Visa to Iceland
Information and frequently asked questions about a Schengen visa
The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European states, based on the Schengen Agreement, a treaty between the Member States, with the purpose of ending internal border checkpoints and controls within the area. Iceland has been a Member State of the Schengen Area since 2001.
Citizens from more than 100 countries, that have not been exempted from obtaining a Schengen visa, wishing to visit Iceland or any other Schengen Member State, must apply for a Schengen visa before entering the external borders of the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen Area from any of the Schengen member states, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Government Offices responsible for the issuance of Schengen visa to Iceland
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the Schengen cooperation and oversees the coordination of the category in Iceland. The Ministry of Justice has appointed the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration as the central authority with respect to the issuing of Residence Permits and short-term visas, commonly referred to as Schengen visas to Iceland. The Ministry of Justice has appointed the Ministry for Foreign Affairs as a collaborator with the Directorate of Immigration, in issuing Schengen visas to Iceland in selected embassies abroad. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is also responsible in establishing and maintaining representation agreements with other Schengen Member States, on Iceland’s behalf.
Representation agreements
Iceland has made representation agreements with 9 other Schengen Member States on processing applications for a Schengen visa to Iceland and issuing visas in more than 100 places where Iceland does not have a Diplomatic Mission. The Nordic countries have a close cooperation in Schengen visa matters and Embassies and Consulates General of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland represent Iceland in many locations. Furthermore, Iceland is represented by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Lithuania.
Frequently asked questions
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa allowing its holder to enter and freely travel within the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa is a permit, issued by a Schengen Member State with a view to:
- Transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen state of duration of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. (“short stay visa”)
- Transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen Member States (“airport transit visa”)
The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has a list of countries, whose citizens need to obtain a Schengen visa to travel to Iceland.
On this webpage of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration is a list of countries whose citizens do not need a Schengen visa to travel to Iceland.
Iceland process applications for as Schengen visa to Iceland at The Embassies of Iceland in China, India, Russia, in the United Kingdom and in the United states of America.
Visa applications for Chinese residents are to be submitted at the Iceland Visa Application centres in Beijing, Xi’an, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Fuzhou.
Visa applications for Indian residents are to be submitted at the Iceland Visa Application centres in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Goa, Chennai, Pune and Cochin.
Visa applications for Russian residents are to be submitted at the Iceland Visa Application centres in Moscow, St. Petersburg,
Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Vladivostok.
Visa applications for USA residents are to be submitted at the Iceland Visa Application centres in Washington DC, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Chicago (USA).
Visa applications for British residents are to be submitted at the Iceland Visa Application centers in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Representing States processes applications for a Schengen visa to Iceland in more than 100 places worldwide, for a list of places where you can apply for a Schengen visa to Iceland, please click here to open the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration. Furthermore, you can apply for a visa at designated Visa application centres, for a list of the locations, open the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
It depends on how many times you intend to enter the Schengen Area during the validity period of the visa issued.
Please note, that Iceland issues by default a single-entry visa to tourists. Unless the intended purpose of the trip clearly states the need of the issuance of a double entry or multiple entry visa and the purpose is further supported in the submitted application documents.
A single-entry Schengen visa
• A single-entry Schengen visa holder can enter the Schengen Area only once. The applicant cannot leave the Schengen Area and re-enter it during the same trip. (Note: it does not matter if you have not used all the days you applied for. Once you go out of the Schengen Area your visa is invalid)
A double entry Schengen visa
• A double entry Schengen visa holder can enter the Schengen Area twice during the same trip. It means that if you are traveling and you intend to leave the Schengen Area and then return before completing your journey you will apply for a double entry visa.
Multiple entry visa
Applicants with a multiple entry visa can leave and re-enter the Schengen area multiple times for up to 90 days per every 180-day period. Multiple entry visas with a long validity are issued to frequent travellers irrespective of travel purposes.
- 1-year multiple entry Schengen visa
Applicants who have obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years can apply for a one-year multiple entry visa. - 2-year multiple entry Schengen visa
The two-year multiple entry visa is granted to applicants who have obtained and lawfully used previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years. This visa gives the right to its holder to enter the Schengen area as many times as they wish within the period of two years. - 5-year multiple entry Schengen visa
Five-year multiple entry visas is granted to applicants who have obtained and lawfully used previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous three years.
On this website of the European Commission you can find a Schengen visa calculator, where you can calculate how many days are remaining of the validity of your Schengen visa.
If an Icelandic citizen, a permanent resident in Iceland or a company in Iceland wishes to invite a person who needs a Schengen visa to enter Iceland, the inviting party needs to write an invitation letter as a part of the visa application.
The contents of the invitation letter must include:
- Information about the applicant, name, date of birth, passport number.
- Name of the applicant’s employer and information about the relationship between the employer and the inviting company (for a business visa).
- The intended duration in the Schengen Area, number of days in Iceland and any other Schengen countries, if applicable.
- The intended purpose of the trip.
- The dates of entry to and exit from the Schengen Area.
- Information about the inviter, the name and details of a contact person and the relationship between the inviter and the applicant.
- Information about the party that will be responsible for the costs of the trip and accommodation during the applicant’s stay in Iceland. Will the applicant bear all the costs, in part or the inviter?
- An inviter can strengthen the invitation letter by e.g. attaching documents such as photographs that demonstrate a relationship between the applicant and the inviting party.
If an inviting party declares that it will provide it’s guest(s) with the means of substance while staying in Iceland, then the inviting party would need to hand in a personal/company bank account statement in order to demonstrate that it possesses sufficient funds to provide for its visitor(s).
The number and types of supporting documents that need to be handed in with a Schengen visa application may vary depending on the applicant's country of application.
In order to get the most accurate information regarding application requirements, applicants are advised to visit the websites of the embassy/consulate where they intent to apply for the visa.
Information about requirements in China on the following websites:
Information about requirements in Russia can be found on the following websites:
Information about requirements for India can be found on the following websites:
The Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi
Information about requirements for United states of America can be found on the following websites:
The Embassy of Iceland In Washington D.C
Information about requirements for United Kingdom can be found on the following websites:
The Embassy of Iceland In London
For information about requirements in other countries, please click here to open the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
The documents that must be handed in to meet the basic requirements for an application to Iceland.
Further information can be found on the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay in the Schengen Area, or from the return date to your home country. Please note that your visa application will be refused if this condition is not met.
The validity of your Schengen visa indicates that the visa can be used within the stated period. The duration is the number of days the traveler can stay within the validity period.
Example:
A Schengen visa has a validity from June 1st to August 31st, but a duration of only 30 days and a single entry. Then the traveler can enter the Schengen Area once from June 1 to August 31 and stay for a maximum period of 30 days.
The validity period of a Schengen visa cannot exceed 5 years.
No, you are not permitted to work in the Schengen Area if you are only holding a Schengen visa. The visa only grants you a short stay permit intended for tourism, business or visiting family and friends. Applications for a work permit need to be submitted directly to the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration. On the website of the Directorate of Immigration, you can find information on work permits in Iceland.
Holders of a Schengen visa who for some reason cannot leave Iceland before the end of the validity and/or duration of their stay, can as long as they can provide a valid reason for it, apply for an extension of the visa at the offices of the Directorate of Immigration located at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur. Outside opening hours of the Directorate of Immigration, the Schengen visa holder can go the Police station located at Hverfisgata 113, 105 Reykjavík and apply for a visa extension.
A visa holder must submit an application form, a copy of his passport, a copy of his existing visa, proof of medical insurance (travel insurance), a letter justifying the necessity for extending the visa, and a doctor‘s certificate (if applicable).
Note that these extensions only apply for emergencies. Overstaying your visa is a punishable offense and punishments may include a fine, immediate deportation and/or a ban to enter the Schengen Area for a period of time.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not a part of the Schengen Area and a regular Schengen visa is not valid for Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Consequently, a separate visa is required in order to travel to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. These visas are issued by Denmark.
The United Kingdom is not a part of the Schengen Area. Therefore, a Schengen visa does not grant you access to the UK. Check with UK authorities whether you need a visa to visit the UK.
Please note that if you hold a single-entry Schengen visa, you cannot re-enter the Schengen Area once you leave it. This means that if you intend to travel to the UK during your trip to the Schengen Area and then return back to a Schengen Member State, after your visit to the UK, you must apply for at least a double entry Schengen visa.
A UK resident, who is not a UK citizen and wishes to travel from the UK to Schengen Member States might need to apply for a Schengen visa.
When a Schengen visa application is refused, the applicant receives a refusal letter explaining the reason behind the decision. A Schengen visa refusal does not deny the applicant the right to re-apply for a Schengen visa at another time.
If a Schengen visa application is refused by the Directorate of Immigration in Iceland, the applicant can appeal the decision to the Icelandic Immigration Appeals Board within 15 days of receiving the refusal letter. Along with appeals, the applicant can hand in supporting documents that could help with granting the applicant the preferred outcome of the appeal.
If a Schengen visa application is refused by one of the representing states, the appeal should be sent to the proper authority in the respective state. For example, where Denmark represents Iceland with the processing of Schengen visa applications, a refusal letter will provide the applicant with information on whether or not the refusal will be automatically appealed to the Danish Immigration Service or if the applicant should do so individually.
The policy of the Icelandic Government is not to interfere with a decision made by representing states, since the Icelandic Government has made an agreement with the representing states, to process the applications and make decisions based on their own assessment. All the Schengen Member States base their assessment on the same regulation set by the European Commission. In addition, the representing states are more knowledgeable with regards to issues that might affect the decision made on visa applications from specific areas where Iceland does not have a Diplomatic Mission.
Travelers holding an Icelandic passport do not need a Schengen visa to enter other Schengen Member States, as long as Iceland is a Member of the Schengen Agreement. However, Icelandic citizens do need a visa to travel to a number of countries outside of the Schengen Area. For a list of countries and their visa requirements for Icelandic citizens, please click on the following link:
Iceland has made bilateral visa waiver agreements with third countries (see table below) allowing for an extension of the period of stay in accordance with Article 20(2) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement. Citizens of the below listed countries may stay for up to three months or 90 days (depending on the respective bilateral agreement) in Iceland, regardless of their prior stay in the Schengen Area in any 180-day period.
For example, a holder of an Australian passport can stay in Schengen Member States other than Iceland, for up to 90 days and then stay in Iceland for up to three months.
The Directorate of Immigration is the authoritative body in these matters. Please refer to them if you need more information.
|
Third country concerned[1] |
Length of stay[2] |
Category of passports[3] |
Entry into force and expiry date[4] |
|
Australia
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months * |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Wording: valid Australian passport |
Date of entry into force: 29th April 1969 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Brazil
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months * |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Wording: valid Brazilian passport |
Date of entry into force: August 28, 1969 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Chile
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: valid passport
|
Date of entry into force: June 1st, 1967 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Israel
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months * |
☒ Ordinary passports ☒ Diplomatic passports ☒ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☐ Other, please specify: |
Date of entry into force: 1 April 1966 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Japan
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Valid passport |
Date of entry into force: 20 November 1966 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Canada |
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: three months, may be extended |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Valid Canadian passport |
Date of entry into force: November 1, 1962 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Malaysia
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☒ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Valid Malayan passport |
Date of entry into force: July 1st, 1959 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Mexico
|
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months |
☒ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☐ Other, please specify: |
Date of entry into force: 1st March 1966 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
New Zealand |
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months * |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Valid New Zealand passports |
Date of entry into force: 1 February 1974 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Republic of Korea |
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☒ Maximum 90 days * ☐ Other, please specify: |
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: valid Korean passport |
Date of entry into force: April 1 1970 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date:
|
|
Uruguay |
☐ Maximum 30 days ☐ Maximum 60 days ☐ Maximum 90 days ☒ Other, please specify: Three months *
|
☐ Ordinary passports ☐ Diplomatic passports ☐ Service/official passports ☐ Special passports ☒ Other, please specify: Valid passport |
Date of entry into force: 8 August 1991 Expiry date: ☒ none ☐ date: |
*The three-month period will commence the day of entry to any Nordic State which is bound by the Convention of July 12, 1957 relative to the Passport Control Waiver between the Nordic States’ borders. Any sojourn in any of those States during the six months preceding the entry into any of those States from a non-Nordic State shall be included in the above period of three months.
[1] Not applicable
[2] Periods indicated in months will be converted into 31 days per month for the purpose of the EES calculator.
[3] Please note that the EEA will not be able to take account of any other categories than passport categories.
[4] Not applicable