United States entry requirements for Iceland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 18, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Icelandic passport holders need a visa to enter the United States for tourism or business in 2026. You must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at the U.S. embassy in Reykjavik before you travel — there is no visa waiver or ESTA option for Iceland.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| US visa application Visa required | You need a visa to enter the United States. Apply at the US embassy or consulate in Iceland — the process includes an interview and a fee. Start at travel.state.gov to find the correct visa category for your trip.Apply for US visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in the US. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by US law, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel — a return ticket to Iceland or a ticket to another country. Airlines also check this before boarding. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Have a hotel booking or a letter from your host ready. Officers may ask where you are staying, especially if you are a first-time visitor. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry evidence of sufficient funds for your stay — bank statements or credit cards. Officers can ask how you will support yourself during your visit. | Recommended |
Plan ahead — visa processing takes months
U.S. visa appointments in Reykjavik can have wait times of 2-4 months. Start your application at least 4 months before your intended travel date. Last-minute trips are rarely possible.
No visa-free entry for Icelanders
Iceland is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. You cannot use ESTA. A visa is mandatory for all purposes — tourism, business, or transit.
What happens at the border
1
Complete the DS-160 form
Go to the Consular Electronic Application Center website and fill out the DS-160. Upload your photo and submit. Print the confirmation page with the barcode — you'll need it for the interview.
2
Pay the visa fee
Pay the $185 MRV fee online or at a designated bank in Iceland. Keep the receipt — it's required to schedule your interview.
3
Schedule your interview
Use the U.S. Visa Information Service website to book an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik. Wait times can be 2-4 months, so plan ahead.
4
Attend the interview
Arrive at the embassy on time with your passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, photo, and any supporting documents. The officer will ask about your trip and ties to Iceland. Answer honestly and briefly.
5
Wait for processing
If approved, your passport will be returned with the visa sticker within a few days to a week. You can track it online or pick it up from the embassy.
6
Enter the U.S.
At the U.S. port of entry (airport or land border), present your passport with the visa. A CBP officer will ask about your stay. Have your return ticket and accommodation details ready.
Download United States Entry Checklist
PDF · Iceland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
B1/B2 Tourist Visa (single entry)
Max stayUp to 6 months per entry
ValidityTypically 10 years from issue date
Cost$160 USD (≈ $160 USD)
Allows tourism, business meetings, and medical treatment. Must apply at US embassy/consulate.
B1/B2 Tourist Visa (multiple entry)
Max stayUp to 6 months per entry
ValidityTypically 10 years from issue date
Cost$160 USD (≈ $160 USD)
Same as single entry but allows multiple entries over validity period.
ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
Max stayUp to 90 days per visit
Validity2 years from approval
Cost$21 USD (≈ $21 USD)
Icelandic citizens can use ESTA for short visits; no visa required for stays under 90 days.
work visa
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years
$460 USD filing fee + $500 USD fraud fee (≈ $960 USD total)
For professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher. Employer must sponsor. Limited annual cap.
Apply student visa
F-1 Student Visa
Duration of academic program + 60-day grace period
$350 USD SEVIS fee + $160 USD visa fee (≈ $510 USD total)
For full-time study at accredited US institutions. Allows part-time on-campus work. Must maintain enrollment.
Apply investor visa
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa
Permanent residency (Green Card)
$1,050,000 USD minimum investment (or $800,000 in targeted areas) + filing fees
For investors who create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. High capital requirement but leads to permanent residency.
Apply digital nomad visa
No specific digital nomad visa available
N/A
N/A
The US does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers typically use B1/B2 visa or ESTA for short stays.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| B1/B2 Tourist Visa (single entry)Standard nonimmigrant visa application fee for most applicants. | $160 USD (≈ $160 USD) |
| B1/B2 Tourist Visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry; validity up to 10 years for Icelandic citizens. | $160 USD (≈ $160 USD) |
| Stay extension (Form I-539)Fee for extending B1/B2 stay; processing can take months. | $370 USD (≈ $370 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are assessed by CBP; avoid overstaying. | Varies (up to $500 USD per day, max $5,000 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through United States
No transit visa needed
Icelandic citizens do not need a transit visa to change planes in the US, as they are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) for short stays. However, for airside transit without entering the US, ESTA is not required if staying in the international transit area.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US visa may transit without ESTA.
- Citizens of certain countries may need a C-1 transit visa if not eligible for ESTA.
Transit hubsJohn F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) · Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) · Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Health & vaccines for United States
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
West Nile VirusLow risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in some regions; risk is seasonal.
Lyme DiseaseModerate risk
Tick-borne disease in wooded areas of Northeast and Midwest; use repellent.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
General risk from undercooked food; safe food handling is recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) National Benefits Center
8501 NW 17th Street, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20001
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00
For extension applications (I-539), file by mail or online; no walk-in service.
New York
USCIS New York Field Office
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles in-person appointments for certain cases; extensions are by mail.
Practical information for IS travellers
Country basics
CapitalWashington D.C.
LanguageEnglish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceForeign visitors may drive with a valid home-country licence for the duration of their stay. An International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1 USD
Time zone
Local timeAmerica/New_York
vs New York+0:00 (same timezone)
vs Los Angeles-3h from NY
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A (two flat parallel pins) and Type B (two flat parallel pins + grounding pin)
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
Emergency numbers
Getting to United States
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to United States — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Iceland is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so you must get a B-2 tourist visa before traveling. There is no ESTA option.
The entire process — from DS-160 submission to visa in hand — typically takes 2 to 4 months. Interview wait times at the Reykjavik embassy vary by season. Apply well ahead of your planned trip.
The non-refundable application fee is $185 (about 25,000 ISK as of 2026). This covers processing regardless of the outcome.
Yes, but it's not automatic. You must file Form I-539 with USCIS before your authorized stay expires. Extensions are granted in up to 6-month increments, but approval is not guaranteed. Overstaying can lead to bans.
You'll be informed of the reason (e.g., insufficient ties to Iceland, incomplete application). You can reapply, but you must address the reason for denial. There is no appeal process.
Yes. Even if you're just changing planes in the U.S., you must clear immigration and customs, which requires a valid U.S. visa (usually a C-1 transit visa or a B-1/B-2). There is no transit without a visa.
No. B-1 is for business activities like meetings and conferences, and B-2 is for tourism. Any paid work for a U.S. employer requires a work visa (e.g., H-1B).
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.