Fulfilling the requirements to get a visa to travel to an international country can be difficult. However, you can ace the visa application process with a concise guide.
So, a valid visa is the first mandatory element if you plan to visit Iceland from Pakistan. For this purpose, read the following article to learn about the essential details of an Iceland visa from Pakistan along with the documents and application steps.
What is an Iceland Visa?
An Iceland visa is an endorsement or token that allows foreigners, such as Pakistanis, to enter and live in the target country legally. The most common visa type is a Schengen visa, which is valid for almost 180 days. With a Schengen visa, you can stay in Iceland for up to three months.
Is Iceland part of the Schengen region?
Iceland is a part of the Schengen Area. This region constitutes almost 29 Schengen countries that share a common internal border. For this reason, if you succeed in getting an Iceland visa, you can travel to other neighboring states without needing a separate permit.
The rest of the Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Visa types
When traveling to Iceland, you must identify the reason for visiting the target country. Considering this factor, you can choose a suitable visa type from several options.
- For example, you can apply for a short-term or Type C visa if your duration of stay in Iceland is up to 90 days. Besides, you can use it for purposes including tourism, sightseeing, business, visiting, etc.
- On the other hand, a National or Type D visa allows you to stay in Iceland for more than three months. Generally, it is valid for up to one year. However, you can extend your stay until your purpose of visit is fulfilled. In addition, you can use it for medical treatment, work, or study purposes, etc.
- Lastly, an airport transit or Type A visa can be used when traveling to another destination country en route to Iceland. You can stay in the transit area for up to 48 to 72 hours.
The consulates, relevant embassies, or the visa application centers in your home country will issue you any of these Icelandic visa types.
Do Pakistanis Need a Visa to Travel to Iceland?
Yes. Pakistanis need a visa to travel to Iceland. Without a visa, you cannot cross the border of the destination country.
For this purpose, you can visit this link and enter your home country to identify whether you can travel visa-free to Iceland or need a permit.
Besides, the citizens of Pakistan only have the option of an embassy or paper visa. They cannot get a visa on arrival in Iceland. In addition, as a Pakistani, you cannot get an e-visa as Iceland does not offer the submission of online applications.
Documents Checklist for an Iceland Visa from Pakistan
If you want to apply for an Iceland visa from Pakistan, make sure to prepare the following supporting documents to submit them to the appropriate authority.
Travel document (passport)
The first important document is the travel document, also known as a passport, that you need to submit to the embassy. Therefore, make sure that it stays valid for almost three months ahead of your trip to Iceland.
In addition, your passport should contain two blank pages and must not be older than the last ten years.
Application form for visa
Furthermore, applying for a visa requires you to fill out a visa application form. You can get it directly from the embassy or download it online. Usually, the form may ask you for your personal details, travel information, accommodation plans, etc.
After completing it, you need to put your signatures and date on the form.
Photographs
An Iceland visa from Pakistan also requires you to submit two passport-size pictures. They should be according to the Schengen photo guidelines including,
- The pictures should be recent (not older than six months)
- It must have a dimension of 35*45mm
- The background color of the picture should be white or light grey
- Besides, the photo must be of HD quality
- It should be free from any spots or watermarks
CNIC
An additional requirement for a Pakistani applicant is to submit a copy of their CNIC. This document is issued by the government of Pakistan and NADRA and serves as proof of nationality and identity.
FRC
Moreover, you need to present a Family Registration Certificate both in copy and original versions. Make sure the document is either in English or Icelandic language instead of Urdu.
Proof of flight reservation
The visa application process requires you to show your travel dates and times. For this purpose, you need to submit proof of flight reservation to ensure the embassy that you have intentions to fly to the destination country.
Therefore, the document must include the following information.
- Your first and last name
- Travel dates and times
- Airline company name
- Flight number
- Destination country
- Airport terminals
- IATA codes
- 6-digit PNR
Read this step-by-step guide to learn how to reserve a flight for your next adventure using RFV Travels.
Proof of accommodation
Furthermore, you need to show that you have managed a place to stay in the target country. This requires you to submit proof of accommodation. It can be in any of the following forms.
- Hotel reservation
- Rental contract for an apartment or house
- Invitation letter if your trip is sponsored by a host
Moreover, the chosen document must contain information such as the name of the place, the address, the contact number, etc.
Application letter (cover letter)
An additional document that helps increase the chances of your visa approval is a well-drafted cover letter. You can address it to the embassy officials to present your case from a personal point of view.
Therefore, you can include details such as the reason for visiting the country, the duration of your stay, a planned set of activities, any other country you want to visit, when you will return to Pakistan, etc.
Besides, you can visit coverletterforvisa.com to get your document in minutes from travel experts at a minimal cost.
Travel medical insurance
A Schengen visa application will be incomplete if you fail to purchase travel medical insurance. Therefore, choose a reliable service provider to get your insurance policy with a coverage amount of 30,000 to 45,000 euros.
As a result, this will help you manage unexpected medical expenses such as,
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Repatriation
- Evacuation
- Luggage loss
- Flight cancellation
Proof of financial means
Lastly, your trip to Iceland requires you to have sufficient financial resources to manage your entire duration of stay. For this purpose, you can submit financial documents such as bank statements from the last six months, salary slips, income tax returns, etc.
Besides, you must have at least 75-100 euros per day to bear costs related to food, accommodation, and transportation.
Who Is Responsible for Processing an Iceland Visa from Pakistan?
Unfortunately, Iceland has no diplomatic mission or embassy in Pakistan. Therefore, Pakistani citizens need to look for an alternate consulate or the nearest Icelandic embassy to submit their applications.
For this purpose, they can either visit the Embassy of Iceland in India or the Royal Danish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Another method is to get help from the VFS Global office to submit your documents and schedule an appointment.
Procedural Steps to Apply for an Iceland Visa from Pakistan
Starting the visa application process for the first time will be difficult for most of the applicants. This is because they do not know when and where to apply for a visa.
However, with a step-by-step guide, the process is made simple. Pakistanis applying for an Iceland visa can either submit their application to the Danish Embassy or VFS Global.
The following guide will discuss the procedure to get an Icelandic visa from VFS Global.
Step 1: Visit the website
The first step is all about searching VFS Global on Google. Among several results, you can choose the highlighted one. After that, enter the home and destination countries to move ahead with the process.
Step 2: Select a visa category
Once done, you can select the visa type keeping the reason for visiting Iceland in mind. For example, it can be a short-stay visa or a Type D visa.
Step 3: Complete the visa application form
Then, you can download and complete the visa application form. Make sure to not leave any blank unfilled as it is one of the reasons for the visa rejection.
Step 4: Schedule an appointment
You can also book an appointment with VFS Global either online or by visiting the center physically. After that, you will receive a confirmation email having a reference number for your application.
Step 5: Submit the documents
On the day of appointment, you need to submit the documents along with the application form. The authorities may also ask you to deposit the visa fee in the local currency either in cash or through a credit or debit card.
Step 6: Attend the interview
Considering the type of visa you chose, the embassy officials require you to attend the interview to answer some of the common visa questions to disclose your travel information personally.
Step 7: Wait for the answer
After completing all the steps mentioned above, wait for the answer. Once the processing time is over, the embassy will notify you about the status of your application. If it is approved, you can start your journey to Iceland.
What is the Iceland Visa Fee from Pakistan?
Since Iceland is a Schengen country, the fee structure is almost similar for all of the member states. However, depending on the channel through which you have applied for the visa, you may have to deposit some additional amount.
For instance, if you submit your application to VFS Global, you need to pay service charges as well.
But, the following table shows the fee structure for an Iceland visa considering the various permit types you can apply for.
| Visa types | Fee in Euros | Fee in Pakistani Rupees |
| Short-stay visa | Adults over 12 years of age, 90 euros | 26,358 PKR |
| Children between six and twelve, 45 euros | 13,179 PKR | |
| Minors below six, FREE | FREE | |
| Long-stay visa | 100 euros | 29,241 PKR |
| Transit visa | 80 euros | 23,393 PKR |
How Long Does It Take to Process an Iceland Visa from Pakistan?
Considering the visa type you have applied for, the number of applications, and the workload at the embassy, the processing time may differ.
For instance, a Type C visa takes less processing time as compared to a visa applied for a longer duration of stay.
This is because a national visa comes with additional requirements and documents that the embassy has to review.
So, the standard processing time for an Iceland visa from Pakistan is up to three to four months. You are advised to apply as early as you can before the intended departure date.
Facts about Iceland
As a Nordic island country, Iceland lies between the Arctic and the North Atlantic Oceans. Geographically, it is located between North America and Europe.
Moreover, its capital is the largest city in the country. Reykjavik is home to up to 400,000 residents.
Surprisingly, Iceland is placed on tectonic plates. That is the reason why geologic activities such as volcanic eruptions and geysers are more frequent in this country. Besides, it consists of glaciers, mountains, lava fields, rivers, volcanic plateaus, etc.
Furthermore, due to its presence near the Gulf Stream, Iceland has chilly summers and a polar climate.
FAQs
- What is the possible outcome of overstaying a visa?
The validity of your permit depends on the visa type you have applied for. In case you are traveling to Iceland for a short duration of time, you should return to your home country before your visa expires.
If you overstay your visa, you may be bound to law and order punishment. For instance, it includes hefty fines, jail, deportation, permanent ban, etc.
- When should you apply for an Iceland visa from Pakistan?
If the embassy officials do not require additional documents, it may take up to one month to process your Icelandic visa application. Therefore, a general rule is to apply for a visa at least three to four months before your intended departure.
This may help you avoid unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, protests, pandemics, political crises, etc.
- Can Pakistanis get a visa on arrival in Iceland?
No. Pakistanis are not eligible to get a visa on arrival in Iceland. Moreover, they cannot apply for an Icelandic visa from Pakistan using an online portal or e-visa services.
The only available method for the citizens of Pakistan to apply for a visa to Iceland is the embassy or paper method.
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