Those wanting an Iceland visa look for an Icelandic embassy in Baku, do not find one and get confused. In Azerbaijan Iceland is represented for Schengen visas by Norway: the documents are submitted to Norway’s visa centre in Baku, while the decision is made at Norway’s embassy in Ankara. This chain makes the process a little longer than for other Schengen countries.
In this article we explain how the Iceland visa process actually works, the real timings, the documents and the particulars of a trip to Iceland in terms of tickets, the car and the season.
An Iceland visa: the basics
| Visa type | Schengen visa, type «C» |
| Who decides? | Norway (representing Iceland), the Ankara embassy |
| Where are the documents submitted? | The Norwegian visa centre, VFS Global, Baku |
| Consular fee | 35 euros, free under 12 |
| The centre’s service charge | Around 21 euros |
| Processing time | Up to 25 days: 10 days processing + the courier to Ankara |
| Direct flight | None, via London, Copenhagen or Oslo |
Why is an Iceland visa handled through Norway and decided in Ankara?
Iceland has no embassy in Baku and under the Schengen rules Norway represents it. Norway itself has no visa section in Baku either: the documents are accepted at the Norwegian visa centre in Baku, then sent by courier to Norway’s embassy in Ankara, and the decision is made there. Norway states this openly: up to 10 days of processing and up to 15 days of courier both ways, 25 days in all. The same centre and the same document list work for Denmark and Finland too. The official requirements of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration are on the site of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
Documents for an Iceland visa
The Norwegian centre requires all documents in English or Norwegian. Documents in Azerbaijani and Russian are submitted with a translation.
The itinerary documents are especially important for Iceland: the consulate wants to be sure the trip is real, because Iceland is expensive and far away. A broken or incomplete itinerary is a reason for refusal.
Read next: A Denmark visa is obtained at the Norwegian centre: the representation, the documents and the timing
How do you get from Baku to Iceland?
There is no direct flight to Reykjavík and people mainly fly there from three cities: London, Copenhagen and Oslo. From Baku you reach those cities via Istanbul or on AZAL’s London flight, then cross to Reykjavík with Icelandair or the airline Play. The whole journey takes 12–16 hours. On a London transit you do not need a British visa if you do not leave Heathrow; Copenhagen and Oslo are in Schengen, so with your visa there is no problem transiting there. Baku–Reykjavík air ticket prices are high in summer and in the northern lights season, from September to March.
Iceland has all but no public transport and the country is toured by car. For the Golden Circle, the south coast and the glaciers car hire is essential, and in winter a 4×4 is needed. To share that much expense, going with a group in the format of a Scandinavia tour works out considerably cheaper than travelling alone.
Things to know before the trip
- Prices. Lunch in a restaurant 40–50 euros, a hotel from 200, petrol the most expensive in Europe. Count on double the budget.
- Season. June–August white nights and open mountain roads, September–March the northern lights. In winter the day has 4–5 hours of light and the roads can close.
- Money. The Icelandic króna, but cash is all but unnecessary, cards everywhere.
- Weather. Four seasons in one day, and the wind can tear the car door off — that is not a joke. Take the sand and ash insurance from the hire company.
Frequently asked questions about the Iceland visa
How long does an Iceland visa take?
Norway states up to 25 days. Together with the appointment at the centre the whole process takes 5–7 weeks. Start 2–3 months before the trip.
Can you go to Iceland on another Schengen visa?
Yes, Iceland is in Schengen and you can enter on a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. But if Iceland is the main country of the trip, the visa has to be obtained through Iceland, that is through Norway.
Do you need an Iceland visa when arriving by cruise?
Yes, a Schengen visa is needed and the cruise company checks it at check-in.
In closing
An Iceland visa is obtained at the Norwegian visa centre and, because it is decided in Ankara, takes longer than other Schengen visas. For an applicant who plans the timing correctly and shows a complete itinerary, no problem arises. The Viza.az team helps with getting an appointment at the Norwegian centre, building the transit route and preparing the documents in English.
You can read more about Iceland as a destination and our service fees or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. Representation agreements and timings can change, so check the official pages once more before applying.
