Iceland · digital nomad
Long-Term Visa for Remote Work (Iceland)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
If you work remotely for a foreign employer, this short long-term visa lets you stay in Iceland for a few months - but it is a visa, not a residence permit.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the Directorate of Immigration decides complete applications within a published period; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - a visa fee applies; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- A single stay of 90 to 180 days, generally not repeatable within twelve months - confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
Iceland's long-term visa for remote work lets eligible people stay in Iceland for between 90 and 180 days while working remotely for a foreign employer or as self-employed for clients abroad. It is aimed at higher earners and is decided by the Directorate of Immigration. Good to know: this is genuinely a visa, not a residence permit - it does not count toward permanent residence, does not lead to settlement, and you generally cannot hold it again within twelve months. It is best thought of as a long holiday with the right to keep working remotely, not a relocation route.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You work remotely for an employer based outside Iceland, or are self-employed for clients abroad.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- ✓You can show income from foreign sources at or above the required level, which is set high and indexed.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- ✓You are from outside the EEA/EFTA and are visa-exempt for short stays in the Schengen area.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- ✓You have not held an Icelandic long-term visa in the last twelve months and hold a valid passport.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
Common blockers
- !Working for an Icelandic employer or the Icelandic labour market.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- !Income below the required level, or income that cannot be evidenced.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- !Expecting this visa to count toward residence or settlement, which it does not.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport with enough remaining validity for the stay.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- ·Proof of remote employment with a foreign employer, or of self-employment serving foreign clients.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- ·Proof of foreign-sourced income at the required level.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
- ·Valid health insurance covering your stay.Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm you work remotely for a foreign employer, meet the income level, and have not held this visa in the last twelve months.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport, proof of remote work and foreign income, and health insurance.
Submit through the official channel
Apply to the Directorate of Immigration for the long-term visa and pay the fee.
After approval
Enjoy your stay of up to 180 days, then leave - this visa does not lead to residence, so plan a different route if you want to stay on.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Long-Term Visa for Remote Work (Iceland) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Long-Term Visa for Remote Work (Iceland).
Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun), Iceland · verified
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Related routes
Residence Permit for Qualified Professionals (Iceland)
If you are a qualified professional or expert with an Icelandic job offer, this is the main route - a two-step residence permit plus a linked work permit.
Residence Permit for the Self-Employed (Iceland)
If you run your own genuine business in Iceland or are financially independent through it, this route gives you residence tied to that activity.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a residence permit or a path to settlement?+
No - it is a long-term visa of 90 to 180 days, not a residence permit. It does not count toward permanent residence and does not lead to settlement. Confirm the current rules on the official page.
Can I renew it or get it again soon?+
You generally cannot hold this visa again within twelve months of a previous Icelandic long-term visa, so it is not a way to stay continuously. Confirm the current rule on the official page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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