Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers
Official nomad visaWhat this visa gets you
Visa
Entry document
Temporary residency
6 months, not renewable
Permanent residency
Not via this programme
Citizenship
Not via this programme
- Income requirement
- ISK 1,000,000/month (single); ISK 1,300,000/month with spouse/partner and/or children under 18
- Application fee
- €85
- Family allowed
- Yes
How do Canadian citizens apply for the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers?
Can Canadian citizens apply from inside Iceland?
Yes. Canadian applicants may submit from inside Iceland.
How long does the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers really take for Canadian citizens?
14–18 weeks (≈ 3–4 months)
- Police clearance (typical)3w
- Consular appointment (typical)4w
- Processing 8–12w (typical)8w
- Post-arrival registration (typical)2w
Typical processing: 8–12 weeks. The rest is doc gathering + waiting in a queue, none of which the consulate counts.
Avoid these
What do people get wrong about the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers?
- Underestimating timing by a factor of 2–3. The "60-day processing" line is real, but it's only the consulate's processing window. The door-to-door reality includes police clearance, apostille, consular appointment lead, and post-arrival registration, so most applicants land between 4 and 7 months.
- Income proof in the wrong currency. Bank statements showing income in your local currency are routinely rejected if the equivalent in EUR isn't clearly stated and consistent across the qualifying period (usually 3 or 6 months).
Worth knowing: Canadian passport holders are visa-exempt for short Schengen stays, which is a prerequisite for this visa, and they apply directly to Iceland's Directorate of Immigration rather than through any Icelandic embassy or consulate in Canada. The application can be filed from inside Iceland during the 90-day visa-free period, but it must be submitted before those visa-free days expire. A Canada-Iceland double taxation convention applies, and a Canada-Iceland social security (totalisation) agreement has been in force since 1 October 1989.
Tax
How is Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers income taxed for Canadian citizens?
Holders generally do not become Icelandic tax residents because the stay is capped at up to 180 days, and Icelandic tax residency normally triggers only at 183+ days of presence within a 12-month period. Foreign-source remote-work income is therefore typically not taxed in Iceland during the short stay; holders keep paying income tax in their home country. No special expat tax regime applies to this route.
Money, roughly (indicative)
Regime: Short stay — not Icelandic tax-resident, about 0% effective tax on €60k/yr.
180-day max, non-renewable. Under 183 days you generally aren't an Icelandic tax resident and the visa doesn't enrol you in local social security, so no Icelandic income tax or social contributions are due.
Living comfortably to well in Reykjavík runs about €2,800–€3,900/mo for one person, incl. rent. Roughly 14% less than the same living in Toronto, which runs about C$4,800/mo (≈ €3,250).
Estimate your take-home in the tax calculator →Worth a specialist's time. A short call before you commit usually pays for itself, especially for US citizens (FEIE/FATCA), existing UK ties, or unwinding SA tax residency.
Recommended for your move
- SafetyWingFlexible monthly cover
Health insurance built for nomads. Monthly subscription.
Get a quote - GenkiEU-regulated, long-term
EU-regulated health insurance for nomads and expats; long-term and resident cover.
See plans - WiseGetting paid abroad
Multi-currency account and low-cost transfers at the mid-market rate.
Open an account - RevolutEveryday spending
Multi-currency card with budgeting and fee-free transfers.
Open an account
FAQ
Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers: common questions
Can Canadian citizens get the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers?
Yes. The Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers is open to Canadian passport holders as non-EU nationals. The main requirement is proof of income of at least €6,954 per month.
Can I apply for the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers from inside Iceland?
Yes. Canadian applicants may submit the Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers application from inside Iceland.
Do I need an apostille for the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers?
No apostille is required for Canadian documents on this route. Confirm certified translation requirements with the consulate.
How much does the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers cost?
The government application fee is about €85. The consular fee paid in Canada is approximately 12200 ISK. Budget separately for police clearance, apostille (if required), translations, and required health insurance.
Can I bring my family on the Iceland Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers?
Yes. Spouses and dependent children can generally be included as dependants, usually with a higher combined income requirement and their own supporting documents.
What's next
Keep going
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Different answers may surface a programme you didn't consider.
Every dated change we've logged for Iceland: income thresholds, fees, consular policy.
Expatlas provides information for orientation only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult an immigration lawyer for your specific case.