Table of Contents

Overview of Iceland

A Nordic island nation in the middle of the Norwegian sea, Norway is Iceland’s nearest neighbor at about 1629 km across the waves. Its official language is Icelandic, but the majority of its population of 364,000 people speak English.

Despite its small size and remote location, Iceland attracts an average of 2 million visitors a year-more than 6 times its population size. Travelers come from all over to experience Iceland’s otherworldly landscape of towering glaciers, dramatic geysers and rugged coastline. A top destination for adventure tourism, thrill seekers can explore Iceland’s three national parks, climb its active volcano, and scuba dive the famed Silfra Fissure, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. The whale watching capital of Europe, animal lovers can also ride Icelandic horses through its fairytale countryside sprinkled with waterfalls. The most famous of these, the Dettifoss, is a destination in its own right as the second most powerful falls in Europe. For sights, nothing beats the northern lights, observable from October-February. Despite its name, Iceland is generally cold but not freezing; winter temperatures are 0 °C on average, while summer temperatures average a refreshingly mild 20 °C. Iceland’s extreme northern location means that the sun shines all day and night, from May to July, while darkness prevails for over 20 hours a day in the winter months. Iceland’s climate and topography have produced a spa culture across the country, where volcanic activity has resulted in countless naturally occurring outdoor hot springs, the most famous of which is the Blue Lagoon. An extensive geothermal spa complex offering natural treatments and massages, the Blue Lagoon presents an alien landscape of cloudy cerulean pools wreathed with snow and steam.

One of four non-E.U. Schengen Member States, and one of two island Schengen countries, Iceland signed the Schengen Agreement in 1996, becoming part of the  Schengen area in 2001.

Iceland Schengen Visa Eligibility

Schengen visa  eligibility for Iceland includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Iceland/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Iceland:

1.     AFGHANISTAN

53.   LAOS

2.     ALGERIA

54.   LEBANON

3.     ANGOLA

55.   LESOTHO

4.     ARMENIA

56.   LIBERIA

5.     AZERBAIJAN

57.   LIBYA

6.     BAHRAIN

58.   MADAGASCAR

7.     BANGLADESH

59.   MALAWI

8.     BELARUS

60.   MALDIVES

9.     BELIZE

61.   MALI

10.   BENIN

62.   MAURITANIA

11.   BHUTAN

63.   MONGOLIA

12.   BOLIVIA

64.   MOROCCO

13.   BOTSWANA

65.   MOZAMBIQUE

14.   BURKINA FASO

66.   NAMIBIA

15.   BURMA/MYANMAR

67.   NAURU

16.   BURUNDI

68.   NEPAL

17.   CAMBODIA

69.   NIGER

18.   CAMEROON

70.   NIGERIA

19.   CAPE VERDE

71.   NORTH KOREA

20.   CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

72.   OMAN

21.   CHAD

73.   PAKISTAN

22.   CHINA

74.   PAPUA NEW GUINEA

23.   COMOROS

75.   PHILIPPINES

24.   CONGO

76.   QATAR

25.   COTE D’IVOIRE

77.   RUSSIA

26.   CUBA

78.   RWANDA

27.   DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

79.   SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

28.   DJIBOUTI

80.   SAUDI ARABIA

29.   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

81.   SENEGAL

30.   ECUADOR

82.   SIERRA LEONE

31.   EGYPT

83.   SOMALIA

32.   EQUATORIAL GUINEA

84.   SOUTH AFRICA

33.   ERITREA

85.   SOUTH SUDAN

34.   ETHIOPIA

86.   SRI LANKA

35.   FIJI

87.   SUDAN

36.   GABON

88.   SURINAME

37.   GAMBIA

89.   SWAZILAND

38.   GHANA

90.   SYRIA

39.   GUINEA

91.   TAJIKISTAN

40.   GUINEA-BISSAU

92.   TANZANIA

41.   GUYANA

93.   THAILAND

42.   HAITI

94.   TOGO

43.   INDIA

95.   TUNISIA

44.   INDONESIA

96.   TURKEY

45.   IRAN

97.   TURKMENISTAN

46.   IRAQ

98.   UGANDA

47.   JAMAICA

99.   UZBEKISTAN

48.   JORDAN

100.VIETNAM

49.   KAZAKHSTAN

101.YEMEN

50.   KENYA

102.ZAMBIA

51.   KUWAIT

103.ZIMBABWE

52.   KYRGYZSTAN

 

Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.

Required Documents for Iceland Visa

All documents required for your Icelandic Schengen visa must be completed/translated into English. Applications for Iceland Schengen visas  will contain the following Basic Required Documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Passport sized photos
  • Application form
  • Fingerprints (biometric data)
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Visa Fee
  • Materials related to your trip:
    • Reason for visit
    • Where you will stay (accommodation)
    • How you will fund your trip (finances)
    • Proof that you will leave Iceland before your visa becomes invalid/expires. This is often in the form of a paid roundtrip plane ticket (proof of return).

Note: For more information on what to include in your application, including a detailed description of required materials, please see: Basic Required Documents. Please note that you may have to submit additional Icelandic Schengen visa supporting documents related to your specific purpose for traveling.

Iceland Schengen visa fees

The standard Icelandic Schengen visa fee for an adult is 80 Euros. Certain types of applicants (most students, children under 6) are exempt from all visa fees. To get a Schengen visa for Iceland, you will likely have to submit a service payment with your visa application-this is a separate cost from the visa fee. Please note that these fees are non-refundable in the case of visa rejection.

Iceland Schengen Visa

How to Apply for Iceland visa: Steps

  • Step 1: Determine your Purpose for traveling to Iceland, which will determine the type of visa you should apply for.
  • Step 2: Determine how many Entries to Iceland/the Schengen area you need.
  • Step 3: Gather your Required Documents.
  • Step 4: Schedule a Schengen Visa appointment (if applicable).
    • Depending on the location of the consulate/visa center you are applying through, you may have to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application. Alternatively, you may be able to drop off your application without prior arrangement, so long as you do so during normal operating hours. Contact your consulate/visa center directly to find out if you need to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application.
  • Step 5: Fill out your application.
    • While different Icelandic Consulates/visa processing centers have different application procedures, you will almost certainly apply using this form, which you must download, complete, and print out. Submit this paper copy to whichever Icelandic Consulate/visa center you are applying through.
  • Step 6: Pay the application fee.
  • Step 7: Submit your Icelandic Schengen visa application (at least 15 days prior to travelling, not before 6 months).
    • Different Icelandic consulates/processing centers have different procedures for submitting applications. In almost all cases, applications must be submitted in person to the consulate/center you are applying through.
    • When you submit your application, you will likely also be asked to submit biometric data (fingerprints). Children younger than 12 years are likely exempt from having their fingerprints collected. However, facial photo capture is required for all applicants nevertheless of their age.
    • Please note, after submitting your application, you may be asked to return at a later date for a personal interview to provide further information/materials related to your trip.

When to Apply

Submit your iceland visa application at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply

Applications for Schengen visas to Iceland should be submitted at either an Icelandic Embassy/Consulate, a visa application center that has a relationship with Iceland, or at the consulate of a country representing Icelandic consular affairs.

Please note that only 3 Icelandic embassies/consulates issue visas: Beijing, Moscow and New Delhi.

In countries where there is no Icelandic consular presence (the majority of countries) applications may be lodged via the consulate of a Schengen state representing Icelandic consular interests.

You should ideally lodge your application for an Icelandic Schengen visa in the country where you legally reside/are a citizen.

Use this link to find a consulate/visa center relevant to you.

Processing Time for Iceland Schengen Visa

The Icelandic Schengen visa processing time is generally 15 days, although it can take longer in certain cases.

If your Iceland visa was approved:

Collect your visa and make sure the information it contains is valid and complete.

If your Iceland visa was denied:

If you receive a Schengen visa rejection for Iceland, you have the right to an appeal within 15 days of receiving your refusal.

Begin this process by picking up your standard issued-visa refusal form, which describes why your request was denied, and explains the detailed steps of the appeal process.

Your appeal will be considered by the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, Skógarhlíð 6, 105 Reykjavík.

If you applied through another country’s consulate, your appeal will be considered by that country’s respective authorities.

However you appeal, you will likely have to pay an appeal fee, which is generally non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the appeal (positive or negative).

Please note that your references may appeal on your behalf with your written authorization.

Finally, once you obtain your Schengen Visa for Iceland, please note the following:

Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Icelandic Consulate/visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary that occur after you have submitted your application.

Being approved for an Icelandic visa does not guarantee you entry to either Iceland or the general Schengen area – you can still be refused entry to both places upon arrival.

Alternatively, you may have to show additional documents regarding your finances or accommodation in order to enter Iceland/the Schengen area.

FAQ about Iceland Schengen Visa

Is Schengen visa valid for Iceland?

Iceland is a Schengen member state; therefore, a Schengen visa is valid for Iceland (for stays of up to 90 days).

How long is Schengen tourist visa valid for?

Tourist visas to Iceland—and all other types (purposes)—of Icelandic visas—are valid for 90 days out of 180.

Who needs Iceland visa?

Are you trying to visit Iceland for 90 days or fewer? Are you from a country which does not have visa-free access to the Schengen area (of which Iceland is a member)? If so, then you will need an Iceland visa in order to enter and remain in the country for the purpose of your visit.