Originally published at: Iceland Remote Work Visa | GoVisaFree
Have you ever been to Iceland? Have you ever thought of living there? Many members of our community have been dreaming about Iceland and luckily, it’s very easy thanks to Iceland’s long-term visa for remote workers.
Iceland, the safest country in the world, welcomes remote workers and lets them stay in the country for up to six months.
What Is Iceland Remote Work Visa
Iceland grants a residence permit to eligible remote workers so they can come and stay in the country. The validity of the visa varies between 90 and 180 days.
Long-term visa holders for remote employment are not permitted to work for local employers or engage in the Icelandic labor market in any other way. If you intend to work in Iceland for a local employer, you’ll need a residence and work permit.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Iceland long-term visa for remote workers if:
- You’re from a country outside the EU/EEA/EFTA
- You don’t need a visa to travel to Iceland
- You’ve not been issued an Iceland long-term visa over the last 12 months
- Your main purpose is to work remotely from Iceland
- You don’t plan to stay in Iceland for long term
- Your monthly income is equivalent to Icelandic Krona 1.000.000*
- Your monthly income is equivalent to Icelandic Krona 1.300.000 if you’re also applying for your spouse/partner
- You’re working remotely for a foreign corporation, or you’re working as a self-employed
*The required amount is $7,000 approx.
Family Inclusion
Your spouse or partner can join you in Iceland, as long as they don’t need a visa to enter Iceland. Your children who are younger than 18 years old can join you too.
Validity of Iceland Digital Nomad Visa
- If you’ve made your application from your country of residence and don’t travel to Iceland until you get approval, your long-term visa can be issued for up to 180 days.
- If you’ve made your application from your country of residence but have entered the Schengen Zone before you get an approval, the days you’ve spent in the Schengen Area will be deducted from 180 days validity.
- If you make your application from a country within the Schengen Zone, your visa can be issued for up to 90 days.
Iceland remote work visa grants you the right to stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days over a period of 180-days.
Application Process for Iceland Remote Work Visa
Step #1
Pay the required fees of 12.100 Icelandic Krona. If you’re going to add your dependents, note that you’ll need to make an application for them and pay their fees too.
Step #2
You can make your application either directly at the Directorate of Immigration in Iceland or you can send your documents by post.
Step #3
If you qualify for Iceland long-term visa, the Directorate of Immigration will send you an approval email.
Step #4
Note that your visa will be issued once you arrive in Iceland. So, once you’re in the country contact the Directorate of Immigration and they’ll issue your visa.
Your visa will be valid from the date it has been issued.
Required Documents for Iceland Remote Work Visa
Payment receipt
Make sure your name-surname and date of birth are stated on the receipt
Application form
You can download the document from the official website of Directorate of Immigration.
Passport photo
Should be 35mmX45mm and shouldn’t be older than six months
Passport photocopies
The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the anticipated stay. Copies of 1) the personal information page, 2) the page displaying your signature, 3) all visas, and 4) all stamps indicating your travel to and from the Schengen area in the last one year should be added
Health insurance
If you don’t have an insurance policy from an insurance provider in Iceland, you’ll be required to submit information about your insurance coverage which will cover you in Iceland/Schengen
Purpose of stay
You need to show a confirmation from your employer that you’re allowed to perform your work remotely. If you’re self-employed, you’ll be required to prove your self-employed status in your country of residence
Income
You’re required to prove that your income will be ISK 1.000.000 per month. An employment contract might be useful. If you’re self-employed, you can show your contracts. If you’re also applying for your partner, this amount is ISK 1.300.000 per month.
Criminal record check
Note that the Directorate of Immigration may ask for a criminal record check
Required Documents for Your Spouse/Partner
In addition to the documents we’ve listed above (1-5), you’ll need to provide either a marriage certificate copy or a document that confirms you’ve cohabited for at least one year.
Required Documents for Your Children
In addition to the documents we’ve listed above (1-5), you’ll need to provide the following documents:
- Birth certificate
- Custody documents — You can apply for a residence permit for your child only if you’re the custodial parent.
- Documents regarding your child’s education — If your child is between 6-16 years old, you’ll have to prove that either your child receives remote education from a school in your home country, or you’ve enrolled your child in a school in Iceland, or your child receives homeschooling
What Else You Need To Know
There you have it. We’ve given you an introduction to Iceland long-term for remote workers. Do you qualify? If not, don’t worry. There are many other countries that offer digital nomad visas.