There is no Icelandic visa office in the UAE. Denmark handles Iceland’s Schengen visas here. You fill in Denmark’s ApplyVisa form online, pay the €90 visa fee there, and hand in your application at VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai makes the decision.
Iceland’s own funds rule applies: ISK 8,000 per person per day, with at least ISK 40,000 for each entry.
Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai, the Danish Immigration Service, Iceland’s official portal island.is and Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025). These rules come from your UAE residence; your passport decides whether you need a visa (Emiratis don’t).
Iceland at a glance
| Item | Iceland from the UAE |
|---|---|
| Who decides | Royal Danish Consulate General, Dubai (Denmark represents Iceland) |
| Online form | ApplyVisa (applyvisa.um.dk) |
| Where you hand in | VFS Global, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. No walk-ins. |
| Visa fee | €90 adults, €45 ages 6–11, free under 6, paid online in ApplyVisa |
| VFS service fee | Paid separately at VFS |
| Funds | ISK 8,000 per person per day, minimum ISK 40,000 per entry |
| Decision | About 15 days, longer around holidays |
| If refused | Appeal to the Danish Immigration Service within 8 weeks |
Why you apply through Denmark
Schengen countries without a visa office in a country can ask another member to process visas for them. In the UAE, Denmark does this for Iceland. Your file goes into the Danish system and is decided by the Danish Consulate General in Dubai, but it is still a visa for a trip where Iceland is your main destination.
If you are also visiting Denmark or Norway, count your nights. Apply as an Iceland trip only if most nights are in Iceland. Otherwise see Denmark or Norway.
How to apply: step by step
- Fill in the ApplyVisa form at applyvisa.um.dk, choosing Iceland as your main destination.
- Pay the visa fee online in ApplyVisa.
- Print and sign the cover letter (pages 3 and 4). For children, both parents sign.
- Book a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi at least 15 days before travel. Download the VFS checklist for your visa type.
- Attend, give fingerprints and pay the VFS service fee. Then wait about 15 days. The Consulate does not give status updates.
The Danish Consulate advises not to buy flight tickets until the visa is approved. Use a reservation; see flight and hotel reservations.
Documents you need
- Passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months after your return
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
- Signed ApplyVisa cover letter and a photo
- Employer letter or NOC and recent payslips
- Stamped bank statements showing regular income and enough for the trip
- Genuine flight reservation and accommodation for every night. Iceland road trips need a booking for each stop.
- Genuine travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states
The Danish Consulate has warned about a rise in fake insurance and hotel bookings. Buy and book everything yourself; a forged document means refusal and a record in the Schengen system.
How much money do you need?
| Situation | Iceland’s reference amount |
|---|---|
| You pay for your own stay | ISK 8,000 per person per day |
| Someone else pays (host or sponsor) | Half: ISK 4,000 per day |
| Minimum for each entry | ISK 40,000 |
ISK 8,000 is roughly €55. A 7-day trip therefore needs about ISK 56,000 (around €385) on top of flights, hotels and car hire. Iceland is expensive, so your statements should show far more than the minimum.
If you are refused
Because Denmark made the decision, you appeal under Danish rules, not Icelandic ones. Iceland’s Visa Appeals Board handles only refusals made by Iceland itself.
- Deadline: no later than 8 weeks after you receive the refusal
- To whom: the Danish Immigration Service, using its online contact form (“Short stay visa”) or by post to Farimagsvej 51A, DK-4700 Næstved
- Include: your case number, full name, nationality, the decision date and your reasons
Always follow the instructions in your own refusal letter. See the refusal letter explained.
Questions people ask
Is there an Iceland embassy in the UAE?
Not for visas. Denmark processes Iceland Schengen visas in the UAE through ApplyVisa and VFS Global.
Can I see the Northern Lights in Iceland on a Schengen visa?
Yes. Iceland is in Schengen, so a normal short-stay Schengen visa covers it. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are different: they are outside Schengen and need a visa valid specifically for them.
How much money do I need for an Iceland visa?
At least ISK 8,000 per person per day and ISK 40,000 per entry, or half the daily amount if someone else pays for your stay.
How long does an Iceland visa take from Dubai?
About 15 days after you hand in at VFS, and longer around holidays.
Related guides
- Denmark Schengen visa from the UAE
- Schengen travel insurance from the UAE
- Which Schengen country to apply to
Sources
- Royal Danish Consulate General, Dubai: Schengen visa
- Danish Immigration Service: You have got a no to visa
- Iceland, island.is: Visa refusal appeal procedures
- EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.