Long-term visa for remote workers(work.iceland.is)
work.iceland.is
Long-term visa for remote workers
https://work.iceland.is/working/icelands-remote-work-long-term-visa/
133 comments
I assume the reason is more banal - that Iceland is a high cost of living country. I can't imagine groceries to be very cheap. So after those high basic expenses, I'm sure there needs to be enough fun money left over to throw at the Icelandic economy.
I went probably 5 years ago and found it to be one of the most expensive places I've ever been. I lived in the Nordics for years, I've been to around 50 countries. The only other country that I felt gave it a run for the money in terms of my spending was Norway. I was a tourist, so lots of eating at restaurants, no cooking, but average meal for a basic drink + entre out I was averaging ~$50. I think you're right about the costs, it's a very high COL place and they probably don't want to encourage cheap backpacker type nomads who don't add a whole lot to the economy.
Have you been to Switzerland and if yes, how does it compare? It's the most expensive county I've been to, and it was a bit shockingly so ( an example i recall was a burger in some random restaurant (nothing fancy) in Geneva costing 30CHF, which is a lot even compared to Paris, which is already an expensive place).
I've been visiting regularly over the last 10 years or so and it's definitely gotten more expensive the last few years. Also much more tourist oriented...
> definitely gotten more expensive the last few years.
Is there any place which has gotten cheaper in recent years? Genuinely wondering.
Is there any place which has gotten cheaper in recent years? Genuinely wondering.
Any place where the currency crashed, crashes regularly, or which is economically unstable.
E.g. Turkey, Belarus. They haven't necessarily gotten cheaper, but they probably have to tourists shopping in USD.
E.g. Turkey, Belarus. They haven't necessarily gotten cheaper, but they probably have to tourists shopping in USD.
So, almost back to where it was before the 2008 crash?
I had a friend travel to Iceland. She was a student, so doing it on the cheap. Didn't eat a lot while there as the food was so expensive.
They want non-EU persons that dont need a visa who are already making at least $96k/yr remotely
They know what they’re doing :) who is left? U and S
They know what they’re doing :) who is left? U and S
You shouldn't forget about Canada and especially the UK now that they brexited.
I hadn't really been impressed by salaries in Commonwealth countries for the roles that can be remote that I'm thinking of.
Very small % of devs make $96K USD annually. Maybe $96K CAD.
Definitely not very small. It's a bit above average but it's not uncommon at all.
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the UK, etc etc.
There's a lot of countries out there with high earners who aren't in the EU or USA ;).
There's a lot of countries out there with high earners who aren't in the EU or USA ;).
Well said!
[deleted]
Cypress, Portugal and Malta offer similar (arguably better) schemes for Digital Nomads [0]. Portugal has been particularly aggressive to the point they offer zero tax on crypto for their "Golden Visa" [1].
I know of a few people using Malta as a base to nomad around Europe.
0: https://www.mondaq.com/uk/employee-rights-labour-relations/1...
1: https://getgoldenvisa.com/crypto-portugal
I know of a few people using Malta as a base to nomad around Europe.
0: https://www.mondaq.com/uk/employee-rights-labour-relations/1...
1: https://getgoldenvisa.com/crypto-portugal
So this is long-term visa which:
1) Is not visa, you have to not need visa for Iceland to qualify 2) Is not long term, it's valid up to 180 days
On the other hand, they recognize remote workers which kind of fit somewhere in between tourists and people who come to work, which many other countries don't.
1) Is not visa, you have to not need visa for Iceland to qualify 2) Is not long term, it's valid up to 180 days
On the other hand, they recognize remote workers which kind of fit somewhere in between tourists and people who come to work, which many other countries don't.
It is a visa. Iceland offers visa free travel for many countries for the purposes of tourism. I haven’t looked at Iceland’s program but normally these programs are for 30-90 days. Therefore 180 days would be considered a long term tourist visa.
Most tourist visa's do not allow you to work (even remotely). I'm sure tons of people do it, but this is basically allowing people to legally "travel" the country for 6 months while explicitly working.
To my knowledge only the UK, Australia and Canada will allow remote work on a visitor visa with the caveat that the business must be based outside the country.
Last time I read Canada's (several years ago), they allow you to travel for "business meetings" (including conferences), but I don't believe you can technically use it to "work" in Canada.
Basically, you can travel to meet a Canadian business - but you shouldn't be planning to travel just to do your job.
Basically, you can travel to meet a Canadian business - but you shouldn't be planning to travel just to do your job.
It was an actual example of the CIC website.
I’m paraphrasing slightly but they said work performed on the internet by someone not usually resident in Canada was permitted if the employer wasn’t a Canadian company.
I’m paraphrasing slightly but they said work performed on the internet by someone not usually resident in Canada was permitted if the employer wasn’t a Canadian company.
3) is only available to citizens of mostly EU nations [1]
[1] https://utl.is/index.php/en/eea-efta-citizens-and-their-rela...
Maybe this is my American ignorance shining through here, but I didn't realize Iceland was not a member of the EU
[1] https://utl.is/index.php/en/eea-efta-citizens-and-their-rela...
Maybe this is my American ignorance shining through here, but I didn't realize Iceland was not a member of the EU
It has the specific requirement of _not_ being an EU citizen.
If I'm not mistaken EU/EEA citizens wouldn't need this visa https://english.hi.is/university/entry_conditions_for_icelan...
British people are allowed!
> Maybe this is my American ignorance shining through here, but I didn't realize Iceland was not a member of the EU
Yep, only the European Economic area, like Norway. As with them, a big reason is stuff around fishing.
Yep, only the European Economic area, like Norway. As with them, a big reason is stuff around fishing.
The webpage specifies that it is _not_ available to citizens of EU/EFTA countries. In fact they can already work remotely from Iceland without any visa requirement, thanks to Freedom of Movement agreements.
It is, however, part of Schengen. An understandable mistake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland%E2%80%93European_Union...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland%E2%80%93European_Union...
Schengen is inconsequential, they just don't check your documents. They are in EEA, with agreement for free movement of goods, people, services and capital which is much more important.
Not really as big a deal as people are making it out to be. Iceland allows 90 day tourist stays, this simply doubles it to 180 days. Everything else is the same.
In fact, if my options are to just jump on a plane without any thought and go for a 0-3 month trip vs file a ton of paperwork, get approved and go for a 3-6 month trip, I'll probably pick the former.
In fact, if my options are to just jump on a plane without any thought and go for a 0-3 month trip vs file a ton of paperwork, get approved and go for a 3-6 month trip, I'll probably pick the former.
Buried in the FAQ, but pretty significant:
> An applicant for a long-term visa needs to show proof of health insurance coverage of 2,000,000 ISK as a minimum per person, which is 1) valid in Iceland | Schengen-area 2) valid for the duration of their stay in Iceland. If your insurance is not valid in Iceland, please see our Health Insurance page for a list of providers.
> An applicant for a long-term visa needs to show proof of health insurance coverage of 2,000,000 ISK as a minimum per person, which is 1) valid in Iceland | Schengen-area 2) valid for the duration of their stay in Iceland. If your insurance is not valid in Iceland, please see our Health Insurance page for a list of providers.
A great migration will happen soon as more cash/resource-starved countries will open their doors like this to international talent.
It will start a competition amongst countries to get the best talent in their borders.
For Iceland this will be a net win. Even if the people coming in don't pay taxes, their mere presence in the local economy for a few extra months per year could mean the difference between Iceland building another road or not.
Very impressive step from Iceland!
It will start a competition amongst countries to get the best talent in their borders.
For Iceland this will be a net win. Even if the people coming in don't pay taxes, their mere presence in the local economy for a few extra months per year could mean the difference between Iceland building another road or not.
Very impressive step from Iceland!
[deleted]
For everyone discussing the 1M thing:
The median Icelandic salary is approx 600,000 ISK for context. So it's higher than the median, but not insane by any means.
It seems logical to me that you'd only want to grant visas to people who are "above average".
The median Icelandic salary is approx 600,000 ISK for context. So it's higher than the median, but not insane by any means.
It seems logical to me that you'd only want to grant visas to people who are "above average".
Dumb question...but is this considering income before or after taxes?
Since tax situation is usually very different for different people and in different tax jurisdictions, it would be safe to say that this is considered income before taxes.
I guess they just want well off people who leave their $$$ in the local economy for half a year. Fair enough, but not a very impressive deal.
For comparison: Georgia (the country) offers a 360 day visa free entry for almost every country out there, no paperwork required. While the standard of living in Georgia is certainly lower, the nature there is much more diverse and just many more things to do.
For comparison: Georgia (the country) offers a 360 day visa free entry for almost every country out there, no paperwork required. While the standard of living in Georgia is certainly lower, the nature there is much more diverse and just many more things to do.
For people asking about the 1m isk limit, I'm ok with that limit. I visited Iceland a few years ago and the cost of living is pretty high. Food and petrol are expensive.
I'm not sure if the person is allowed to use country services like healthcare, but I assume that also factors into the high-income requirement.
This is an anecdote, but I remember meals easily being 20-30 USD for basics. A cup of soup (tiny) was 13-14 USD and it wasn't in a tourist area. I'm sure someone will reply with cheap food found somewhere in iceland but as someone from the US, the cost of food in proportion to the amount and quality, it was surprising.
I hope someone chimes in with the rent cost. I'm not sure where that sits.
I'm not sure if the person is allowed to use country services like healthcare, but I assume that also factors into the high-income requirement.
This is an anecdote, but I remember meals easily being 20-30 USD for basics. A cup of soup (tiny) was 13-14 USD and it wasn't in a tourist area. I'm sure someone will reply with cheap food found somewhere in iceland but as someone from the US, the cost of food in proportion to the amount and quality, it was surprising.
I hope someone chimes in with the rent cost. I'm not sure where that sits.
That's insane. I'd like to visit Iceland, but I think it's better to just go visit for a couple of weeks and then bail. Remote working in a cold and expensive country seems counter intuitive.
Give me word class beaches, great weather and cheap cost of living....South East Asia here I come!
Give me word class beaches, great weather and cheap cost of living....South East Asia here I come!
Iceland isn't that cold but it is expensive.
But I don't really disagree with your basic point. I'd mostly rather vacation someplace and work at home. (Mostly. I have remote worked when I've had some time between trips in the same general area and I've just stayed there in between.)
Zero interest in working from a beach in SE Asia though, especially given the time zone difference from the eastern US. Though this comes from someone who has "free" lodging in my house in the US.
But I don't really disagree with your basic point. I'd mostly rather vacation someplace and work at home. (Mostly. I have remote worked when I've had some time between trips in the same general area and I've just stayed there in between.)
Zero interest in working from a beach in SE Asia though, especially given the time zone difference from the eastern US. Though this comes from someone who has "free" lodging in my house in the US.
I would love to be able to work in SE Asia or in Iceland even... I am 100% remote, working for a US company in Mexico. The problem is Timezones, due to TZ restrictions, I can only opt to work in the Americas. So far I haven't found a country that would accept me for longish term (6 months would be the sweet spot for me) without a Visa
I've been to several countries, but not yet a world traveler. Iceland is beautiful, but I've had more fun in other countries. One of my favorite trips was riding motorcycles around in Peru's Amazon.
Honestly, what is the appeal of this? The minimum salary requirements are absurdly high. There are nice landscapes and environments available for much cheaper requirements, likely in one's own current country. The incentive for Iceland is pretty clear, they get rich foreigners' money. But the incentive for rich foreigners to temporarily relocate here is not at all clear.
US citizens, for example, can also stay in Iceland as tourists for 90 days, so this sounds like an onerous amount of requirements to jump through to stay for 90 more.
US citizens, for example, can also stay in Iceland as tourists for 90 days, so this sounds like an onerous amount of requirements to jump through to stay for 90 more.
> tourists for 90 days
Meaning not working. You can visit and live of you savings for 3 months, but not work. This new visa would allow you to work in Iceland for up to 6 months. That is a very big difference.
Meaning not working. You can visit and live of you savings for 3 months, but not work. This new visa would allow you to work in Iceland for up to 6 months. That is a very big difference.
Under the long-term visa, you cannot work for an Icelandic employer. You can work for an international employer, just like you can when you're staying for tourism. There is no difference.
FFS how difficult is this concept to grasp? A tourist visa means you are not allowed to work in the country. You might get away with doing so, but getting away with something and that thing being legal are two different things.
No, traveling as a tourist means you are not allowed to work in the country for any employer in that country. Not you are not allowed to work at all. If it were the latter, you would not legally be able to check your work emails while in another country.
That’s not true. Taking the US as the example, they have some very specific guidances what you can do on a B1 visa or when entering under a visa waiver.
Allowed: - Consult with business associates - Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference - Participating in short-term training - Settle an estate - Negotiate a contrast
Not allowed:
- Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience - Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft - Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
To take an extreme example, Microsoft can’t just have someone from Mexico come into the US for 3 months to work on a project in their Seattle office even though their salary may be paid by Microsoft Mexico.
Allowed: - Consult with business associates - Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference - Participating in short-term training - Settle an estate - Negotiate a contrast
Not allowed:
- Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience - Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft - Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
To take an extreme example, Microsoft can’t just have someone from Mexico come into the US for 3 months to work on a project in their Seattle office even though their salary may be paid by Microsoft Mexico.
Bear in mind that (warning: assumption) most of these rules in most places probably haven't had a significant update since checking your work emails became a thing.
So yeah, technically that might be a volition of the visa (or visa waver). That is the point of the change we are discussing. Previously people visiting Iceland could not work without a work visa. Iceland is updating its set of visas acknowledge the current reality.
Again, you probably won't get kicked out of some country for checking you emails, but that doesn't mean it doesn't violate the conditions of the visa.
Edit: and no, in most places a tourist visa means you are not allowed to do work (for anyone) in that country. The point is to make employers (both foreign and domestic) hire locals in the first instance. Doing work for a foreign employer still requires a specific visa.
So yeah, technically that might be a volition of the visa (or visa waver). That is the point of the change we are discussing. Previously people visiting Iceland could not work without a work visa. Iceland is updating its set of visas acknowledge the current reality.
Again, you probably won't get kicked out of some country for checking you emails, but that doesn't mean it doesn't violate the conditions of the visa.
Edit: and no, in most places a tourist visa means you are not allowed to do work (for anyone) in that country. The point is to make employers (both foreign and domestic) hire locals in the first instance. Doing work for a foreign employer still requires a specific visa.
> Edit: and no, in most places a tourist visa means you are not allowed to do work (for anyone) in that country.
Then this would mean if you received and answered a work text message while a tourist in another country, you would be violating what, exactly? Can you cite something specific, in any country, and the corresponding penalty? And also anyone, ever, having faced repercussions for this?
Then this would mean if you received and answered a work text message while a tourist in another country, you would be violating what, exactly? Can you cite something specific, in any country, and the corresponding penalty? And also anyone, ever, having faced repercussions for this?
> The applicant can show their monthly income is equivalent to 1,000,000 ISK, or 1,300,000 ISK if applying for an accompanying spouse, cohabiting partner, and children under the age of 18.
That’s a feature not a bug, I think.
How is it not? It’s not even a long-term visa, it’s a 180 day one.
You can buy permanent residence in Costa Rica for $5000-ish.
And all of this is for an activity that most countries would be fine with you doing on a tourist visa. It’s pointless.
You can buy permanent residence in Costa Rica for $5000-ish.
And all of this is for an activity that most countries would be fine with you doing on a tourist visa. It’s pointless.
Is Iceland all that depserate for new residents / tourists? Being choosy about who you let move into your country is their prerogative. If they can attract a few high income people, that is a win.
I’d assume various covid requirements (vaccines and testing) have hurt tourism a bit.
Their airline was quite popular as a cheap route between Europe and North America, and again, lots of otherwise passengers can’t/won’t make that journey.
Their airline was quite popular as a cheap route between Europe and North America, and again, lots of otherwise passengers can’t/won’t make that journey.
It's twice as long as their standard visa
So?
So you get to stay twice as long.
It's made for rich knowledge workers to spend a few months there while working remotely and dump a bunch of money into their economy.
because nobody would do that on a tourist visa. Never happened. Only real difference is you can pay to do it for longer than 90 days.
Yup, that's exactly the point. Not sure why that would be a bad thing?
Because the only people eligible for this visa are the people who don’t require a regular tourist visa in the first place. And it’s literally just a tourist visa that lets you stay for twice as long.
I don’t see the appeal. It seems completely pointless to me. It’s basically targetting only wealthy countries outside of the EU, like Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
And in that case, why would I bother with visa and the paperwork just to be able to stay for 90 days longer?
It’s basically like applying for a B1/B2 visa for the US if you’re from a VWP country. You can do it, but why in the gods name would you?
I don’t see the appeal. It seems completely pointless to me. It’s basically targetting only wealthy countries outside of the EU, like Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
And in that case, why would I bother with visa and the paperwork just to be able to stay for 90 days longer?
It’s basically like applying for a B1/B2 visa for the US if you’re from a VWP country. You can do it, but why in the gods name would you?
The 180 days might be nice if you’ve already consumed your 90 Schengen days in Iceland or in another Schengen country. So I guess it’s one way to extend your European stay to 9 months, and then you might have another 90 Schengen days available. Could do 90d Portugal, 180d Iceland, then 90d Portugal?
> It’s basically like applying for a B1/B2 visa for the US if you’re from a VWP country. You can do it, but why in the gods name would you?
If your esta gets rejected.
> It’s basically like applying for a B1/B2 visa for the US if you’re from a VWP country. You can do it, but why in the gods name would you?
If your esta gets rejected.
When you work it's really annoying to move every 90 days, the double is a lot more interesting. I'm guessing it's 180 because of tax reasons, that is a limit that many countries have for "you do not need to pay taxes anymore". Looking at the paper work this visa seems realitively easy get, and well worth the time. I do not see this as a competition with other countries, just away to make it easier to live there.
To be fair, at that salary you could move countries every 120 days and not pay taxes anywhere, and it would definitely be worth it.
Some countries of citizenship will require you to declare your domicile elsewhere, but in virtually all of those cases a post box in Costa Rica and registering a business there will suffice.
Also doesn’t work for US nationals, because US taxes all green card holders and citizens irrespective of actual residence
Some countries of citizenship will require you to declare your domicile elsewhere, but in virtually all of those cases a post box in Costa Rica and registering a business there will suffice.
Also doesn’t work for US nationals, because US taxes all green card holders and citizens irrespective of actual residence
Let's say you're an outdoorsy software engineer and want to enjoy the beautiful nature of Iceland for half a year while working remotely. That doesn't sound too far-fetched (I know several people personally that scenario would be appealing to).
Well, now you can do that.
Well, now you can do that.
Yeah essentially they're saying people that are well off can come spend money there longer than other people. In typical Iceland fashion it excludes any path to permanent residency.
That seems deliberate. You want rich people to dump money into the economy.
Why such sort of visas do not get popular beyond very hipster cases.
1. You are offering entry but not equal treatment (in terms of economic freedom). 2. In Europe citizens have taxpayer paid healthcare but as a visitor you are screwed, I mean private insurance exists but it is hard to have a good restaurant in town if another government funded restaurant is distributing food for free.
If you can say we will give you 100% exemption from tax then it is a different story.
1. You are offering entry but not equal treatment (in terms of economic freedom). 2. In Europe citizens have taxpayer paid healthcare but as a visitor you are screwed, I mean private insurance exists but it is hard to have a good restaurant in town if another government funded restaurant is distributing food for free.
If you can say we will give you 100% exemption from tax then it is a different story.
I mean there is absolutely no incentive to offer any of those to anyone. The sole reason for allowing workers is to collect taxes and not have them leech off your social programs.
Iceland is an incredibly expensive place with nothing much to do. I wonder what kind of remote worker would even consider it.
Its nature is unparalleled. And I'm sure the people are lovely.
It seems beautiful, but saying unparalleled is a little hyperbolic. Western Norway, Switzerland, Northern Scotland, and the North American Rockies all appeal to similar sensibilities and arguably just as grand, if not more so in some cases.
lol unparalleled? Ask any Norwegian visiting Iceland what they think...
There are no trees in Iceland. It's fine to look at for a week and the northern lights are a novelty, but the US and Canada (even California alone) offer much much more in terms of nature.
There are definitely trees in Iceland. Not many, not everywhere, and not impressive ones, but they exist.
However if you've been to Iceland and thought there wasn't much outdoors, I'm not really sure what to say. It's sparsely inhabited, beautiful, and gigantic. It's a totally different experience from something like the sierras.
However if you've been to Iceland and thought there wasn't much outdoors, I'm not really sure what to say. It's sparsely inhabited, beautiful, and gigantic. It's a totally different experience from something like the sierras.
Not all nomads are cheap / poor. I know there is a stereotype (probably well earned) about nomads. It's why you see low COL places being so popular (Thailand, Bali, Portugal, Mexico, etc). They get the most attention, but there's definitely folks who make good money and have interests in different regions/climates/activities. I can definitely see the appeal of Iceland. It's gorgeous natural landscape. I didn't get to see the northern lights while there, doing a six month stay might increase those chances tremendously versus flying over and crossing my fingers. I doubt we will see a huge flood to Iceland, but offering this kind of visa makes it easier for some higher value, longer term visitors. That's good for their economy and if they make it easy enough the administrative hurdles aren't that high, even better.
Cold, too. It's worth a visit, but I don't think I'd stay for six months.
I'd love to see this from Japan or Korea. I'd definitely go and spend my money.
Incredibly smart business decision on Iceland's part, though. I'm sure they'll get some takers and enjoy that extra "long term tourist" income.
I'd love to see this from Japan or Korea. I'd definitely go and spend my money.
Incredibly smart business decision on Iceland's part, though. I'm sure they'll get some takers and enjoy that extra "long term tourist" income.
Korea is a fantastic place to live. The food is amazing, the country itself is beautiful, and the people are very welcoming (at least when I was there about a decade ago). The only issue is that outside of Seoul not a lot of people speak English, so you would need to learn a bit of basic Korean.
Its basically an urbanist's dream come true, with mega tall apartment complexes even in backwater villages. Right next to single family homes, right next to hilly forested areas where you can hike. There is excellent transit so you don't need to own a car (although a lot of people still do).
There is the possibility of being caught in a nuclear hellfire though. So... YMMV.
Its basically an urbanist's dream come true, with mega tall apartment complexes even in backwater villages. Right next to single family homes, right next to hilly forested areas where you can hike. There is excellent transit so you don't need to own a car (although a lot of people still do).
There is the possibility of being caught in a nuclear hellfire though. So... YMMV.
Japan? Japan is currently closed to the world, and it had a history of doing so.
So, I share your desire. I do not expect it to happen, thou.
So, I share your desire. I do not expect it to happen, thou.
They closed a month ago due to Omicron, a measure multiple sensible countries followed to reduce risk. The intent is to remove this restriction at the end of Feb.
It's not as cold as the name suggests. There are major cities in Canada and the US that typically get colder in the winter.
I just looked it up, and you're right.
February average high and low temps (according to Google):
February average high and low temps (according to Google):
Miami 75°/64° F
Atlanta 58°/36° F
Tokyo 51°/36° F
New York 43°/29° F
Reykjavík 38°/28° F
Seoul 40°/24° F
Toronto 32°/21° F> I'd love to see this from Japan or Korea.
The only problem would be the time difference, assuming you're working for an American company.
I've spent 4 months in Japan as a digital nomad, while working for a company based in Europe. It worked. Now that I live and work in the US, I'm pretty sure the time difference would be too disruptive.
The only problem would be the time difference, assuming you're working for an American company.
I've spent 4 months in Japan as a digital nomad, while working for a company based in Europe. It worked. Now that I live and work in the US, I'm pretty sure the time difference would be too disruptive.
[deleted]
Many people find much to do, even in icy cold climates! Some even prefer it.
According to a co-worker it's terrific for hiking and mountain biking.
Sounds like Iceland should be trying harder, there is a lot of competition for these things now. All of southern europe and even netherlands (nicer/easier place to live) offers incentives for remote workers. Also they should be more inclusive, these programs should be accessible to people from south america or india, not just be a longer tourist visa for people who can afford the shorter one.
This is a pretty smart move. I believe Iceland is doing this to increase their diversity in their genetic pool https://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers-macular-degeneration-...
Wouldn't offering residential visas do a better job of that by giving marriages to foreigners a better chance of staying unified there?
Seems structured to attract remote workers mostly from other developed countries since you need to be from a place that doesn't need a visa to travel to Iceland. Not sure what this is intended to accomplish considering there's no pathway to permanent residency either.
I presume the goal is to allow people to spend money on the Icelandic economy that otherwise would not be spent in the Icelandic economy.
I think that makes sense. However Its odd because if they were enticed to become permanent residents they'll setup businesses and eventually create an ecosystem, which can create more spending in their economy.
They might simultaneously not want to let too many outsiders into their tribe, for whatever reason.
Surely it’s intended to bring people with money to spend to Iceland? What other benefit do Iceland get from remote workers then injecting money into the economy?
There are many Latin American countries that don't need a visa for Iceland. What makes it harder to obtain is the salary requirement.
[deleted]
One of the prerequisites is that the candidate does not otherwise need a visa to travel Iceland. Which means that foreign nationals who reside in the US and work in the kind of jobs that will meet the criteria Iceland is looking for will not be eligible for this.
Are there other countries with good remote worker visas? I heard they have it in Portugal
If a) I can work from anywhere, and b) many countries will let me stay 6mos with a tourist visa (no need for application and meet requirements). Why would I choose a friggin cold and expensive place?
In most countries a tourist visa expressly prohibits working while in the country, even if the work is entirely remote. While you can get away with it much of the time in practice, it can become complicated if the local authorities become suspicious that you are violating your visa terms. Some countries monitor this more closely than others.
A "tourist working remotely" visa fills this obvious gap, without the implication of a proper work visa that you are taking a job away from a local (what they local authorities are mostly concerned with).
A "tourist working remotely" visa fills this obvious gap, without the implication of a proper work visa that you are taking a job away from a local (what they local authorities are mostly concerned with).
>In most countries a tourist visa expressly prohibits working while in the country, even if the work is entirely remote.
I doubt there is any tourist visa that explicitly prohibits working for a company in another country. Were this true, everyone checking their work email, or taking a work call, while on vacation, would be breaking the law.
I doubt there is any tourist visa that explicitly prohibits working for a company in another country. Were this true, everyone checking their work email, or taking a work call, while on vacation, would be breaking the law.
Because "technically being able to do work via the internet" is not the same as "being allowed to work in that country".
I can spend 6 months in the UK per year, but I can work no more than something like 30. Here is an old chart: https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/pdf/2016/01/statutory-r...
I can spend 6 months in the UK per year, but I can work no more than something like 30. Here is an old chart: https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/pdf/2016/01/statutory-r...
Some countries migration control authorities won't accept the "I'm just here working remotely" answers when entering, exiting or re entering a country. Answering that could mean being sent back.
Good idea but why 1m isk monthly salary? Strange new world if only the ultra rich are welcome. Im sure Iceland would benefit also from average income remote workers.
> Strange new world if only the ultra rich are welcome.
Hardly. Most countries treat the rich differently from everyone else, when it comes to immigration/visas, and have basically forever. It's the overwhelming norm. In plenty of desirable countries you can simply buy your way to permanent residency. And I don't just mean the usual tropical tax havens.
For most countries, it's "prove your worth—and it better be damn good—or go away". One way to prove worth is to bring a ton of cash to the table.
Hardly. Most countries treat the rich differently from everyone else, when it comes to immigration/visas, and have basically forever. It's the overwhelming norm. In plenty of desirable countries you can simply buy your way to permanent residency. And I don't just mean the usual tropical tax havens.
For most countries, it's "prove your worth—and it better be damn good—or go away". One way to prove worth is to bring a ton of cash to the table.
That's not really a high salary for the people of hackernews in the US and I'm sure most Euro countries.
It's not a new world. Plenty of countries will only give you a visa, or rather make it easier for you to get certain kinds of visas, if you make over a certain amount.
I qualify and I consider myself a regular person living in a flyover state. Certainly neither average nor particularly rich.
Any information if this can be turned to permanent residency?
Yes, there is information related to that:
"The applicant does not intend to reside in Iceland for the long term."
Maybe if you meet someone there and get married?
The link says that a condition for approval is "The applicant does not intend to reside in Iceland for the long term.
"
According to the link, a prerequisite for the visa is explicitly not intending to stay long-term
[deleted]
for digital nomads, what's the advantage of this over the standard 90-day tourist visa? At least for me, 90 days in any one place is more than enough.
Why would a person go there to work remotely ?
If I can go to a bar every night and sing "Jaja Ding Dong" with Lars and Sigrit I'm in!
No, thanks!
Work visa for iceland huh, how exciting.
Climate so severe that even polar bears can barely survive. To do what? Shovel snow and take selfies with penguins?
Even Bangladesh seems like a more interesting destination for work.
Climate so severe that even polar bears can barely survive. To do what? Shovel snow and take selfies with penguins?
Even Bangladesh seems like a more interesting destination for work.
>Climate so severe that even polar bears can barely survive.
Not because of the climate. Polar bears are not native to Iceland; all that swim there are shot.
Not because of the climate. Polar bears are not native to Iceland; all that swim there are shot.
If you've never been, Iceland is surprisingly not that cold during winter, there are many places that are much colder (e.g. US/Canada east coast).
Is is also not warm in summer though :) (I guess the gulf stream is regulating temperatures pretty heavily).
Is is also not warm in summer though :) (I guess the gulf stream is regulating temperatures pretty heavily).
That comes out to about $96k USD a year. Totally reachable for a SWE-type job, however I know fully remote workers who are far from this amount. I guess they just want people to come and throw money around the bars.