Your Guide to Iceland Visa Appointment: Requirements and Process
Introduction to Iceland Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa for Iceland is a major instrument that allows travellers to enter and travel freely in Iceland and the Schengen countries. Iceland has special rules for citizens of countries with non-European passports who wish to enter the Schengen area.
Types of Schengen Visas
Iceland is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so the visa types will be the same as in other Schengen states.
Uniform Schengen Visa Categories
The single Schengen visa system offers many types for different travel purposes and individual needs. The visa types allow travellers to choose the most suitable option for a particular trip.
Below are the main types of visas:
Tourist visas for leisure and personal travel
Business visas for business travel
Transit visas for temporary travel through Schengen states or airports
Student visas for study in educational institutions
Visas to attend cultural and sporting events
Visas for family visitors and other types
Visa for medical reasons
Each visa has its own application and filing requirements. Know the differences and understand, which type of visa to apply for is crucial to a successful application.
Visa Duration and Validity
Schengen visas vary in terms of validity and duration. The validity of a visa to Iceland depends on many factors, namely the purpose of the trip, the citizenship of the applicant and individual circumstances. Visas on your valid travel document can last from a few days to several months.
Short-term visas usually authorise a stay of up to 90 days in Schengen territory within a 180-day period, while those issued for the purpose of work, study or family reunification are longer term and are granted for a maximum of 365 days.
Travelers should carefully check the exact conditions for obtaining a visa on the consulate's website to ensure that they comply with the Schengen area general rule.
How to book a Iceland Schengen Visa appointment in the UK
Determining Your Visa Requirements
Before you book an appointment, you need to decide on the type of visa to Iceland. You need to know what information you need to provide to the consulate, and this depends on where you are from, why you want to visit Iceland and how long you plan to stay in the country.
Although a uniform Schengen visa issued by one of the Schengen states is valid for the whole Schengen area, the rules for applying for a visa in a passport are different. It is important to check the official information of the embassies and to know the specific criteria in order to successfully apply for a visa.
Preparing Documentation
Travelers must assemble a complete package of documents to support their purpose of visit, immigration compliance and other embassy requirements.
Your package should include:
A valid travel document, namely a passport with a minimum period of validity beyond the intended stay in the country
Valid UK residence permit
A completed application form and photo
Proving Sufficient Funds
Health insurance
Other papers can be found on the website of the Embassy of Iceland in the UK
Booking Through VFS Global
VFS Global is the main provider of visa application processing services in many Schengen countries. The VFS centre system standardises the process and exempts travelers from a direct visit to an embassy.
Making an appointment for an Iceland visa in the UK can be difficult due to the limited number of places available and there are only two visa centres in the country, in London and Manchester, but there is advice from applicants to help make an appointment:
Regular monitoring: Check the website pages regularly for new locations, especially in the first half of the month.
Early morning checks: Check for slots more often in the early morning, a time when the site is least busy.
Premium Services: Consider choosing the premium services that VFS Global offers for an additional fee. Slots for this service are available for longer than usual.
Alternative options
If you are unable to get an appointment, consider the following options:
Contact VFS directly: Call VFS to inquire about appointment availability or additional services.
Visa bot services: Applicants report success using the visa bot, which alerts them of available dates and times when they can apply for a visa or automatically books an appointment on their behalf.
Embassy Assistance: In some cases, you can write directly to the embassy of Iceland and request an appointment. In emergencies, you may be assigned a visit directly to the consulate or given a slot at the VFS.
Visa Application Process Details
General visa application procedure
Visit the visa application centre with your application package on the appointed date and time.
You will be asked to undergo fingerprinting, submit the application form, all prepared documents and your passport.
Afterwards, pay the visa and service fee if you did not do so when booking the slot.
Once the application process is complete, collect your passport tracking receipt.
Main Destination Criteria
Determining the main destination is the most important aspect when applying for a Schengen visa. For visitors who enter Iceland as their main or only destination without capturing other Schengen Member States, the application process focuses on Iceland's immigration requirements.
The concept of ‘main destination’ includes factors such as the length of stay in Iceland and then already in other Schengen countries, the main purpose of the trip and the points of entry play an important role in determining the application strategy.
Entry and Immigration Regulations
Border Control Procedures
Entering Iceland involves border controls, as in other Schengen countries, when entering from outside the Schengen area.
Upon entry, you will be checked for the validity and authenticity of your passport and the visa date in your passport.
In addition, you may be asked for proof of financial security and return travel arrangements.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Schengen visa to Iceland requires lengthy preparation, a complete set of documentation and knowledge of the Schengen area immigration regulations.
Travellers should check all entry requirements on the embassy's website and follow the Schengen rules throughout their trip.
Attention to application dates and processing times disposes to get a visa in the passport and eventually visit Iceland.
