06/17/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/17/2021 10:13
This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa, work permit or residence permit.
Entry requirements
If you're going to Iceland to work (or the EU, Switzerland, Norway or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
On the day you travel, you'll need your passport to both:
If you're travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some work-related things without needing a visa or work permit, such as attend business meetings. These are usually covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
If you're going for other types of work you may need a visa, work permit or residence permit.
Iceland's authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with Iceland's government before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements
If you're working in more than one country you'll need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Iceland. It includes a checklist of documents that you'll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Iceland's immigration authorities or embassy.
You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.
This guide uses the same terms used in Iceland, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Iceland's authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
You do not need a visa or permit if you're travelling to Iceland for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for:
Or for the following types of training for 90 days in a 180-day period, as long as it's for the same company or group:
You must not receive payment for these activities from a company in Iceland.
These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
Notify the authorities
Your employer, or you if you're self-employed, must submit a notification to the Directorate of Labour if you're:
They must do this no later than your first day in Iceland.
Border checks
At the border, you may be asked to show:
Check Iceland's exemptions
Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they're exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country's authorities.
The following do not require a visa or permit in Iceland if they're for less than 90 days in a 12-month period:
Your employer, or you if you're self-employed, needs to submit a notification to the Directorate of Labour no later than your first day of work.
Show proof of exemption
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:
Further checks
If you're not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Iceland's embassy.
Applying for a visa or permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you'll need to check the exact rules and processes with Iceland's immigration authorities or embassy.
Taking your family
If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can apply for long-term visas and join you.
You need to apply for a visa or permit if you're in Iceland because you're:
They're valid for up to 2 years depending on which one you need.
Working remotely from Iceland for a UK-based business
To qualify for a long-term visa for remote workers you must:
A remote work visa can take between 3 to 4 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 6 months and you can extend it.
If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can apply for a long-term visa and join you. They must qualify for the Schengen visa exemption to be eligible for a long-term visa.
How it works
You need to check with Iceland's embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You post your completed visa application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.
The Directorate of Immigration sends you a notification once approved.
You contact the Directorate of Immigration when you get to Iceland to request your visa.
Application documents
Iceland's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
You need to be able to show proof of education for any children aged 6 to 16. Usually you need documents showing which of these applies:
Providing services to a client in Iceland
You can apply for a residence permit for qualified professionals on collaboration and service contracts if you're providing 'educational, scholarly or scientific work' services to a client in Iceland under a contract or collaboration agreement.
Your UK employer must not have a branch in Iceland.
To qualify you must:
This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 6 months and you can't extend it.
If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can apply for a long-term visa and join you.
How it works
You need to check with Iceland's embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.
You apply for a residence permit at Iceland's embassy or consulate or post your completed form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.
The Directorate of Immigration sends you a notification once approved.
You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.
You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.
You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.
Application documents
Iceland's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working for an Icelandic company on an Icelandic employment contract
You can apply for a residence permit if you've been offered employment with a company in Iceland and you have:
Expert knowledge
To qualify for a residence permit requiring expert knowledge you must:
This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.
If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can apply for a long-term visa and join you.
How it works
You need to check with Iceland's embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer carries out a labour market test with the Directorate of Labour.
Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.
You apply for a residence permit at Iceland's embassy or consulate or post your completed application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.
The Directorate of Immigration notifies you once your application has been approved.
You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.
You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.
You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.
Application documents
Iceland's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Labour shortage
You can apply for a residence permit if you want to work temporarily in a role where there is a shortage of skilled workers in Iceland.
Sectors in Iceland that typically experience labour shortages are:
To qualify you must:
This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it.
If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can apply for a long-term visa and join you.
How it works
You need to check with Iceland's embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer carries out a labour market test with the Directorate of Labour.
Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.
You apply for a residence permit at Iceland's embassy or consulate or post your completed application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.
The Directorate of Immigration notifies you once your application has been approved.
You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.
You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.
You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.
Application documents
Iceland's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working in Iceland as an athlete or sports coach
To qualify for a permit for athletes or sports coaches you must:
This permit takes 90 days to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it.
If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can apply for a long-term visa and join you.
How it works
You need to check with Iceland's embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.
You apply for a residence permit at Iceland's embassy or consulate or post your completed application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.
The Directorate of Immigration notifies you once your application has been approved.
You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.
You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.
You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.
Application documents
Iceland's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Icelandic government guidance
Read official Icelandic government information on:
Check for travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check foreign travel advice for Iceland, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.