Iceland Working Holiday / Youth Mobility in 2026

Iceland's Working Holiday / Youth Mobility residence permit is based on bilateral agreements. Current official guidance covers citizens of Andorra, Canada, Chile, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Eligibility is country-specific. The current schemes generally use an 18–30 age window, but applicants should verify the exact rule for their nationality and the other bilateral conditions before applying.

Duration and renewal

A Working Holiday / Youth Mobility permit can be granted for up to one year.

Andorran, Canadian, Chilean and UK citizens can renew the permit for up to one additional year if the applicable conditions are met. Japanese citizens cannot renew the Icelandic Working Holiday permit under the current rules.

Work, family and settlement

The permit includes an unlimited work permit, meaning the holder can work and change employer without applying for a new work permit.

The route does not confer a right to family reunification and is not a basis for permanent residence. It is therefore materially different from employer-linked residence permits that can count toward settlement.

The application fee and procedural details also vary by nationality. Japanese applicants currently do not pay the Working Holiday processing fee, while the other bilateral groups listed above are subject to the published fee.

Related: expert work, studies and post-graduation, Iceland hub, and the legal disclaimer.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Iceland