Iceland is renowned for its spectacular scenery, youthful population, and being the safest country in the world—according to the Global Peace Index.
So it’s little wonder it’s a popular choice for people looking to live and work outside their home country; in fact, nearly a quarter of the country’s labor force is foreign-born.
Here’s Remitly’s guide to getting a work visa in the Land of Ice and Fire.
What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Iceland?
If you’re a citizen of the European Union or an EFTA or Nordic country, you’re free to live and work in Iceland without a specific work visa. But everybody from so-called “third countries” must apply if they’re planning to stay in Iceland for more than three months.
We’ve already explored the digital nomad visa for self-employed people doing remote work in Iceland, so let’s take a look at the other options.
How do I get an Iceland work visa?
For short-term stays, including one-off business trips, visas are generally not necessary. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration makes the decisions on granting long-term visas, and there are separate rules depending on where you’re from and how long you want to stay.
If you’re from a Nordic country
There’s a special agreement in place between Iceland and the other Nordic countries:
- Denmark, including Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Åland Islands
- Norway
- Finland
- Sweden
The process of moving to Iceland from one of these countries has its own application process, and it depends on whether you want to stay for more or less than six months.
If you intend to stay for less than six months, you must apply for a system ID number.
If you plan to stay for longer than six months, you don’t need a residence permit or work permit as such, but you do have to register a legal domicile in Iceland within seven days of arrival. This involves the following:
- present yourself to Registers Iceland in Reykjavik or Akureyri, or the local District Police Commissioner’s Office;
- provide valid ID, such as a passport;
- submit application form A-258
You can get further information here.
If you’re from an EFTA/EEA country:
If you’re not from a Nordic country, but you are from an EFTA country (this includes Liechtenstein and Switzerland) or an EEA country, and you intend to stay for less than six months, you must apply for a system ID number.
If you plan to stay in Iceland for more than six months, you can begin your application for your right to stay here.
This generally only takes around five days to process and there’s no charge. Like all residents of Iceland, you’ll be given a national ID number, the kennitala, once this is completed.
Before applying, you will need to:
- register with the Icelandic authorities within three months of arrival;
- register your domicile;
- ensure you have health insurance (you should have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country).
A formal employment contract or written confirmation of employment from your employer in Iceland is also advisable.
If you’re not from a Nordic or EFTA/EEA country:
For foreign nationals from everywhere else, if you plan to stay in Iceland for more than three months, a residence permit in Iceland depends on having a job offer from an Icelandic employer. There are four different types of work-based residence permits:
- for work requiring expert knowledge;
- where there’s a shortage of labor in Iceland for your specific job;
- for athletes;
- on the basis of collaboration or if you hold a service contract in Iceland.
Applications for people satisfying these visa requirements can only be made on the paper visa application form, and you have to pay the ISK 16,000 (about $116 or €107) fee first.
In order to be granted a residence permit, you will need to have a legal domicile in Iceland.
Also read: Moving to Iceland: A Complete Guide in 2024
Can family members of citizens from EFTA/EEA countries live in Iceland?
If you do move to Iceland, immediate family members can also apply for a residence card at the Directorate of Immigration. This includes:
- your marital or cohabiting spouse;
- children/grandchildren of you and/or your spouse, providing they’re under 21 or dependents;
- dependent direct relatives in the ascending line and those of your spouse, such as parents or grandparents.
They must complete the application on paper, submit it to the Directorate of Immigration or the District Commissioner’s Office, and pay the 8,000 króna fee.
What are the required documents for an Iceland work visa?
All applicants for an Iceland work visa must have:
- health insurance from a provider licensed to operate in the country,
- a job offer letter or employment contract,
- a criminal record check
- financial statements.
What else should an expat living in Iceland keep in mind?
Here are a few other things to think about if you’re considering moving to Iceland:
- Almost everybody speaks English, so not knowing Icelandic shouldn’t be a barrier to living or working there.
- When you’re considering where to live, around 63% of the population lives in or around the Reykjavik/Kópavogur area. Other major population centers are Keflavík, Njarðvík and Akureyri. The rest of the island is very sparsely inhabited, particularly the interior.
- Iceland is a hub of innovation, with a growing tourism industry, increasingly diverse cuisine and a world-leading record for clean energy. These are the Icelandic sectors where there’s most demand for workers.
FAQs
What are the work visa requirements for Iceland?
Check out our guide above. If you’re not an EEA/EFTA or Nordic citizen, you’ll have to fulfill one of the four special criteria.
How do I get a national ID number as an immigrant to Iceland?
You can start the application for a kennitala, the Icelandic national ID number, here.
What’s the processing fee for the visa application?
ISK 16,000, about $116 or €107 at time of writing.
What’s the processing time for a visa application?
For people who are not from EEA/EU or Nordic countries, it changes depending on the type of application. You can see which month’s applications are currently being processed here.
What are my chances of securing an employment contract in Iceland?
Your chance of a successful work permit application depends on complying with specific requirements: expert knowledge, specific work experience, having in-demand skills, etc. The Directorate of Labour website shows there were only 175 work permits issued in May 2024 to foreign nationals, so the requirements are quite strict.
Is Iceland part of the Schengen Area?
Yes, Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. Regardless, if you are from one of the four countries that is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania), you still have the right to work in Iceland without a Schengen Visa or any other work visa.
Can I apply for permanent residence in Iceland as a third-country national?
Yes, but you must fulfill certain conditions.