Iceland Visa Extension Guide (2025)

This page has been reviewed and verified by Michael Gibbons, Regulated Immigration Advisor. For application guidance, see How to Apply for an Iceland Visa (2025).

Extending your Iceland Schengen Visa is only possible in limited cases under the Schengen Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009). Most short-stay visitors cannot extend their visa beyond 90 days in any 180-day period. However, exceptions exist for serious personal, medical, or humanitarian reasons.

Who Can Apply for a Visa Extension

You may apply to extend your Iceland visa if:

• There are humanitarian reasons preventing your departure (e.g., sudden illness or hospitalisation).
• Serious personal reasons arise, such as the death or severe illness of a close family member in Iceland.
• There are force majeure events (e.g., natural disaster, airspace closure, or strike affecting travel).
• The visa holder can show strong justification for an extension within the 90-day Schengen allowance.

If none of these apply, you must leave Iceland before your visa expires and reapply from abroad.

How to Apply for an Iceland Visa Extension

All visa extension requests in Iceland are handled by the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration (UTL) in Kópavogur.

1. Submit your request before your current visa expires.
2. Provide evidence explaining why you cannot leave Iceland on time (e.g., medical certificate, travel cancellation proof).
3. Include your current visa, passport copy, insurance, and updated itinerary.
4. Attend an in-person appointment if required by UTL.

You can download the official request form from utl.is/en/forms.

Documents Required

To support your extension request, prepare the following documents:

• Completed Visa Extension Application Form (available from UTL).
• Valid passport with at least three months of validity remaining.
• Proof of valid travel insurance covering the extended stay.
• Proof of financial means to support yourself during the extra days.
• Medical certificates, travel disruption proof, or official letters supporting your reason for extension.

Fees and Processing Time

Visa extension requests are subject to an administrative fee.

• Fee (2025): Approximately €30, payable to the Directorate of Immigration.
• Processing time: Usually within 10 working days of receipt.

During the review period, you must remain in Iceland and cannot travel to other Schengen countries.

What Happens if You Overstay Without an Extension

Overstaying an Iceland visa can result in:

• Fines or entry bans to Iceland and other Schengen states.
• Rejection of future visa applications.
• Possible detention or removal from Iceland.

It is critical to apply for an extension before your current visa expires or leave Iceland within the permitted stay.

After Your Application

If your extension is approved, your passport will be stamped with the new validity dates.
If refused, you must leave Iceland immediately after receiving the decision. You may appeal the decision following UTL’s instructions in your refusal letter.

Contact Details for Extensions

• Directorate of Immigration (UTL)
  Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland
  Phone: +354 444 0900
  Email: utl@utl.is
  Website: utl.is/en

Related Guidance

• Processing Times and Embassy Procedures (2025)
• Common Visa Refusal Reasons
• How to Apply for an Iceland Visa
• Schengen Priority and Express Services

About This Page

Author: EU Visa Applications Editorial Team.
Reviewed by: EU Visa Applications Editorial Team.
Last Updated: November 2025.