Iceland Long-Stay Visas – 2026 Guidelines

Most travelers who want to spend long-term in Iceland will need to get the appropriate long-stay visa and/or residence permit. For Iceland, long-term is considered anything longer than 90 days.

Different European countries have different entry requirements. These are a series of requirements that travelers need to meet in order to visit Iceland and stay for a certain period of time.

Do I need a long-stay visa for Iceland?

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. Still, there are certain scenarios.

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 Icelandic residence permit?

In most cases, a residence permit is what's needed. There are several types of residence permits, and the one that you should apply for should align with your reason for staying in Iceland.

Common reasons to stay are for work, to study, or to join a spouse or family member. There are additional reasons, still, and visas that cater to those, too.

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.

To apply for residence, most travelers need to provide:

• A valid passport.
• The ability to give accurate information about your intent to stay in Iceland.
• You must be able to prove that you can sustain yourself during the entire duration of your stay in Iceland. This is usually referred to as "proof of financial sustenance."
• 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.).

Types of Icelandic residence permits

As mentioned above, there are different categories of residence permits.

Some common types of Icelandic residence permits include:

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

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

The Icelandic residence permit application process

The exact process depends on your unique situation and the visa you're applying for. Still, generally speaking, applicants follow these steps:

• 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 Icelandic residence permits must be submitted manually, on paper.
• Pay the application/processing fee. Your application will not be processed if payment hasn't been made.
• 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 residency is approved

After your residence permit is approved, you will need to have your photograph taken. You'll receive the next steps for the process you'll need to follow.

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 prevalent in society.

FAQs about Iceland long stays

Do I need a long-stay visa for Iceland?

Who needs a residence permit for Iceland?

What types of Iceland residence permits are there?