Application for an identification number for non-EEA and EFTA citizens

Application for an identification number before a foreigner arrives in the country

Foreigners might need an identification number (ID No.) before they arrive in the country, for example if they need to purchase Icelandic health insurance. In such cases it is the insurance company that applies for an ID No. on behalf of the foreigner by filling out the form ,,Beiðni um skráningu og úthlutun kennitölu til erlends ríkisborgara”: It is necessary to print out the form and sign it. A copy of the foreigner's passport has to be included with the application which must be posted to Registers Iceland.

An individual that has not arrived in the country, even though he has been assigned an ID No., is only registered in a special identification register (kennitöluskrá) at Registers Iceland, with his address and legal domicile registered abroad. The individual does not earn any rights in Iceland until he has been issued a residence permit and his legal domicile registered in Iceland.

Registers Iceland (www.skra.is), Directorate of Immigration (www.utl.is) and Multicultural Centre give further information.

Application for an identification number after a foreigner arrives in the country

Long-term stay

After a foreigner arrives in the country, and before he is issued a residence permit card, he needs to register an address in Iceland which later becomes his legal domicile. If the individual does not yet have an ID No. (for example through an insurance company), the Directorate of Immigration applies for an ID No. as a part of the application for a residence permit. An application for an ID No. and the registration of a legal domicile are parts of the application for a residence permit. The Directorate of Immigration handles applications for ID numbers from individuals who need residence permits or residence cards in Iceland.

If a foreigner needs an ID No. for purposes other than obtaining a residence permit, an institution or company must apply for an ID No. for him by filling out the form,,Beiðni um skráningu og úthlutun kennitölu til erlends ríkisborgara”.

A foreigner can not apply for an ID No. himself.

Short-time stay

A tourist that arrives in the country might need an ID No. in order to receive certain services. If that is the case the service provider has to apply for an ID No. on behalf of the tourist with Registers Iceland. The tourist is then registered in a special identification register (kennitöluskrá) at Registers Iceland, with his address and legal domicile registered abroad. The service provider applies for ID No. by filling out the form ,,Beiðni um skráningu og úthlutun kennitölu til erlends ríkisborgara”. It is necessary to print out the form and sign it. A copy of the foreigner's passport has to be included with the application which must be posted to Registers Iceland.