Visa Requirements for Icelandic Citizens

Visa requirements for citizens of Iceland are the regulations on entering different countries and territories that apply to holders of Icelandic passports.

In particular, these rules decide whether an Icelandic national needs a permit to enter in a given situation and, if so, which type of visa or travel authorization is required.

The Icelandic passport is ranked 11th strongest in the world in 2021 by the Henley Passport Index. It permits holders to travel to over 180 different locations around the world without having to apply for a visa in person at an embassy beforehand.

Some of these destinations have an online system available to Icelanders, which allows them to apply for either an electronic visa (eVisa) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) from the comfort of their own homes (or any other location with an internet connection).

These digital platforms are widely considered to be the easiest way for Icelandic nationals to gain an entry permit.

Icelanders are able to obtain a visa on arrival in some countries and territories. This involves standing in line to fill out an application at certain entry points, but has the drawback of spending more time than necessary at border control.

Certain countries allow citizens of Iceland to enter without a visa or travel authorization for temporary stays.

On the other hand, the visa requirements for Icelanders traveling to a number of other destinations establish that it is necessary to apply for a visa at an embassy, even for short-term stays.

Additionally, the majority of destinations require Icelandic nationals to apply for the relevant type of visa at an embassy if they plan to live and/or work in the country in question.

Icelanders can use this page to check the visa requirements for every country in the world.

List of Visa Countries for Icelandic Passport Holders

Icelandic passport holders require a visa of one type or another to visit over 130 countries in 2021.

The terms of visas for Icelanders vary depending on the destination.

Some countries offer both single-entry and multiple-entry visas for citizens of Iceland, while others only permit the holder to enter once.

Icelandic nationals can apply online for either an eVisa or eTA to enter various different countries and territories. These typically feature a streamlined application process and delivery of the permit via email.

Both eVisas and eTAs for Icelanders generally permit short-term stays for tourism, with some allowing visits for other purposes as well as transit.

Conversely, certain countries require that all travelers from Iceland apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) abroad before embarking on their journey, regardless of the length of time they plan to spend in the destination or the purpose of the trip.

Several countries also have a visa on arrival service for Icelanders, although travelers may not want to deal with the hassle of queuing and filling out extra paperwork at the border.

Browse the map below to find out the visa requirements by country for nationals of Iceland.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization for Icelandic Citizens

Icelanders can obtain an entry permit online for a number of destinations.

There are 2 distinct types: electronic visas (eVisas) and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs). Both types of digital permits are obtained by completing a quick online form via a secure online platform.

An eVisa for Icelanders is a visa that is obtained online rather than in person. Electronic systems like these are considered the most convenient way to get a visa.

An eTA for Icelandic citizens is a visa waiver that allows the holder to enter the destination country without a visa, providing they register their details online beforehand.

In practice, both eVisas and eTAs for Icelanders are similar, using digital systems to apply from any location with an internet connection and avoiding any unnecessary trip to an embassy.

Over 35 countries and territories around the world have either an eTA or eVisa for citizens of Iceland.

Depending on the destination, an eVisa or eTA might allow the Icelandic passport holder to enter a single time or on multiple occasions during its period of validity.

Online visas and travel authorizations generally allow Icelandic nationals to visit the country for short stays. The maximum period of time a holder may remain in the destination varies from 14 days to 3 months, depending on the country.

An eVisa or eTA usually allows Icelanders to travel for the purposes of tourism and leisure. In many cases, they also allow the holder to transit through the destination country. In certain cases, business visits, medical treatment, and/or other purposes may also be allowed.

However, the immigration requirements of most countries for Icelanders dictate that eVisas and eTAs cannot be used for long-term stays or to move to and/or work in the country. In this case, the relevant visa must be obtained from an embassy.

See below the list of countries that have either an eVisa or eTA system available to visitors from Iceland.

Visa On Arrival for Citizens of Iceland

A visa on arrival (VoA) for Icelandic citizens is a type of visa that can be obtained at immigration control when entering a country or territory.

Over 20 countries have a visa on arrival that holders of passports issued by Iceland may apply for.

Visas on arrival for Icelanders typically only allow short stays. Depending on the country or territory in question, the longest that holders can stay varies between 8 days and 3 months.

In most cases, a visa on arrival grants the national of Iceland a single entry to the destination country.

Icelanders may use a visa on arrival to travel for tourism and leisure. The visa policies of some countries also allow VoAs to be used for other purposes, such as business.

VoAs are usually only available at certain airports, seaports, and/or land border checkpoints. Travelers from Iceland who plan to apply for a VoA should ensure that this is an option at the entry point they intend to arrive at before embarking.

Applying for a visa on arrival can be time-consuming, as Icelanders must stand in line at the border and fill out and submit the necessary form.

In the unlikely event that the Icelandic traveler forgets or loses the required supporting documents, or there is another problem in processing the application, they may be denied entry and forced to return home.

For these reasons, it is advisable to apply for an eVisa in advance if this option is also available.

Find below a list of countries where Icelanders can obtain a visa on arrival.

Bangladesh
Burkina Faso
Comoros
Guinea-Bissau
Lebanon
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mozambique
Pakistan
Palau
Samoa
Senegal
Somalia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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Embassy Visa Required by Icelandic Nationals

An embassy visa for Icelanders is any visa issued by a diplomatic mission.

Icelandic citizens are required to apply for a long-term visa, work visa, and/or residence visa at an embassy in order to relocate to the majority of countries.

There are also around 75 countries that require nationals of Iceland to apply for a short-term visa at an embassy or consulate, including tourist visas and business visas.

The terms of embassy visas for Icelandic travelers vary depending on the destination and the type of visa.

Embassy visa applications must generally be done in person. Icelanders must go to a diplomatic mission, bringing any and all necessary supporting documentation.

The required documents must be submitted, along with a completed application form.

In some cases, it may be necessary to book an appointment at the embassy in advance.

Embassies are generally located in capital cities, while some countries may also have consulates in other major cities.

Embassy visas for Icelanders typically take longer to process than their online counterparts. In some cases, several weeks or even months may be needed. For this reason, it is advisable to apply in good time before the trip.

Consult the list below to find all the countries where an embassy visa is a requirement for Icelandic citizens regardless of the length and purpose of the trip.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antarctica
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Burundi
Cameroon
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Guyana
Iraq
Isle of Man
Jersey
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
Nauru
New Caledonia
Niger
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Seychelles
Sint Maarten
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Syrian Arab Republic
Tokelau
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

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Visa Not Required by Icelandic Passport Holders

Icelandic citizens enjoy visa exemption for a number of countries and territories around the world. This means that they may travel to these destinations and enter without a visa.

Around 110 countries allow Icelanders to visit visa-free.

In most cases, visa exemption for nationals of Iceland only applies to short-term visits, with a maximum stay ranging from 14 days to 1 year, depending on the country or territory in question.

Only certain activities, such as tourism, leisure, transit, and, in some cases, business, are permitted without a visa in most destinations.

For long-term stays, or to move to and/or work in the majority of foreign countries, (including those with a visa-free policy for Icelanders), the relevant visa will be required.

Countries in the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are notable exceptions, since Icelandic citizens benefit from a policy of complete freedom of movement with these nations.

A list of countries that have no visa requirements for Icelanders (at least for short stays) can be found below.

Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Austria
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Norway
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela

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Freedom of Movement for Icelanders

Iceland is part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Schengen Area of Europe. These organizations have a policy of freedom of movement, which allows nationals of all countries to travel to, live, and work in any other member state.

This also extends to European Union (EU) members that have not joined Schengen, such as the Republic of Ireland.

Citizens of Iceland can therefore live and work in any EU or EFTA country visa-free in addition to visiting.