The Minister of Justice of Iceland, Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, has formed a working group in order to review the country’s residence permit rules.
The main goal of the Ministry is to understand who is eligible to apply for permits and also ensure that the country’s immigration rules are in line with those of neighbouring countries, Schengen.News reports.
According to a report from News Time, it is expected that the working group will address the proposal to the Minister of Justice, on July 1, 2025.
We have far too little overview of the residence permit issue. We must look to the Nordic countries in this regard and explore how best to harmonise residence permits with them. This system has been in many ways in disarray in recent years, has been very costly, and it is long overdue for an overhaul.
The Minister expressed his hopes that this work will be good for the country and the people.
The number of residences permits in Iceland nearly doubled for a period from 2020 to 2024 from 5,559 to a total of 10,234. Besides, the number of applications for citizenship also more than doubled during the same period.
The Minister also attempts to gain a better overview of the challenges related to Iceland’s residence rules.
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For example, we don’t have a special residence permit for victims of human trafficking, and I believe that it is necessary to change that.
Iceland Plans to Revoke Citizenship From Criminals
Authorities in Iceland have unveiled plans to tighten citizenship rules in order to further enhance national security.
Earlier this year, the government of Iceland unveiled plans to discuss citizenship revocation for those committing serious offences, thanks to a bill that was submitted by several members of the Independence Party.
Back then, local media reports revealed that the proposal to amend the Citizenship Act aimed to revoke citizenship from those who offered false information to the Immigration Service.
However, those affected by potential citizenship revocation will not lose their Icelandic passport if they risk becoming stateless.
The proposal was submitted by Five Icelandic Politicians from the Independence Party, Among them, Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir, Vilhjálmur Árnason, Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, Jón Gunnarsson, and Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.
Criminal activity has become entrenched in society, and criminal groups linked to certain ethnic groups from the Middle East and Southeast Europe operate here. Diljá Mist
The proposal came following reports that criminality rates in Iceland have increased in the past few years.