Faroe Islands to require criminal record certificates for foreign nationals applying for work permits

There should be a requirement for foreign nationals to provide a criminal record certificate when applying for work and residency permits in the Faroe Islands.

This was stated by Bjarni Kárason Petersen, the Minister of Home Affairs. In response to a query from MP Beinir Johannesen regarding the criminal records of foreigners wishing to work in the Faroes, Petersen indicated his intention to request that the Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration establish rules requiring such documentation.

The current legislation permits such conditions. Petersen emphasized that both national authorities and employers must ensure that foreigners coming to the Faroe Islands for work are not convicted criminals.

He believes that initially, companies hiring foreign workers should demand a criminal record certificate. The Faroese immigration law allows for these kinds of conditions to be imposed on work permits.

The Danish minister and the Faroese government can negotiate these stipulations, according to Petersen, who plans to discuss the matter with the minister.