A long-term visa permits a stay in Iceland for up to 90 days beyond the time an individual could normally stay in the country as a tourist, with or without a visa.
A long-term visa may only be issued once in any 12-month period.
The holder of a long-term visa cannot be granted an Icelandic ID number and is not allowed to work in Iceland.
Requirements
You can be issued a long-term visa if:
you are legally staying in Iceland
you do not intend to settle in Iceland
the purpose of the stay is not covered by any residence permit category
you have not been issued a long-term visa in the past 12 months.
Examples
Examples of circumstances in which a long-term visa may be issued:
To close family members who want to extend their visit in Iceland. Close family members are marital/cohabiting spouses, children under 18 years of age and parents.
Witnesses or parties to a court case who have to stay in Iceland in connection with the proceedings.
To foreign nationals who come to Iceland for other legitimate purposes, such as artists, scientists or athletes, if their stay does not require the issuing of a residence permit and/or a work permit.
Application
Applications can only be submitted in paper form.
They can either be sent by regular mail to the Directorate of Immigration or delivered to the drop box in the Directorate’s reception. It is necessary to first pay the processing fee by bank transfer and submit the payment receipt with the application for confirmation, see information on how to pay the processing fee. Applications can also be handed in and paid for in the Directorate’s reception.
Directorate of Immigration (see map)
Dalvegur 18
201 Kópavogur
Iceland
Processing fee
The fee for an application for a long-term visa is 12 200 ISK, see information on how to pay the processing fee. An unpaid application will be returned to the applicant. The processing fee is not refunded if the applicant cancels the application.
Application deadline
It is important that you apply for a long-term visa in good time. If you require a visa you should apply at least 14 days before your current visa expires. If you are exemt from the visa obligation you should apply at least 14 days before your 90 visa free days in the Schengen area are up.
Supporting documents
If the Directorate of Immigration does not receive satisfactory documents with the application, this may lead to delays of the procedure or in the application being rejected. The Directorate of Immigration may request additional documents if necessary.
Payment receipt, if the application has been paid for in a bank.
It must be made clear who is being paid for. Enter the name and date of birth of the applicant in reference.
Passport photo (35x45 mm) not older than 6 months.
Copy of passport.
Valid at least 90 days beyond the duration of the visa.
A photocopy must be of:
- personal information page
- signature page
- visas
- entry and exit stamps into and out of the Schengen area during the last year.
Documents confirming the purpose of the stay in Iceland, for example:
- a letter of invitation from the host
- confirmation of a stay in an artist residency
- documents concerning court proceedings
- or a written statement describing the purpose of stay in Iceland.Documents confirming that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during the stay in Iceland.
Travel medical insurance for the duration of the stay.
Return ticket or proof that you have the means to pay for your return when your stay in Iceland ends.
If necessary, the Directorate of Immigration may request that you submit a criminal record certificate.
Documents that may be submitted
Power of Attorney, in its original, certified by two witnesses.
A Power of Attorney does not have to be submitted unless you want someone other than yourself to receive information about the processing of the application by the Directorate of Immigration.
Laws and regulations
Foreign Nationals Act, No. 80/2016
Regulation on Foreign Nationals, No. 540/2017
Service provider
Directorate of Immigration