Iceland is the perfect country for watching the northern lights, seeing the glaciers, or participating in winter festivals. Typically, if you are travelling to a country you need a visa. If you are asking yourself the question- Do Indians need a tourist visa for Iceland? This is the blog you must read. We have covered everything related to Iceland tourist visa eligibility, requirements, application process, fees and more.
This Blog Includes:
- Do Indians Need a Tourist Visa for Iceland?
- What Type of Visa Do Indians Need for Iceland?
- Eligibility Requirements to Get a Tourist Visa for Iceland
- Iceland Tourist Visa Requirements for Indians
- How Much Bank Balance is Required for Iceland Tourist Visa?
- How to Apply for an Iceland Tourist Visa from India?
- Iceland Tourist Visa Processing Time for Indians
- What is the Cost of an Iceland Tourist Visa for Indians?
- Visa-Free Travel Alternatives for Indians
- Can Indians Travel to Iceland with a Schengen Visa?
- 5 Tips for a Successful Iceland Visa Application
- How Long Can Indians Stay in Iceland with a Tourist Visa?
- Can I Extend My Iceland Tourist Visa?
- What are Some of the Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Iceland?
- What to Do If Your Iceland Tourist Visa Application is Rejected?
- FAQs
Do Indians Need a Tourist Visa for Iceland?
Yes. Indian nationals with ordinary passports need a tourist visa for Iceland. The tourist visa for Iceland is a Schengen visa. This is a short-stay visa that will permit you to stay in the country for up to 90 days within any 180 days.
On the other hand, if you are an Indian national holding a diplomatic passport you do not need to apply for a tourist visa. The Republic of India and the Government of Iceland have agreed to exempt diplomatic passport holders from the requirement to apply for a schengen visa.
You also do not need to apply for a visa if you hold a residence permit, or a valid visa in any of the schengen states.
What Type of Visa Do Indians Need for Iceland?
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland in 2025? Yes. If you are an ordinary passport holder from India. In this case, the visa you need is a Uniform Schengen visa. The visa will permit you to visit Iceland as a tourist. This visa is valid for stays less than 90 days within any 180 days.
The benefit of getting a Schengen visa is that you can travel restriction-free to any European country in the Schengen area. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries. This includes countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Nordic countries, and the Netherlands. And more. This means you do not have to get a separate visa to travel to these countries.
Eligibility Requirements to Get a Tourist Visa for Iceland
To get a Schengen visa for Iceland you need to meet the following eligibility criteria.
- Your intention to travel to Iceland must be tourism only
- You have applied for travel health insurance that is valid in all the Schengen area
- Additionally, you must have sufficient funds to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay
- You must provide the necessary documents to get the visa
Iceland Tourist Visa Requirements for Indians
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? Yes. An ordinary passport holder needs to present the following documents to get the visa.
Documents | Description |
Passport | Has two black pages, and is valid for 3 months beyond the duration of the stay |
Online application form | You must have filled out the online application form |
Photograph | Taken within the last 6 months, and measures 3.5- 4.5 cm |
Travel medical insurance | At least EUR 30,000 |
Transportation proof | Return flight ticket or round-trip flight ticket |
An Accommodation Proof | Hotel booking, rent agreement, campus residence reservation etc |
Proof of study/employment/retired | Certificate of registration of the company, last 3 months’ salary slip, or letter confirming enrollment in a college or university |
Proof of finances | Have at least ISK 4000 per day for the duration of your stay |
Cover letter | Explaining the purpose and duration of stay |
Minors | Written consent from both parents or legal guardians certified by a public notary |
How Much Bank Balance is Required for Iceland Tourist Visa?
You must have a minimum bank balance in your account. You are required to demonstrate this amount in your bank statements. The reason? The government wants to ensure that you can fund your living expenses while you are in Iceland.
Visa | Minimum Bank Balance |
Schengen visa for Iceland | ISK 4000 per day of stay (if you are staying in a hotel), ISK 2000 per day if the expenses are taken care of by a third party |
How to Apply for an Iceland Tourist Visa from India?
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? Yes. As an ordinary passport holder, you need to apply for a tourist visa. To apply for a Schengen visa for Iceland you can follow the steps below:
Fill out the Visa Application Form
The first step is to fill out the visa application form. To get the visa applicaton form visit the offical website of Iceland to process a Schengen visa application. That is the website (https://visa.government.is/).
Schedule Your Visa Appointment
Iceland has outsourced part of its visa application process to VFS Global India. Therefore, through VFS Global’s offical website, you can schedule your visa appointment. To book your visa appointment register your account, fill in the personal details, select the date of visa appointment, and pay the visa application fee.
Gather the Necessary Documents
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? Yes. To get one, submission of documents is essential. Gather the relevant documents after you have scheduled your appointment at the nearest visa application centre. Do not miss any document as it can lead to visa rejection.
Show Up on the Day of Visa Appointment
Bring your documents on the day of your visa appointment. You have to submit your biometric information. Also, you may be called for an interview. If an interview is required you need to attend the same.
Visa Application Processing Takes Place
At this stage, your visa application is processed. Typically, you will get a response within 15 days. During this time, you can track your visa application online by entering your reference number, and last name. You can also check your email for updates.
Visa Decision and Collection of Passport
The authorities will inform you regarding the visa decision. Once a decision has been made, you can collect your passport from the visa application centre.
Iceland Tourist Visa Processing Time for Indians
Now you know the answer to your question- Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? Want to know about the processing time? It is provided in the table below:
Visa | Processing Time |
Schengen visa for Iceland | 15 days (normally). The visa processing time can be extended to 45 days in exceptional cases. |
What is the Cost of an Iceland Tourist Visa for Indians?
Indian citizens Iceland travel requires visa fee payment. The visa fees are different depending on your age.
Age | Fees |
Adults | EUR 90 |
Children (11-6) | EUR 45 |
Children below the age of 6 | Free |
Understand the cost of living in Iceland
Visa-Free Travel Alternatives for Indians
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? Yes. As an ordinary passport holder, you need a visa. However, if you don’t want to go through the lengthy visa process, you can decide to travel to any visa-free country. Approximately 16 countries have permitted Indian nationals to enter their territory visa-free for a short duration as tourists. For example, Thailand, Hong Kong, Nepal, Bhutan, etc.
What is the Difference Between a Regular Visa, E-visa and a Visa on Arrival?
Can Indians Travel to Iceland with a Schengen Visa?
You can apply for a Schengen visa for Iceland if you are going to spend the longest time in Iceland. Similarly, if you are spending an equal amount of time in Iceland and other Schengen states, and entering the Schengen area through Iceland you can apply for a Schengen visa.
If you have a Schengen visa (of any other European country), and the visa is valid you can travel to Iceland with the visa. You do not have to get a separate visa for Iceland.
5 Tips for a Successful Iceland Visa Application
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? Yes. Indians have to get a visa. Here are five tips that will help you make a successful tourist visa application.
- Fill out the application form. Most of the visa application forms are rejected because the applicant has not entered all the information necessary.
- Ensure you have provided all documents. Missing even one document can result in visa rejection.
- Ensure you have sufficient funds– You need to have sufficient funds to cover your expenses. If you apply without having funds your visa application will surely be rejected.
- You must have a clear intent– Your intention to travel to Iceland must only be a tourist. Do not try to settle in the country with a tourist visa.
- Apply on time– If you submit the visa applicaton too late your application will not be processed on time, and you will not be able to reach the destination on time.
How Long Can Indians Stay in Iceland with a Tourist Visa?
The Iceland tourist visa validity period is provided below:
Visa | Visa Validity |
Schengen visa for Iceland | 90 days within 180 days |
Can I Extend My Iceland Tourist Visa?
It is possible to extend your Iceland tourist visa if the original duration of stay was extremely less than 90 days within 180 days. For example, you have stayed only for a month. However, if you have already stayed for 89 days within a 180-day period your visa will not be extended. You will have to return to your home country. Thereafter, you can apply for another visa.
What are Some of the Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Iceland?
Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? The answer is yes. If you are planning your trip to Iceland, these are some of the most see tourist attractions.
- The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) – You can view the Northern lights near the Arctic Circle. The ideal time to see the northern lights is between September to April.
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall– It is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland. It is a popular tourist destination on the Golden Circle route.
- The Golden Circle – It features three main landmarks the Geysir Geothermal Area, Þingvellir National Park, and Gullfoss Waterfall. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Vatnajökull National Park- This UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Iceland. It is the largest national park in Europe.
These are the top Iceland Universities for International Students
What to Do If Your Iceland Tourist Visa Application is Rejected?
Now you know the answer to the question- Do Indians need a Tourist visa for Iceland? A visa is required. However, your visa application can be rejected even after you have applied. A tourist visa application can be rejected for several reasons. If your visa application is rejected you are left with two choices-
- Reapply– You can identify the reason for the visa rejection, rectify the mistake, and reapply.
- Appeal- If you have met all the visa requirements, and the visa denial was unfair you have the option to file an appeal. An appeal must be filed within 15 days of visa rejection.
FAQs
The Iceland tourist visa costs EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children between 11 to 6 years of age. The visa fees are not applicable for children below the age of 6.
Yes. Iceland tourist visa is easy to obtain. The visa approval rate stands at 95.4 %. Therefore, if you meet the visa requirements you will most likely get the visa.
The Iceland tourist visa success rate is 954%. This makes Iceland one of the easiest countries for you to obtain a Schengen visa. The application process is simple. Moreover, the application process is lenient to first-time applicants.
Only Indian nationals holding a diplomatic passport can visit Iceland without a visa. Such applicants are permitted to stay in the country for up to 90 days within 180 days. On the other hand, all ordinary passport holders have to get a tourist visa for Iceland.
An Iceland trip costs around INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per day. However, the exact expenses you will incur will depend on your lifestyle choice. For example, choice of transportation. Accommodation etc. If you are a budget traveller, you can expect to spend at least INR 800 per day of stay.
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