Long-term visa for remote workers and their family members

What are the conditions for the issuance of a long-term visa for remote work?

A long-term visa for remote workers can be issued if:

The applicant does not need a visa to travel to Iceland.
The applicant has not been issued a long-term visa in the last 12 months by Icelandic authorities.
The purpose of stay is to work remotely from Iceland.
The applicant does not intend to reside in Iceland for the long term.
The applicant can show that his monthly income is equivalent to ISK 1.000.000 or ISK 1.300.000, if also applying for an accompanying spouse or cohabiting partner.

What is remote work?

Remote work refers to the organization and delivery of work utilizing information technology, where the applicant will deliver their work to an operating location outside of Iceland. Holders of long-term visa for remote work are not allowed to work for local employers or in any other way participate in the Icelandic labor market. Such jobs require the issuance of a residence and work permit.

The holder of a long-term visa for remote work will not be issued an Icelandic ID number.

Who can be issued a long-term visa for remote work?

A foreign national, who wants to work remotely from Iceland as an employee of a foreign company.
A foreign national, who wants to work remotely from Iceland as a self-employed worker.

Who can be issued a long-term visa as a family member of a remote worker?

The spouse or cohabiting partner of a remote worker, if they are exempt from the visa requirement to enter Iceland.
The children of remote workers or their spouse / cohabiting partner, if they are younger than 18 years old and exempt from the visa requirement to enter Iceland.

For how long can a long-term visa for remote work be issued?

If applicants apply from their country of residence and do not arrive in Iceland until a decision has been made, a long-term visa can be issued for up to 180 days.
If applicants apply from their country of residence but enter the Schengen-area before a decision is made, a long-term visa can be issued for up to 180 days less the number of days the applicant stays in the Schengen-area before the issuance of the visa.
If applicants apply from within the Schengen area, a long-term visa can be issued for up to 90 days.

Where is a long-term visa for remote work valid?

The Directorate of Immigration may issue a long-term visa for remote work which is valid for a stay in Iceland for up to 180 days.

A long-term visa for remote work also authorizes stays in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days over a 180-day period.

Please note that travel restrictions due to Covid-19 differ between Schengen member states. For as long as they are in place it is important for travelers to familiarize themselves with the restrictions in place in each Schengen country they intend to travel to or to transit.

How to apply for a long-term visa for remote work?

Applicants must pay the processing fee for an application for a long-term visa before it is submitted.

If you are applying for a spouse, cohabiting partner, or children, an application for each individual must be filled out, and the processing fee for each application paid separately.

Applications can only be submitted in paper form, either in the drop box in the lobby of the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur or by sending the application by regular mail to the same address.

If the applicant fulfils all the conditions for the granting of a long-term visa for remote work, they will be notified by the Directorate of Immigration.

A visa will not be issued until the applicant has arrived in Iceland. They will need to contact the Directorate of Immigration This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. upon arrival for the visa to be issued. The visa will be valid from the date of issuance.

What documents must be submitted with an application?

An applicant for a long-term visa must submit the following documents required by the Directorate of Immigration for the processing of applications.

Failure to submit satisfactory documents with the application may result in delayed processing of the application or rejection of the application. The Directorate of Immigration may request additional documents when deemed necessary.

Payment receipt. Information about the applicant's name and date of birth (dd.mm.yyyy) must be included in the subject line with the payment.
Application for a long-term visa for remote workers and their family members. Please download and save on computer before filling out.
Passport photo (35mmX45mm), not older than six months.
Copies of passport. The validity of the passport shall be at least three months beyond the intended stay. Copies shall be of 1) the personal information page, 2) the page showing the applicant’s signature, 3) all visas and 4) all stamps showing the applicant’s travel to/from the Schengen area for the past 12 months.
Health insurance. If the applicant does not have insurance from an Icelandic insurance provider, they must submit detailed information about their insurance coverage while in Iceland/Schengen. The insurance policy must include information on where and for how long the insurance is valid.
Purpose of stay in Iceland. Confirmation from an employer that the applicant is allowed to perform their work remotely in Iceland if the applicant is an employee. Self-employed applicants must confirm that they are verifiably self-employed in the country in which they have permanent residence or work typically.
Income. Confirmation that income from remote working will correspond to ISK 1.000.000 per month. For example, an employee can present an employment contract with information on the monthly salary. A self-employed person can, for example, show a contract for the project(s) they intend to work on remotely and the agreed payment(s). Note, if also applying for a spouse or cohabiting partner the income for the remote work must correspond to ISK 1.300.000 per month.
Criminal record check. If necessary, the Directorate of Immigration may request a criminal record check.

How to apply for a spouse or cohabiting partner

In addition to the documents listed above (1-5), either of the following must be submitted with an application for a long-term visa for a spouse or cohabiting partner of a remote worker.

Marriage certificate.
Documents confirming that cohabitation has lasted at least one year.

A copy of certificates must be submitted. If necessary the Directorate of Immigration may however request originals and / or legal authentication, see information on document requirements.

How to apply for a child

In addition to the documents listed above (1-5), the following documents must be submitted with an application for a long-term visa for children of remote workers or their spouses or cohabiting partners.

Birth certificate.
Custody documents. Only custodial parents may apply for a residence permit for their child. The following documents may illustrate who has custody of a child:
- Custody documents issued by a competent authority, for example, a district commissioner or a court of law. Such documents should not be older than six (6) months. If more than one person holds custody of a child, a copy of a certified statement by the parent, who does not live in Iceland, that he/she agrees to the child being granted a long-term visa in Iceland must also be submitted.
- Divorce papers. If the parents of a child are divorced, and divorce papers state who has custody of a child, such documents are considered as sufficient confirmation of custody.
- Death certificate. If a child’s parent is deceased and the surviving parent holds sole custody of the child, a certified copy of the death certificate is considered as sufficient confirmation of custody.
Documents regarding a child's education. The application of a child aged 6 to 16 must be accompanied by a written confirmation a) that the child receives remote instruction from a school in the home country, b) that a school in Iceland has agreed to enroll the child or c) that the child receives home schooling or instruction.