Iceland Visa For Indians
A nation occupying a landmass more than 100 times smaller than that of India, Iceland has for people from all over the world. The good thing is, you do not need to hail from any European country to apply for an Iceland visa.
If you are an Indian or a Nepalese citizen, you may apply for the Iceland Schengen Visa. According to the rules of Iceland Embassies in India, in order to apply for a visa, you will have to first register either online or at your nearest Icelandic Embassy. You are also required to submit all the documents that are needed such as your passport, proof of accommodation and return tickets and hotel reservations along with the photocopies of your passport, payment receipt and maybe even more depending on your situation.
Are you looking to visit Iceland? But confused with complicated documentation? Don’t panic, we are here to help you. First thing first, application for visa need to be submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Iceland in India.
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Iceland Visa For Indians
India is an upper middle income country with a GDP (PPP) per capita of $3,800 making India one of the largest economies in the world. Such a thriving economy comes with a lot of benefits due to its developing capabilities and social structure. However, with the economic power comes a lot of foreign nationals looking to make India their home as well.
Who qualifies for an Icelandic visa? This is one of the most frequent questions we get. Iceland does have clear rules as to who can qualify and who can’t, but there are a lot of grey zones people do not see and end up failing their application! Let’s look at the main things that make or break your Icelandic Visa application to see what we can do to make things smoother.
Iceland Schengen Visa
Is Iceland part of Schengen Area?
Yes, Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area. The island country first signed the Schengen agreement on 19 December 1996. It signed a second agreement, which replaced the first, on 18 May 1999 following the incorporation of the agreement into EU law with the Treaty of Amsterdam. Iceland finally started the implementation of the agreement on 25 March 2001.
Do I Need a Visa for Iceland?
If you wish to travel to Iceland and remain there for up to 90 days within a six-month period, you may have to apply for an Iceland Schengen visa. You will have to apply for this kind of visa if you are a passport holder of one of the countries that do not have a visa facilitation agreement with Schengen.
Do Indians need a visa to travel to Iceland?
Iceland is not a member of the European Union (EU) but is in the Schengen Area – meaning you will at least need a short-stay Schengen Iceland Visa to travel there.
Iceland Visa Application
Based on the information given above you must have figured out whether you need a Schengen visa or not to enter Iceland. If you do not, then you can just travel to Iceland with your valid passport and documents related to your trip, in case the border officers ask you about it.
If you need a Schengen visa to enter Iceland person then you will have to follow some procedures to get it. The application process for an Iceland Schengen Visa contains several steps, which you need to follow in the given order below:
- Find out when you need to apply for a visa to Iceland.
- Check where you need to apply for an Iceland visa.
- File the Iceland visa application form.
- Collect the required documents.
- Schedule a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Pay the Iceland visa fee.
Find Out When You Need to Apply for an Iceland Visa
To begin the application for an Iceland visa, you must first apply on time. Every embassy in the world has appointed a limited period within which the visa candidates can file their applications. As Iceland is a Schengen country, the process goes the same as for every member state. You can submit a visa application as follows:
- The earliest: six months prior to your intended trip
- The latest: two weeks before your trip
- Recommended: at least three weeks prior to your trip
Check Where You Need to Apply for a Visa to Iceland
The Icelandic embassies and consulates around the world do not receive visa applications. Instead, Iceland has outsourced visa admission and procession to the embassies and consulates of other Schengen states.
In addition, if you are applying for an Iceland short-stay visa, but you plan to visit other Schengen countries too, you should submit a visa application to Iceland only if:
- You will be spending more days in Iceland, compared to other Schengen countries
- You will be spending an equal amount of days in each country, but you will enter Schengen through Iceland
Fill-in the Icelandic Schengen Visa Application Form
After you figure out what visa you need, where and when to apply, you can now take concrete steps. Start by filling in the application form for an Iceland visa.
The application form for an Iceland visa contains questions about you as:
- Name and surname
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality
- Sex and marital status
- National Identity number
- Passport number
- Home address and email
- Purpose of trip
- Question regarding previous trips to Schengen, if any
- Intended date of arrival in Iceland, and the intended period of stay
- Cost of traveling and remaining in Iceland, who will cover them, etc.
Make sure your answers are correct and that they comply with the information in the rest of the documents. Complete the form, print it twice, and sign both copies at the end.
Collect the necessary documents
Start collecting the required documents for a Schengen visa to Iceland one by one. Make sure they all comply with the criteria set by the Schengen authorities.
Schedule a Visa Appointment
It is mandatory to schedule an appointment for an Iceland visa interview. The embassies and consulates representing Iceland do not receive walk-in applications.
In most of the countries, you can schedule the appointment online. However, in others, the applicant must make an appointment in person. For more in this regards, you should check with the diplomatic body representing Iceland in your country of residence.
Attend the Visa Interview
The visa interview is a meeting between you and the consular officer/interviewer. During this interview, the consular officer will ask you several questions about you and your intended trip. You will also be submitting the required documents throughout the meeting, to the interviewer.
You should pay attention to several things before and after the interview. First, show up on time at the appointment center. Wear something comfortable, which looks a bit more serious. Try not to be nervous.
During the interview, answer each question that the interviewers ask. Do not provide extra unnecessary information to the interviewer. Smile time after time. At the end of the interview, thank the consular officer for their time.
Pay the Iceland Visa Fee
The amount of money you will have to pay for a visa to Iceland depends on a few factors. These are the purpose of entry, the period of stay, your age, etc.
If you are an adult applying for a short stay visa for Iceland, you will need to pay a fee of €80. Children under the age of 12 have to pay a reduced fee of €40. Whereas, those under the age of six are waived from paying the fee.
The fee for a long stay visa to Iceland is around €56.
You will need to pay the fee either online if you are applying through a third-party company or in person during the interview.
How do I apply for an Iceland Visa from India?
You will first need to work out which Iceland Visa you need, depending on the purpose, length of your trip, and how many times you plan to visit. The standard Schengen Visa, for trips lasting up to 90 days, is a short-stay visa, with longer stays requiring a work, study or family reunion visa. Multiple-entry visas are also available if you plan on traveling to Iceland or other Schengen countries regularly.
You must apply for your visa no more than six months, and no fewer than 15 days, before your trip. Then you need to fill out your application, pay a fee of €80 for adults and €40 for minors, obtain all the documents you need for your Iceland Visa, and attend an interview at a consulate, embassy, or visa application center. Visa fees are waived for children under six years of age, and occasionally for those traveling to Iceland for study purposes, researchers, those working for charitable organizations, or those taking part in sporting or cultural events.
Iceland Visa Requirements
You have to meet several criteria to get a Schengen Visa to Iceland. You will need to prove to the Icelandic visa processing authorities in your country of residence that you meet the Iceland visa requirements by submitting the required documents for a Schengen visa to Iceland.
These documents are as following:
- Icelandic visa application form. Download the form, answer to all the questions and print it. Do not forget to sign it at the end.
- Two identical passport photos. Your photos should be taken according to the photograph requirements for Icelandic Schengen visa application; otherwise your application will be rejected.
- Your valid passport. Make sure your passport has been issued within the last 10 years, and has a validity of three more months beyond your planned stay in the Schengen Area. Moreover, it should also have at least two blank pages in order for the Icelandic embassy / consulate to be able to affix the visa.
- Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
- Iceland Travel Health Insurance. As when traveling to every other Schengen country, you will need to purchase health insurance worth €30,000 minimally, covering medical emergencies in Iceland and the whole Schengen territory.
- Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a booked flight, to enter and leave Iceland. This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
- Proof of accommodation. I.e. a hotel reservation in Iceland.
- Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Iceland. You must prove that you own an amount of subsistence of around 29€ per each day that you plan to spend in Iceland. You will also need to prove you have at least 145€ per each entry to Iceland, in addition to the per-day-required-amount.
- A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Iceland, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.
Iceland Work Visa Requirements
Additional Icelandic Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status
Depending on your current employment status, you are required to submit some additional documents. The Iceland visa requirements based on your occupational status are as follows:
If employed:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or
If self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
- Proof of enrollment
- No-objection certificate from school or university
- Advertisements
If retired:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
- Proof of regular income generated by property, for the last 6 months
What documents do I need to apply for a short-stay Iceland Visa from India?
First of all, you need to download and complete a Schengen Visa application form.
You will also need two recently taken passport-style photos, an Indian passport or other travel documents that are no older than 10 years and are valid for at least three months after your departure date from Iceland, or the Schengen Area. Travel and medical insurance covering you up to costs of €30,000 is also required (available from AXA), as is evidence of legal residence in India (such as an ID card), a cover letter stating your itinerary and the purpose of your visit, as well as a flight itinerary and proof of accommodation during your stay, proof of your civil status, like a marriage certificate, and proof you have means of subsistence to support yourself.
According to Icelandic law, those applying for an Iceland Visa, must prove they have 4,000 Icelandic krona or €28.83 per day. You will also need to show you have 20,000 Icelandic krona or €144.13 each time you plan to enter Iceland.
What additional documents do I need to get an Iceland Visa to work or study?
Those planning to work or study in Iceland for fewer than 90 days need additional documents to obtain your visa. These include an employment contract, a current bank statement, a no-objection letter from your Indian employer, and an income tax return. The self-employed need an income tax return, and a company bank statement, as well as any licensing documentation. As a student, you will need proof of enrolment at an educational institution in Iceland, and, if applicable, a no-objection letter from your current Indian institution.
If you are planning to study in Iceland for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-term study visa. While if you want to work in Iceland, you will need residence and work permits – and must have secured a job in Iceland and signed an employment contract. You must include your employment contract with your application.
Where do I apply for an Iceland Visa in India?
Officials in Iceland outsource visa applications to the company VFSGlobal, who deal with the initial applications before passing them to the embassy. You can apply online via the VFSGlobal website, and you will need to attend an interview at a VFSGlobal center, which are located in Mumbai, Pune, Puducherry, Chennai, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Goa, New Delhi, Kochi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Applications should take around 15 days but can take up to 30 days to process, especially during busy periods. However, in some cases, it may take up to 60 days – so apply as early as you can. Once you have made your application, you can track your application on the VFSGlobal website.
Iceland Visa Fee
An Icelandic Schengen Visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children under the age of 12. Moreover, according to applicant’s nationality, purpose of visit and some other factors, there are some categories of applicants exempt from paying the fee, and others that need to pay a lower amount as well.
