International Protection through Family Reunification - Parent of Unaccompanied Refugee Child

A parent applying for international protection through family reunification with his/her child, who has the status of an unaccompanied refugee child in Iceland, must

intend to live with their child in Iceland.

The unaccompanied refugee child must have been recognised as a refugee in Iceland before he or she turned 18.

have custody of the child, and

Only custodial parents have the right to family reunification with their children.

Custody documents , issued by a competent public authority, for example, district commissioners or courts. The documents must not be older than six months when the application is submitted.

Divorce papers . If the parents of a child are divorced and the divorce papers state who has custody of the child, such documents are deemed as sufficient confirmation of custody.

If one custodian of a child is deceased and the surviving custodian has sole custody, a certified copy of the death certificate is deemed as sufficient confirmation of custody.

The Directorate of Immigration may request that the application be accompanied by a family book so that the family ties of the parties can be confirmed.

A residence permit based on international protection as a parent of an unaccompanied refugee child is granted for three years at most, but never longer than the permit of the person on whom the right is based.

receives the same rights and obligations as the refugee they are reunited with in Iceland.

You can work in Iceland without a work permit.

The residence permit eintails the right to family reunification with Your children younger than 18 years old, who were born after you were granted protection in Iceland. Your parents, if they are 67 years or older

You can apply for a permanent residence permit after you have held a residence permit on grounds of international protection for four years.