Applying for a Visa to Iceland in the United States

A country with an area of 103,000km2 and a population of 348,580, Iceland is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. Despite of its name, it is not covered in ice at all. It is actually covered in green fields mostly. The US VISA FOR ICELAND CITIZENS country has numerous massive waterfalls, basalt columns placed right next to the beach and is very rich of wildlife.

Moreover, who has not heard about Iceland’s Northern Lights? Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis. Many tourists travel to the country under the sole purpose of seeing these heavenly lights.

Yet, not every world citizen is lucky enough to just book a trip and travel to Iceland. Many will need a visa first.

Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa for Iceland?

U.S. citizens may visit Iceland without a visa for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes. The US is listed under the Schengen visa-free countries, and as such, its citizens are exempt from the short-stay visa requirement.

There is only one case when US citizens do need a visa, and that is when a US passport holder has been denied entry to any of the Schengen members, for a particular reason. However, the case is not the same for nationals of other countries residing in the US. You can find more information in this regard in the following paragraphs.

Who Needs to Apply for an Iceland Visa in the US?

US passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Iceland for short-term trips. Yet, there are categories of people living in the US who need to apply for an Iceland visa.

You will NOT need to apply for an Iceland Visa in the US if you are:

• A US passport holder.
• A US resident but a passport holder of one of the 62 countries under the Schengen visa-free regime.

You will need to apply for an Iceland Visa in the US if you:

• Are a passport holder of a country which does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen.
• Have been rejected from entering Iceland or any other Schengen country without a visa, despite being :
  • A US passport holder.
  • A US resident but a passport holder of one of the 62 countries under the Schengen visa-free regime.

How to Apply for an Iceland Visa in USA?

If you want to go to Iceland, and you belong to one of the categories above, you must get this visa. And to get the visa, you should be careful and apply correctly. Applying for a short-stay visa to Iceland in the US is not a Rubik-cube hard thing. You just have to complete some several procedures one-by-one, according to the instructions.

To apply for a Visa to Iceland in the United States you have to follow the steps listed below:

1. Find out where you need to apply.
2. Check when is the right and best time to apply.
3. Collect the required documents for an Iceland visa from the US VISA FOR IRISH CITIZENS.
4. Make a visa appointment.
5. Attend the visa interview at the consulate/visa center representing Iceland in the United States.
6. Pay the Iceland Visa fee.
7. Wait for the processing of your Iceland visa.

After you get your Iceland visa, you can come here and remain for the maximum of the period stated in your visa.

Where to Apply for an Iceland Visa in US?

Iceland does not have an embassy or consulate of its own in the US that handles visa applications. Thus, you will need to apply at one of the representative consulates of Iceland in the US, which admit and process visa applications on its behalf.

Five Consulates/visa application centers receive visa applications in the US on the behalf of Iceland.  These are:

• New York – VFS Global on behalf of Royal Danish Consulate General.
• Washington – VFS Global on behalf of Swedish Embassy.
• San Francisco – VFS Global on behalf of Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York.
• Chicago – VFS Global on behalf of Danish Consulate General.
• Houston – VFS Global on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York.

When to Apply for an Iceland Visa from US?

The earliest you are permitted to apply for an Iceland Visa from the United States is three months before your intended trip. On the other hand, the latest you can apply is two weeks before the trip.

It is recommended for you to submit your application one month before the date you are scheduled to travel to Iceland in order to avoid any delay.

Iceland Visa Requirements for US Residents

The most important part of filing an Iceland visa application in the US is collecting the right required documents.

The standard required documents for a visa for Iceland are as follows:

• Iceland visa application form. Completely filled in, printed twice, and both copies signed at the end.
• Two photos taken according to the Schengen visa photo requirements.
• Valid passport. Check your passport as it must be valid for at least another three more years beyond the date you plan to leave Iceland. It should also have at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
• Copies in color of your entire valid passport. This includes the pages without your details and the pages with visa stickers and stamps.
• Proof of legal residence in the US. This could be one of the following:
  • Valid original U.S. Resident Alien Card.
  • A valid U.S. visa, including the I-94 online registration.
  • Students should present a valid original I-20.
  • Exchange visitors (J1) should present a valid DS-2019.

• Receipt for payment. If you are applying through the Danish consulate, you will receive a receipt after you pay the fee online. If you are applying through VFS Global to which Sweden and Norway have outsourced visa admission for Iceland, you will have to pay the fee at their premises, on the day of your application, and save the receipt your receive.
• Travel Medical Insurance for your entire stay in Iceland. Your insurance must cover not just Iceland but the whole territory of the Schengen Area and unforeseen illnesses or accidents with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Flight travel itinerary for your trip to Iceland.
• Proof of financial means. You must prove you have at least 4,000 ISK or about 28.83€ per each day you plan to spend in Iceland. Whereas, the amount of money required for each entry to the territory of Iceland is 20,000 ISK or 144.13€.
• Proof of accommodation in Iceland. That could be a hotel booking, rental agreement, or even a letter of invitation if you are going to stay at your friends or family members.
• Proof of civil status. This could be your birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.

* If you plan to return to the U.S. after your visit to Iceland, your US residence permit/visa must be valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you leave Iceland and the Schengen area.

Iceland visa required documents for minors residing in the US

• Birth certificate.
• Application form signed by both parents.
• Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents.
• Family court order, if only one parent has full custody over the child.
• A notarized parental authorization to travel to Iceland from the US, signed by both parents / guardians, if the minor will be travelling alone with another person.

Iceland visa requirements based on your occupational status in the US

• If you are employed: Employment contract, Current bank statement for the last 6 months and leave permission from the employer.
• If you are self-employed: A copy of your business license, Bank statements for the last 6 months
• If you are a student: Proof of enrollment and No-objection certificate from school or university
• If you are retired: Submit your pension statement of the latest 6 months.

Required Documents Regarding Purpose of Travel to Iceland

In addition to the standard required documents for applying for an Iceland Visa from the US, you will also need to submit some other documents according to the purpose of your trip.  Find these documents following:

• Required Documents for a Tourism Visa to Iceland
• Required Documents for Visiting Family or Friends in Iceland
• Required Documents for a Business Visa to Iceland
• Required Documents for an Official Visit Visa to Iceland
• Required Documents for a Medical Visa to Iceland
• Required Documents for a Study Visa to Iceland
• Required Documents for a Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa

Iceland Visa Interview in USA

Another very important part of your Iceland visa application in the US is the visa interview as well.  The interview is a meeting between you and a visa officer. It lasts about 10 minutes.

During the interview, the visa consular will ask you several questions regarding your background and your intended trip to Iceland. You will also have to give your biometric information, your fingerprints and facial image, on the same day. Usually you will have to pay the visa fee on the same day too.

Make sure you show up on time on the day of your visa interview. You are advised to wear something more appropriate, but that does not mean you have to wear a suit.

Iceland Visa Fees for US residents

When applying for a visa to Iceland in the United States you will need to pay a certain fee. The fees for applying for an Iceland visa in the US are as follows:

• Adult applicants need to pay a fee of €60 or about $70
• Children between the ages of 6 to 12 need to pay a fee of €35 or about $41
• Children under the age of 6 are exempt from paying any fee

Yet, depending on your nationality or the purpose of your trip to Iceland you may be exempt from paying a fee for getting an Iceland visa in US. Find out more about these categories!

ETIAS Authorization for Americans Traveling to Iceland

Soon American nationals that do not need a visa to enter Iceland will have to register in order to be able to enter the Schengen Area.

As of January 2021, the European Travel Information and Authorization System will start operating. All nationals of visa exempt-countries will need to register in this system, and get an approval in order to be able to travel to the Schengen member countries.

The ETIAS is not a visa, but rather a travel authorization, quite similar to the American ESTA. It is very easy to get one, and the application process is estimated to take about 10 minutes to be completed. It costs €7 per application, and you will be able to enter the territory for three years (without breaking the 90/180 days rule)

Tips for US Citizens and Residents Traveling to Iceland

You may have already been prepared for your trip to Iceland; however, a few extra tips can always be helpful. These are the top tips for Americans traveling to Iceland:

• Plan on a lot of driving. Places may not seem far from each other on the map, but they are. Transport from one place to another may often be unavailable, so you most definitely will have to drive yourself. You can always rent a car in Iceland, if you do not want to come with yours.
• Book your activities in advance. The number of tourists in Iceland is continuously growing. As a result, activities sell out very quickly. Book your activities before you take the trip, so you will not find yourself stuck without anything available to do.
• You can use a credit card almost everywhere. Thus you do not need to exchange much cash.
• Tipping is not required. You can tip if you want to, and it is really appreciated if you do, but it is not compulsory.
• Bring a bottle. Water in Iceland is safe and tasty, therefore you do not need to buy it. Just bring a bottle and fill it with tap water anywhere you can.

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