Description

Iceland Schengen Visa Policy

According to the visa policy of Iceland, all visitors must have visas unless they are from visa exempt countries. This policy is quite holistic and covers the entry regulations for all visitors, regardless of their nationality. Iceland is one of the Schengen countries in Europe, having signed the Schengen agreement. This makes it a Passport free zone in Europe with similar visa policies to other Schengen countries.

Whether a visitor requires a visa depends on their nationality, the purpose of their visit, and the duration they hope to stay. Also, citizens of other Schengen countries are free to visit other countries in the zone without visas or passports, and they can stay in these countries for as long as they wish. All they need is a Valid ID card issued by their home government.

As for citizens from visa-exempt countries on the Schengen list, they can stay in Iceland or any other Schengen country for up to 3 months provided they have a valid passport an online entry authorization called ETIAS.

 Iceland Schengen Visa

Being a Schengen country, Iceland is eligible to issue Schengen visas to visitors from non-visa-exempt countries. Thus visa is valid for six months and allows for visits of up to 90 days. Furthermore, holders are free to visit any other Schengen country in the zone because of its overall universal acceptance in the Schengen zone.

Non-visa-exempt visitors can use this visa for tourism, business, or transit, but it can’t be used for study, work, or any other long-term commitment.

 Iceland Schengen Visa ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is a new program to launch in full force in 2024. This screening program is targeted at visitors f I’m visa exempt countries.

Before now, you only needed to show a valid passport at the entry point if you were from a visa-exempt nation. However, the introduction of ETIAS is set to change everything.

ETIAS was introduced to strengthen border security of European nations by pre-screening visitors for threats before they arrive on the continent. The program is still in the pilot phase but will become mandatory for all visa-exempt visitors by 2024.

To apply for ETIAS, the applicant must complete an online application form and submit it for review. The system will take a few minutes to screen their data across multiple databases, and if no alert is triggered, approval will be granted via email.

Holders of ETIAS can visit other Schengen countries apart from Iceland, and the authorization is valid for 3 years or as long as the Passport it is attached to remains valid. You can use it for visits of up to 90 days within a 180 days period, but you cannot use it for work.

Persons whose data trigger a security alert in any of the databases used will not be allowed into Europe. However, the EU Commission states that one may reapply a second time even if their initial application was denied.

Travel Tips and Key Information About Iceland Schengen Visa ETIAS

It Will Be Mandatory: ETIAS is currently undergoing testing for now before full-scale implementation. For now, visitors from eligible countries can visit with or without it but come 2024, without ETIAS, they will not be allowed to enter Iceland or any Schengen country for that matter.

Some Countries Are Off Limit: While you can visit non-Schengen countries like Bulgaria with ETIAS, some European countries are off-limits. You cannot use ETIAS to enter the United Kingdom or The Republic of Ireland as their visa policy is distinct from that of the EU.

Not A Visa: Note that ETIAS is not a visa and should not be used as such. It is an entry permit only issued to visitors from authorized persons. While you must visit the embassy or consulate to get a Schengen visa, you don’t need the same to get Etias.

Passport: Your ETIAS is connected to the Passport you applied with, so always bring it along on your trip, not a different passport. Also, note that your ETIAS will automatically expire if the Passport expires, even if it is not up to 3 years.

Application Fee: While the application fee is mandatory, not all applicants need to pay this fee. Applicants under 18 and above 70 are exempted from ETIAS fees. Others within this age bracket must pay the fee.

Security Questions: The ETIAS application form contains a separate section for security questions that must be answered before submitting the form. These questions will cover a few areas and must be answered honestly.

90/180 Day Rule: Under this rule, visitors are not allowed to stay in any Schengen country or set of countries for more than 90 days within 6 months. The first day they set foot in the Schengen zone, the time starts counting the following day. This means they must conclude their business and leave on the 90th day. In case they spent the full 90 days during their last trip, they must wait for the 6 months cycle to end before their next visit.

Use Approved Routes: When traveling to Iceland or any other country, always use approved airports and seaports so you don’t encounter any difficulty along the way. The approved routes are the legal and safe routes of entry.