| Country | Iceland (IS) |
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| Route | Iceland Shortage of Labour Work Permit 2026 |
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| Route family | Employment / skilled work |
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| Route type | work visa |
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| Summary | The shortage-of-labour route is exceptional and is intended for temporary shortages after recruitment in Iceland and the wider EEA/EFTA/Faroe labour market. |
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| Last verified | 2026-09-20 |
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| Official/supporting source count | 3 |
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| Route guide | Open full guide → |
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| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
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| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
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| Income requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Savings requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Investment requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Government fees | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Processing time | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Validity | A first temporary shortage-of-labour permit for a specific job may be granted for up to one year and renewed for up to two years at a time if the shortage and other conditions remain satisfied.As of 2026-09-20Source 1 |
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| Renewal | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Family inclusion | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Spouse work rights | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Local-work rules | The employer must first seek workers in Iceland and within the EEA, EFTA states or the Faroe Islands, and explain why hiring from outside those labour markets is necessary and important. The permit is tied to the approved job/employer conditions.As of 2026-09-20Source 1Source 2 |
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| Application location | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Permanent-residence pathway | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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| Citizenship pathway | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review. |
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