The University of Iceland advises non-EEA applicants that starting in the spring semester is unlikely due to the tight processing window. Plan for an autumn start if possible.
Can you be in Iceland while your application is processed?
This depends on whether you need a visa to enter the Schengen Area.
If you need a Schengen visa: You may not be in Iceland when you apply or while your application is being processed. If you are, the application will be refused. You may only travel to Iceland after approval.
If you are visa-exempt (citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others): You may be in Iceland during processing, as long as your total stay in the Schengen Area does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. If you overstay the 90-day limit, processing will be paused until you leave and provide proof of departure.
Check whether you need a visa at island.is.
After your permit is approved
Once the Directorate grants your permit, they will contact you with next steps. For most students, this means:
Book a photo appointment. You need to have your photograph taken for the residence permit card. Book this through the Directorate's appointment system before arriving if possible.
Medical examination. Some nationalities are required to undergo a medical exam. If this applies to you, the Directorate will include instructions with your approval. Schedule the exam promptly after arrival, as delays can jeopardize your permit.
Submit your housing certificate. You must provide proof of your address in Iceland.
Complete arrival requirements promptly. The Directorate expects students to undergo a medical exam (if required) within two weeks of arrival. The hard cutoff is two months: students who have not been photographed, submitted a housing certificate, and completed a medical exam (if applicable) within two months of arrival will not receive their permit, and their stay will be considered illegal.
Once all conditions are met, you will receive a kennitala (Iceland's national ID number) and your residence permit card will be mailed to your Icelandic address within about 10 days. The kennitala is essential for nearly everything in Iceland, from opening a bank account to registering at your university. See our kennitala guide for more on how it works.
Student permit validity and renewal
Student residence permits are granted for up to one year. For most students below the doctoral level, the permit is initially valid for six months (one semester). Doctoral students typically receive a one-year permit.
Renewal is possible for up to one year at a time, provided you still meet the conditions and can show satisfactory academic progress. Apply for renewal at least four weeks before your current permit expires. If you submit your renewal application less than four weeks before expiry, it will be treated as a first-time application rather than a renewal.
After graduation, your permit can be renewed for up to three years to allow you to search for employment as an expert. This is a significant advantage over many other countries' post-study work rules.
Permanent residency is possible through a student permit, but with conditions. A student permit alone cannot serve as the basis for permanent residency.
You need at least two years on a permit type that qualifies for permanent residence (such as a work permit), combined with at least two years on a student permit, for a total of four or more years of continuous legal residence in Iceland. You must not have spent more than 90 days abroad in any single year during that period. For the full requirements, see our Icelandic citizenship guide.
Working while studying in Iceland
Student permit holders may work in Iceland, but only after obtaining a separate student work permit from the Directorate of Immigration.
The work permit allows up to 22.5 hours per week (60% of full-time), except during study breaks when full-time work is permitted. You may not begin working before the work permit is issued. The permit is tied to a specific employer, so you will need a new permit if you change jobs.
The 22.5-hour limit is sufficient for part-time work at cafes, retail shops, or university research positions, which is how many international students supplement their income.
Iceland student visa costs and tuition
Residence permit processing fee: 70,000 ISK (as of January 2026). This applies to both first-time applications and renewals.
University tuition. Public universities in Iceland, including the University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands), currently charge no tuition fees regardless of nationality. All students pay an annual registration fee of 100,000 ISK (~$700 USD, as of 2026). Non-EEA/EFTA applicants at the University of Iceland also pay a one-time handling and processing fee of 20,000 ISK (as of 2026).
Pending tuition changes for non-EEA students. The Icelandic government has proposed legislation allowing public universities to charge tuition fees to non-EEA/EFTA students beginning their studies in 2026 or later. At least one institution, the Iceland University of the Arts, has confirmed it will charge tuition to non-EEA students starting in autumn 2026.
The University of Iceland has not yet confirmed specific amounts. Check your chosen university's website for the latest fee information before applying.
Private universities already charge tuition. At Reykjavik University, non-EEA undergraduate students pay 897,000 ISK per semester (as of the 2026/2027 school year). Graduate fees range from 1,052,000 to 1,292,000 ISK per semester depending on the program.
Check the RU tuition page for current figures. Bifröst University also charges tuition for its programs.
Living costs. Budget at least 247,572 ISK per month (the minimum the Directorate requires you to demonstrate). In practice, living in Reykjavik on a student budget is tight at that level. Housing is the largest expense. For a detailed breakdown of what things cost in Iceland, see our cost of living guide and budget calculator.
Icelandic universities with English-taught programs
Several Icelandic universities offer programs in English at the graduate level. A few offer undergraduate programs in English as well.
University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) is the country's largest and oldest university, located in Reykjavik. It offers graduate programs in fields including computer science, renewable energy, environment and natural resources, and Viking and medieval Norse studies. No tuition fees (registration fee only). See english.hi.is.
Reykjavik University (RU) is a private university strong in business, computer science, engineering, and law. It offers several English-taught programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Tuition fees apply. See ru.is.
University of Akureyri (Háskólinn á Akureyri) is located in northern Iceland and offers select programs in English, particularly in polar law and natural resource sciences. See unak.is.
Bifröst University is a small private university in western Iceland offering programs in business and law, some in English. Tuition fees apply. See bifrost.is.
University Centre of the Westfjords in Ísafjörður offers a master's program in Coastal and Marine Management taught entirely in English. See uw.is.
For help with your first weeks after arriving, including finding housing and setting up essentials, see our first 30 days checklist.
Bringing your family
A student permit holder has the right to apply for family reunification for:
Your family members will need to apply for their own residence permits. You must demonstrate that you can financially support them (the higher financial thresholds listed above apply). For details on the family reunification process, see our family reunification guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get an Iceland student visa? Processing times vary, but the Directorate of Immigration recommends submitting your complete application by May 1 for the autumn semester (with a processing cutoff of June 1) and by October 1 for the spring semester. Applications submitted with all required documents before these deadlines are typically processed before classes begin. Late or incomplete applications may not be processed in time.
Can I work on a student visa in Iceland? Yes, but you need a separate student work permit from the Directorate of Immigration. The permit allows up to 22.5 hours of work per week during term time and full-time work during study breaks. You cannot start working until the work permit has been granted, and the permit is tied to a specific employer.
Is university free in Iceland for international students? Public universities in Iceland currently charge no tuition, only an annual registration fee (100,000 ISK at the University of Iceland, as of 2026). That said, the government has proposed allowing public universities to introduce tuition fees for non-EEA/EFTA students starting in 2026.
Check directly with your chosen university for the most current fee information. Private universities like Reykjavik University do charge tuition.
Can I stay in Iceland after graduation? Yes. Graduates of Icelandic universities can renew their student residence permit for up to three years after completing their degree to search for employment. This is one of the more generous post-study work provisions in Europe.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa? The minimum financial requirement is 247,572 ISK per month for a single applicant (as of March 2026). For a one-year permit, you need to demonstrate that amount for the full 12 months.
Married couples must show 396,115 ISK per month. The Directorate accepts bank account balances as proof, not cash or third-party support.
Do I need to speak Icelandic to study in Iceland? Not for English-taught programs. Most graduate programs at Icelandic universities are taught in English, and some undergraduate programs are as well. Undergraduate programs at the University of Iceland are primarily in Icelandic.
For daily life, English is widely spoken in Reykjavik, but learning Icelandic will help with social integration and is valuable for long-term career prospects. See our guide to learning Icelandic for resources.
Last updated: March 2026
The student permit application is paper-based. The Directorate of Immigration does not accept first-time student permit applications electronically. Here is the process step by step.