Frequently asked questions

The period of validity and/or the duration of stay of an issued visa may be extended if a visa holder has provided proof of force majeure or humanitarian reasons preventing him from leaving the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the period of validity of or the duration of stay authorized by the visa. Generally the extension of a visa should not result in a total stay going beyond 90 days in a 180 days period.

You can apply for an extension at the Directorate of Immigration. You need to submit an application form, copy of your passport, copy of your existing visa, medical insurance (travel insurance), a letter justifying the necessity for extending the visa, and a doctor‘s certificate if applicable.

It may be possible to get a multiple-entry visa with a period of validity between six months and five years, where the following conditions are met:

1. The applicant proves the need or justifies the intention to travel frequently and/or regularly, in particular due to his occupational or family status, such as business persons, civil servants engaged in regular official contacts with Member States and EU institutions, representatives of civil society organizations travelling for the purpose of educational training, seminars and conferences, family members of citizens of the Union, family members of third-country nationals legally residing in Member States and seafarers,
2. the applicant proves his integrity and reliability, in particular the lawful use of previous uniform visas or visas with limited territorial validity, his economic situation in the country of origin and his genuine intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for.

The maximum number of days is 90 days in each 6 month period.

A multiple entry visa will normally not be granted if you have not travelled to the Schengen area before.

Applicants shall, in principle, take out insurance in their country of residence. Where this is not possible, they shall seek to obtain insurance in any other country.

The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and cover the entire period of the applicant’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000.

The reference person can guarantee the subsistence of the applicant. The reference person and the applicant must then fill out the applicable guarantee form and the reference person must enclose proof of his/her ability to support the applicant. The applicant submits those documents with his/her application for a visa.

Documentation allowing for the assessment of the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the member states can be:

1. Reservation of or return or round ticket.
2. Proof of financial means in the country of residence; bank statements.
3. Proof of employment and a certificate from the employer that the applicant can come back to work upon his return.
4. Proof of real estate property.
5. Proof of integration into the country of residence: family ties; professional status.

The applicant may appeal a decision made by the Directorate of Immigration to the Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board, Skúlagata 17, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The applicant is requested to specify reference no., full name, nationality and the date of the Directorate’s decision in the appeal.

An appeal must be lodged within 15 days of receiving this decision. Further information on the procedure to follow can be found on the website of the Appeals Board.

If the application is refused by an Embassy of a country representing Iceland, the applicant may appeal the decision to the authorities concerned as directed in the refusal decision from the Embassy.

If the reference person would like to appeal on behalf of the applicant, he must have a written authorization from the applicant.