Guidance

Travel to Iceland for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Iceland and how to get one if you do.

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
17 June 2021
Last updated
15 April 2024 — See all updates

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Iceland’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Iceland to work (or the EU, Switzerland, Norway or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Iceland is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

The Icelandic authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with Iceland’s embassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one country you’ll need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Iceland. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Iceland’s embassy or immigration authorities.

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

  • translated
  • ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
  • originals, or if copies are acceptable
  • signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
  • dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in Iceland, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Iceland’s authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa if you’re travelling to Iceland for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:

  • negotiating deals or contracts
  • attending trade fairs or conferences
  • attending board meetings
  • meeting clients or customers, including entertainment like eating at a restaurant
  • negotiating and signing contracts
  • meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
  • touring a company facility
  • attending court as a witness
  • running or attending job interviews
  • fact-finding visits

Or for the following types of training for 90 days in a 180-day period, as long as it’s for the same company or group:

  • receiving classroom-based training
  • receiving on-the-job training
  • shadowing someone’s job

You must not receive payment for these activities from a company in Iceland.

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Notify the authorities

Your employer, or you if you’re self-employed, must submit a notification to the Directorate of Labour if you’re:

  • negotiating deals or contracts
  • attending trade fairs or conferences
  • attending board meetings
  • meeting clients or customers, including entertainment like eating at a restaurant
  • negotiating and signing contracts
  • meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
  • touring a company facility

They must do this no later than your first day in Iceland.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

  • proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
  • health insurance that covers your stay
  • proof of accommodation for your entire stay
  • enough money for the duration of your trip
  • an invitation letter from the company in Iceland or alternative documents showing the purpose of your trip

Check Iceland’s exemptions

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

The following do not require a visa or permit in Iceland if they’re for less than 90 days in a 12-month period:

  • professors, lecturers, scientists, including doctors and interns, who are teaching, or conducting research, scientific activities or related activities, if you have a bachelor’s level degree
  • artists and the technical production team for film, audio-visual content and shows, excluding performers who play instruments in catering establishments, such as restaurants
  • athletics coaches working for an Icelandic team
  • representatives on business trips for companies that don’t have a branch in Iceland
  • UK-registered passenger coach drivers as long as the vehicles are carrying non-Icelandic tourists to Iceland
  • employees, consultants or instructors working on the assembly, installation, supervision or repair of equipment where the warranty requires the work to be carried out by specialist employees or third parties appointed by the seller
  • journalists or reporters from non-Icelandic news media, working for companies not established in Iceland

Your employer, or you if you’re self-employed, needs to submit a notification to the Directorate of Labour no later than your first day of work.

Show proof of exemption

You need to be able to show proof that you’re exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:

  • an assignment letter
  • employment confirmation
  • a contract
  • proof of required qualifications, such as a diploma or professional certificate
  • CV

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Iceland’s embassy.

Applying for a visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with Iceland’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Taking your family

If you have a spouse or partner you live with, or children under 18 they can may be able to join you. Check with Iceland’s immigration authorities.

Visas, work permits and residence permits

You need to apply for a visa or permit if you’re in Iceland because you’re:

They’re valid for up to 2 years depending on which one you need.

Working remotely from Iceland for a UK-based business

To qualify for a long-term visa for remote workers you must:

  • have not been issued a long-term visa by Icelandic authorities within 12 months of applying
  • not intend to live permanently in Iceland
  • meet income requirements
  • keep your contract with your UK employer and intend to work remotely for them, if you’re an employee
  • keep your business in the UK and intend to work remotely from Iceland, if you’re self-employed

A remote work visa can take between 3 to 4 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 6 months and you can extend it.

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type. Spouses, cohabiting partners and children under 18 may be issued with long-term visas as long as they’re exempt from the visa obligation. Find out about long-term visas for family members of remote workers.

How it works

You need to check with Iceland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You pay the visa processing fee.

  2. You post your completed visa application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.

  3. The Directorate of Immigration sends you a notification once approved.

  4. You contact the Directorate of Immigration when you get to Iceland to request your visa.

Application documents

Iceland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed visa application form
  • UK passport for you and any family members, valid for at least 6 months
  • passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
  • processing fee receipt, including your name and date of birth
  • proof of health insurance
  • documents showing the purpose of your stay
  • confirmation that you’ll meet income requirements
  • marriage certificate, if applying with family
  • documents confirming you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 1 year before applying, if applying with your partner
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family
  • custody documents for any children, if applying with family (only custodial parents may apply for a residence permit for their child)

You need to be able to show proof of education for any children aged 6 to 16 accompanying you. Usually you need documents showing which of these applies:

  • they’re enrolled at a non-Icelandic school
  • a school in Iceland has agreed to enrol them
  • they’re being home schooled

Providing services to a client in Iceland

You can apply for a residence permit for qualified professionals on collaboration and service contracts if you’re providing ‘educational, scholarly or scientific work’ services to a client in Iceland under a contract or collaboration agreement.

Your UK employer must not have a branch in Iceland.

To qualify you must:

  • have relevant qualifications and a specialised position
  • accommodation in Iceland
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll

This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It’s valid for up to 6 months and you can’t extend it.

You can request expedited processing for your application by paying an added service fee of ISK 45,000. Your application will normally be processed within 30 days if all requirements are met.

If you have a family they cannot join you with this permit type.

How it works

You need to check with Iceland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.

  2. You pay the residence permit processing fee.

  3. You apply for a residence permit at Iceland’s embassy or consulate or post your completed form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.

  4. The Directorate of Immigration sends you a notification once approved.

  5. You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.

  6. You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.

  7. You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.

Application documents

Iceland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed work permit application form
  • completed residence permit application form
  • UK passport for you and any family members, valid for at least 6 months
  • passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
  • processing fee receipt, including your name and date of birth
  • proof of health insurance
  • UK employment contract
  • service agreement between your UK employer and the company in Iceland
  • assignment letter on UK company letterhead
  • proof a labour market test was carried out
  • CV
  • proof of relevant professional experience, or a bachelor’s level degree
  • police clearance certificates for you and any dependants
  • completed notification of residence form (A-269)
  • proof you can financially support yourself and any dependants
  • confirmation your employer will pay your return travel if you’re not able to work for a long period because of illness, accident, or employment termination (if you’re not responsible)
  • marriage certificate, if applying with family
  • documents confirming you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 1 year before applying, if applying with your partner
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family

Working for an Icelandic company on an Icelandic employment contract

You can apply for a residence permit if you’ve been offered employment with a company in Iceland and you have:

Expert knowledge

To qualify for a residence permit requiring expert knowledge you must:

  • have an employment contract with an employer in Iceland or an Icelandic branch of a UK-based company for a position requiring specialised knowledge or skills
  • show that the work you’ll be doing is not temporary
  • show that the specialised knowledge or skills is pivotal to the relevant company
  • have a bachelor’s level degree, or an industrial, artistic or technical training education, or professional experience in the relevant field which would be classed as expert knowledge

This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type. Spouses, cohabiting partners and children under 18 can apply for a residence permit. Find out about residence permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with Iceland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer carries out a labour market test with the Directorate of Labour.

  2. Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.

  3. You pay the residence permit processing fee.

  4. You apply for a residence permit at Iceland’s embassy or consulate or post your completed application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.

  5. The Directorate of Immigration notifies you once your application has been approved.

  6. You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.

  7. You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland

  8. You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.

Application documents

Iceland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed work permit application form
  • completed residence permit application form
  • UK passport for you and any family members, valid for at least 6 months
  • passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
  • processing fee receipt, including your name and date of birth
  • proof of health insurance
  • employment contract or assignment letter
  • proof a labour market test was carried out
  • CV
  • proof of relevant professional experience, or a bachelor’s level degree
  • police clearance certificates for you and any dependants
  • completed notification of residence form (A-269)
  • proof you can financially support yourself and any dependants
  • confirmation your employer will pay your return travel if you’re not able to work for a long period because of illness, accident, or employment termination (if you’re not responsible)
  • marriage certificate, if applying with family
  • documents confirming you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 1 year before applying, if applying with your partner
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family

Labour shortage

You can apply for a residence permit if you want to work temporarily in a role where there is a shortage of skilled workers in Iceland.

Sectors in Iceland that typically experience labour shortages are:

  • healthcare
  • construction
  • IT
  • tourism

To qualify you must:

  • have the required qualifications and experience for the position
  • have an employment contract with an employer in Iceland

This permit takes 4 to 8 months to get. It’s valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it.

You can request expedited processing for your application by paying an additional fee of ISK 45,000. Your application will normally be processed within 30 days if all requirements are met.

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type. Spouses, cohabiting partners and children under 18 can apply for a residence permit. Find out about residence permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with Iceland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer carries out a labour market test with the Directorate of Labour.

  2. Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.

  3. You pay the residence permit processing fee.

  4. You apply for a residence permit at Iceland’s embassy or consulate or post your completed application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.

  5. The Directorate of Immigration notifies you once your application has been approved.

  6. You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.

  7. You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.

  8. You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.

Application documents

Iceland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed work permit application
  • completed residence permit application
  • UK passport for you and any family members, valid for at least 6 months
  • passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
  • processing fee receipt, including your name and date of birth
  • proof of health insurance
  • employment contract or assignment letter
  • proof a labour market test was carried out
  • CV
  • proof of relevant professional experience, or a bachelor’s level degree
  • police clearance certificates for you and any dependants
  • completed notification of residence form (A-269)
  • proof you can financially support yourself and any dependants
  • confirmation your employer will pay your return travel if you’re not able to work for a long period because of illness, accident, or employment termination (if you’re not responsible)
  • marriage certificate, if applying with family
  • documents confirming you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 1 year before applying, if applying with your partner
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family

Working in Iceland as an athlete or sports coach

To qualify for a permit for athletes or sports coaches you must:

  • have an employment contract with a sports club that’s a member of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland
  • be training as an athlete, or be a coach in a specific sport at a club in Iceland

This permit takes 90 days to get. It’s valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it.

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type. Spouses, cohabiting partners and children under 18 can apply for a residence permit. Find out about residence permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with Iceland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer submits a work permit application to the Directorate of Immigration.

  2. You pay the residence permit processing fee.

  3. You apply for a residence permit at Iceland’s embassy or consulate or post your completed application form and required documents to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland.

  4. The Directorate of Immigration notifies you once your application has been approved.

  5. You contact the Directorate of Immigration once in Iceland and arrange to submit your biometrics.

  6. You have a medical examination within 2 weeks of arriving in Iceland.

  7. You collect your residence card and Icelandic ID number.

Application documents

Iceland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed work permit application form
  • completed residence permit application form
  • UK passport for you and any family members, valid for at least 6 months
  • passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
  • processing fee receipt, including your name and date of birth
  • employment contract with an employer in Iceland
  • police clearance certificates for you and any dependants
  • completed notification of residence form (A-269)
  • proof you can financially support yourself and any dependants
  • confirmation your employer will pay your return travel if you’re not able to work for a long period because of illness, accident, or employment termination (if you’re not responsible)
  • marriage certificate, if applying with family
  • documents confirming you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 1 year before applying, if applying with your partner
  • birth certificates for any children, if applying with family

Icelandic government guidance

Read official Icelandic government information on:

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check foreign travel advice for Iceland, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

Updates to this page

Published 17 June 2021
Last updated 15 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 15 March 2024.)

  2. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 11 September 2023.)

  3. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 21 July 2023).

  4. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 22 March 2023).

  5. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 9 January 2023).

  6. Added details of the expedited processing option for services and labour shortage permits. Clarified that the services permit does not give the right to family reunification. Updated links to the Directorate of Immigration. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

  7. Content reviewed. No changes made. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

  8. First published.

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