About this visa

8 Steps to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Iceland

Japanese Citizens have the unique opportunity to reside and work in Iceland for up to one year with this working holiday visa.

COVID-19 Update: Iceland's border are only open for UK and EU citizens.

Participating countries

Iceland has made Working Holiday visa agreements with the following 1 participating countries:

• Japan

If you are a Citizen of Iceland and are considering a Working Holiday experience in one of the participating countries above see where your Passport can take you!

With this visa you can

This visa allows you to:

• A residence permit may be granted for up to one (1) year. Renewing the residence permit is not permissible.
• The applicant receives an unlimited work permit. He/she may work and change work without applying at the Directorate of Labor.
• The residence permit does not contain a right to family reunification.
• The residence permit is not grounds for a permanent residence permit.

Things to note

The applicant should come to be photographed within one (1) week from his/her arrival in Iceland and must report his/her place of residence (for example, when photographed). Please note that the applicant must present a valid passport when photographed for identification.

The applicant must also undergo medical examination within two (2) weeks from arrival in Iceland. The Directorate of Immigration will not issue a residence permit if the applicant does not meet the requirements stated above. This could lead to illegal stay and expulsion.

Conditions

1. You are a citizen of and reside in Japan,
2. you wish to experience the culture and general way of life in Iceland,
3. you do not intend to take up residence in Iceland,
4. you are aged 18 – 26 when your application is submitted,
5. you can prove that you are able to provide for yourself during your stay,
6. you have a valid insurance with an Icelandic insurance company (in the field Insurance Companies) or a foreign insurance company authorized to operate in Iceland (in the field Foreign Insurance Companies),
7. you have not served a criminal sentence abroad during the last five (5) years or been sentenced by a court of law for an offence which would be punishable by more than three (3) months imprisonment according to Icelandic law, and
8. you have a passport valid at least 90 days beyond the estimated validity of residence permit.

Note: The visa conditions outlined above are subject to change without notice.

How to apply

Documents to be submitted:

• Application for a residence permit. (Please download and save on computer before filling out). In original format, carefully filled out and signed by the applicant. It is important that the applicant state his/her place of residence in Iceland. If the address is not stated when the application is made, the applicant must notify his/her place of residence within two (2) weeks from the applicant’s date of arrival in Iceland (for example when being photographed).
• Passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm).
• Photocopy of passport. The period of validity must be at least 90 days beyond the period of validity of the residence permit. This must include photocopies of the passport’s personal information page and signature page.
• Confirmed original of a foreign criminal record certificate. The criminal record certification must not be older than six (6) months. A criminal record certificate must be submitted from all the countries where the applicant has lived for the last five (5) years. The highest appropriate authority in each country, i.e. the authority authorized to issue such a certificate shall issue the. Note there is a requirement for apostille confirmation or double authentication.
• Confirmed copy or original translation by an authorized translator of the criminal record certificate. Applies only if the foreign certificates are in other languages than English or the Nordic languages. Note there is a requirement of confirmation of translation if the translator is not an authorized translator in Iceland, i.e. apostille or double authentication.
• Health Insurance. The applicant shall submit a certificate of insurance from an Icelandic insurance company (see insurance companies) or a foreign insurance company authorized to operate in Iceland (see foreign insurance companies) The insurance shall be valid for six (6) months from the date of the applicant being registered in Registers Iceland and the coverage shall be at least IKR 2,000,000. Registration in Registers Iceland is usually valid from the day the applicant‘s photo is taken at either the Directorate of Immigration or at a District Commissioner‘s office for a residence permit card, given that the applicant has stayed in Iceland from that date.
• Documents on support, confirming secure support during the period of residence.
• Copy of a return ticket from Iceland or proof of sufficient funds for such a ticket.

The immigration authority in Iceland for processing Working Holiday visa's is The Directorate of Immigration, Iceland.

Go to: The Directorate of Immigration, Iceland

Additional resources

Here are additional links and resources related to the Working Holiday visa in Iceland. All resources are in English unless otherwise stated.

COVID-19 border restrictions update: 

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/may/18/europe-holidays-which-european-countries-are-easing-coronavirus-travel-restrictions-lockdown-measures

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