Iceland business visa (Schengen C visa)

Typical purposes are meetings with Icelandic partners, contract negotiations, trade fairs, seminars and inspections. The visa does not let you take up a job in Iceland. Iceland’s Directorate of Labour stresses that starting work before a work permit is granted can lead to fines or up to two years’ imprisonment for both employer and worker, however short the job.

On top of the standard file, Iceland asks for a confirmation or invitation from the Icelandic company, or from the organiser of the meeting or seminar. A letter from your employer should explain your position, the purpose and dates of the trip, who pays, and confirm that you will return to your job. Company documents such as a trade register extract or tax certificate support the employer’s letter.

Apply at the mission that handles Icelandic visas in your country of residence, which may be another Schengen state’s embassy, or at its service provider. The fee is €90 plus any service fee. Iceland names business people among the applicants who may receive multiple-entry visas from 6 months to 5 years, generally after previous visas were used lawfully. Even then, stays may not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Processing normally takes up to 15 days and up to 45 days with extra checks, counted from registration at the embassy. Some missions have backlogs and prioritise only urgent cases such as official meetings. Apply up to 6 months ahead, and at least 15 days before travel.

Icelandic law exempts certain short-term work of up to 90 days a year from the work permit requirement, but the exemption applies only if the Directorate of Labour receives an advance notification before the person arrives, separately for each period. Without that notification the person is not treated as exempt and may be stopped at the border. Group leaders accompanying tourist groups fall under this exemption; tour guides and other tourism staff from outside the EEA do not and need a temporary work permit.

A refusal by another Schengen state’s embassy is appealed under that state’s rules as explained in the refusal letter. Fees are not refunded. Refusals made directly by the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs can be appealed within 30 days to the Visa Appeals Board at appeals@utn.is for €300.