Coordinated Reception of Refugees
- Refugees, who have been granted international protection in Iceland, whether they arrived in the country independently or at the government's behest, receive coordinated services.
- The services include Icelandic and social education, as well as support for job seeking and other activities, such as studies, supported employment and vocational training.
- The social services of the relevant municipality, the Directorate of Labour and the Icelandic Red Cross are among the parties that handle refugee services.
- The Red Cross also provides refugees with general instructions, education and counselling and points them to resources available to them.
Right to interpreter services
- Immigrants often must use interpreters.
- They have a right to use an interpreter for health care when dealing with the police and in court.
- The institution in question pays for the interpreter.
- But you must ask for an interpreter yourself with notice. Don't be afraid to say you need an interpreter. That's your right.
- Other institutions also often use interpreters, e.g. schools and service centers.
Banks
- A bank is a company that mainly deals with payments, loans and returns.
- Individuals younger than 18 can't take out bank loans but can have a bank account (with their guardian's permission) and deposit money (save) and transfer (withdraw) money.
- Guardians are usually the parents of a child.
- Banks offer diverse services:
- Bank accounts.
- Debit and credit cards.
- Bank services online and via phone.
Bank Account
- Everyone must have a bank account to tend to their personal finances.
- It is best to have an open account that you can withdraw from when needed.
- Many people also open specific savings accounts.
- A bank account is necessary in order to be able to:
- Receive wages or benefits.
- Receive transfers from individuals, domestically or from overseas.
- Withdraw money, pay bills or electronically transfer into other accounts.
- When an individual has been granted a residence permit and registered with the National Registry (www.skra.is) – and been issued an Icelandic ID number (kennitala) - they can apply for a bank account.
- The bank will check that personal information (e.g. name, ID number, phone number, email address) is correct for all its customers.
- Banks also check where the money people deposit into their bank account comes from and how they intend to use the money.
- This is in the form of a questionnaire that everyone has to fill out (check the right answer) when they open a bank account.
- In Iceland, most people use electronic payment methods; card or smartphone payments.