Iceland

When traveling to Iceland, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Iceland, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business meetings and conferences
• » Negotiate and sign contracts
• » Tour a company facility
• » Attend trade shows

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Iceland?

Nationals of the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Iceland.

Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 26 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Iceland and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.

What types of activities require a work permit?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Icelandic law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Iceland, even if conducted for a short duration.

• » Auditing
• » Market rollout
• » Consulting

 
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.

If I am traveling to Iceland for work, what type of work permit do I need?

The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Iceland. The most common work permit categories for Iceland are:

• » Qualified Professionals (work authorization for local hires with specialized knowledge/skills)
• » Service Agreement (work authorization for specialists under a service agreement)
• » Shortage of Labor (work authorization for specific industries experiencing labor shortages)

Is it possible to be exempted from work permit requirements

Nationals the European Economic Area and their dependents are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Iceland. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Iceland.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.