The citizens of India, particularly from the capital Delhi, can travel to Iceland for various purposes. However, fulfilling this dream requires them to apply for a visa. The process can be time-consuming and difficult for newbies planning a trip for the first time.
But, worry not, as the following article and guidelines can help you ace your Iceland visa from Delhi for the first time.
Overview of Iceland
Also known as the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, Iceland is a Nordic island country located between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The culture and politics of Iceland have been strongly influenced by Europe. Besides, it is becoming a new center of tourism in Europe because of its untouched and virgin landscape.
Various items such as ice fields, active volcanoes, hot springs, Aurora Borealis, and fjords add charm to the topography of Iceland.
In addition, its largest city and capital, Reykjavík, is home to almost 36% of the total population, i.e., 380,000 people.
Interestingly, Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, however, it is not a part of the European Union. Therefore, you need to apply for a visa to enter the country of Northern Lights.
Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi, India
The Delhi residents can submit their Icelandic visa applications to the respective embassy. For this purpose, they need to visit the Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi, India.
Other than that, the same embassy processes visa applications for the citizens of Indonesia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles.
Contact and work hours
The following details will help you know the essentials of the Icelandic Embassy.
Location: 33, B. S. Radhakrishna Marg, Chanakyapuri, 110021 New Delhi
Phone no: +91 (0) 11 4353 0300
Email: newdelhi[at]mfa.is
Working hours: Mon-Thu from 09:00 – 16:30 and Fri from 09:00 – 16:00
States and union territories
The Embassy of Iceland covers the following states and union territories of India.
- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- West Bengal,
- Sikkim,
- Tripuri, Tamil Nadu,
- Rajasthan,
- Punjab, Puducherry,
- Nagaland, Nicobar Islands,
- Odisha
- Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
- Lakshadweep,
- Jharkhand, J & K
- Karnataka, Kerala,
- Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
- Gujarat, Goa,
- Delhi, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli,
- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman, Andhra Pradesh
- Chandigarh,
- Bihar
Types of Iceland Visas for Delhi Residents
Indians and Delhians have several visa options when applying for a permit to Iceland. The major ones with additional categories are discussed below.
Short-term (C visa)
A short-term or C visa allows you to stay in the target country for up to three months. Alternatively, it is also known as a Schengen visa, the most common visa type among all.
With this visa type, you can visit other neighboring Schengen countries for up to 90 days. Stays longer than that require you to apply for a specific visa. A Type C visa can be used for the following purposes.
- Tourist visa
- Medical treatment visa
- Business visa
Long-term (D visa)
As an Indian visitor, you can travel to Iceland for long-term purposes. The duration of the stay is more than 90 days. However, the validity of the visa depends on the specific permit type you have applied for.
Considering the circumstances and your situation, you can also extend your visa’s validity, commonly used for,
- Work visa
- Family reunification visa
- Study visa
What Are the Requirements for an Iceland Visa from Delhi?
Similar to the rest of the Schengen countries, Delhians need to submit a set of certain documents when applying for an Iceland visa from Delhi.
Travel document
Your travel document such as a passport should be valid for at least three months after the planned journey, issued within the last ten years, and contain two blank pages to attach the visa.
Application form
Furthermore, you need to fill out a harmonized visa application form obtained from the given link and an online UTL application form through this website. Both the forms should be printed and signed by the applicant.
Photograph
In addition, one passport-size photograph with a white color background, not older than the last six months, and with a size of 3.5*4.5 cm should be attached to the application form.
Proof of transportation
Another requirement is to submit proof of transportation in the form of a flight reservation or a round-trip flight ticket. The tickets are not required to be paid, therefore, you can proceed ahead with the process if you have a dummy ticket.
But, note that you cannot board a plane with such a document as you have to buy a real ticket once your visa is approved.
It may include information such as the flight number, routes, airline name, travel dates and times, airport names, IATA codes, etc.
Proof of accommodation
Your trip to Iceland also requires you to have proof of accommodation. For this purpose, you can book a hotel, sign a rental contract, or present a sponsorship letter if staying with a friend or a family member.
If you want to know how to reserve a hotel through RFV Travels, click on this link.
Cover letter
Another additional but visa-supporting document is a cover letter that will help you convince the officer to issue you the permit. Therefore, you can include details such as the purpose of the trip, the day-by-day planned itinerary, the date of return, etc.
If you are worried about where to get this document, coverletterforvisa.com will help you in this regard.
Travel medical insurance
Moreover, you must have a travel medical insurance policy (not a card) valid for the entire Schengen Area. It must have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros to cover expenses related to illness, accident, evacuation, repatriation, etc.
Information such as the duration of stay and the coverage amount should be explicitly stated in the document.
Proof of financial resources
As a visa applicant, you are also required to show that you have enough financial resources to manage the daily expenses in Iceland. Therefore, make sure to submit bank statements from the last three to six months, salary slips, or income tax returns.
Proof of employment/study/retired
Of the status of your employment, you need to submit the following additional documents.
- Pay slip, employment contract, and leave acceptance letter from the employer if employed
- Company registration certificate and income tax return if self-employed
- Admission letter, academic transcript, and a no objection certificate from the current institute if you are a student
- Lastly, pension slips if you are a retired individual
Documents for a minor
If a minor is traveling with you, make sure to have a consent letter from the parents, a copy of their passports, and a court order letter in case of the parent’s separation.
How Can I Apply for an Iceland Visa from Delhi? Procedural Guide
Follow the ultimate step-by-step guide given below to apply for an Iceland visa from Delhi easily.
Step 1: Check out the website
The first step requires you to visit the official website of the Icelandic Embassy in New Delhi. On the home page, second to the diplomatic missions, you will find the tab of the embassy. On the dropdown menu, select ‘consular services’ to proceed ahead.
Step 2: Identify the visa type
Secondly, make sure that the chosen visa type is aligned with the purpose of your trip to Iceland. In case of any discrepancy, your application may be denied.
Step 3: Fill out the application form
Then, check out the links given above to complete the application form. It is the most important step of the entire application process. So, ensure that you fill out the given fields without leaving any blank unfilled.
Step 4: Gather the documents
After that, gather the supporting documents keeping in mind the type of permit you choose. Other than that, the embassy may also request you to submit certain additional documents for clarification purposes.
Step 5: Schedule an appointment
The respective embassy is unable to facilitate the applicants to schedule an appointment. For this purpose, you need to visit the website of a visa application center such as VFS Global and create an account to book the available slot for an appointment.
Step 6: Visit the VAC
On the day of your appointment, visit the VAC and submit your documents along with the application form. This step has several stages that you need to complete to move forward with the process.
Step 7: Pay the fee
Then, deposit the visa fee in the local currency at the Embassy of Iceland. Make sure to print the receipt and attach it with the rest of the documents as proof.
What is the application fee for an Iceland visa from Delhi?
It depends on the visa type you apply for. For instance, Type C visa applications may take around 90 euros. On the other hand, a long-stay visa may cost you almost 100-120 euros.
Step 8: Attend the interview
On the same day or other, the embassy officials ask you to attend a short visa interview. Make sure that you are prepared beforehand and provide appropriate answers to the questions.
Step 9: Track your application
Meanwhile, the embassy is processing your application, you can track its status online through the same website of VFS Global. For this purpose, you need to enter the application reference number and your last name.
How long does it take to process an Iceland visa in Delhi?
Usually, the standard processing time for an Iceland Schengen visa in Delhi is 15 to 30 days. Contrary to this, you may have to wait for 60 to 90 days in case you applied for a National visa.
Step 10: Collect your passport
This is the last step of the Icelandic visa application process. If your visa is approved, you can collect it from the same center or get it delivered through a courier service.
FAQs
- Is getting an Iceland visa from Delhi difficult?
If you follow all the visa requirements and submit the requested documents, there will be a higher chance that you will get your Iceland visa from Delhi easily.
Moreover, the chances of approval also depend on the processing time which is indirectly linked with the visa type you applied for.
- What is the approval rate for an Iceland visa for Indians?
Among all the Schengen countries, Iceland has the highest approval rate with only 2.2% of applications being rejected each year. In addition, the welcoming policies make it easier for Indians and Delhians to travel to Iceland.
- How much money do you need for an Iceland visa when traveling from Delhi?
As per Icelandic Law, you need to show that you have at least 4,000 Icelandic Krona or 30 euros per day to manage your expenses related to food, transportation, and accommodation.
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