Iceland to Start Processing Schengen Visa Applications in Canada from February 10
Key Highlights
- Iceland will start processing Schengen visa applications directly in Canada from February 10, 2025.
- Until now, Denmark handled Iceland’s Schengen visa applications in Canada.
- In 2023, foreign residents in Canada submitted 35,087 Schengen visa applications.
Iceland Takes Over Schengen Visa Processing in Canada
The Icelandic government has announced that, starting February 10, 2025, Schengen visa applications for Iceland can be submitted directly in Canada.
Previously, applicants had to apply through the Danish embassy, which handled visa processing on behalf of Iceland. However, with this new update, Denmark will no longer serve in this role.
According to Iceland’s government, applicants can submit their visa requests at VFS Global locations in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa. Once submitted, these applications will be forwarded to the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C., for processing. The final decision will then be sent back to VFS, where applicants can collect their passports.
Impact on Foreign Residents in Canada
This change primarily affects foreign nationals residing in Canada who require a Schengen visa for entry into the Schengen Area.
However, Canadian passport holders will not be affected, as they can travel visa-free to the Schengen Zone for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Schengen Visa Applications from Canada in 2023
According to SchengenVisaInfo, foreign residents in Canada submitted a total of 35,087 Schengen visa applications in 2023. Of these:
- 32,416 applications were approved
- 1,854 applications were rejected
The top three Schengen countries receiving the most applications from Canada were:
- France – 11,260 applications
- Switzerland – 4,619 applications
- Netherlands – 4,418 applications
Conversely, the lowest number of applications were recorded in:
- Malta – 8 applications
- Latvia – 20 applications
- Slovakia – 40 applications