Iceland
ISLIceland is a high-income Nordic island nation, EFTA + EEA + Schengen member but not in the EU. English proficiency is among the world's highest, the public healthcare system is universal, and the country tops global rankings for safety and gender equality. Long-stay residency for non-EEA nationals is restrictive — primarily through skilled employment, family reunification, or remote-work permits (up to 6 months for high earners). Cost of living is among the highest in Europe.
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Icelandic króna (ISK)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Reykjavík
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 388,000
- Cost-of-living
- 95 /100
Passport Rank
#13
Visa-Free
152
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Iceland passport has visa-free access to 152 destinations. See the full Iceland passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Iceland without a prior visa (91)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Iceland
Current IRCC processing times for Iceland nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 68 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | No processing time available |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-10-07 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Reykjavík
- Currency
- Icelandic króna (ISK)
- Languages
- Icelandic
- Population
- 388,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen
- Climate
- Subarctic oceanic
- English Proficiency Rank
- #1
- GDP per capita
- $98,323
- Life expectancy
- 82.81 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.51%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
95
Safety
95
Healthcare
80
Quality of Life
188
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | $1,750 | $1,300 | $480 | $180 | $90 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Long-stay D
- Work Permit
- Student
- Family Reunification
- Specialised Knowledge
- Athlete
- Au Pair
- Remote Worker
- Authority
- Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun)
- Official Portal
- utl.is
- Phone
- +354 444 1000
- utl@utl.is
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- Yes (basic Icelandic)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $200
- Processing
- ~18 months
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Iceland | Reykjavík | IB / British | $12,000–$18,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
230 Mbps median
99% fibre coverage
eSIM: Síminn, Vodafone Iceland, Nova
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #13
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Limited
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Iceland, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Icelandic Bar Association
LMFIProfessional body of attorneys in Iceland. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Iceland, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Permanent Residence Permit (Iceland)
ResidencePermanent residence normally follows four continuous qualifying years in Iceland, but family, study and other exceptions can change the route. Approval brings permanent stay and broad work rights, not automatic citizenship.
Work (sponsored)
Residence Permit for Qualified Professionals (Iceland)
Work (sponsored)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.
Temporary Work Permit due to Labour Shortage (Iceland)
Work (sponsored)An employer-supported route for exceptional labour shortages. The work permit is temporary and employer-specific; the associated labour-shortage residence permission can qualify as a basis for permanent residence.
Family
Residence Permit for Family Reunification (Iceland)
FamilyJoin an eligible family member in Iceland. Your relationship and the sponsor's exact status determine eligibility, work rights and whether your residence can count toward permanent residence.
Study
Residence Permit for Students (Iceland)
StudyIf you have been admitted to an Icelandic university or college, this residence permit lets you live in Iceland while you study.
Entrepreneur
Self-employment in Iceland: residence and work rights
EntrepreneurSelf-employment rights in Iceland depend on nationality and existing immigration status. Company ownership alone does not establish a residence route: distinguish EEA/EFTA registration, employer-linked permission and permanent-resident work rights.
Availability: unconfirmed
Digital nomad
Long-Term Visa for Remote Work (Iceland)
Digital nomadIf 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.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-10-08. Each route links to its official government source.
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified