Iceland Work Visa for Indians

The minimum working age for Iceland is 15 years for a set number of hours a week. Thus, ensure the applicant is at least 15 years of age and check for age eligibility for specific job roles before applying.

• The applicant must have a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of travel.

• The applicant must submit proof of sufficient funds to live and work in Iceland.

• The applicant must have a job letter or employment contract from an employer in Iceland.

• The applicant must have the required qualifications and experience for the said job role and responsibilities.

• The applicant must have a valid travel insurance policy for the entire stay duration.

In order to work with an employer in Iceland, the employer must initiate the work permit application on your behalf. Here is everything an employer needs to do to ensure the applicant can enter and obtain a work permit for Iceland.

• All employers who wish to hire citizens of another country need to apply for a valid work permit for the employee via the Directorate of Immigration, Iceland.

• Along with the application, the employer must submit a list of documents on behalf of the employee for approval.

• Some other employer documents like company papers, proof of lack of skills or human resources within Iceland for the job role in question, employment contract proof, etc., must be submitted to the Directorate of Immigration, Iceland, to forward it to the Directorate of Labour, Iceland, to process the work permit application.

• Once the work permit application is evaluated by the Directorate of Labour, Iceland, and approved for qualification for a resident permit, the employee in India can apply for a visa and receive the work permit once they enter Iceland.

If you wish to work in Iceland, you can choose between 2 options for an Iceland work visa for Indians. For both these visa options, a work permit application from the employer is mandatory to allow you to enter Iceland on a valid visa.

Once the work permit is issued after approval, you can live and work with only that employer throughout your work visa period and come back to India once the job is completed.

Let us discuss each of the two categories in detail below.

Temporary Work Visa

• This is a short-term work visa for Indians who want to work in Iceland with a local employer. It is an ideal option for short-term or contractual projects that require a set skill set and a fixed duration.

• This visa is only valid for a maximum period of 2 years.

• Extension of this visa is possible if the employment period and requirement increase beyond the pre-decided period.

• The employer in Iceland needs to submit an application for a valid work permit on your behalf before you apply for approval.

Residence Permit Work Visa

• To qualify for long-term projects and employment contracts with an employer in Iceland, you must apply for a residence permit work visa. The process for this visa is similar to the temporary work visa above.

• This visa is valid for up to 4 years from the date of issuance.

• This visa can be renewed till the time you are employed by the same employer in Iceland.

• The employer in Iceland needs to submit proof of sponsorship for your residence permit and work permit applications.

• This visa also allows you to apply for permanent residency in Iceland once you meet a set of conditions, increasing your chances of building a sustainable life in Iceland and benefiting from various residency perks.

• A passport with a validity of at least 6 months and 2 blank pages.

• A completed visa application form printout after submitting it online (no handwritten forms are accepted).

• Official job or contract letter from an Icelandic employer clearly stating the job role, responsibilities, duration of employment, starting date, etc.

• Proof of accommodation when in Iceland via a rental agreement, relative’s home address, etc.

• Proof of sufficient funds in your bank account to support your stay in Iceland. You can submit bank statements, salary slips from an Indian employer, etc.

• Sufficient health insurance.

• Proof of no criminal history in the home country.

• Proof of education and qualifications in English or Icelandic language only.

• Work permit approval from the Directorate of Labour, Iceland.

Additional Iceland Work Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

• No Objection letter from the Indian employer.

• Income Tax Returns of at least the last 3 years.

• Employment contract with signatures of the employer and the employee.

• Bank statements of at least 3 months.

• Letter of sponsorship, when applicable.

• Medical certificate.

• 2-3 passport-sized clear photographs.

• Go to the VFS Global website.

• Select “Start Now” under the “Apply for a visa” option.

• Select “Begin your Application” and click on the link below.

• You will be redirected to the application form on the Directorate of Immigration, Iceland website.

• Here, answer the questions at the bottom of the page by selecting the language as “English,” the country of the application office as “India,” and the city of the application from the dropdown menu.

• Now, an application form will appear on the screen. Read it carefully and add all the required information accurately step-by-step before submitting the application form.

• After completing the form, download the completed application form and go back to the VFS Global main page.

• Next, find and click on the “Book an Appointment” option, select “Book Now”, and select the desired Visa Application Centre for the preferred date and time.

• Once you receive the appointment confirmation email, visit the VAC to submit the completed application form along with all the required documents.

• After that, make the application fee payment.

• Next, visit your nearest VAC with your completed application form, passport, and other necessary documents to submit. You will also be asked to provide your biometrics during your appointment.

• Your documents and biometrics will be sent to the Embassy of Iceland, New Delhi, for processing.

• The Embassy of Iceland might demand additional documents or request for an in-person interview.

• The Embassy will then notify you regarding your visa application approval or rejection status.

Useful Links:

• The Procedure at the Visa Application Centre for Indians

• Online Application Form for Iceland

• All Application Forms for Iceland

Note: The information for visa fees is taken at 5:45 pm on 20 March 2024. This is subject to change, so always check the official website for updated fees.

Other Fees

As the application is completed via VFS Global, you can easily access your application for an Iceland work visa for Indians using the same website by following the steps mentioned below.

• Visit the VFS Global website.

• Find and select the “Track your Application” option and click on the link mentioned below.

• Enter your application reference number and date of birth.

• Enter the text shown in the image below.

• Select “Submit” to view your application status on the screen.

Iceland Honorary Consulate General in Mumbai

• As soon as you reach Iceland, you need to complete the immigration procedure as directed by the authorities. This will include verification of your travel documents, employment contract, visa documents, etc.

• Once you have done this, you will need to visit Registers Iceland to register for a national identity number in Iceland. The documents for this registration include a passport, work permit or visa, and accommodation proof.

• If you have applied for a residence permit work visa, you will be required to obtain the residence permit with a work permit shortly after getting a national identity number.

• Once all this is done, use the national identity number to open your bank account for daily routine and salary payments. You will need to submit a list of documents to open a bank account, including a work permit, proof of residence, etc.

Useful Links -

Important Office Addresses in Iceland

Incomplete Application - One of the main reasons why your work visa application can get rejected is due to an incomplete application form. Given that it is the first information delivery regarding yourself and your travel intent, incomplete information on the application form can lead to direct rejection.

Inaccurate Information - Other than the requirement for a complete application form, you must ensure accurate information on the application form and supporting documents. Any gap between the same can result in an instant rejection from the Directorate of Immigration, Iceland.

Incorrect or Missing Documents - Even though the general list of documents is clearly indicated during application submission, some additional documents might be requested for verification based on the job title or responsibilities. Failure to provide the correct and necessary documents on time can result in rejection.

Gaps in Skills vs. Job Role - When an Icelandic employer hires you, they notify the Directorate of Labour, Iceland, via the work permit application submission regarding the skillset you are hired for. However, if you fail to prove the desired skill set or match the required qualifications, your application can be rejected.

Insufficient Funds—To live and work in Iceland, you must submit bank statements or salary slips before the salary cycle starts to confirm your ability to live in the country with personal funds. A lack of funds in your bank account can thus lead to an application rejection.

Non-Payment of Application Fees—The applicant pays the application fee at the chosen Visa Application Centre in India while submitting the application form and documents in person.

The employer completes the work permit application fee payment on behalf of the applicant. Any payment gap for any of these processes can lead to application rejection.

Explore the Work Culture at Iceland Hassle-Free!

Investing in an overseas travel insurance plan is necessary to ensure a stress-free commute and stay in Iceland. Iceland is part of the Schengen area, and thus, foreign travel insurance with medical coverage is mandatory for any visa application.

Along with the mandate, a travel insurance policy also safeguards your trip to Iceland from unforeseen circumstances and emergencies that can otherwise lead to a significant expense.

From medical cover and third-party liabilities to local journey assistance and loss or damage of personal belongings, Tata AIG offers overseas travel insurance plans to ensure maximum financial protection.

If you are travelling to Iceland with family members, you can also explore our travel insurance for senior citizens, which is curated to cover the policyholder's health and medical requirements even when in Iceland.