Department of International Affairs

Director: Ragna Bjarnadóttir

The Department of International Affairs is responsible for matters within the Icelandic public administration that pertain to crime prevention, border control, and immigration affairs.

The Department develops policy and legislation within its field of responsibility and safeguards compliance with the law in administrative practice. It also ensures that the Minister ‘s policy objectives are implemented through effective and coordinated action.

Furthermore, the Department of International Affairs provides information to Alþingi and its committees and represents the Government in its relations with individuals, stakeholders and NGOs within its field.

The Department’s areas of responsibility include

  • Measures against organized crime
  • Money laundering
  • Anti corruption measures
  • Cybercrime
  • Counter-terrorism and the financing of terrorism
  • Border control
  • Schengen cooperation
  • Extradition and surrender of offenders
  • Nationality and citizenship
  • Residence permits
  • International protection (asylum)
    International cooperation in these domains is gaining significance, particularly within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Schengen cooperation, FATF (Financial Action Task Force), and the EEA Agreement. Iceland further participates in collaborative initiatives under the OECD and the Council of the Baltic Sea States, especially in the area of crime prevention.

The Department of International Affairs employs ten specialists in addition to the Director.

Organizational chart