Persons who are subject to persecution in their home country or face the risk of capital punishment, torture or inhumane or degrading treatment or penalty have the right to asylum as refugees in Iceland. An asylum seeker, who is not deemed to be a refugee, may be granted residence permit on humanitarian grounds provided strong arguments recommend this, such as serious illness or difficult circumstances in the home country.

The Directorate of Immigration processes applications for international protection at the first administrative level, but applications are to be submitted to the police.

Further information about asylum and international protection can be found on the website of the Directorate of Immigration.