Iceland entry requirements for Bahrain passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 27, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Bahraini passport holders need a visa to visit Iceland. You must apply for a Schengen visa before you travel. This requirement is unchanged in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa application Apply at the Icelandic embassy or VFS Global | You need a Schengen visa before traveling to Iceland. Submit your application at the Icelandic embassy or a VFS Global center in Bahrain. The visa costs €80 for adults and allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen countries.Apply for Schengen visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Schengen area | Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen zone. It also needs at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Airlines check this before boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of exit from the Schengen area | Immigration officers at Keflavík Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within your visa's validity. Budget airlines flying into Iceland enforce this strictly. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Have a confirmed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Iceland. Officers may ask for this at passport control, especially if you're staying more than a few days. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statements or cash | Carry bank statements or a credit card showing you have at least 10,000 ISK (around €70) per day of your stay. Immigration may ask to see this if you look like you're short on cash. | Recommended |
Schengen visa required — apply early
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. Bahraini passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa before travel. Apply at least 4–6 weeks in advance. Processing can take up to 45 days during peak season.
Travel insurance is mandatory
Schengen visa rules require travel medical insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation. Your insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area, not just Iceland.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: passport, photos, flight booking, accommodation proof, travel insurance, bank statements, and a completed Schengen visa application form.
2
Submit your visa application
Apply at the Icelandic embassy or consulate in your region, or at a visa application centre (like VFS Global) that handles Schengen visas for Iceland. Book an appointment online.
3
Attend the visa interview
Bring all original documents plus photocopies. You'll be fingerprinted and photographed. Answer questions about your trip honestly.
4
Wait for processing
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days. It can take up to 45 days if more checks are needed. Track your application online if available.
5
Collect your passport
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa sticker. Check the visa dates and validity immediately. If anything is wrong, contact the embassy before you travel.
Download Iceland Entry Checklist
PDF · Bahrain Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 27, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 90 days from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Standard Schengen tourist visa for short stays.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 5 years (subject to approval)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; requires strong travel history.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD) plus additional fees
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Icelandic Work Visa (Residence Permit for Employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer in Iceland. Requires employer sponsorship and proof of qualifications.
Apply student visa
Icelandic Student Visa (Residence Permit for Studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For full-time students at an accredited Icelandic institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
Apply digital nomad visa
Icelandic Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Work Visa)
Up to 6 months
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For remote workers with a foreign employer earning above a minimum threshold. Not renewable beyond 6 months.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period. | €50 (~$54 USD) per day, max €500 (~$540 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Iceland
No transit visa needed
Bahraini passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Icelandic airports, provided they remain in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsKeflavik International Airport (KEF)
Health & vaccines for Iceland
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
HypothermiaModerate risk
Cold weather and wind chill can cause hypothermia; dress in layers and stay dry.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Food hygiene is high, but travellers should still practice safe eating habits.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Reykjavik
Icelandic Directorate of Immigration
Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur
Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00
Main office for visa and residence permit matters.
Akureyri
Akureyri Police Station (Immigration Desk)
Hafnarstræti 1, 600 Akureyri
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles some immigration services for northern Iceland.
Practical information for BH travellers
Country basics
CapitalReykjavik
LanguageIcelandic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid.
Money
CurrencyIcelandic Króna (ISK)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 123.26 ISK
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h (EST) / +4h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+8h (PST) / +7h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Some of the purest tap water in the world.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Iceland — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
If you are transiting through Iceland to a non-Schengen country and you stay airside (don't pass through immigration), you do not need a visa. But if you need to leave the transit area or your flight is to another Schengen country, you need a Schengen visa.
A standard Schengen visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period. The visa sticker will show the exact validity and number of entries.
Extensions are not normally granted for tourism. Only in exceptional circumstances (force majeure, humanitarian reasons) can you apply for an extension at the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration. The cost is around 6,000 ISK.
You apply at the Icelandic embassy or consulate in your country of residence. If there is no Icelandic mission, you may apply through another Schengen country's embassy that represents Iceland (often Denmark or Norway). Check the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration website for the nearest application centre.
As of 2026, the standard fee is €80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6–12, and free for children under 6. Fees are subject to change — check the embassy website before paying.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days. It can take up to 45 days if additional documentation or verification is needed. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your trip.
You will receive a formal rejection letter stating the reason. You can appeal the decision within 30 days to the Icelandic Ministry of Justice. Alternatively, you can reapply with stronger documentation.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 27, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.