The Danish authorities have announced that the Faroese authorities will now be responsible for processing residence permit applications that are submitted within the archipelago.
The new regulation giving decision-making authority to Faroe Islands entered into force on September 1, 2024.
Until now, those who wanted to reside and work in the Faroe Islands needed to apply with the Danish Immigration Service, which processed these applications in consultation with the Faroese government.
In line with the new rule, all applications for residence permits that are submitted in the Faroe Islands from September 1, 2024, will be processed by Útlendingastovan in the Faroe Islands.
The authority will be responsible for processing the majority of applications, including first-time residence permit applications, applications for extension of the current permit, permanent residence permit applications, and re-entry permits.
On the other hand, residence permit applications in the Faroe Islands under the Ukraine Special Act will be exempt from the new rule. These types of applications will continue to be processed by the Danish Immigration Service.
However, applications for residence permits in the Faroe Islands under the Ukraine Special Act are exempt and will continue to be processed by the Danish Immigration Service after September 1, 2024.
In addition, the decision-making authority of the Immigration Office on the Faroe Islands does not cover matters that concern asylum, visas, citizenship, and deportation.
Where to Submit Residence Permit Applications in Faroe Islands?
As the Immigration Office of the Faroe Islands, Útlendingastovan, explains, just as before, the residence permit applications in the archipelago can be submitted to the police, provided that the foreigners are staying on the Faroe Islands on legal grounds.
Additionally, it is now possible to submit applications to the Immigration Office via email. Explanations regarding special permits were also given by the authorities.
Special permits to travel back to the Faroe Islands, such as re-entry permits and Schengen visas, which certain foreigners in the Faroe Islands need for international travel, will still be issued by the police.
Foreigners must keep in mind that citizens from all countries, except Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, need a Work and Residence Permit in order to be able to take up residence or employment in the Faroe Islands.
