Iceland Visa RequirementsFor Kenya passport holders
Kenyan citizens require a Schengen visa to visit Iceland, costing €90 ($98 USD). Iceland is a Schengen member but has no embassy in Nairobi, so applications are processed by another designated Schengen country's embassy. No direct flights connect Nairobi to Reykjavik.
Kenya passport holders require a visa to enter Iceland.
Contact the Danish Embassy in Nairobi or check the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration website (utl.is) to confirm which Schengen country currently processes Iceland applications. Required documents are standard Schengen: completed application form, valid passport (at least 3 months beyond return), biometric passport photos, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 Schengen-wide), confirmed return flights, accommodation bookings, 3 months of bank statements, and employment or income proof. Iceland is one of Europe's most expensive destinations, so financial proof requirements may be higher. Processing takes 15 business days on average.
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Kenya to Iceland: What You Need to Know
Iceland joined the Schengen Area in 1996 despite not being an EU member. A Schengen visa for Iceland allows travel to all 27 Schengen countries. Iceland has no embassy in Kenya, so applications are typically handled by the Danish Embassy in Nairobi or another designated Schengen representative. Confirm which country currently represents Iceland before applying, as the designation can change. Iceland introduced the EES biometric border registration for non-EU visitors in October 2025. The Schengen fee is €90 since June 2024.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Nairobi (NBO) to Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF). Common routings go via London Heathrow (LHR) with Kenya Airways then Icelandair to KEF. Alternatively fly via Copenhagen (CPH), Amsterdam (AMS), Oslo (OSL), or Helsinki (HEL) and connect. Icelandair also operates transatlantic routes via Iceland, useful if combining Iceland with North America. Total journey time from Nairobi is typically 16 to 22 hours.
Money & Banking
Iceland uses the Icelandic krona (ISK). Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, including remote guesthouses and petrol stations. Cash is rarely needed. Iceland is one of Europe's most expensive countries: budget guesthouses from 15,000 ISK ($110) per night, simple meals from 3,000 to 5,000 ISK ($22 to $37). Fuel costs for rental cars are significant. Budget carefully, particularly for accommodation outside Reykjavik, which books up months in advance for summer travel.
Practical Tips
Iceland offers unique natural wonders: the Northern Lights (best September to March), the midnight sun in June and July, and the Golden Circle route covering Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring, and Gullfoss waterfall. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa near the airport is a famous stop. The Ring Road (Route 1) circles the island and takes 7 to 10 days to drive completely. Vatnajokull is Europe's largest glacier. Whale watching departs from Husavik and Reykjavik. Reykjavik is a vibrant small capital with outstanding restaurants and arts.