Are you planning a trip to Iceland from India? You have got our back. This country is also called a Place of Ice and Fire due to the availability of different climates and landscapes. This makes it a dream spot for travelers from all over the world.
Besides, Iceland is the highest tourist destination that visitors visit each year. You can travel to this European country from India for various purposes. For example, this may include tourism, business, work, or study purposes.
Therefore, read this blog post to learn about the basic visa requirements. It will also help you identify the visa type you should apply for depending on your purpose of targeting the destination country. So, make sure to stay with us till the end.
Traveling to Iceland from India
If you, as an Indian, want to explore the natural beauty and wonders of Iceland, you must visit this state. The country offers several items for different kinds of travelers. For instance, this may include visiting the northern lights, and landscapes, and discovering the cultural delights.
However, to fulfill this purpose of traveling to this Nordic country, you should apply for a visa. The process of getting an Iceland visa for Indians requires you to complete several steps including,
- Identification of the right visa type
- Submitting all the required documents
Furthermore, moving from India to Iceland is a journey full of transitions. This may include traveling from a warm climate to cool breezy Nordic realms. So, make sure to follow the brief guide.
- Plan your route by searching for European countries such as Frankfurt or London as there are no direct flights from India to Iceland
- After that, you can apply for an Iceland visa before your intended departure from your home country
- Make sure to pack the essential items as you do not know how suddenly the weather changes
- Lastly, exchanging your home country’s currency for Icelandic krona would be best. Moreover, you can also use a local SIM card or internal roaming to keep in touch with others.
Do You Require a Visa to Travel to Iceland as an Indian?
Yes. It would be best if you got your visa to travel to Iceland before leaving your home country. With this visa, the authorities will allow you to cross the border of the country. Moreover, depending on the visa type you acquire, you can stay within this beautiful country for a specific period.
Also, note that the Embassy of Iceland in India is responsible for receiving and analyzing your visa application based on the purpose and duration of your stay.
Getting a visa before traveling to the target country is a requirement for non-EU/EEA citizens. Besides, the nationals of countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S., can travel to Iceland with a visa for ninety days. After completing the three months, they should apply for a residence permit.
9 Types of Iceland Visas for Indians
Depending on your reason for visiting the destination country, you can choose from the following nine types of Iceland visas for Indians.
Tourist visa
As the name implies, you can use a tourist visa for tourism when traveling to Iceland from India. Moreover, it also allows you to explore and sightsee the target country. The fees for a tourist visa for Indians depend on the length of the stay. However, it usually lasts for three months out of one hundred and eighty days.
Visitor visa
Furthermore, a visitor visa permits you to travel to Iceland to meet your family members, relatives, and friends residing in the destination country. Please make sure to submit the required supporting documents to get your visa on time.
Business visa
If you want to visit the country for business or any other engagements related to business activities, you can apply for this visa. Similar to a tourist permit, a business visa also allows you to stay in the state for 90 days. It stays valid for almost six months.
Study visa
A study visa allows Indian students to travel to Iceland for academic purposes. They can participate in short courses or programs after getting admission to an educational institute in Iceland. Besides, you can stay for up to ninety days in the destination country.
Official visit visa
Indian passport holders can apply for an official visit visa if they are members of a delegation who is traveling to Iceland for official meetings. The visa application should accompany supporting documents to disclose the genuine reason for your trip to Iceland.
Medical visa
If you want to visit Iceland for medical treatment, you should apply for a medical visa. Besides, you must disclose your current medical condition and the treatment plan as prescribed by the medical practitioner of the destination country.
Work visa
Entrepreneurs, overseas employees, and investors can apply for a work visa. As a result, these individuals can work or invest in different business projects happening in Iceland. This visa type usually lasts for up to one to two years.
Transit visa
As an Indian, if you want to visit a country outside the Schengen area through Iceland, you should apply for a transit visa. The number of days you can spend at the airport of Iceland depends on the guidelines given by the authorities.
The film, crew, sports, and cultural visa
Lastly, this visa type is the most unique of all. Indian travelers can use it to attend various events. For example, this may include cultural programs, films, and sports festivals.
Eligibility Criteria for an Iceland Visa for Indians
When you apply for an Iceland visa from India, there are certain parameters that you should fulfill to show your eligibility.
- You must show that you are an Indian citizen. For this purpose, you can submit your valid diplomatic passport.
- A Schengen visa for Iceland can be used if Iceland is the only country you are planning to visit when traveling to Europe.
- Furthermore, you have to disclose your reason for visiting the country of your choice. For example, if you are traveling to Iceland for a family reunion, you can submit a supporting document such as an invitation letter from an Icelandic host.
- Besides, you are also required to show that you will come back to your home country before your visa expires. You can show this by mentioning your strong ties with the homeland, your employment, and your family.
- Lastly, as required by the authorities, you should meet the minimum health criteria to be eligible for the Icelandic visa.
Necessary Documents Checklist for an Iceland Visa for Indians
When you apply for a visa, you need to make sure that you fulfill the required conditions to get that visa. Similar is the case with an Iceland visa for Indians. Besides, the required documents are further subdivided into two types.
- The standard documents that every applicant has to submit irrespective of the reason for entering the target country.
- Additional documents that differ from one visa type to another to help prove the purpose of visiting Iceland.
Standard documents
- A visa application form that you should fill out by providing accurate information. The form may ask you questions related to your identity and the purpose of your trip to Iceland.
- Two passport-size photographs not older than the last three months. Moreover, they should meet the Schengen photo guidelines.
- A valid passport with three months of validity, two blank pages, and should not be older than the last ten years.
- When traveling to Iceland from India, you should purchase travel health insurance worth 30,000 euros. This will help you in case of unexpected medical expenses.
- You must get a flight reservation document from an airline or travel agency such as RFV to show your travel intentions. It contains details such as your flight name, booking ID, travel dates, etc.
- Furthermore, you can submit certain documents to show the place of your residence. It may include a hotel reservation, a rental contract for an apartment, or an invitation letter.
- When you apply for a visa, you will be requested to submit a cover letter. Writing this document is the best way to introduce yourself, why you are traveling to the specific target country, and to communicate with the officer who is handling your application.
- Lastly, you must show that you can manage your stay in the target country. Therefore, you can submit a bank statement or a salary slip to disclose your financial health. For this purpose, you must have 4,000 krona or 2,415 INR for each day. Besides, make sure to have 20,000 krona or 12,100 Indian Rupees whenever you enter the country.
Documents required for a minor
- ID and passport of both parents
- Iceland visa application form
- Birth certificate of the child
- Family court order
- A notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardians
Visa requirements according to your employment status
- You must submit documents including your employment contract, bank statement, and leave application if you are employed
- In case of self-employment, the embassy requires you to attach your business registration license and bank statement from the last six months.
- Lastly, if you are a retired employee, you should submit your pension slips for the last six months.
Documents needed for official visit visa
- Invitation letter from the Icelandic host
- Evidence to prove the purpose of your trip such as meetings, negotiations, consolations, etc
Legal requirements for a medical visa
- A medical report showing your health status
- Attested medical plans from the hospital in Iceland
- Proof of financial resources
Documents required for a film, crew, sports, and cultural visa
- Invitation letter mentioning the details of the events or activities that will happen in Iceland
- Conditions of enrollment
- Entry tickets
Essential requirements for a study visa
- Letter of admission from the educational institute in Iceland
- An NOC from your current institute in your home country
How to Apply for the Visa Process?
You can apply for an Iceland visa from India through two means. The first one may allow you to visit the official website of the Embassy of Iceland in India. Secondly, you can submit your application with the help of a visa application center, VFS Global.
The application procedure for both methods is the same with a slight difference. The guide given below will provide you with a step-by-step plan to apply for an Iceland visa.
Step 1:
The first step requires you to search for VFS Global in the search bar of Google. Among several results, you can choose the highlighted one.
Step 2:
After that, a brand new page will open. You should select India as your home country and Iceland as the destination state. Then, click on the ‘take me to the website’ tab.
Step 3:
The next page will allow you to ‘start’ the visa application process. Click on the highlighted tab.
Step 4:
The fourth step allows you to identify the visa type depending on the purpose of your trip to Iceland. For example, this may include tourism, business, study visas, etc.
Step 5:
Then, the embassy may request you to submit the required documents as per your travel purpose. Make sure to compile them in a logical sequence.
Step 6:
The sixth step requires you to begin your application process. For this purpose, you should fill out the visa application form. You can download it from the website of the embassy or through any online means.
Step 7:
After completing the above step, you must book an appointment with the same visa application center . This will help you provide your biometric data such as fingerprints and photos.
Step 8:
After receiving the confirmation email once your appointment has been scheduled, you must visit the application center. On the same day of the appointment, you can submit your documents along with the form. Moreover, you are also required to pay the visa fee and attend the interview, if necessary.
Step 9:
Wait for the processing time. The VFS Global also allows you to track the status of your application online. For this purpose, enter the reference number or the booking ID in the given space.
Step 10:
Lastly, once the embassy makes a decision, they will notify you via email or text. You can pick up your new passport after verifying the information included on the given date.
Iceland Visa for Indians Fee
The application process for an Iceland visa for Indians also comes with a fee. You are supposed to deposit this amount on the day of the appointment. Please note that this visa fee cannot be returned to you even if the embassy rejects your application.
Besides, you can pay it either in cash or a credit card at the same visa application center. A short-stay visa including a business, tourism, or transit visa, valid for three months may cost you 90 euros if you are an adult. This is equivalent to 8,200 Indian rupees.
On the other hand, the amount is reduced to 45 euros for the children between the ages of six and twelve. The other types of visas may have a higher application cost than this.
Visa Application Processing Time
Usually, the embassy takes at least 20 to 25 regular days to process your Iceland visa from India. The processing time may vary depending on the purpose of your trip and several other factors.
In many situations, you can get your approved visa within a short interval. In rare cases, the period may get extended to almost two months. So, it is always advisable to apply in advance to avoid any delays or rejections in the application process.
FAQs
- When should you apply for an Iceland visa for Indians?
The embassy requests the applicants to apply for an Iceland visa a few weeks before their planned departure from their home country. Normally, you should submit your documents along with the application form at least 1 month to six weeks earlier. This will give the embassy enough time to process your desired visa.
Furthermore, the early submission of documents to the embassy will save you from having any issues with the visa application. Besides, it will also provide you with sufficient time to present any other supporting documents or resolve any concerns highlighted by the embassy.
- What can I do if my Iceland visa is rejected?
If your Iceland visa for Indian nationals is rejected/refused by the embassy, you can try the following advice.
- Within the first two weeks of receiving the rejection, you have the option to appeal the procedure. However, kindly take care not to make the same errors that initially resulted in the denial of your visa.
- In addition, you should complete all the blanks on a visa application form. You should carefully check it once you have finished it to make sure all the information is correct.
- Finally, submit all supporting documents and photos, adhering to the most recent guidelines listed on the embassy website.
- What if I extend my stay beyond the validity of my visa?
The embassy may request you to pay the penalty charges based on the length of your stay beyond the validity of your visa. However, you can also extend the validity of your visa by mentioning a valid reason. You can do this by visiting the nearest embassy of Iceland.
As a result, they can start the extension process considering the valid grounds. But if you fail to provide an actual reason, you should leave the country before the expiry of your visa.