Many farmers invite additional workers and specialists.

Candidate Requirements

Iceland has its own conditions for relocation applicants that must be observed. These include:

• fluency in spoken English or Icelandic;
• no violations of the laws of the country;
• the ability to financially support yourself and your family;
• payment of all taxes without delay.

If, in addition to this, there are compelling prerequisites for moving, then there will be no problems.

There are absolutely no privileges for men when emigrating to Iceland from Russia.

How to become a full citizen

Citizenship of the republic can be obtained for immigrants from other countries whose parents are also non-local after seven years of residence here.

But such terms are not established for everyone; there are groups of people for whom they are reduced to five or even two years:

• Previously, the person already had citizenship of this country, but lost it (he will receive the status of a citizen in a year);
• a foreigner married an Icelander or an Icelander; the emigrant’s parents received citizenship more than five years ago;
• a native of Iceland who does not have citizenship in another state.

From Russia with love

Our compatriots are increasingly considering this particular direction of emigration; the conditions for moving for permanent residence to Iceland from Russia differ only in the duration of the flight and the cost of tickets.

Among Russians, the most common reason for emigration is often not found - marriage with a citizen of the northern republic.

But it is important to keep in mind that no matter what your goal is when changing your place of residence, knowing the language will make it easier for you. You must pass international English proficiency tests and present the certificate at the visa center.

Principle of legalization

The procedure for obtaining citizenship always takes a long time and requires preparation. The following sequence can be designated:

1. Purchasing a visa - Schengen or national is allowed. To do this, you should contact the consulate or embassy. The waiting period will take up to two weeks. A multiple visa is issued for a period of five years;
2. Obtaining a residence permit occurs in different ways: through employment, marriage or study. It is better to start dealing with this issue immediately after arriving in the country;
3. Registration of permanent residence - at least you need to stay in the state for three years and fulfill the conditions put forward by the country;
4. Granting citizenship - for this you need to live in Iceland for seven years and create a solid foundation for your future.

Read also: Migration Department

Details

Iceland and refugees

The Immigration Department decides to issue a temporary residence permit, which is issued for twelve months; the extension of this status in the future can occur automatically. While the application is being considered, people are accommodated in hotel complexes. They are provided with funding in the amount of one hundred and fifty euros.

Important! Those who have received refugee status do not have the right to legally find work; the relocation of their relatives is difficult. There are no prospects for awarding Icelandic citizenship.

Social programs to support immigrants have not been developed. The legal framework for migration in Iceland is such that it is not possible for those arriving from “far abroad” to remain for permanent residence. Two methods that allow you to remain in the state permanently:

— receiving an invitation to work for the long term;

- conclusion of a marriage.

Icelandic life as it is

Due to its isolation, Iceland has significant differences from other European countries. Its subjects are recognized as conservatives, but also try to keep up with many cutting-edge trends in the world. The descendants of the Vikings, as they proudly say to themselves, highly value work. Mining, fishing and farming are standard and core areas of the state economy.

Currently, the market for services and business tourism has begun to develop rapidly in Iceland. In Iceland, cities are a new phenomenon with large population growth today. Local residents follow the laws and do not welcome conflict. There are almost no traffic accidents here; drivers calmly wait for pedestrians to cross the road. They are characterized by pedantry, but during the celebrations they will not miss the chance to “take a walk”, drink strong drinks and enjoy the local “delicacy”, which reduces the digestive system of many European people. We are talking about “haukarl” - rotten shark meat.

Happy people

Eighty percent of locals are legally employed.
A classic family, after all tax deductions, receives a “net” income of twenty-four thousand US dollars. Almost every person owns a home and purchased a car on credit. Forty thousand dollars without tax deduction is the average annual salary or about three thousand three hundred dollars monthly. According to Icelanders, they are satisfied with this amount of income.

Things are not going well with education. The high school graduation rate has stagnated at seventy percent. There are a lot of people of retirement age in Iceland.

Important! The retirement age is not officially defined.

According to reviews, more than eighty-five percent of the country's population are satisfied and happy. This is facilitated by the social model of society inherent in the Scandinavian states, the environmental situation and the level of medical guarantees.

What is life like for Russians in Iceland?

According to the Russian Embassy in Iceland, there are about three hundred citizens of our country there, and about one thousand Russian-speaking “countrymen” - immigrants from the former USSR. The community was formed in the 90s of the twentieth century as a result of labor migration. The state signed labor contracts with various Russian specialists - coaches of various sports disciplines. Russians moved for permanent residence by marrying Icelandic citizens.

A large number of Russians work in fishing, in manufacturing, and in construction. There are very few people who work as translators, doctors, teachers, or in sports. Salary varies depending on working conditions, but its size is decent.

As soon as your three years of legal stay in Iceland have ended and you have a job, you can safely apply for permanent residence. After 7 years of official residence, Russian immigrants begin to think about a passport. Since 2003, the state has not prohibited dual citizenship.

Pros and cons of Icelandic life. Stable and safe life, specific nature and clean ecology, friendliness of the local population are the fundamental advantages. Disadvantages - boring and insipid, no dynamics.

Nevertheless, this is a very amazing state, extraordinary. It fully rewards those who decide to call it their second homeland.

Documentation

To submit an application for legalization, you need to provide the following documents:

• documents that confirm the need to provide such status;
• certificate of payment of taxes and no criminal record;

  
  Sample certificate of no criminal record

• photographs (3 pcs.);
• complete a written survey;
• identification;
• letters of guarantee from Icelandic citizens.

Note! A prerequisite is good knowledge of the local language.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of living on the territory of a given state, which attracts people to move, include the following:

• stable economy;
• absence of military operations and terrorist attacks;
• beautiful area and good ecological state of nature;
• low prices for utility bills;
• unhindered receipt of refugee status;
• there is practically no crime;
• high wages and standard of living;
• friendly local population;
• decent social protection.

Here are the disadvantages. Although there are few of them, they still exist:

• lack of variety, very measured course of life;
• cold climate, short daylight hours;
• high housing rents;
• high pricing policy for food products;
• strict immigration laws;
• remote location, getting to the country is expensive;
• difficult to find a job;
• language barrier (local language is difficult to learn);
• inconvenience in movement (no railways);
• foreigners do not have the right to buy real estate;
• threat of volcanic eruptions.

And also the local population does not welcome marriages with foreigners.

Migration to Iceland is gaining more and more popularity today, despite certain difficulties. If there is a strong desire and reasons to move and settle in a new place, then this is quite doable. It’s worth deciding on a way to achieve your goal and starting to act.

Common immigration methods

If the final decision is made to immigrate to Iceland, there are several possible options for how to properly immigrate to this country and obtain citizenship, the most common options are the following (what is needed and how to leave):

1. getting an education;
2. business immigration;
3. employment in Iceland;
4. marriage to an Icelandic citizen;
5. buying a home;
6. obtaining refugee status.

Each of these methods has its own characteristics that require detailed consideration.

Getting an education

One of the easiest ways to obtain citizenship and move to Iceland for permanent residence is to obtain education in the country. Local education is considered inexpensive by today's standards; on average, you will have to spend no more than $5,000 a year on education.

To enter a local university and subsequently become a full-fledged citizen of the country, you must:

• pass exams on language proficiency (it is not necessary to know both Icelandic and English, proficiency in one of the languages ​​will be enough);
• choose a university and pass entrance exams;
• prepare documents for entry into the country (visa, passport);
• pay for training;
• contact the immigration bureau, submit all necessary documents to obtain a residence permit;
• move.

Citizenship in the country can be obtained after 7 years of stay in it.

Business immigration

This method of immigration is somewhat more complicated for foreign citizens from non-EU countries, the fact is that there are a number of restrictions that apply to doing business for foreign citizens in Iceland.

There are restrictions on economic work in the following areas:

• catching and selling fish;
• energy;
• aviation.

You can start work only after receiving all the necessary permits from the Ministry of Commerce.

Opportunities for citizens from the EU are much wider; they can engage in all types of commercial activities in the country after obtaining a work permit.

Provided they work with a permit and regularly pay taxes (each activity has its own tax), businessmen can stay in the country with a multiple visa and subsequently, after 7 years, obtain citizenship.

Another direction for moving is such a prosperous country as Finland, but this information will help you understand how to get a residence permit in Finland.

Immigration for employment

When applying for a job, within 3 months from the date of hiring, the foreigner and the employer enter into an employment agreement (contract), which spells out in detail all the conditions of employment: position, place of work and salary level, responsibilities of the employee and employer.

EU citizens need information about contributions to the pension fund and joining a trade union. For foreign citizens from non-EU countries, you will need an application for permission to work, which is attached to other documents. Next, the documents are submitted for consideration to a special commission, which first checks other applications for this position from EU citizens. It will also be interesting to know what kind of work in Germany is most common for Russians.

Stay in the country is limited to three months, so to obtain permission for a longer period you need to submit an application for a residence permit and do this in advance, while the remaining documents are being prepared.

Purchase of real estate

You can purchase housing in Iceland in the same way as in a number of other countries. The purchase procedure takes place through an agency, which makes all the necessary documents, only during the signing and transfer of documents you need to personally appear at the agency’s office, otherwise all the work will be done without the owner. Next comes the process of checking the documents and the authenticity of the transaction.

In Iceland there is a program for obtaining a loan for the purchase of real estate by foreign citizens, you can use it. Purchasing housing does not provide a 100% guarantee of obtaining a residence permit or citizenship, but it increases the chances of facilitating the entire procedure and a positive response. It will also be interesting and useful to learn more about permanent residence in Canada from Russia.

The purchase of land plots for foreign citizens is prohibited; land can only be rented.

Marriage

A very common immigration option among young people, marriage does not immediately mean citizenship. To become a full-fledged citizen of the country, you will need to live in a boat with your spouse for at least 4 years from the date of filing your application for citizenship.

The spouse must have been an Icelandic citizen for at least five years before marriage, in which case you can expect to receive citizenship after 4 years of marriage.

Obtaining refugee status

It is more than possible to obtain refugee status in Iceland; besides, along with this status, foreign citizens receive good social benefits, but the main condition is that there is a good reason to confirm the need for such status.

After living for only 3 years with refugee status in Iceland, you can apply for citizenship.

Since this option is not the most common and, fortunately, not all foreign citizens need it, you will have to consider other options for obtaining citizenship.