Is Iceland Part Of Schengen Countries? How to Get A Schengen Visa For Iceland?

The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders. It allows for the free movement of people within the area.

Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, meaning that if you have a Schengen visa, you can enter Iceland and travel freely within the other countries.

Iceland joined the Schengen area in 2001, becoming one of the 26 countries that have abolished passport and other border control at their mutual borders. It allows for the free movement of people within the Schengen area.

Unlike other European Union countries, Iceland is not a member of the European Union. However, it is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which allows for the free movement of goods and services between Iceland and other EU countries.

 Being a member of the Schengen area allows for easy travel for citizens of other countries within the region. Visitors from outside the Schengen area may need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Iceland, but the process is generally simpler than applying for a traditional visa.

Documents Required For A Schengen Visa Application

The documents needed for a Schengen visa for Iceland include the following:

• A valid passport or travel document with at least 3 months validity remaining after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area.
• A completed and signed visa application form.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• Proof of travel insurance with coverage for medical expenses and repatriation.
• A flight itinerary for visa application or reservation.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or a letter of invitation from a host in Iceland.
• Proof of sufficient financial means, such as bank statements or a letter from an employer.
• A fee payment receipt.

It's important to note that these requirements may vary depending on the individual's situation and the embassy or consulate where the application is being submitted. It's always recommended to check for the specific requirements and any additional documents needed with the embassy or consulate where the application is being submitted.

How To Apply For A Schengen Visa

Steps to follow when applying:

1. Determine the correct embassy or consulate to submit your application.
2. Gather all the required documents.
3. Fill out the application form.
4. Schedule an appointment for an interview.
5. Attend the interview and submit your application along with the required documents.

Where To Apply:

You can apply for a Schengen Visa at the Embassy or Consulate of Iceland or at another Schengen member state's Embassy or Consulate if Iceland is not represented in your country.

Timeline For Processing:

The processing time for a Schengen visa application can vary, usually within 15 calendar days. In some cases, it may take up to 30 or 60 days.

Tips For A Successful Application

How To Prepare A Robust Application:

1. Make sure that all the required documents are in order and complete.
2. Always give detailed information about your itinerary and ensure that your travel dates are consistent throughout the application.
3. Show evidence of financial means to support yourself during your stay.
4. Please provide a clear purpose for your visit, whether for tourism, business, or visiting family and friends.

Common Mistakes To Avoid:

1. Provide only some of the required documents or give fake documents.
2. Not providing more information about your itinerary and the purpose of the visit.
3. Unable to prove your ties to your home country and your intention to return.
4. Not having enough funds to support yourself during your stay.

How Long Can I Stay In Iceland Valid Visa?

The visa sticker on your passport always indicates the validity of your visa. The validity changes based on the circumstances. It could be three days, two weeks, or even 90 days. The time frame for spending this number of days in Iceland is also specified in your visa.

A short-stay visa to Iceland is valid for 90 days within six months. You can only stay in Iceland for up to three or six months. 

However, you will still be issued a three-month valid visa to Iceland.

The diplomatic organisation representing Iceland in your place of residency is the one that decides on the validity of your visa, the length of stay allowed, and the number of entries allowed. When it comes to these three, please pay attention to their differences:

Duration Of Stay: 

This is the maximum number of days you can stay in Iceland and the whole Schengen area. If it says "15 days," you can only stay for that long. 

Visa Validity: 

This is how long you stay in Iceland. So, if your visa is good from March 1 to March 30, but you can only stay there for 15 days, you can spend those 15 days (from 5 to March 20, for example). Use this online tool to figure out how long you can legally stay in Iceland.

The Number Of Entries: 

This number tells you how many times you can use that visa to get into Iceland. Note that if you can enter Iceland twice but only stay there for 15 days each time, you can still stay there for 15 days. It means that you can stay in Iceland for a total of 15 days.

What If My Iceland Schengen Visa Is Rejected?

You can still travel to Iceland if you receive a negative answer in your Iceland Schengen visa application. You have two options.

• If you consider the decision to deny you a visa to Iceland unjustly, you may file an appeal. Your complaint should have a solid foundation. This decision can be appealed by drafting an appeal letter for an Iceland Schengen visa rejection.
• Reapply by rectifying any errors in your prior application. Or improve your condition to meet the requirements for an Iceland Schengen Visa.

Conclusion

Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, and citizens of certain countries must have a visa to enter. Applying for a Schengen Visa includes gathering the required documents, filling out an application form, scheduling an interview, and submitting the application. The processing time can take up to 15 days, but sometimes it may take longer. 

The website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration and the Embassy or Consulate of Iceland in your country is a good resource for information on the visa application process and requirements. Additionally, the website of the European Commission provides general information on the Schengen Area and visa requirements.