Iceland Digital Nomad Visa
Iceland is called the land of fire and ice, which contains spectacular mountains and breathtaking natural scenes, such as aurora borealis. However, this country is not just a beautiful place to visit. In addition, it is an excellent location for remote work that offers a digital nomad visa.
Information about Iceland's digital nomad visa
Iceland with its Northern Lights, volcanoes, culture, landscapes, and practices is a very compelling place for digital nomads who can enjoy this country and have remote work. Iceland digital nomad visa (a long-term visa) is a convenient option enabling one to live in Iceland for up to 180 days.
Now Iceland is among other European countries, such as Croatia, Greece, or Spain, which welcome digital nomads who can obtain temporary residence and work permit so they can stay in the foreign country.
To do so, they must be employed, self-employed, or have their own business. Note that it is not allowed to have a job related to a local business.
What is more, Iceland introduced a digital nomad visa as one of the first Schengen countries which done that. When it comes to the application process, it could be quite complicated so it is advisable to prepare earlier.
Who can apply for the Iceland freelance visa?
Remote workers who are employed or self-employed, earn at least 7763 dollars per month, have travel/health insurance, and pay the fee are eligible to obtain Iceland digital nomad visa.
Moreover, due to the fact that Iceland is a part of the Schengen area citizens from European Union countries, as well as the United States of America can visit it without a visa for up to 90 days.
People who would like to stay longer in the country need to register with Registers Iceland. Note that nationals from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are able to live, study, or even work in the country without a residence permit or a visa.
How to apply for a digital nomad visa to Iceland
The process of application for a remote worker visa would be possible if you:
- Gather all necessary documents (copy of passport, recent photo, proof of remote work, proper income, health insurance, clear criminal record).
- Pay the required fee via bank transfer.
- Submit an application form (printed and signed) to the Directorate of Immigration.
- Wait for approval and contact from the Directorate of Immigration.
Then, you can get your digital nomad visa. It is worth knowing that if you apply with a partner/spouse, you are required to submit a marriage certificate or proof that you lived with them for a minimum of 12 months.
In the case of children, additionally, you need to attach a birth certificate, and educational/custody documents. Whole papers need to be submitted to the Directorate of Immigration which can require copies and originals. Note that children need to be below 18 years old.
The requirements for getting a long-term visa
Digital nomads who wish to stay in Iceland must meet all the requirements to obtain a long-term visa. They need to prepare:
- a valid passport for a minimum of three months and a copy of it
- a payment receipt
- a recent, passport photo
- a health insurance
- confirmation of the travel purpose
proof of income (contracts, for example, employment contracts)
- clear criminal record
- a marriage certificate (if you apply as a partner/spouse).
Income requirements rise when you want to bring with you your spouse or partner. In this case, you need to earn 10,000 dollars per month (1,300,000 ISK).
Benefits of the Iceland remote worker visa
There are many benefits of long-term visas. With it, you can enjoy the country for up to 180 days and work from any part of Iceland with flexible hours.
What is more, the country itself offers a lot to visitors. Firstly, the internet is very fast, secondly, the food is amazing, as well as the colorful architecture, and interesting culture. You can meet a lot of new people there and see marvelous places.
Also, digital nomad visas are connected to boosting local communities and can enable knowledge exchange. So it is not only good for the nomads but also for the whole country.
However, there are also some cons to the long-term digital nomad visa. Your income needs to be on the required level which can be a problem. Besides, Iceland is considered to be the third most expensive country in the world, so take that into consideration before your trip.
How to extend your stay in Iceland with a digital nomad visa
There is no possibility to extend a long-term visa for Iceland. You can stay in the country for a maximum of 180 days (around six months). After that period you can apply for the next visa but after a year.
Remember that it is not possible to apply for this visa online, you need to send the application by mail to the Directorate of Immigration. Then, you will be contacted by them.
Other important things to know about the digital nomad visa for Iceland
With the long-term visa, you can enter Iceland, as well as leave and re-enter it as it enables you to visit the country numerous times. Besides, you can go to the Schengen area for even 90 days within this 180 days.
Moreover, with Iceland digital nomad visa you can bring with you your partner/spouse and children younger than 18 years (as long as you and they meet all the necessary requirements).
Also, it is recommended to apply for an Iceland digital nomad visa from your home country and enter Iceland after you receive the document.
Note that when you visit Iceland or different Schengen countries before approval of your visa, that time would be extracted from your possible stay period. Besides, applying from the Schengen area may result in a 90-day stay instead of 6 months period. So it is advisable to apply from your home country.
