Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?
Although Iceland is not in the European Union (EU), it is part of the Schengen Agreement that allows for 90 days of travel in the EU without a visa for nationals of certain countries. Schengen is a passport-free zone with 27 member states that covers most European countries and makes up the world's largest area of free travel. Depending on your nationality, there may be different entry requirements into the Schengen region.
For EU nationals of Schengen member countries, you can enter Iceland with your passport or other valid identification document. An agreement held between the Schengen member states and several other countries allows free entry, travel, and departure from the EU for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This includes citizens from Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, and New Zealand. Nationals from these countries can enter Iceland without a Schengen visa but may still need to abide by certain entry requirements.
If you are from a country that has not yet reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, you will most likely require a Schengen visa before arriving in Europe. Some of the countries included in this are China, Egypt, India, and Indonesia.
Iceland entry requirements
Visa-exempt countries
If you are from a visa-exempt country, you will still need to abide by the entry requirements of the EU country you are entering from. If you are arriving in Iceland, you may need:
- A valid passport that has been issued within the previous 10 years and is valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU
- You may need: proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, a round-trip airline ticket, travel insurance, etc.
- Relevant information about your stay in Iceland, such as how long you intend to stay, the purpose of your entry, etc.
It is also important that you receive an entry stamp in your passport upon arrival to the Schengen area from the border officer. You could be fined or detained if you do not have a stamp in your passport.
Countries requiring a visa
Nationals from countries that are not yet part of the Schengen free-travel agreement may need to apply for a Schengen visa that can allow them to travel to any member state in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days per stay for either tourism or business purposes. You will need to show this visa alongside your passport upon entry to Iceland. You may also be required to show the aforementioned documents and answer the same questions.
Schengen visa application
If you are in need of a visa to enter Iceland, it is important to leave as much time as possible before your travel date, as applications can take longer than expected.
Documentation
When applying for the Schengen visa, you may need several documents, including:
- An Iceland visa application form
- Two passport photos according to specific passport requirements
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages, three more months of validity beyond your planned stay in the Schengen, and must be issued within the last 10 years
- Copies of your previous visa (if applicable)
- Schengen travel health insurance
- Round trip flight itinerary
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds
- A cover letter that includes why you are visiting and how long you plan to stay
- Proof of civil status
- Other documents relevant to your employment status
Application process
The general application process for a Schengen Visa for entry into Iceland includes these stages:
- Complete the online application form relevant to your visa, which officials will then review
- Reserve an appointment time at an Icelandic consulate and make sure you have a signed, hard copy of your Schengen Visa application form with you when you go
- Gather your supporting documents for visa officials to look over
- Attend your appointment at the Icelandic consulate
- Wait for your visa approval (this could take up to 15 days)
If you are planning to be in one of the Schengen countries for longer than 90 days to study, work or live, you will need to attain a different type of visa specific to the country you will be in.
Schengen visa fees
The fees shown below are typically the fees to be paid during your Schengen visa application.
- Adults: €80
- Children between 6-12 years of age: €40
- Children under the age of 6: Free
These fees may change depending on several factors, including if you are a national from a country that is granted visa discounts for Iceland.
Please note that even if you're granted a Schengen Visa for travel into Iceland, you're not automatically guaranteed entry into the country with border and immigration officials at the airport determining whether you'll be allowed to stay in Iceland once you get there. This also applies to nationals travelling from visa-exempt countries.
The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.
Last updated: 22 July 2022
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