Iceland Visa From India – How to Apply for Icelandic Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

Iceland is one of the 26 Schengen countries and it’s one place that will certainly make fabulous memories if you go there. Whilst there are cities and towns, like Reykjavik and Keflavik, all with interesting things to do, make sure you book a tour or two to see the country’s stunning sights such as the glaciers and volcanoes. In this article, learn more about how to apply for an Iceland visa from India, Iceland visa appointment booking, processing time at the Iceland visa application center, flight itinerary for an Iceland visa, hotel bookings for an Iceland visa, Schengen travel insurance for an Iceland visa application, and Iceland visa application process in India.

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Iceland Schengen Visas

In 2021, embassies around the world received 2,735 applications for applicants wanting to go to Iceland. 259 of these were rejected. The Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi received 929 applications and rejected 250.

Applying for an Iceland Schengen Visa from India

To apply for a visa for Iceland, you need to be either:

1. A citizen of India
2. A non-Indian resident who has the legal right to live in India

The Embassy of Iceland in New Delhi processes visa applications, however, you will submit your application to VFS Global which has offices across India.

Visa applications are processed within 15 days, so you must submit your application at least 15 days before you travel. The embassy may take longer to process an application if they need to do further checks. You can submit your application up to 6 months ahead, so don’t leave it too late.

Types of Schengen visas offered at The Embassy of Iceland in India

There are different visas that you may apply for and it is important that you apply for the correct one:

1. Schengen visa – for tourism, visiting family/friends, study up to 90 days
2. Long-term visa – for work, study etc. over 90 days. Please note, you must apply directly to the Directorate of Immigration for Iceland embassy if you are applying for this type of visa
3. Airport Transit visa – if you are traveling through an Iceland airport on the way to another destination

How Can I Apply for an Iceland Schengen Visa from VFS Global in India?

There are several steps to follow when you apply for your visa.

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay your fees
5. Step 5 – Visit a Visa Application Center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport

Step 1 – Identify visa type

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”:

Go to “step 1 – identify visa type” and click on the link for “visa type”:

Choose the correct visa:

You will then see an overview of the requirements for each type of visa. Read the information in full before proceeding to the next step:

Step 2 – Begin your application

To begin your application, go to “step 2” and click on the link for the Directorate of Immigration’s website:

Scroll down and select your language, the country and city you are applying from and then click on “next”:

You can then proceed to complete the online application form:

It is important to take a signed printout of the online application to VFS Global and you can download it by clicking on the link:

After completing the application and submitting the application online, you then have to make an appointment.

Step 3 – Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to “step 3” and click on the link to book an appointment
2. Click on the link to book now
3. Create an account with VFS Global
4. Log in and make your appointment

Step 4 – Pay your fees

Please Note:

1. All fees are payable in cash/card and will NOT be refunded – even if your application gets rejected
2. The fees are paid in Indian Rupees and can change due to currency fluctuations

Other fees charged:

1. Service charge of INR 1851/-
2. Mandatory courier service – INR 450/-

There are other optional services with additional fees. Visit VFS Global’s website for more information.

Step 5 – Visit a visa application center

On the day of your appointment:

1. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment
2. You must attend the appointment for your visa application. You cannot send someone in your place
3. Only applicants and one parent/caregiver accompanying a child under 18 years are permitted to enter the office of VFS Global
4. Take a printed copy of your visa application, 2D barcoded sheets (2 copies), passport bio page (2 copies), as well as a valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both sides
5. Take all supporting documentation (originals and copies)
6. If you haven’t paid your visa fee online, you can pay your fees once you get to the center
7. At the center, you will also need to submit your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information collection. A digital finger scanner collects images of all 10 digits, and you will have a digital photo taken. Without biometrics information, your visa application will not be processed
8. If you miss your appointment on the scheduled day, you will need to book a new appointment after 24 hours from your original appointment date

You may also be asked questions about your application. Typical questions include:

1. What is your job in India?
2. Do you have any children? If so, how old are they?
3. What are you going to do in Iceland?
4. When will you return to India?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

Step 6 – Track your application

Go to “step 6 – track your application” and click on the link:

Enter your reference number issued by VFS Global along with your last name to track your application:

Step 7 – Collect your passport

The decision will be either:

1. Accepted – you will find your visa attached to one of the pages in your passport
2. Rejected – if your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision. Take a look at the embassy’s website for more information
   

There are different reasons why an application may get rejected including:

1. Invitation letter missing – if you are being invited to Iceland by a person or company, you must provide an invitation letter
2. Photograph not submitted – you must provide a photograph as part of your ID and application
3. Application form not signed – you must sign your application form, so check before submitting everything to VFS Global
4. Proof of accommodation not included – the embassy will want to see where you are staying when you go to Iceland, so you must include proof of accommodation with your application

Documents Required

There are checklists for what documents are required on VFS Global’s website, so make sure you refer to this when you are getting your documents together if you want to avoid a rejected application. You should also submit photocopies along with original documents.

Documents include:

1. Travel Document – your passport or travel document must be valid for a minimum of three months after the intended departure from Iceland, with at least two blank pages. It must have been issued within the past 10 years, and it should not have any observation on the front data page
2. Previous Passport/s (If any)
3. Application Form – fully completed application form
4. One passport-size photograph in color with white background (3.5cm by 4.5cm). Photograph should not be older than six months. – (see full photograph specifications)
5. Travel Itinerary – covering the whole trip in Iceland and all Schengen Member States, stating the planned dates and places of stay. Evidence of accommodation (hotel reservations) for the whole trip including the names of hotels and their telephone and fax numbers as well as duration of stay in different hotels
6. Covering Letter  – introducing yourself, explaining the purpose, duration & itinerary of the visit
7. Travel insurance – to cover possible expenses in connection with a return for health reasons or death, indispensable medical treatment or acute hospitalisation during your stay. The insurance policy must cover all Schengen countries, and the minimum policy cover is Euro 30,000 or US Dollar 50,000. The insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of the intended stay
8. Proof of means of transport – flight reservation of return or round ticket, and proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental (if applicable)
9. Proof of lodging – hotel reservations, rental of holiday home or campus residence reservation. If the applicant intends to stay with a family member or a friend, proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation from the host
10. Proof of financial means – last 3 months bank statements, duly stamped and signed by the bank/Indian income tax return acknowledgement for the last two assessment years
11. If employed: last 3 months payslips, employment contract, employers statement on approval for holidays; If company owner or self-employed: certificate of registration of the company; If retired: last 3 months pension statements and/or proof of regular income from ownership of property or business
12. For minors – written consent and passport of parents. All minors must be accompanied by parents/ legal guardians and sign the application form in front of a VFS officer
13. Passport copy – all applications must contain a full color photocopy of the valid passport – all pages of the passport are required & if there are any valid visas for Schengen or USA/UK/Canada/Australia (issued in the last three years) in the old/cancelled passport then a color photocopy of the visa pages and passport data pages are required
14. Copy of highest educational certificate
15. Letter of invitation if you are being invited by a person or a company in Iceland containing your name, purpose of visit, dates of the intended stay and how costs are being covered
    

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

COVID REGULATIONS

All infection prevention rules for COVID-19 have been lifted at the Icelandic border, regardless of tourists’ vaccination status. However, you should keep up to date with Iceland’s entry requirements before you travel.