Among all the Schengen countries, Iceland is called the Land of Fire and Ice because of its landscape, mesmerizing Northern Lights, and geothermal wonders. That is why thousands of Indian tourists from Mumbai and other major cities visit this dream destination every year.
However, before traveling to this Nordic paradise, you need to secure an Iceland visa from Mumbai first. A Schengen visa is the most common visa type that you can use because Iceland is part of the Schengen Area.
Therefore, this article provides a procedural guide to apply for an Iceland visa, along with the visa types and the documents needed. Till then, stay tuned!
Introduction to the Iceland Visa for Mumbaikars
Because of its alliance with the Schengen Area, Indian passport holders from Mumbai need a Schengen visa to travel to Iceland. The purpose of your trip could be anything, from tourism, business, or family visits.
Additionally, you can also enter and stay in Iceland for long-term purposes. Thus, each visa category has a distinct validity period that you need to follow to avoid any legal consequences. The types of visas you can avail when traveling to Iceland will be discussed in detail below.
For now, look at the following key points.
The most common of all is a short-stay or Type C visa, valid for almost 90 days within 180 days.
You can submit your application to any of the VFS Global visa centers in Mumbai.
The standard application fee for a Schengen visa is 90 euros, but it varies according to the applicant’s age group.
The normal processing time is 15 calendar days, but it can be extended to up to 60 days during peak season.
Which Is the Appropriate Facility to Submit an Iceland Visa Application in Mumbai?
The Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Mumbai is primarily responsible for the citizens of Iceland. However, it also supports the Mumbai residents with visa-related queries. Please note that the processing of an Iceland visa is handled by VFS Global, which is an official visa partner outsourced by the Icelandic government.
This respective center then forwards the visa applications to the Embassy of Iceland located in New Delhi for the final review and decision.
Details of the consulate
The consulate can assist you in visa-related queries, so the following details can be of help to you to reach there.
Location: 3rd Floor, Walton Road, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India
Phone Number: +91 22 2288 6688 +91 22 2285 6161
FAX: +91-22-2204-8404
Email address: icelandcg@gmail.com
Services offered by the consulate
In case you want to learn about the services offered by the Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Mumbai, go through the following points.
- The respective consulate assists Icelandic citizens with passport renewal or emergency support
- Moreover, it also facilitates business and diplomatic visa applications
- Lastly, limited visa-related guidance is also provided to the citizens of Mumbai and the nearby regions. However, make sure that the applications are lodged by VFS Global. In addition, in case of any mistake or query, you can also visit the visa center physically.
Important: Unfortunately, the Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Mumbai is temporarily closed. Therefore, you cannot do anything and should only rely on the visa application center.
Icelandic Visa Types for the Residents of Mumbai
Your plan to travel to Iceland requires you to identify the purpose of your trip first. For instance, you can either visit the target country for sightseeing, business, medical treatment, study, or employment reasons.
After that, you need to select the right visa type, as mentioned below. In case of a mismatch between your intended reason and the visa selection, your application will be instantly rejected.
Short-stay visa
A short-stay or Type C visa grants you access to Iceland for a limited duration of time. For example, you can enter and enjoy your stay for up to three months within six months. Typically, you are not allowed to overstay your visa or apply for an extension unless exceptional reasons, including force majeure or political upheaval.
Moreover, the following sub-classes will make it easier for you to choose the visa type.
Tourist visa
With the help of a tourist visa, you can visit the country for sightseeing, leisure, and vacationing.
Family/friends visit visa
Though a tourist visa can also be used to visit your friends and family members in Iceland, you can apply for a separate visit visa category to enjoy a smooth trip.
Business visa
Furthermore, traveling to Iceland to attend business conferences, meetings, and negotiate trade contracts can be done with the help of a business visa.
Cultural/sports visa
Enthusiasts who have an interest in cultural and sports-related events can also travel to the target destination. This can be simplified with the help of a cultural/sports visa.
Transit visa
A transit or Type A visa is needed when traveling to another destination en route to Iceland. Without leaving the airport’s area, you can stay there for up to 48 to 72 hours.
Long-stay visa
A Type D visa can also help you to travel to Iceland, but for a longer duration of time. Thus, the reason for your trip should align with the primary visa category.
For instance, you can stay there on a work visa, a residency permit, or a student visa, exceeding 90 days. Nonetheless, you can also extend it up to one year or more, depending on the trip’s purpose.
One important thing you need to note is that a National visa requires you to have approval from the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration before you submit your application at VFS Global.
You can contact them through this email address: utl@utl.is.
What Are the Documents Required for an Iceland Visa from Mumbai?
Regardless of the visa type, you need to provide the following general documents when applying for an Iceland visa from Mumbai.
- Passport- with a validity of at least three months beyond your trip and 2 blank pages
- Visa application form- should be filled out and signed
- Pictures- two in number, passport-size, size of 35*45mm, white background
- Proof of flight reservation– should be round-trip in case of a short-stay visa to show your travel plans and intentions of returning to the country before the visa expires
- Proof of accommodation– a hotel booking, an invitation letter, a rental contract for an apartment or house, or a letter of sponsorship, to show that you have a place to stay in Iceland
- Cover letter- must be obtained from coverletterforvisa.com to convince the visa authorities to approve your application by specifying the trip’s purpose, stay duration, intended return, etc.
- Travel health insurance– a coverage amount of 30,000 euros to cover medical and travel emergencies, such as repatriation, evacuation, accident, hospitalization, etc.
- Proof of financial resources– a bank statement, an income tax return, or a salary slip to demonstrate that you can manage your daily expenses
How Can I Secure an Iceland Visa from Mumbai: Step-by-Step Guide
Starting the application process for an Iceland visa from Mumbai requires you to complete the following straightforward steps.
Step 1: Fill in the application form
After determining the visa type, the first thing you should do is complete the visa application form online. For this purpose, you can visit the Icelandic visa portal. Once done, print the form and put your signatures on it.
Otherwise, you can get the form through this link.
Step 2: Book an appointment
After that, you have to collect the mandatory documents, both general and visa-specific, following the requirements checklist.
Then, schedule an appointment by visiting the VFS Global visa page. This step also requires you to create an account or log in to it to fulfill the purpose.
Step 3: Visit the visa center
With all the documents, you need to visit the nearest center of VFS Global on the day of your appointment. This should be followed by providing biometric data (fingerprints and photos) if not done previously in the last 5 years.
Step 4: Pay the visa fee
The same appointment day requires you to deposit the visa application fee as well. However, the amount varies as per the visa type. For example, a Schengen visa is around 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children between the ages of six and twelve.
Meanwhile, the amount for a National visa differs, with 90 euros being the lowest application fee.
Step 5: Track your application
While the officials are reviewing your application within the standard processing time, you can track the status of your application through VFS Global’s tracking portal.
Step 6: Collect a passport
Lastly, once approved and notified, you can pick up your passport from the center or get it delivered through a courier service at an additional cost.
Common Icelandic Visa Rejection Reasons and How I Avoid Them
The following are some of the typical reasons that lead to visa rejection. Make sure that you go through the points mentioned below to avoid them when submitting your Iceland visa from Mumbai.
- Insufficient funds may lead to a rejected visa. So, ensure that you have at least 30 euros per day during your stay in Iceland.
- Moreover, showing weak ties to India will result in a perception that you will not return to your home country. Thus, provide documents such as proof of employment, family papers, or property ownership.
- Submitting incomplete documents without reviewing the checklist before applying will produce a poor result. That is why it is mandatory to cross-check the visa requirements list.
- In addition, providing the authorities with invalid travel health insurance will lead to rejection because you may fall into the category of those applicants who cannot support themselves. So, the insurance must have a minimum of 30,000 euros and be valid for the entire Schengen Area.
- Lastly, previous visa violations, such as overstaying in any of the Schengen countries, can affect your future applications as well.
What to do?
- Ensure that all the submitted documents are translated into either English or Icelandic language.
- Submit your application at least 30 days (4 weeks) before your intended departure date.
- Providing a detailed cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip can improve the chances of your visa approval.
Key Takeaways
- Following the right steps will ensure that the application process for an Iceland visa from Mumbai is simple.
- Moreover, make sure that you submit your application via VFS Global, and not the Icelandic Consulate General.
- In addition, the collection and submission of all the required documents (such as a flight reservation for visa) will increase the approval chances of your Iceland visa from Mumbai.
- Your financial health and ties to your home country, i.e., India, will make it easier for the visa officials to either approve or reject your application. So, ensure that you have sufficient balance in your bank account.
- Lastly, applying for an Iceland visa in Mumbai at the last minute will get you in trouble. Besides, it may take longer for the authorities to review your application, thus leading to an extended processing time.
Following this guide and the points highlighted above can enhance the chances of securing an Iceland visa to enjoy a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I travel to Iceland from Mumbai with a Schengen visa?
Yes. You can travel to Iceland from Mumbai with a Schengen visa. This is because Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area. Therefore, a Schengen visa issued by any Schengen country is valid for the entire region, including Iceland.
- Is it possible to apply for an Iceland visa from Mumbai directly at the Consulate?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot apply for an Iceland visa from Mumbai directly at the Consulate. This is because the consulate offers limited visa-related guidance. Thus, you need to visit VFS Global, which has been outsourced by Iceland for visa applications. Check the nearest visa center considering your area of residence. Moreover, make sure to book an appointment in advance for application submission purposes.
- Is an interview required for an Iceland visa when applying through Mumbai?
Though not always required, the visa officials may call you for a short and quick interview when you submit your Icelandic visa application in Mumbai. So, make sure to prepare yourself for the final call.
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