PHOTO GUIDE
Applying for an Iceland short-stay visa from Japan
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) applications for Iceland from Japan are received by VFS Global in Tokyo and forwarded to the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo for processing, per the embassy's official visa document checklist (February 2026). The former route via the Royal Danish Embassy in Japan is no longer current. The application form is completed online at visa.government.is with the confirmation presented to VFS staff. The checklist specifies one passport photograph, max. 6 months old, on a white background, measuring 3.5×4.5 cm — the same dimensions as the global Iceland photo rules.
Last Updated: 2026-08-15
Quick requirements
- Who this is for: applicants legally residing in Japan whose sole or main destination (longest stay), or first point of entry on a tie, is Iceland. Long-stay (Type D) visas are out of scope.
- Reception and processing: island.is's where-to-apply list pairs Tokyo with the Icelandic embassy in Tokyo and a VFS Global office. Applications are received by VFS Global Tokyo and forwarded to the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo for processing (normally 15 days). The Royal Danish Embassy and Danish Honorary Consulates in Japan no longer receive Iceland applications (um.dk).
- Application form: complete the online form at visa.government.is and present the confirmation of submission to VFS Global staff (checklist).
- Documents: per the embassy checklist (February 2026) — the harmonized Schengen application form, the online-form confirmation, the receipt for payment of the visa fee, one photograph, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, a round-trip booking, proof of accommodation, proof of legal stay in Japan (residence card valid at least 3 months after departure) and a certificate of residence (住民票), among others.
- Photo: the checklist specifies "One (1) passport photograph (max. 6 months old, on a white background, measuring 3.5×4.5 cm)". 3.5×4.5 cm is 35×45 mm — the same as the global Iceland standard; the white background, 6-month recency and one-copy count are the Japan-window specifics.
- Fee: EUR 90 (EUR 45 for six to twelve year olds, per island.is). A separate VFS service fee applies when applying via VFS (confirm the amount with VFS at booking).
- Missing documents: if the VFS officer marks missing documents at your appointment, email them to the embassy ([email protected] / [email protected]) within 5 calendar days.
Who applies where
This page is for applicants legally residing in Japan who need a Schengen visa (Type C) for a short stay in Iceland of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply at Iceland when Iceland is the sole destination, the main destination (longest stay), or the first point of entry when stay lengths are equal. Long-stay (Type D) visas follow a different process.
Icelandic visas used to be issued by the embassies in London, New Delhi, Beijing and Washington with other Schengen states acting on Iceland's behalf in many cities. For Japan the current arrangement is the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo, with VFS Global handling reception. The Danish embassy in Japan states that it is not possible to submit visa applications for Denmark or Iceland there.
Where to apply: VFS Tokyo receives, the Embassy of Iceland processes
Applications are received at VFS Global in Tokyo by appointment. The embassy's checklist (February 2026) states: "Your application for a Schengen Visa will be forwarded by VFS Global to the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo for processing", with processing normally within 15 days once received from VFS (missing mandatory documents at the appointment can delay processing or lead to refusal).
The confirmation of submitting the online application form (visa.government.is) must be presented to VFS Global staff. If the VFS officer indicates missing documents at your appointment, email them to the embassy ([email protected] and [email protected]) within 5 calendar days, and watch your spam folder during the process.
Required documents (checklist)
The Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo's visa document checklist (February 2026, for tourism/business/family visits and other purposes) lists: a travel document valid for at least 3 months after the planned journey, issued within the previous 10 years, with 2 blank pages; the harmonized Schengen application form; the confirmation of the online application form (visa.government.is); the receipt for payment of the visa fee; one passport photograph (max. 6 months old, white background, 3.5×4.5 cm); travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 covering all Schengen countries; a round-trip flight booking with PNR; proof of accommodation for the entire stay; proof of legal stay in Japan (e.g. a residence card valid at least 3 months after departing the Schengen area); a certificate of residence (住民票); and proof of employment/study/sponsorship.
Check the purpose-specific sections of the checklist for additional documents, and always download the latest version from the Japan entry of island.is's where-to-apply list before your appointment.
Photo requirements: 35×45 mm, white background, within 6 months
The checklist specifies: "One (1) passport photograph (max. 6 months old, on a white background, measuring 3.5×4.5 cm)". 3.5×4.5 cm is 35×45 mm — the same dimensions as the global Iceland photo standard.
The white background, 6-month recency and one-copy count are the Japan window's specifics. For the shared composition rules (frontal pose, neutral expression), see the global Iceland photo requirements page. The photo tool's Iceland mode produces the 35×45 mm print.
Fee and processing
The fee for a visa application is EUR 90 (EUR 45 for six to twelve year olds, per island.is). The checklist lists the receipt for payment of the visa fee among the required documents. A separate VFS service fee applies when applying via VFS; the Japan amount is not published on the official pages, so confirm it with VFS at booking.
Processing normally takes 15 days once the application is received from VFS Global. Book your VFS appointment early once your itinerary is fixed, and if missing documents are flagged, email them within 5 calendar days as the checklist requires.
How to use the official sources
Short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa applications for Iceland from Japan follow island.is's where-to-apply list (Tokyo: the Icelandic embassy in Tokyo plus the VFS Global office) and the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo's visa document checklist (February 2026): VFS Global receives the application and forwards it to the embassy for processing (normally 15 days; missing documents to be emailed to [email protected] within 5 calendar days). The online form is at visa.government.is, the fee is EUR 90/45 (island.is), and the photograph is one print, max. 6 months old, on a white background, measuring {commonWidthCm}×{commonHeightCm} cm ({commonWidth}×{commonHeight} mm — the same as the global standard). The former Denmark-route is expressly not current (um.dk). Procedures and fees can change, so confirm the latest checklist and island.is pages before applying.
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I submit an Iceland visa application in Japan?
At VFS Global in Tokyo, by appointment. The application is then forwarded to the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo for processing (per the embassy's checklist). island.is's where-to-apply list pairs Tokyo with the Icelandic embassy in Tokyo and the VFS Global office.
Can I apply through the Danish embassy?
No. The Royal Danish Embassy in Japan states that it is not possible to submit visa applications for Denmark or Iceland at the Royal Danish Embassy or the Danish Honorary Consulates in Japan. Iceland applications now run through VFS Global Tokyo to the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo.
How do I fill in the application form?
Complete the online form at visa.government.is and present the confirmation of submission to the VFS Global staff at your appointment, as the embassy's checklist requires. The harmonized Schengen application form is also among the required documents.
How many photos do I need, and what are the specs?
One passport photograph, max. 6 months old, on a white background, measuring 3.5×4.5 cm (35×45 mm — the same as the global Iceland standard). The white background, 6-month recency and one-copy count are the Japan window's specifics.
How much is the fee?
EUR 90 (EUR 45 for six to twelve year olds), per island.is. The checklist lists the visa-fee payment receipt among the required documents. A separate VFS service fee applies — confirm the amount with VFS when booking.
How long does processing take?
Normally 15 days once the application is received from VFS Global. Applications missing mandatory documents at the appointment may be delayed or refused, so verify the checklist before you attend.
Do I need to prove legal residence in Japan?
Yes. The checklist requires proof of legal stay in Japan (e.g. a residence card) valid for at least three months after departure from the Schengen area, plus a certificate of residence (住民票).
What if a document is missing at my appointment?
The VFS officer marks missing documents on the checklist. Email them to the embassy at [email protected] and [email protected] within 5 calendar days of your appointment; otherwise the application may be decided without them, to your disadvantage. Watch your spam folder for embassy emails.
Official and submission sources
- Directorate of Immigration Iceland (island.is) — Apply for a visa: Where to apply (2026-08-15 re-verified: the Tokyo entry lists the Icelandic embassy in Tokyo and the VFS Global office as the application locations for a uniform Schengen visa; the listed missions issue short-stay C visas only) (used for: application channel, jurisdiction notes) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo — Visa document checklist (February 2026, PDF: "One (1) passport photograph (max. 6 months old, on a white background, measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm)"; harmonized Schengen application form and the confirmation of the online application form https://visa.government.is/ to be presented to VFS Global staff; receipt for payment of visa fee; travel medical insurance EUR 30,000; proof of legal stay in Japan (residence card) valid at least 3 months after departure and certificate of residence (住民票); "Your application for a Schengen Visa will be forwarded by VFS Global to the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo for processing"; normally processed within 15 days once received from VFS; missing documents to be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected] within 5 calendar days) (used for: application channel, application form, photo requirements, photo copy count, processing time, jurisdiction notes, residence card notes, passport return) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Directorate of Immigration Iceland (island.is) — Get a visa (2026-08-15 re-verified: "The fee for a visa application is EUR 90 (EUR 45 for six to twelve year olds).") (used for: visa fee) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (um.dk) — Royal Danish Embassy in Japan, Visa (2026-08-15 re-verified: "It is not possible to submit your application for visa to Denmark or Iceland at the Royal Danish Embassy or at the Danish Honorary Consulates in Japan." — the former Danish representation route for Iceland applications in Japan is no longer current) (used for: jurisdiction notes) Checked: 2026-08-15
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
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