Articles on: Europe

Iceland — Remote Work Visa: Everything you need to live and work in Iceland

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Being a digital nomad in Iceland: the essentials

Iceland isn’t only auroras and otherworldly landscapes. For remote professionals, the country offers a Long-term Visa for Remote Work that lets you live in Iceland legally while working for an employer or clients outside Iceland. (island.is)


What is Iceland’s Remote Work Visa?

It’s a long-term visa (L-802) that allows non-EU/EEA/EFTA citizens who are visa-exempt for Schengen to stay in Iceland while working remotely for a foreign employer or as a freelancer serving foreign clients. The stay is up to 180 days (or up to 90 days if you apply from within the Schengen area). (work.iceland.is)


Who regulates and processes it

Applications are handled by Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun). You apply directly to the Directorate (paper submission). (utl.is)


The scheme is implemented under Iceland’s foreigners framework and administered by the Directorate (see the Government portal and Directorate pages for program details and forms). (island.is)


Duration & renewals

  • Apply from outside Schengen: up to 180 days.
  • Apply while in Schengen (e.g., as a tourist): up to 90 days.
  • Consecutive renewal isn’t available; you’re expected not to intend long-term residence via this route. (work.iceland.is)


Key requirements (what authorities actually check)

  • Nationality: non-EU/EEA/EFTA and visa-exempt for Schengen entry. (work.iceland.is)
  • Remote work only: employer/company registered outside Iceland or freelance clients abroad. (work.iceland.is)
  • Minimum income (gross): ISK 1,000,000 per month (single) or ISK 1,300,000 per month (with spouse/partner and/or children). (Use Central Bank rates for your currency.) (island.is)
  • Health insurance valid in Iceland for the full stay. (work.iceland.is)
  • Clean criminal record and valid passport; proof of accommodation may be requested. (Contentful)


Fees & timing

  • Application fee: ISK 12,200 per applicant (paid by bank transfer; include the payment receipt with your application). (work.iceland.is)
  • When the visa starts: it’s issued after you arrive in Iceland and is valid from the date of issuance for the approved period. You should enter within 90 days of approval or you may need to resubmit income/insurance proofs. (work.iceland.is)


Step-by-step (how applicants succeed)

  1. Gather documents: passport, L-802 form, proof of remote employment/freelance, income meeting ISK thresholds, health insurance, (and if requested) accommodation & police certificate. (Contentful)
  2. Pay the fee (ISK 12,200) via bank transfer and keep the receipt. (work.iceland.is)
  3. Submit on paper to the Directorate of Immigration (by mail or drop-box at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur). (Contentful)
  4. Wait for a decision. If approved, travel to Iceland within 90 days; the visa will be issued after arrival for up to 180 days (or 90 days if you applied inside Schengen). (work.iceland.is)


Advantages

  • Live legally in one of the world’s safest countries while you work for a foreign employer/clients.
  • Clear, published income rules and a single fee.
  • Perfect for a deep, six-month Iceland experience without switching to a local work/residence permit. (island.is)


Official references (use these first)


QUESTRAVEL’s experience

The two big stumbling blocks we see:

  1. Income proof that doesn’t clearly hit ISK 1,000,000 / 1,300,000 for the months required; and
  2. Submitting without the bank-transfer receipt for the fee.

At QUESTRAVEL, we assemble airtight files—income proofs aligned to the thresholds, insurance that explicitly covers Iceland, and clean document formatting—so your application stays on track.

💡 Thinking about a six-month Iceland chapter? Book a 1:1 at fromquestravel.com and we’ll tailor your step-by-step plan.

Updated on: 03/11/2025