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7 ways to enter

Iceland visas

Iceland tourist visa

Some visitors can travel visa-free. Others need a short-stay Schengen visa. The usual limit is 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

Ways to get a Iceland tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories, including Kosovo, can make short visits.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Visitors who need a visa for a short tourist trip.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, within the permission shown on the visa.
    Valid for
    Up to five years. New applicants usually receive permission for their planned trip.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 standard; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Other waivers or reductions apply. An outside service provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra. Some nationalities may face a fee up to EUR 180, except children under 12.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an application accepted for processing with no issues; appointment delays can occur.
    1. Apply to Iceland's embassy or consulate if Iceland is your main destination.
    2. Submit the application no earlier than six months before entry, through an outside service provider if the mission uses one.
    3. Attend in person for your first application and interview.
    4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

  3. Entry using an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Iceland without an additional visa. An existing short-stay Schengen visa also covers Iceland unless restricted.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period when visiting on a qualifying long-stay visa or residence permit.

  5. Bilateral visa-free stay

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver arrangements with Iceland.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Iceland without counting time spent in other Schengen countries under these arrangements.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  6. Visa-free visit for refugees and stateless people living in Ireland

    No visa needed

    Refugees and stateless people who reside in Ireland qualify for Iceland's listed exemption.

  7. Diplomatic and official passport exemption

    No visa needed

    Diplomatic and official passport holders from the usual visa-waiver countries qualify, except Georgia and Mexico. Iceland also exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, and diplomatic passport holders from China.

    Stay
    Short visits; the usual visa-waiver passport exemption covers 90 days.

Who needs it

Visitors whose nationality or residence status does not give them a visa exemption need a Schengen visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can visit without a visa. European Union, Icelandic, Norwegian, Liechtenstein and Swiss citizens have separate rights to enter and stay. Some residence permit holders and family members also qualify.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Iceland's embassy or consulate if Iceland is your only or main destination.
  2. If you have no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry. Some missions use an outside application service.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.
  5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What to bring

  • A travel document issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least three months after your planned departure.
  • Evidence of enough money for your stay and onward or return journey.
  • Evidence explaining the purpose and conditions of your visit.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required.

Good to know

  • Count visits to Schengen countries together when checking the usual 90-day limit. Time in Gibraltar also counts towards visa-free stays.
  • Iceland's stated funds requirement is ISK 8,000 per day plus ISK 40,000 for each entry for visitors from outside the European single market.
  • Visa-free short visits do not allow paid work in Iceland.
  • You must not be listed for refusal of entry or pose a threat to public policy, security, public health or international relations.
  • Check any country restrictions printed on your visa.
  • Children under 12 do not provide fingerprints. Fingerprints supplied within the previous 59 months may not need to be collected again.
  • A visa valid for five years does not allow a five-year continuous visit.
  • Visas issued by Ireland or Cyprus do not give permission to enter Iceland.
  • A shared online visa application platform is planned. This does not establish an available Iceland e-Visa programme.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Iceland?

Visitors whose nationality or residence status does not give them a visa exemption need a Schengen visa. Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can visit without a visa. European Union, Icelandic, Norwegian, Liechtenstein and Swiss citizens have separate rights to enter and stay. Some residence permit holders and family members also qualify.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Iceland?

There are 7 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Entry using an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); European free movement (no visa at all); Bilateral visa-free stay (no visa at all); Visa-free visit for refugees and stateless people living in Ireland (no visa at all); Diplomatic and official passport exemption (no visa at all).

Who can go to Iceland without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories, including Kosovo, can make short visits. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Iceland without an additional visa. An existing short-stay Schengen visa also covers Iceland unless restricted. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Iceland without a visa. Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver arrangements with Iceland. Refugees and stateless people who reside in Ireland qualify for Iceland's listed exemption. Diplomatic and official passport holders from the usual visa-waiver countries qualify, except Georgia and Mexico. Iceland also exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, and diplomatic passport holders from China.

How long can I stay on a Iceland tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Iceland tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other exemptions and reductions apply. An application service provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra. For some nationalities, the visa fee may rise to EUR 180, except for children under 12.

How long does a Iceland tourist visa take?

A decision is due within 15 calendar days after an application is lodged, if it is accepted for processing and has no issues. Appointment delays can occur.

How long is a Iceland tourist visa valid?

Visas can be valid for up to five years. New applicants usually receive a visa covering their planned trip. Entries: One, two or multiple entries, as shown on the visa..

What documents do I need for a Iceland tourist visa?

A travel document issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least three months after your planned departure.; Evidence of enough money for your stay and onward or return journey.; Evidence explaining the purpose and conditions of your visit.; Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required..

How do I apply for a Iceland tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Iceland's embassy or consulate if Iceland is your only or main destination. 2. 2. If you have no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry. Some missions use an outside application service. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required. 5. 5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a Iceland tourist visa?

Count visits to Schengen countries together when checking the usual 90-day limit. Time in Gibraltar also counts towards visa-free stays. Iceland's stated funds requirement is ISK 8,000 per day plus ISK 40,000 for each entry for visitors from outside the European single market. Visa-free short visits do not allow paid work in Iceland. You must not be listed for refusal of entry or pose a threat to public policy, security, public health or international relations.

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