Visa to Iceland for Russians in 2021: how to apply correctly?

Iceland joins Schengen

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The harsh northern nature, neat, prosperous cities and the almost complete absence of people make Iceland an attractive place for tourists. To see Reykjavik, the waterfalls and geysers of this land with their own eyes, Russian citizens will need a visa. The state is part of the Schengen zone, so any multiple-entry Schengen visa will do, but if the main destination of the trip is Iceland, then you need to obtain entry permission from the consulate of that country.

Types of visas

Most Russians come to Iceland as tourists. Some people go to visit relatives, for work, to study, etc. All these cases require obtaining different types of short-term visas with the right to stay in the country for no more than 90 days in six months:

• tourist visa - in some (rare) cases, the application may be sent to the Immigration Service, so the application process may take up to 8 weeks;
• business visa - required for those planning a business trip;
• visiting relatives and friends;
• guests coming for short training, as well as for scientific conferences, sports competitions or various cultural forums;
• separate visas required for ship crew members and those transiting the country.

Subtleties of obtaining a visa

The agreement between Russia and Iceland allows Russian citizens to obtain long-term visas. Such permits can be issued by relatives or spouses of residents of the island state.

A short-term Schengen visa can be obtained at the visa center of any Scandinavian country that is part of the Schengen agreement.

Embassy in the Russian Federation

The institution processes permits for long-term stay in the country. The visa allows foreign citizens to live in Iceland for at least three months. UN representatives often contact the embassy.

A permit for a shorter period is issued at the visa center. The institution serves citizens of the Russian Federation and persons legally present in Russia.

Applying for a visa yourself

Before visiting the visa center, you must make an appointment through the office. website and print the invitation. If several people are going on a trip, you can fill out one application for everyone.

Papers must be submitted in person, no earlier than 90 days before the intended trip. If you wish, you can order a specialist to visit your home for 150 EUR. This is a paid service (150 EUR). An employee will come to the applicant at the specified address, accept documents and take fingerprints using a mobile biometrics device. Prices on the page are for September 2021.

The visa center will issue a form with a number, which can be used to track the readiness of documents on the website. You need to obtain a visa yourself or with a notarized power of attorney; you can also order papers delivered to your home (a paid service).

Types of Icelandic visas

To obtain a visa to Iceland, first of all, you need to understand what kind of entry permit you need to apply for. The type of visa will depend on the purpose of travel. Schengen is issued in cases where the trip will be short, up to 90 days in six months.

Tourist

The most popular type of short-term visa is the tourist visa. The purpose of tourists with such an entry permit is to explore the culture of Iceland, attractions, cultural values ​​and enjoy the natural beauty. The only downside is that foreign citizens cannot work, study or do research with this visa.

If you decide to apply for a tourist visa yourself, then be prepared for a more strict and lengthy review of documents, as the embassy may, at its discretion, send your documents for review to the Icelandic immigration service.

However, if you need to apply for and receive an Icelandic visa as soon as possible, you can seek help from a travel agency that is accredited by the embassy. Only in such a situation will the process of reviewing documents be faster than filing independently.

Business

To visit Icelandic companies, negotiate with Icelanders, sign contracts and resolve other work processes with Icelandic representatives, a business visa is required.

Foreign entrepreneurs who are looking to invest in the Icelandic economy should be aware that there are some restrictions:

• the business should not be associated with fishing in the territorial waters of the country;
• activities in local airlines should not exceed 49% of the total investment;
• foreign firms cannot export natural energy resources.

To register your company in Iceland, you must obtain permission from the Ministry of Commerce for everyone except people from the EU and SES countries.

Doing business in this country does not imply the issuance of a residence permit; it is for this reason that citizens must apply for a business visa.

If you get a job in an Icelandic company, you will need a work visa to Iceland. Its duration depends on the duration of the employment contract. In addition, the employer will need to provide the consulate with an invitation to work, but it must first be certified by a notary. There are cases when a foreigner has not yet found a job, but goes to Iceland for this very purpose. In such a situation, a person will have to prove his ability to work and his professional suitability.

Guestbook

If you have relatives, friends or acquaintances living in Iceland whom you would like to visit, you will need to apply for a visitor visa. The main document in this case will be a correctly executed invitation. It comes in 2 types:

• the trip is paid for by the host;
• All expenses are paid by the guest himself.

Obtaining a visitor visa on the first invitation is much easier. Because a foreigner will not need to prove his financial security and availability of a place to live. But if the permit is prepared with an invitation of the second type, then the process will proceed as expected, all documents will be checked and an interview will be conducted.

Basically, during the conversation, the financial component, attitude towards your homeland will be learned, and you will also need to assure the embassy that you do not intend to stay in their country.

Visiting cultural and sporting events

When going to Iceland for any event: cultural, sports, educational or scientific, you will need a special visa that corresponds to the purpose of the future trip.

If you are traveling to the country to participate in a sporting event, then in addition to the standard package of documents you will need to provide a covering letter from the sports federation or club.

For sailors

Sailors traveling on a ship to Iceland must obtain a separate visa. But to prove that you are a crew member, in addition to basic documents, you must provide:

• seaman's passport and its copy;
• an invitation from an Icelandic shipping company;
• role and position on the ship;
• round trip ticket with closed dates.

Transit

If a foreigner goes to travel to a country that is not part of the Schengen zone, and his route lies through Iceland, then he must obtain a transit visa. This type of visa is acceptable for both air and land modes of travel. It can only be obtained upon presentation of permission to visit the final destination. In some states, holders of such a permit are allowed to enter airports and duty-free zones. Control follows a very simplified scheme, usually limited to informing the authorities.

Documents for a visa to Iceland

Required documents to obtain a tourist visa to Iceland:

1. Application Form
   A visa application form, completed entirely in English and signed by the applicant, can be found at the office. visa center website;
2. Photography
   2 color photos (requirements see below);
3. Passport
   Valid for at least 3 months after the end date of the trip with two blank pages;
4. Photocopy of international passport
   Photocopies of the first page of the international passport with the applicant’s personal data are required, as well as photocopies of pages with visas, stamps and marks;
5. Original of the second valid and old passport
   If available and a photocopy of all pages;
6. A copy of all pages of the internal passport.
   Have the original with you;
7. Hotel reservation
   Confirmation of hotel reservation for the entire period of stay in the country, the names of all applicants must be indicated;
8. Certificate of employment
   with company details, seal and signature of the manager. It must indicate the date of hire, position, vacation period, salary (preferably at least 500 EUR), a guarantee that the applicant will retain a place upon return, the paper is valid for 1 month;
9. Certificate for students and schoolchildren
   Certificate from the place of study, valid for 1 month;
10. Certificate for entrepreneurs
    Original and copy of the certificate of registration of a private or individual entrepreneur, original and copy of the certificate of registration with the tax office, copy of the statement of income for the accounting period with the seal of the tax office (tax return);
11. Bank account statement
    Bank statement or currency purchase certificate confirming that the applicant has sufficient funds for the trip, at the rate of 50 EUR per day, valid for 1 month;
12. Medical insurance
    Valid throughout Schengen territory and for the entire duration of the trip + 15 days (amount of insurance coverage - at least 30,000 EUR);
13. Ticket reservation
    Original and photocopy of purchased round-trip ticket with closed dates, ticket number required;
14. Consent to the processing of personal data
    The form can be found at the office. visa center website;

All non-workers, including minors, require a letter of sponsorship from a close relative who will pay for the trip.

If necessary, visa centers provide paid services: employees will help you fill out an application, take photographs, photocopies and printouts, arrange insurance, etc.

Entry rules to Iceland

When crossing the Icelandic border you must provide:

• A foreign passport valid for 3 months after the end of the trip.
• Return air tickets or their reservation.
• Hotel reservation (hotel, apartment, hostel) or tourist voucher.
• Confirmation of financial solvency: cash, bank cards.
• Medical insurance.

Crossing the border with children

• The child’s own foreign passport is valid for 3 months after the end of the trip. Crossing the border with a child based on the entry about him in the parent’s passport is not allowed.
• Original or copy of birth certificate with an insert or stamp indicating Russian citizenship (children under 14 years old).

Importing things across the border

The country has a ban on the import of certain goods.

• Raw, uncooked, dried meat, sausages, raw milk and eggs.
• Snuff.
• Riding equipment: saddles, leashes and whips.
• Weapons, including bladed weapons (blade limit 12 cm).

We allow the import of the following goods:

• Canned food and sweets up to 3 kg, costing no more than 25 thousand ISK.
• Sports and travel equipment.
• Up to 200 cigarettes (persons over 18 years old).
• 1 liter of alcohol or 3 liters of wine or 18 liters of beer (persons over 20 years old).
• Medicines for personal use, but the volume is limited to no more than 100 days.

Additional information about the rules for transporting items can be found on the Icelandic Customs website.

Photo requirement

Two color photographs 3.5x4.5 cm must be taken no earlier than six months before submitting documents. The face is placed in the center and occupies about 70% of the frame, the size from the top of the head to the chin is 2.5 cm. The photo is taken from the front, with the gaze directed directly at the camera. Accessories that cover the face or parts of it (sunglasses, etc.) are not allowed, with the exception of items that a person wears for medical reasons, for example, an eye patch. Masks, scarves and hats that interfere with personal identification are prohibited.

Document renewal

The Schengen visa is not extended, but reissued. This happens in the same way as before. You can extend your long-term permit directly on the territory of Iceland itself. To do this, you will need to contact the immigration service of that state with an application. The visa will be extended, but not every one and not always. For example, a visitor visa cannot be extended, but a work or student visa can be extended without any problems. But in this case, a new employment contract or confirmation from the administration of the higher education institution will be required.

The visa can be extended within two working weeks. There is also no single cost for this procedure, since everything depends on the extension period and the type of visa. It is necessary to remind you that you should apply in advance so as not to fall into the category of illegal migrants. Systemic violation of Iceland's immigration laws leads to deportation and an official ban on entry into this country for the next ten years.

Video about moving to Iceland

Consular fee

When submitting documents, the applicant must bring with him a consular fee in the amount of 2600 RUB (equivalent to 35 EUR). In addition, the visa center charges a service fee of RUB 2,200.

Those who submit documents at regional visa centers must also pay 400 RUB for sending documents to Moscow.

Holders of diplomatic passports, schoolchildren and students who go to study, close relatives of Icelandic citizens, members of governments, official delegations, participants in humanitarian missions, youth sports competitions, as well as people with disabilities and children under 6 years of age are exempt from paying the consular fee. The last two categories of applicants also do not pay a service fee.

Recommendation for visa applicants

The easiest way is to get a visa to Iceland yourself, without resorting to intermediaries. This will save money.

In any case, decisions on applications are made by the Icelandic embassy. Therefore, it is better to immediately apply there directly or through accredited VFS Global visa centers, rather than third-party organizations. Of course, this does not apply to residents of settlements near which there are no VFS offices. Such candidates will have to act through intermediaries or order from the VFS website. Or, as an option, go to the nearest city where there is a visa center. VFS branches operate:

• in Moscow;
• In Petersburg;
• In Ekaterinburg;
• in Novosibirsk;
• in Vladivostok.

Addresses of visa centers and tips on how to get there are on the VFS website. It is not necessary to submit documents in person. If this mission is delegated to a third party, a power of attorney and a passport of the authorized person (sheet with personal data) are required. The power of attorney is not required to be notarized. If the application is submitted by a close relative, only copies of documents on the relationship are required, and a power of attorney is not needed.

Note to tourists! In the case of a tourist trip, documents can be submitted through a Russian travel agency, which organizes trips together with an Icelandic tour operator registered with the Icelandic Immigration Service. If the applicant meets all the requirements, he will be given a 1-month tourist “Schengen”.

Embassy and consulates of Iceland in Russia

Icelandic Embassy in Moscow

Iceland Visa Application Center in Moscow

Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Murmansk

Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg

Iceland Visa Application Center in Yekaterinburg

Iceland Visa Application Center in Novosibirsk

Iceland Visa Application Center in Vladivostok

List of Iceland visa centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg

Choose the one closest to you, unless of course you have been fingerprinted for a Schengen visa in the last 3 years.

If you have submitted fingerprints for Schengen since 2015, then you will only need to contact an intermediary (accredited companies). They handle the preparation and submission of the necessary documents for a visa on their own. Again, in this case you may greatly overpay for services.

Also, if you live in the East of the country, you can apply for a visa to Iceland from large cities.

Below are the addresses of visa centers (Russian capitals) where you can apply for an Iceland visa yourself:

Visa Application Center / Icelandic Embassy in Moscow

Address: 115054, Moscow, st. Shchipok 11, building 1 (metro stations "Serpukhovskaya" / "Dobryninskaya" / "Paveletskaya") Tel.: +7 (495) 276-2518 (Monday - Friday, from 09.00 to 16.00). Official website: vfsglobal.com/iceland/russia/index.html

Main entrance to the Iceland visa application center in Moscow

Opening hours

Reception of documents - from 09.00 to 16.00, from Monday to Friday, issuance of ready-made visas - from 11.00 to 16.00.

You can sign up to submit documents online, but it is not necessary.

Iceland Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg

Address: 197110, St. Petersburg, B. Raznochinnaya st., 16/7, Chkalovsky shopping center, 3rd floor (entrance from Chkalovsky Prospekt) Tel.: +7 Official website: vfsglobal.com/iceland/russia/index .html

Opening hours

Reception and issuance of documents - from 09.00 to 16.00, from Monday to Friday.

In addition to St. Petersburg and Moscow, citizens can obtain a visa to Iceland in Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar and other large cities of Russia.