Iceland Visa for Indians 2026: Types, Fees and How to Apply

The Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi handles all Iceland visa matters for India, and its jurisdiction also covers Australia, Nepal, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. This guide covers visa types, fees, the application route and timelines, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. Our Iceland visa page for Indians keeps the checklists and centre list together.

Do Indians need a visa for Iceland, or can another Schengen visa be used?

Indians need a visa. The Embassy states that Indian citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Iceland. There is no visa on arrival and no Iceland eVisa.

You do not always need a separate Icelandic visa, though. A valid Schengen visa issued by another Schengen state can be used to visit Iceland instead.

Transit is handled differently. India is not on Iceland's airport transit visa list, so you need no visa to change flights airside between two non-Schengen countries. Flying on from Iceland to another Schengen airport counts as entering Schengen, and then a Schengen visa is needed.

Which Iceland visa type matches your trip?

How much does an Iceland visa cost in rupees?

The INR visa fee follows the current exchange rate and can change without notice. Service fees include 9% SGST and 9% CGST and are payable in cash or by card. Neither the visa fee nor the VFS service fee is refunded. Optional VFS extras include courier at INR 518, SMS at INR 345 and online form filling at INR 2875.

How do you apply for an Iceland Schengen visa from India?

1. Complete the online application at visa.government.is, then print and sign it and keep the submission confirmation.
2. Book a VFS appointment at any of the 16 centres: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Goa, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry or Pune. For the March-June peak season, apply early, because a slot can take several days to secure.
3. Assemble the file. Include travel medical insurance covering at least 30,000 USD (30,000 EUR) for all risks (an insurance card is not sufficient), a roundtrip flight reservation showing the PNR and your name, accommodation proof and a cover letter.
4. Add financial proof. An original bank statement for the last three months, every page stamped and signed by the bank, showing 8000 ISK per day for a hotel stay or 4000 ISK per day if a third party pays. Add ITR acknowledgments for the last two assessment years and three months' pay slips if employed.
5. Lodge at VFS. VFS forwards the application to the Embassy in New Delhi.
6. Respond fast to gaps. Any missing document must be emailed to the Embassy within 5 days of your VFS appointment.

You can lodge an application up to six months before travel.

How long does Iceland take to decide?

A Schengen visa usually takes 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives the application. Transport time from your VFS centre is not included, and the period may be extended in specific cases.

Residence permits run on a different clock. The Directorate of Immigration reports an average of 2 months in 2026 from receipt to grant for first-time residence and work permits. On 7 October 2026 it was processing applications received in June 2026. It publishes no separate average for students; instead, documents must arrive by 1 May for the autumn semester or 1 October for the spring semester.

How do Indian students and workers move to Iceland?

Students apply on paper to the Directorate of Immigration and stay outside Iceland while it is processed. They need admission to full-time study (30 ECTS per semester), their own means of support of at least ISK 259,951 per month, health insurance of at least ISK 2,000,000 cover and a criminal record certificate. Since 8 July 2026, student permit holders may work up to 60% of full time without a work permit.

Workers need a job offer from an Icelandic employer, who applies for the work permit together with the residence permit. Since 8 July 2026 the Directorate of Immigration, not the Directorate of Labour, processes work permits. Paying for expedited processing is no longer possible.

Once the permit is granted, a request for an entry (D) visa goes to the Embassy, and you visit VFS for biometrics and passport submission.

What do refusal figures and multiple-entry rules mean for you?

European Commission statistics record a 25.7% refusal rate for short-stay Schengen applications lodged at Icelandic consulates in India in 2025 (2,793 visas not issued; 10,906 applications lodged), up from 16.3% in 2024. These describe past applications, not your individual chances.

Frequent travellers can benefit from the EU's multiple-entry rule for Indian nationals. If you live and apply in India and have obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years, you can qualify for a two-year multiple-entry visa, provided you meet the entry conditions.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files. Packages run from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and cover letter. Reach us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can the honorary consulates in Chennai or Kolkata issue an Iceland visa?

No. Iceland has honorary consuls general in Chennai and Kolkata, but visa matters are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi through VFS Global. Lodge your application at a VFS centre.

Is a flight reservation enough for an Iceland visa application?

The checklist asks for proof of transportation in the form of a roundtrip flight reservation with the PNR number and the traveller's name. A paid ticket is not required at the application stage.

Do children pay the full Iceland visa fee?

Children aged 6 to 12 pay INR 4950 / EUR 45 for a Schengen visa. VFS does not list this child rate for the Business category.

When should students submit an Iceland residence permit application?

The Directorate of Immigration must receive the application and documents by 1 May for the autumn semester or by 1 October for the spring semester. The processing fee is ISK 70,000 and is not refunded.