Visa-free countries for Icelandic passport holders

Traveling with an Icelandic passport

The Icelandic passport is an official travel document allowing eligible Iceland citizens to enjoy international journeys to visa-exempt countries. The document is also a method of facilitating passenger identification as it contains all the biometric data about the traveler. The Iceland passport is usually issued for 5 years for minors and 10 years for adults.

If Iceland passport holders wish to travel visa-free, they can visit one of the 112 countries from all over the world. To enter other destinations, they may need an electronic visa (e-Visa), visa on arrival (VOA), or regular visa. Some countries issue Electronic Travel Authorization for visitors from Iceland.

The Icelandic passport application process

If you wish to apply for an Iceland passport, it is only possible at the designated district commissioner’s office. The entire procedure is uncomplicated, but you may face some lengthy queues. To ensure a problem-free application process, ensure you have all the required documents.

• Complete the application form in person at the nearest office
• Submit the required documents (photo card or national ID card)
• Take the biometric photograph that will be visible on the passport
• Make the payment for the mandatory application processing fee

The standard processing time of the passport application is usually 6 working days (excluding the date of completing the procedure). You will receive a notification as soon as you are allowed to collect your approved passport from the office. You can also request passport shipping.

Countries that Icelandic passport holders can visit visa-free

Iceland passport holders are granted visa-free access to 112 countries worldwide. Before travel, they only need to remember to pack the essential documents – a valid passport and a national ID card. No additional preparation is required. Traveling without a visa allows them to save money and time that would be spent on completing the application procedures.

Iceland citizens may visit the following visa-free countries:

• Andorra
• United Arab Emirates
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• Argentina
• Austria
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Brunei
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• France
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Georgia
• Gambia
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Kiribati
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Kazakhstan
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Macedonia
• Mongolia
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Namibia
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Oman
• Panama
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• San Marino
• El Salvador
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Timor Leste
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Ukraine
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• Samoa
• South Africa
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Seychelles
• Palau
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Cape Verde
• Antigua and Barbuda

The benefits of visiting visa-free countries with the Iceland passport

Because of the numerous visa-free countries, Icelandic passport holders can enjoy different advantages while planning a journey abroad. For many destinations, Icelandic citizens are not required to have a valid visa – for effortless travel, they only need an approved passport.

Some of the greatest benefits of visiting visa-exempt countries include:

• Convenience: You don’t need to go through the process of a time-consuming visa application.
• Cost savings: Applying for visas involves pricey fees – if you travel visa-free, you save money.
• Trip flexibility: Visa-free travel allows you to plan your trips with more freedom and independence.
• Enhanced tourism: Visa-free travel encourages tourism as it makes visiting new places easier.

REMEMBER! If you wish to visit a country with strict visa requirements, make sure you have all the essential documentation and apply for a suitable visa beforehand.

Countries offering electronic visas to Icelandic citizens

While traveling to a few selected destinations, Icelandic passport holders may apply online for an electronic visa (e-Visa). To obtain the essential visa, they need to complete the standard registration procedure. The entire process is very intuitive and it should not take more than a few clicks. An approved visa is delivered to the applicant’s e-mail address.

Electronic visas are available for Iceland passport holders in these 41 countries:

• Azerbaijan
• Burkina Faso
• Bahrain
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Congo
• Ivory Coast
• Cameroon
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Equatorial Guinea
• Indonesia
• India
• Iran
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Cambodia
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Madagascar
• Myanmar
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• Nepal
• Papua New Guinea
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• United States
• Vietnam
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Rwanda
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• South Sudan

Apart from the electronic visa, Iceland citizens can also apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This type of online visa is issued for short-term journeys related to tourism and leisure. It works similarly to the standard online visa, followed by the remote application and e-mail delivery.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is issued to Iceland citizens traveling to:

• Australia
• Canada
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• New Zealand
• Pakistan

Countries offering visa on arrival to Icelandic passport holders

Those traveling on Icelandic passports are sometimes allowed to apply for a visa on arrival (VOA). This type of short-term visa is available after landing in a foreign country. It is essential to prepare all the required documentation so that you do not face deportation. Present your documents to the immigration officers and collect your visa from the airport.

A visa on arrival remains available for Iceland passport holders in 28 countries:

• Bangladesh
• Burkina Faso
• Bahrain
• Burundi
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Guinea Bissau
• Jordan
• Cambodia
• Comoros
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Nepal
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Rwanda
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands

Countries where Icelandic citizens need to get a visa to travel to

Although Iceland nationals may generally enjoy the freedom of movement while planning trips to countries from all around the world, some destinations still have strict visa regulations. To visit these places, it is mandatory to have a regular visa. This visa type can only be obtained at the Embassy.

Iceland passport holders need a valid visa while traveling to these 21 countries:

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• China
• Cuba
• Algeria
• Eritrea
• Ghana
• Guyana
• Iraq
• North Korea
• Liberia
• Libya
• Mali
• Niger
• Nauru
• Syria
• Chad
• Turkmenistan
• Vanuatu
• Yemen
• Sudan
• Eswatini