Applies via: VFS Global + embassySchengen short-stay visaSources checked on
Indian citizens apply for a Iceland visa through VFS Global and the embassy. The published fee for Adult Visa is INR 9900 / EUR 90. Processing time (Schengen visa): Usually 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives the application (not including transportation time); may be extended in specific cases. Missing documents must be emailed to the Embassy within 5 days of the VFS appointment. Application locations listed include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai and Kochi (11 more listed below). Sources checked on October 15, 2026.
Indian citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to Iceland. The Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi handles all visa related matters and issues visas through VFS Global: applicants complete the online application at visa.government.is, then lodge the application at one of the VFS Global visa application centres in India, which forwards it to the Embassy. Applications can be lodged up to six months before travel; for the March-June peak season apply early as it can take several days to secure a VFS appointment. For D visas/residence permits, applicants first apply to the Directorate of Immigration (utl@utl.is), which then asks them to visit a VFS centre for biometrics and passport submission.
Not available: Indian citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Iceland; the Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi issues visas through VFS Global.
eVisa / online visa
Not available: there is no Iceland eVisa. You complete the online application at visa.government.is, then lodge the printed, signed application with your documents at a VFS Global centre in India, which forwards it to the Embassy in New Delhi.
Visa-free entry
Not available: the Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi says Indian citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Iceland; a valid Schengen visa issued by another Schengen state can be used instead of a separate Icelandic visa. India is not on Iceland's airport transit visa list, so Indians changing flights airside between two non-Schengen countries do not need an airport transit visa.
How to apply from India — step by step
1
Complete the application form
Fill in the Iceland visa application form linked from the official pages below.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.
3
Book an appointment
Book an appointment as described on the VFS Global / embassy pages linked below.
4
Submit your application
Submit at a VFS Global centre or other listed location: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Goa and others listed below.
5
Give biometrics
Attend in person for biometrics where the official pages require it.
6
Pay the fees
Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section, plus the service fee.
Steps follow the official pages in the Sources section; always follow the latest instructions there.
Residence permit for students (D-108) - Directorate of Immigration processing fee
ISK 70,000
Paid by bank transfer before the paper application is sent; not refunded. The D visa fee at VFS (INR 9900 / EUR 90) and VFS service fee apply separately when an entry visa is needed (Directorate of Immigration fee list, October 2026)
Residence permit based on work (D-107) - Directorate of Immigration processing fee
ISK 80,000
Paid by bank transfer with the paper application; not refunded; paying for expedited processing is no longer possible. D visa fee at VFS applies separately
Permanent residence permit
ISK 60,000 (adults) / ISK 30,000 (under 18)
Paid online at the last step of the digital application
Service fee: INR 2900 (Euro 29) per applicant for Schengen visas; INR 5000 (Euro 50) for Long Term (D Visa); inclusive of SGST 9% and CGST 9%; payable in Cash/Card. Optional: Courier INR 518, Courier Plus INR 1400, SMS INR 345, Premium Lounge INR 3680, Prime Time Passport Collection INR 748, Online Form Filling INR 2875.
Checklist
What documents are required for a Iceland visa from India?
All applicants
11 items
Travel document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the date of departure from the Schengen area, issued within the previous 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages; copy of previous Schengen entry/exit stamps if available
Schengen Visa Application printed and signed, with one passport-style photograph (max. 6 months old, white background, 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
Confirmation of submitting the online application form at https://visa.government.is/
Travel medical insurance (insurance card is NOT sufficient) valid for all Schengen countries, covering at least 30,000 USD (30,000 EUR) for all risks, specifying validity period, coverage area and entire trip duration
Proof of transportation - roundtrip flight reservation with PNR number and name of traveler (plus intra-Schengen travel proof if visiting several states)
Proof of accommodation - hotel reservations, holiday rental or campus residence, or host's sponsorship/private accommodation proof
Cover letter stipulating the purpose of travel, duration, accompanying persons, transport and accommodation details
Proof of employment/sponsorship/retirement: employed - pay slips for the last three months, employment contract and leave letter; self-employed - company registration incl. GST number, business bank statement and ITR; students - enrolment certificate; sponsored - sponsor letter and photo ID; retired - pension statements for last three months
Original personal bank statement for the last three months, all pages stamped and signed by the bank (all applicants regardless of sponsorship); must show 8000 ISK per day for hotel stay or 4000 ISK per day if expenses are borne by a third party
Indian income tax return (ITR) acknowledgment for the last two assessment years
Minors (<18): notarised consent of the non-travelling parent(s), copies of both parents' passports or ID / birth certificate
Family or Friends visit
3 items
If visiting a spouse in Iceland: copy of marriage certificate or proof of cohabitation
Online invitation form (Invitation Letter for visitors) from island.is/en/get-a-visa/supporting-documents
Online sponsorship form (Guarantee form for visits) from island.is if applicable
Business
2 items
Signed invitation containing contact details of the inviting party
Cover letter from the applicant's employer; both letters must confirm the applicant's identity, purpose of the journey and period and place of intended stay
Long Term (D Visa)
2 items
Approval Letter
Valid Passport
Cultural, Study And Sports Events / Transit
1 item
Separate VFS checklists (Study-Sport-Cultural-Film Crew; Seafarer checklist for transit) - not itemised here
Residence permit for students (Directorate of Immigration)
7 items
Payment receipt for the ISK 70,000 processing fee
A passport photo and a copy of the passport
Copy of a criminal record certificate
Health insurance confirmation (valid in Iceland, at least 3 months from registration of domicile, minimum ISK 2,000,000 cover)
Documents on means of financial support
Confirmation of admission to a study program
Signed paper application form, sent by mail or delivered to the Directorate's drop box (Dalvegur 18, Kópavogur)
Transit - Indian nationals
3 items
Airside transit between two non-Schengen countries: no airport transit visa needed (India is not on Iceland's ATV list: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka)
Flying on from Iceland to another Schengen airport counts as entering Schengen: a Schengen visa is needed
Check luggage through to the final destination
Photo
What are the Iceland visa photo specifications?
Size
35-40mm in width (checklist: 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
Background
Plain light-coloured background (checklist: white background)
No more than 6 months old
Face takes up 70-80% of the photograph; close up of head and top of shoulders
Sharp focus, high quality, no ink marks or creases, printed on photo-quality paper
Eyes open and clearly visible, facing square on to the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed
No flash reflection or tinted lenses on glasses; head coverings only for religious reasons
Insurance
Is travel medical insurance required for a Iceland visa?
Required
Travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen countries covering at least 30,000 USD (30,000 EUR) for all risks (accident, illness, medical emergency evacuation etc.) for the entire trip; an insurance card is NOT sufficient. VFS links an approved insurance list.
Processing
How long does Iceland visa processing take?
Schengen visa
Usually 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives the application (not including transportation time); may be extended in specific cases. Missing documents must be emailed to the Embassy within 5 days of the VFS appointment.
Residence and work permit (first-time), Directorate of Immigration
Average 2 months in 2026 from receipt to grant (applications approved so far this year); on 7 October 2026 the Directorate was processing applications received in June 2026
Residence permit for students
No separate average published; the application and documents must reach the Directorate of Immigration by 1 May for the autumn semester or 1 October for the spring semester to ensure a permit before term starts
Visa types
Which Iceland visa types can Indian citizens apply for?
Schengen Visa (short stay)
Tourism
Business
Family or Friends visit
Cultural, Study And Sports Events
Transit
Long Term
Long Term (D Visa) / Resident Permits
Study and work (long stay)
Residence permit for students (D-108)
Residence and work permit (D-107): expert knowledge, shortage of labour, athletes, collaboration/service contract
Permanent residence permit
Long stay
Iceland study and work visas for Indians
Multiple-entry Schengen visa for Indian nationals (2-year 'cascade')
Other
A short-stay Schengen visa valid for several entries. Under an EU rule for Indian nationals applying in India (stated to be a development of the Schengen acquis for Iceland and Norway), frequent travellers with a clean visa history qualify for a two-year multiple-entry visa; the application is made like any Schengen visa via VFS.
Indian national residing in India and applying in India
Has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years
Fulfils the entry conditions in Article 6(1), points (a), (c), (d) and (e), of the Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399)
Visa validity: two years; if that would exceed the passport's validity, the visa ends three months before the passport expires
Consulates may shorten validity in individual cases, or issue multiple-entry visas valid up to 5 years in justified cases (Visa Code Art. 24(2a)/(2c))
Embassy/VFS checklist: only applicants who fulfil the criteria for a multiple-entry visa will be granted one
For full-time students admitted to a recognised programme in Iceland (mainly university studies). Indians apply on paper to the Directorate of Immigration (UTL) and must stay outside Iceland while it is processed; once granted, a request for an entry (D) visa is sent to the embassy and applicants go to VFS for biometrics and passport submission.
Aged 18 or over (exchange students excepted) and admitted to full-time study (30 ECTS per semester) at an Icelandic university, or to a doctoral collaboration, recognised exchange, study-linked internship or recognised secondary-level technical study
Secure means of support of at least ISK 259,951 per month for an individual (ISK 415,922 for married couples), for the whole permit period; the student's own funds (third-party support, cash and assets other than bank balances do not count)
Health insurance valid in Iceland for at least 3 months from domicile registration, minimum cover ISK 2,000,000
Criminal record certificate; no disqualifying sentences
Application and documents must be received by 1 May (autumn) or 1 October (spring); processing fee ISK 70,000
From 8 July 2026: may work up to 60% of full time without a work permit; must show satisfactory progress (at least 75% of a full-time load) at every renewal
After an Icelandic Bachelor's, Master's or doctoral degree, the permit can be renewed for up to 18 months to seek work matching the qualification
For people with a job offer on the Icelandic labour market. The employer applies for the work permit together with the residence permit application to the Directorate of Immigration (which took over work permit processing from the Directorate of Labour on 8 July 2026).
Job offer and employment agreement with an Icelandic employer; nationals of countries outside the EEA/EFTA generally need a work permit and may not start work before it is granted
Permit types: work requiring expert knowledge, shortage of labour, athletes, collaboration or service contracts (plus family reunification and special circumstances)
Expert knowledge: university-level education or recognised industrial, artistic or technical training; the job must require that expertise and assistance must first have been sought to find an employee in Iceland/EEA; permits usually for 1 year, up to 4 years at a time
Shortage-of-labour applicants who need a visa must stay outside Iceland while the application is processed
Paper application with processing fee ISK 80,000 (no paid fast track); average processing 2 months in 2026
A worker with an expert-knowledge permit who loses the job can apply for a 12-month permit to look for another job based on that expertise
Holders of qualifying residence permits (e.g. expert knowledge, shortage of labour, athletes, family reunification; student permits with restrictions) can apply online for permanent residence, usually after 4 years of continuous residence.
Hold a valid residence permit that can be a basis for permanent residence and apply before it expires
Usually 4 years' continuous residence on such permits, with no more than 90 days abroad in each year (shorter periods for some, e.g. spouses of Icelandic citizens after 3 years)
Icelandic language course for foreigners of at least 150 lessons with at least 85% attendance, or a passed Icelandic assessment test
Fees and processing times for these routes are listed in the Visa fees and Processing sections above.
Where to apply
Where do Indian citizens apply for a Iceland visa?
Ahmedabad
Bengaluru
Chandigarh
Chennai
Kochi
Goa
Gurugram
Hyderabad
Jaipur
Jalandhar
Kolkata
Lucknow
Mumbai
New Delhi
Puducherry
Pune
Which office covers your state
Embassy of Iceland, 33 B. S. Radhakrishna Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 (tel +91 11 4353 0300; newdelhi@mfa.is; Mon-Thu 09:00-16:30, Fri 09:00-16:00)
All of India – the Embassy handles all Iceland visa matters; applications are lodged at VFS Global centres. Its jurisdiction also includes Australia, Nepal, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Honorary Consul General of Iceland, Chennai (186 Kalaignar Karunanidhi Salai, Neelankarai, Chennai 600115; tel +91 44 4232 6700)
Honorary consulate; no consular area published – visa matters are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi via VFS
Honorary Consul General of Iceland, Kolkata (Siddharth Apartment, 10 Alipore Park Road, Kolkata 700027; tel +91 33 6652 7200)
Honorary consulate; no consular area published – visa matters are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi via VFS
Work permit processing moved from the Directorate of Labour to the Directorate of Immigration; student permit holders may work up to 60% without a work permit and must show satisfactory progress at every renewal; post-graduation job-seeking renewal cut from up to 3 years to 18 months; student family reunification limited to full-time degree students.
Iceland visa for Indians — frequently asked questions
Answers built only from the VFS Global and embassy pages listed in the Sources section.
How much is the Iceland visa fee for Indian citizens?
Adult Visa: INR 9900 / EUR 90; Children Between 6 - 12 Years: INR 4950 / EUR 45; Long Term (D Visa): INR 9900 / EUR 90 (adult); INR 4950 / EUR 45 (6-12 years). 3 more fee rows are listed on this page. Service fee: INR 2900 (Euro 29) per applicant for Schengen visas; INR 5000 (Euro 50) for Long Term (D Visa); inclusive of SGST 9% and CGST 9%; payable in Cash/Card. Optional: Courier INR 518, Courier Plus INR 1400, SMS INR 345, Premium Lounge INR 3680, Prime Time Passport Collection INR 748, Online Form Filling INR 2875..
What documents are required for a Iceland visa from India?
Travel document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the date of departure from the Schengen area, issued within the previous 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages; copy of previous Schengen entry/exit stamps if available; Schengen Visa Application printed and signed, with one passport-style photograph (max. 6 months old, white background, 3.5 x 4.5 cm); Confirmation of submitting the online application form at https://visa.government.is/; Travel medical insurance (insurance card is NOT sufficient) valid for all Schengen countries, covering at least 30,000 USD (30,000 EUR) for all risks, specifying validity period, coverage area and entire trip duration; Proof of transportation - roundtrip flight reservation with PNR number and name of traveler (plus intra-Schengen travel proof if visiting several states); Proof of accommodation - hotel reservations, holiday rental or campus residence, or host's sponsorship/private accommodation proof. Plus 5 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 6 visa categories.
How long does Iceland visa processing take for Indians?
Schengen visa: Usually 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives the application (not including transportation time); may be extended in specific cases. Missing documents must be emailed to the Embassy within 5 days of the VFS appointment.; Residence and work permit (first-time), Directorate of Immigration: Average 2 months in 2026 from receipt to grant (applications approved so far this year); on 7 October 2026 the Directorate was processing applications received in June 2026; Residence permit for students: No separate average published; the application and documents must reach the Directorate of Immigration by 1 May for the autumn semester or 1 October for the spring semester to ensure a permit before term starts.
Where do Indian citizens apply for a Iceland visa?
Applications go via VFS Global + embassy. Locations listed: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Goa, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry, Pune. Jurisdiction by state: Embassy of Iceland, 33 B. S. Radhakrishna Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 (tel +91 11 4353 0300; newdelhi@mfa.is; Mon-Thu 09:00-16:30, Fri 09:00-16:00) — All of India – the Embassy handles all Iceland visa matters; applications are lodged at VFS Global centres. Its jurisdiction also includes Australia, Nepal, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.; Honorary Consul General of Iceland, Chennai (186 Kalaignar Karunanidhi Salai, Neelankarai, Chennai 600115; tel +91 44 4232 6700) — Honorary consulate; no consular area published – visa matters are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi via VFS; Honorary Consul General of Iceland, Kolkata (Siddharth Apartment, 10 Alipore Park Road, Kolkata 700027; tel +91 33 6652 7200) — Honorary consulate; no consular area published – visa matters are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi via VFS.
Can Indians get a Iceland visa on arrival or an eVisa?
Visa on arrival — Not available: Indian citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Iceland; the Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi issues visas through VFS Global. eVisa — Not available: there is no Iceland eVisa. You complete the online application at visa.government.is, then lodge the printed, signed application with your documents at a VFS Global centre in India, which forwards it to the Embassy in New Delhi. Visa-free entry — Not available: the Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi says Indian citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Iceland; a valid Schengen visa issued by another Schengen state can be used instead of a separate Icelandic visa. India is not on Iceland's airport transit visa list, so Indians changing flights airside between two non-Schengen countries do not need an airport transit visa.
What photo size is required for a Iceland visa?
Size: 35-40mm in width (checklist: 3.5 x 4.5 cm). Background: Plain light-coloured background (checklist: white background).
Is travel medical insurance required for a Iceland visa?
Yes. Travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen countries covering at least 30,000 USD (30,000 EUR) for all risks (accident, illness, medical emergency evacuation etc.) for the entire trip; an insurance card is NOT sufficient. VFS links an approved insurance list.
Which Iceland visa types can Indian citizens apply for?
Schengen Visa (short stay), Long Term and Study and work (long stay). 9 visa types are listed on this page.
