Iceland Work VISA – Types of Visas

Welcome to Iceland, the land of fire and ice, where beautiful scenery and lots of job chances can be found! If you are a skilled worker looking for your next job opportunity in Europe, you don’t need to look any further. In 2024, Iceland is one of the best places in Europe to find work, especially in areas where there aren’t enough workers. What’s better about it? There are many simple work visa choices that make your move easier than you thought possible.

Let’s face it. There are a lot of countries in Europe that provide good jobs and a high quality of life. Think about Germany, which has high wages and a strong economy, the Netherlands, which makes it easy to get a visa and has a tech-savvy workforce, or Sweden, which makes it easy to get permanent residency (PR) and become a citizen. But Iceland offers something truly unique: high-paying jobs, a quick process for getting a work visa, a high quality of life, and an easy way to become a permanent resident.

Reasons to Immigrate to Iceland in 2024 on Work VISA

Simplified Work Visa Options: There are different types of visas that Icelanders can get to meet their working needs. Iceland makes it pretty easy to get in. There is the Residence Permit for Work for people who already have a job offer, and the Digital Nomad Visa for people who work from home.

High Quality of Life: Many European countries say they have a great quality of life, but Iceland really does. Its environment is clean, crime is low, and people care deeply about each other. Imagine leaving work at the end of the day and going to see the Northern Lights or swimming in a geothermal pool.

Skill Shortage Opportunities: The country always needs people with skills in building, IT, construction, tourism, and health care. If you are good at these things, Iceland is the best place to find a job that you will enjoy and that pays well.

Because of this, Iceland is the best place to move to with a work visa because it is easier to get into and the process is simpler than in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Take advantage of similar job chances while living in a beautiful place.

Types of Work Visas in Iceland in 2024

Here are the ways you can get an Icelandic work visa in 2024:

Iceland’s Residence Permit for Work

People who have a job offer in Iceland need this pass more than any other. For a certain amount of time, it lets you live and work in the country.

Eligibility Requirements:

• A real job offer from a company in Iceland
• Proof that you have the skills and knowledge needed for the job
• satisfaction of any specific standards for your job

Temporary Work Permit

Given to people who are hired for short-term jobs in certain fields, like those that need special skills, where there aren’t enough workers, as sports, or as specialized workers on service contracts.

Long-term Remote Work Visa (Digital Nomad Visa):

This visa, which went into effect in 2020, lets people who work from home for companies outside of Iceland live and work in the country for up to six months.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must work for a company outside of Iceland
• At least ISK 1,000,000 (about USD 7,300) a month in income.
• Proof that you have health insurance and a place to stay in Iceland

Job Seeker Visa

Iceland does not have a specific visa for people looking for work, but people can visit on a vacation visa and look for work. If they get a job offer, they can apply for a residence pass that will let them work in Iceland.

Business Visa

Specially made for people who want to do business in Iceland. For this visa, you need to show that you have a clear business plan and enough money to support your business and your stay in Iceland.

Read Also: Unskilled Jobs in Iceland for Foreigners Visa Sponsorship

General Eligibility Requirements for Iceland’s Work Visas

While each type of visa has its own specific needs, here are some general ones:

• Valid Passport: Your passport must be good for at least three months after your planned departure from Iceland.
• Job Offer: A real job offer from a company in Iceland (but not for the Digital Nomad Visa).
• Qualifications and Experience Proof of the education and experience that are needed.
• Clean Criminal Record Proof that the person does not have a criminal record from their home country or any other country where they have lived for more than six months.
• Health Insurance Full covering for the whole length of the stay for health insurance

Where to find Work VISA Jobs in Iceland?

You can make it easier to find jobs in Iceland by using the following tools:

• Vinnumálastofnun (Directorate of Labour): https://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/en/employer/recruitment-services
• Starfsþjónusta ríkisins (State Human Resources Agency): http://www.hr.ri.gov/
• Adecco Iceland: https://www.adecco.com/find-a-job
• Heilbrigðisráð Íslands (Icelandic Nurses’ Association): https://icn.ch/membership/our-members/icelandic-nurses-association-ina
• Work in Iceland: https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-ottawa/work-and-live-in-iceland/

List of Skill Shortage Professions in Iceland

There are always not enough workers in some areas of Iceland, which makes it easier for foreigners to find work. Some of these key areas are:

• Healthcare: Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
• Engineering: Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers.
• Information Technology: Software developers, IT specialists, and data analysts.
• Construction: Skilled tradespeople, project managers, and site engineers.
• Tourism: Hospitality staff, tour guides, and customer service representatives.

How to Apply for a Work Permit in Iceland?

The process has several steps, which are usually started by the employer:

• Employer Submission: The owner sends the application to the Directorate of Labour, along with information about the job and a reason for hiring a foreign worker.
• Document Collection: The employer gets the necessary paperwork from the applicant, like a signed job contract and proof of qualifications.
• Application Fees: The employer pays the application fees, but the candidate may have to pay extra for things like travel insurance and proof of how much money they will need to live.
• Approval and Healthcare Contributions: If the person is OK, they may have to go to an interview and pay healthcare contributions.

Iceland Work Permit Application Costs

• Visa Fees: €80 – €90
• Processing Fees: Approx. €30 – €50
• Travel Insurance: Approx. €50 – €100
• Living Expenses Proof: Around €29 per day plus €145 per entry

Conclusion

Iceland has many types of work visas to meet different job needs, which makes it an appealing place for skilled workers to move to. You can start building a career in this beautiful and unique country by learning about the different types of visas, who is eligible, and where to look for work. To improve your chances of getting a job and a work visa in Iceland, get in touch with top staffing firms and look into fields where there aren’t enough qualified people.

Frequently Asked Questions