Denmark
New digital application for those applying for a residence permit as an accompanying family member in Greenland
On 11 May 2026, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) launched a new digital application (GL2) for a residence permit in Greenland as an accompanying family member.
An individual can use the digital application to apply for a residence permit as an accompanying family member of a person who is either already in Greenland or who is going to Greenland to work or study, if the person has a temporary residence permit or has had a permanent residence permit for less than three years.
The application can also be used to apply for an extension of a current residence permit as an accompanying family member.
The application also gives access to a platform where the applicant can log in and see all of their ongoing and completed applications for up to 30 days.
For a certain period of time, it will still be possible to submit the paper version of the application physically or via SIRI’s contact form.
SIRI has also created a digital application for the family member, who the applicant is you accompanying to Greenland, if the person is working or going to work in Greenland.
The application is called GL1/5 and can be used to apply for a residence and work permit in Greenland on the basis of paid work. The family member can also use the application to apply for an extension of their current permit.
Iceland
Increased financial means requirement for residence and citizenship
Effective 18 May 2026, the reference amount required for an adult to be granted a residence permit or citizenship will be raised from ISK 247,572 to ISK 259,951 per month. The amount for married couples will be raised from ISK 396,115 to ISK 415,922 per month.
The amounts, which refer to pre-tax income, correspond with the financial support criteria of the City of Reykjavík.
The new reference amounts apply for applications received as of 18 May 2026.
Visa services transferred to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
The Directorate of Immigration has announced that, with the entry into force of the new Visa Act (No. 37/2026), responsibility for visa processing has been fully transferred from the Directorate to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
In addition to issuing visas to Iceland, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will from now on process applications for visa extensions and handle the issuance of visas for seafarers. Inquiries regarding visa extensions and seafarer visas should henceforth be sent to visa@utn.is.
At the same time, the provision in the Foreign Nationals Act concerning long-term visas has been repealed, and a new provision on short-term residence permits has entered into force. Foreign nationals wishing to stay in Iceland for longer than 90 days may apply for such a permit with the Directorate of Immigration, provided that the purpose of their stay does not fall under existing residence permit categories and that they do not intend to settle permanently in Iceland.
Further information on the requirements for short-term residence permits and the application process will be published on the Directorate of Immigration’s website as soon as available.
