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  4. Currently not in Iceland: Q&A for non EU/EEA nationals

Currently not in Iceland: Q&A for non EU/EEA nationals

I would like to come to Iceland as a tourist. Can I travel to Iceland now?

No. As of 20 March 2020, foreign nationals - except EU/EEA, EFTA or UK nationals - are not allowed to enter Iceland unless they can demonstrate that their travel is essential. 

I have been granted a residence permit as a family member of an EU/EEA citizen residing in Iceland but have not yet been issued a residence card. Can I travel to Iceland now?

If you are in such a situation, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are allowed to enter Iceland.

However, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Moreover, if you need a visa to travel to Iceland, be aware that the issuance of visas to Iceland has been stopped temporarily in many countries that issue visas on behalf of Iceland. If the issuance of visas has been stopped in your country, you will need to wait until it starts again.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

I have been granted a residence permit in Iceland and received an entry visa in my passport. Can I travel to Iceland now?

If you are in such a situation, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are allowed to enter Iceland.

However, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

I have been granted a residence permit in Iceland and I am from a visa exempt country. Can I travel to Iceland now?

If you are in such a situation, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are allowed to enter Iceland.

However, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

I do not need a visa and want to travel to Iceland to be with my spouse / close family member who is an EU/EEA citizen and lives in Iceland. Can I travel to Iceland now?

If you are in such a situation, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are allowed to enter Iceland. 

However, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

I have a residence permit in another Schengen country and want to travel to Iceland to be with my spouse / close family member who is an EU/EEA citizen and lives in Iceland. Can I travel to Iceland now?

If you are in such a situation, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are allowed to enter Iceland.

However, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

I now live in a country other than Iceland and wonder if I can apply for a residence permit to move to Iceland. Can I apply now?

Yes, it is still possible to submit an application for a residence permit.

I have submitted an application for a residence permit in Iceland and am now outside Iceland waiting for an answer. Will I be able to get a residence permit now?

Applications for residence permits are still being processed and permits are still being granted.

Can I submit an application for a visa to Iceland at a Visa Application Centre (VFS) or embassy abroad?

The issuance of visas has been temporarily stopped in VFS and all embassies. However, Icelandic embassies and Danish embassies that represent Iceland will accept visa applications, if the purpose of travel to Iceland is in accordance with the travel restrictions.

I have received a visitor's visa to Iceland, but have not travelled to Iceland yet. Can I travel to Iceland now?

Unless you were granted a visa to Iceland because you are exempt from the travel restrictions introduced on 20 March 2020, you will not be allowed to enter Iceland even if you have obtained a Schengen visa and have a visa sticker in your passport.

I have a temporary residence permit/permanent residence permit in Iceland and a valid residence card, but am currently abroad. Can I travel to Iceland?

Yes, if you are a resident of Iceland and have a valid residence card, you are allowed to enter Iceland.

However, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

I recently received a decision granting me a residence permit in Iceland, but I have not travelled to Iceland yet. Will I receive an entry visa now?

If you are in such a situation, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are allowed to enter Iceland.

However, if you need a visa to travel to Iceland, be aware that the issuance of visas to Iceland has been stopped temporarily in many countries that issue visas on behalf of Iceland. If the issuance of visas has been stopped in your country, you will need to wait until it starts again.

Moreover, if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important that you carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective stopover state that might affect your travel to Iceland.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules on quarantine for travelers due to COVID-19 before arriving in Iceland.

Will my application take longer to process because of COVID-19?

Currently, we do not know the impact the situation will have on our processing time but it is likely that it will lead to longer waiting times in some cases.

On our website you can find regularly updated information on which applications are being processed at the moment.

I am abroad and have a residence permit that will expire soon but due to COVID-19 I have problems traveling back to Iceland. What can I do?

If you are in this situation you can email your renewal application via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by way of exception. Please make sure that you pay the processing fee and send an electronic bank receipt with the application. It is important that you explain the reason for the delay and document this in your application.

Please be advised that the Directorate cannot grant the residence permit without an original signature on the application, to rectify this you have the following options:

1. You can send a completed renewal application with an original signature to the Directorate through regular mail.

2. You make an appointment at the Directorate to sign your application after your arrival (for those who do not require a visa to travel to Iceland).

Those who need a visa to travel to Iceland will have to wait until their permit has been granted and a request for a d-visa has been sent.

I am abroad and have a residence permit but due to COVID-19 I will exceed the 3-month allowed stay outside of Iceland, how will this affect my renewal or my application for permanent residence permit?

If you are exceeding your stay abroad due to travel restrictions caused by COVID-19, we will consider this when we process you application for renewal or application for a permanent residence permit.

It is important that you explain the reason for overstaying abroad and document this in your application.

  • Directorate of Immigration
  • News
  • Statistics
  • Processing fee
  • Forms
  • Processing time
  • Laws and regulations
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • COVID-19
    • Currently in Iceland: Q&A for non EU/EEA nationals
    • Currently not in Iceland: Q&A for non EU/EEA nationals

Links

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  • The Directorate of Labour
  • Registers Iceland
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Information

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OPENING HOURS

Monday to Thursday 9 - 14
Fridays 9 - 12

Tel.: 444 0900

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Location

Directorate of Immigration | Dalvegur 18 | 201 Kópavogur | +354 444 0900 | utl@utl.is

Kt. 670269-6399 | Rkn. 0515-26-410424

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