In 2022, 1 700 new immigrants obtained a residence permit longer than 12 months in Iceland (excluding EU citizens), 83% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 2% labour migrants, 16% family members (including accompanying family), 6% who came for education reasons and 76% other migrants. Around 500 short-term permits were issued to international students and 600 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration).
Poland, Ukraine and Romania were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase (2 200) and the United States the largest decrease (‑81) in flows to Iceland compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑9.1%, to reach around 4 100. The majority of applicants came from Ukraine (1 600), Venezuela (1 600) and the West Bank and Gaza Strip (200). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Venezuela (400) and the largest decrease nationals of Ukraine (‑700). Of the 1 540 decisions taken in 2023, 21% were positive.
Emigration of Icelandic citizens to OECD countries increased by 3% in 2022, to 2 100. Approximately 38% of this group migrated to Denmark, 21% to Sweden and 12% to Norway.
In October 2023, the Nordic Ministers responsible for immigration matters entered into co‑operation on return with three joint initiatives on reintegration and readmission. The first initiative allows Nordic migration and return attachés to co‑ordinate and support assisted voluntary returns from Nordic countries to countries of origin. The second focuses on returning individuals who do not have the right to remain in the EU and the Schengen area with joint Nordic return operations in collaboration with Frontex. The last project concerns co‑operation with IOM in providing services to stranded irregular migrants in North Africa.
In January 2024, the Ministry of Justice published a draft bill on the establishment of closed residential facilities. The bill allows the government to place in closed residential facilities those foreigners who must, or may have to, leave the country (in cases where a decision is being processed by government).
In February 2024, the Government of Iceland agreed on increased co‑ordination and action across government in immigration matters. It builds on four pillars, each including concrete actions. The first focuses on services for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, with several actions to improve efficiency and access to information. The second pillar concerns equal opportunities in Icelandic society, with actions focusing on establishing a comprehensive integration policy and increasing the supply of Icelandic language education. The third pillar aims to better use migrants’ skills, with a focus on bridging courses and a revision of residence permits. The last pillar concerns co‑ordination across levels of government, including a focus on the collection and processing of information and data.
In February 2024, the activation of Article 44 of the Foreign Nationals Act, No. 80/2016 was extended by one year, in line with the extension of the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.
In the area of integration, a Green Paper on the Matters of Immigrant and Refugees was released in October 2023, the first of its kind. It presents an initial status assessment of integration policy in Iceland, based on work carried out by a Minister-nominated steering group to draft a policy in the field of integration. An open consultation on the contents of the Green Paper followed.
In May 2024, a White Paper on Matters of Immigrants was released, based on challenges identified in the Green Paper. It includes a draft policy proposed over a 15‑year period. It sets out the government’s future vision, three objectives and 17 targets, along with a preliminary assessment of their impact. The three objectives are the following: Participation, equality and diversity, including targets on civic participation and poverty; Information, access and services, including targets on information provision and support for youth with migrant parents; Communication and language, including targets on the quantity and quality of Icelandic language services.
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