A Guide to Iceland Long Stay Visas: 2025

Planning a journey to stay in Iceland for an extended period of time is so exciting - but there's also so much to do to prepare!

One of the most important parts of your journey isn't necessarily the most glamorous: making sure you meet the entry requirements.

Entry requirements are just that: a series of requirements that travelers need to meet in order to visit Iceland and stay for a certain period of time.

In most cases, travelers will need special permission to stay in Iceland for more than 90 days.

In this guide, we will take a look at long stay visas for Iceland, as well as residence permits. From the application requirements to the application process, we'll share important information for you to know in order to make your Icelandic adventure a reality.

Do I need a long stay visa for Iceland?

Certain travelers will need a long stay visa to spend time there. But who does that apply to?

You can apply for a long stay visa if the reason for your stay isn't covered by a residence permit category. In most cases, those who wish to spend more than 90 days in Iceland have to apply for a residence permit, not a long stay visa.

According to Iceland's official immigration website, long stay visas are for those who:

• Don't plan to settle in Iceland.
• Are legally staying in Iceland.
• Haven't been issued a long stay visa in the past 12 months.

And whose reason for travel isn't covered by a residence permit category.

Do I need an Iceland residence permit?

If you're planning to stay in Iceland for more than 90 days, you likely need to apply for a residence permit.

The purpose of your stay (such as for work, to study, or to join a family member/spouse) dictates which residence permit you should apply for.

If you're not sure, Iceland's official immigration website will tell you which one applies to your situation.

Keep in mind that each residence permit type has its own minimum requirements and qualifications.

Iceland residence permit requirements

Different categories have different requirements, but there are a few qualifications that all applicants must meet, regardless of the specific permit they're applying for.

These general requirements include:

• A valid passport.
• The ability to give accurate information about your intent to stay in Iceland.
• Proof of financial means (you must be able to prove that you can sustain yourself during the entire duration of your stay in Iceland).
• Proof of health insurance that is valid in Iceland.
• Proof that you have not served a prison sentence abroad in the past 5 years or been punished for conduct that would give you a 3+ month sentence in Iceland. Additionally, you cannot have been sentenced for a criminal offense in Iceland for 3+ months or more than once in the past 3 years. This can be done by providing a criminal record.

Remember that there are additional requirements you have to meet depending on the permit you're applying for (work, study, etc.).

Which type of Iceland residence permit do I need?

The type depends on your purpose for going to Iceland. Why are you spending time there and what are you planning to do?

If the answer is work, you'll need to apply for the work permit that reflects your situation, such as employed work or entrepreneurship. If the answer is to study, you'll need to apply for the appropriate study abroad permit.

Some common types of Iceland residence permits are:

• Work permit for a job where special skills are required.
• Work permit for specialized employees.
• Residence permit for spouses.
• Residence permit for students.
• Au pair permit.

While these are a few common categories, there are several available, and it's important that you pick the right one.

How to apply for an Iceland residence permit

There are a few steps that applicants need to take to apply for an Icelandic residence permit. It all starts with understanding which one applies to your situation, but let's look at the general steps here.

• Find the residence permit that most accurately reflects your situation (work, study, etc.). If there isn't a residence permit that matches your needs, you may need to apply for an Iceland long stay visa instead.
• Follow the steps given to you for your type of residence permit. In many cases, it'll continue as follows:
• Fill out the appropriate application form and print it out. Applications for Iceland residence permits must be submitted manually, on paper.
• Pay the application/processing fee via bank transfer. Your application will not be processed if payment hasn't been made before you submit your application.
• Mail your application to the provided address.
• Wait for processing and a decision to be made.
• All residence cards and visas require you to book an appointment to have your photograph taken. More information can be found on Iceland's official immigration site.

As a general note, always get your information from official sources, such as Iceland's government site or a trusted partner. These sites will always have the most accurate and updated information.

After your residence is approved

After your residence permit is approved, you will need to have your photograph taken and steps will be given to you for how to book that appointment.

Typically, you will need to submit a formal notification of residence after your permit has been approved. According to the official form, your residence permit won't be issued until this form has been submitted. This needs to happen within 90 days of permit approval.

This form is simple and will ask you for your name, contact information, and address in Iceland.

Some foreigners will also need to undergo a medical examination once their residence permit has been approved. This includes travelers from specific parts of the world where certain illnesses may be more present in society.

FAQs about Iceland long stays