🇮🇸Iceland Visa for Costa Rican Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Entry Visa (D-Visa)

A national single-entry visa issued at the request of the Directorate of Immigration so that a visa-required foreign national who has been granted an Icelandic residence permit or other national authorisation can travel to Iceland.

The D-visa is a national long-stay entry visa. When a visa-required applicant needs to enter Iceland (for example after a residence permit is approved), the Directorate of Immigration sends a request for an entry visa to the appropriate embassy or consulate. Issued via Icelandic embassies, Royal Norwegian or Royal Danish embassies, or VFS Global centres acting for Iceland. If the applicant's country of residence has no issuing mission, the Directorate and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs arrange an alternative. Not a stand-alone application - it follows a Directorate of Immigration request.

Residence Permit Based on Work (Expert/Specialist)

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals hired by Icelandic employers in positions requiring expert knowledge, specialist skills, or university-level qualifications.

Fee: ISK 80,000 (non-refundable). Application fee paid by bank transfer; paper application submitted to Directorate of Immigration, Dalvegur 18, Kópavogur, or District Commissioner offices. Covers expert knowledge, labour shortage, athletic employment, and collaboration/service contracts under Articles 61–64 of the Foreign Nationals Act. Expedited processing within 30 days for qualified professionals when documents are complete; standard processing up to 180 days. Initial permit typically 1 year, renewable for 2 years. Visa-required nationals cannot be in Iceland during processing for labour shortage applications; expert/athlete applicants may remain if legally present. Employer must obtain work permit from Directorate of Labour before residence permit is issued.

Residence Permit for Missionaries

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals whose stay in Iceland is for a religious purpose on behalf of the Church of Iceland or another registered religious organisation.

For missionaries carrying out religious work on behalf of the Church of Iceland or another registered religious organisation. Fee: ISK 40,000 (approximately USD 289), non-refundable, paid by bank transfer before submission with the receipt attached. Paper application submitted to the Directorate of Immigration (Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur) by mail, drop box, or in person, or at District Commissioner offices. Visa-required applicants cannot be in Iceland during processing; visa-exempt applicants may remain only within the 90/180-day Schengen limit.

Working Holiday Residence Permit

Allows young adults from eligible countries to work and holiday in Iceland for an extended period beyond standard tourist stay limits.

Eligible countries: Andorra, Canada, Chile, Japan, United Kingdom. Fee: ISK 40,000 for applicants from Andorra, Canada, Chile, and the UK; no fee for Japanese citizens. Fees are non-refundable if applicant cancels. Applications submitted on paper by mail to the Directorate of Immigration or District Commissioner offices. Fee must be paid by bank transfer before submission. Eligible nationals do not require a visa and may remain in Iceland while the application is processed, provided their Schengen Area stay does not exceed 90 days in 180 days. Specific permit duration not published on the official page.

Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers

Allows non-EEA nationals who work remotely for a foreign employer or are self-employed abroad to live and work in Iceland for up to 180 days.

Application form L-802. Only available to visa-exempt nationals entering from outside the Schengen Area (those already in Schengen may receive reduced validity up to 90 days). Monthly income requirement: ISK 1,000,000 (individual); ISK 1,300,000 (with spouse/partner or dependent children under 18). Must hold valid international health insurance. Fee: ISK 12,200 (~USD 88). Only issued once per 12-month period. Not a residence permit - holder cannot obtain an Icelandic ID number. Applications by post to Directorate of Immigration. Processing 3–4 weeks from receipt of complete application.

Residence Permit for Students

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals enrolled in full-time studies at recognized Icelandic universities, postgraduate doctoral programs, approved exchange programs, internships integrated with studies, or recognized secondary-level technical training.

Fee: ISK 70,000 (non-refundable), paid by bank transfer before submission. Applications must be received by May 1 for the fall semester or October 1 for the spring semester. Required documents: valid passport, health insurance confirmation, proof of secure financial support, criminal record certificate, and admission letter from recognized Icelandic institution. Visa-required applicants cannot be in Iceland during processing; visa-exempt applicants may remain if their Schengen stay is within 90/180-day limits. Applications submitted by mail or drop box at Directorate of Immigration, Kópavogur.

Residence Permit for Spouse/Cohabiting Partner

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals moving to Iceland to live with a spouse or cohabiting partner who has the right to reside in Iceland.

Fee: ISK 110,000 (non-refundable), paid by bank transfer before submission. Covers both marriage and cohabitation arrangements. If the sponsor is an EEA/EFTA citizen, applicant may instead apply for a family member residence card. Visa-exempt applicants may generally stay while the application is processed; visa-required applicants must typically obtain a permit before entering Iceland. If the sponsor is a student or on a service agreement, applicant generally cannot stay beyond 90-day visa-free period without compelling fairness reasons. Granted under Article 70 of Iceland's Foreign Nationals Act.

Residence Permit for Children (Family Reunification)

For children under 18 to be reunited with their parents who have the right to reside in Iceland.

Fee: ISK 60,000 (non-refundable), paid by bank transfer before submission. Child must be under 18 and in custody of the parent seeking reunification. Parents with permanent residence permits may also apply for children born after obtaining their own permit. Applications submitted by mail or in person to the Directorate of Immigration, Kópavogur. Processing time not specified; current wait times available on Directorate's waiting time page.

Residence Permit for Parents (aged 67+)

For parents aged 67 or older to join their children who are legally residing in Iceland.

Available to parents aged 67 or older of persons with right of residence in Iceland. Paper application to Directorate of Immigration. Fee not confirmed from direct page fetch but consistent with other family permit structures (typically ISK 60,000–110,000). Part of Iceland's family reunification regime under the Foreign Nationals Act.

Residence Permit for Parents of Children Younger than 18

For a custodian parent of a child under 18 residing in Iceland, where the permit is needed to maintain the parent's contact with the child or to allow an Icelandic child to continue living in Iceland.

For a custodian parent of a child younger than 18 who resides in Iceland. Fee: ISK 110,000 (approximately USD 794), non-refundable, paid by bank transfer before submission; an unpaid application is returned. Paper application submitted to the Directorate of Immigration (Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur) by mail, drop box, or in person, or at District Commissioner offices. Distinct from the residence permit for parents aged 67 or older. Visa-required applicants cannot be in Iceland during processing; visa-exempt applicants may remain within the 90/180-day Schengen limit.

Residence Permit Based on Special Ties to Iceland

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals who have special ties to Iceland - primarily family connections and prior stays in the country - granted in exceptional cases.

Granted under Article 78 of the Foreign Nationals Act. Family ties and the applicant's previous stays in Iceland weigh most heavily; in rare cases a permit may be granted without prior residence in Iceland. Fee: ISK 40,000 (approximately USD 289), non-refundable, paid by bank transfer before submission. Paper application to the Directorate of Immigration or District Commissioner offices. Visa-required applicants cannot be in Iceland during processing; visa-exempt applicants may remain within the 90/180-day Schengen limit.

Au Pair Residence Permit

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals aged 18–25 to live with an Icelandic host family and provide childcare and light household work in exchange for pocket money, as a cultural exchange arrangement.

Fee: ISK 120,000 (non-refundable), paid by bank transfer before submission. Applicants must be aged 18–25 and non-EEA/EFTA citizens. Visa-required applicants cannot be in Iceland during application or processing (rare exceptions apply). Visa-exempt applicants must maintain legal stay under 90/180-day Schengen limits. Host family must have no familial connection with the au pair. Applications submitted to Directorate of Immigration or District Commissioner offices.

Residence Permit for Volunteers

For non-EEA/EFTA nationals participating in approved voluntary service programs in Iceland.

For participants in recognized volunteer programs in Iceland. Paper application to Directorate of Immigration. Specific fee, duration, and processing time not obtained from direct page fetch. Part of Iceland's special-purpose residence permit regime.

Residence Permit for Legitimate and Special Purpose

A discretionary permit for exceptional circumstances where applicants do not meet requirements for other permit categories, such as extended illness requiring stay, relatives of ill persons, expectant mothers of children with Icelandic citizenship, or parties to Icelandic court proceedings.

Fee: ISK 40,000 (non-refundable). Granted only in exceptional cases under Article 79 of the Foreign Nationals Act. Does not create an obligation to grant the permit - decision is based on overall assessment. Financial self-sufficiency required: ISK 259,951/month (individual), ISK 415,922/month (couple). Visa-required applicants cannot be in Iceland during processing except for compelling fairness reasons. Visa-exempt applicants may remain within legal Schengen limits.

Permanent Residence Permit

A long-term residence permit for non-EEA/EFTA nationals who have lived legally in Iceland on a temporary permit for a qualifying continuous period (generally four years), granting the right to reside indefinitely.

Requires continuous legal residence on a temporary permit (generally four years; five years for family members of EEA/EFTA citizens). Must apply digitally before the current permit expires - an application without a valid residence permit is rejected. Fee: ISK 60,000 for adults (approximately USD 433), ISK 30,000 for children under 18; card renewal ISK 8,000. Issued as a residence permit card valid for five years (the permit itself does not lapse; the card is renewed). Requires an electronic certificate to apply online.

Residence Permit for Possible Victims of Human Trafficking

A 'period of reflection' residence permit allowing suspected victims of human trafficking to remain in Iceland to escape their situation and decide whether to cooperate with the authorities.

Granted under the Foreign Nationals Act as a period of reflection. Valid for up to 9 months and cannot be renewed. No application fee. Applications are informal - they may be made orally or in writing (no official form) to the Directorate of Immigration, the police, the Bjarkarhlíð victim support centre, or through a legal representative. The applicant is not deported while the application is processed.

International Protection (Refugee / Subsidiary / Humanitarian)

Protection-based residence status for persons who qualify as refugees, or who face serious harm or humanitarian circumstances preventing return to their country of origin.

Covers three sub-categories: refugee status (Convention refugee), subsidiary protection (serious harm risk), and humanitarian permit (individual or collective). Applications submitted at the border or within Iceland to the Directorate of Immigration. No application fee for protection claims. Approved applicants receive residence permits and may access Directorate of Labour services. Family members of recognized refugees may apply for protection-based family reunification (spouse, children, parents, siblings of refugee children).