Diplomatic Presence in Iceland

Iceland is a small nation, but maintains diplomatic relations with most other countries in the world by maintaining embassies and consulates there. In turn, other countries operate their embassies in Iceland in the capital Reykjavik and many have only one consulate. In absolute numbers, there are 16 embassies and 208 consulates that Iceland has established around the world, as well as 14 embassies of other countries and 64 consulates in Reykjavik.

Embassies in Iceland

Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States are the countries with embassies in Iceland. The Icelandic embassy is located in almost all of these countries and also in Belgium, Malawi and Uganda. It goes without saying that governments weigh up the need for a full-fledged mission or embassy or whether a consulate can do the job at this level. Maintaining an embassy costs a lot of money and there has to be a justification for it. Belgium plays a role here because the European Commission is based in Brussels and the communication channels with the EU member states work better as a result. Iceland is not yet a full member of the EU.

The Icelandic Embassy will take care of all formalities related to the issuance of visas for entry into Iceland. There will also be a commercial attaché whose task will be to promote Iceland's interests as an investment location. The embassies are working to encourage more and more foreigners to visit Iceland. They can work with the relevant authorities in Reykjavik to spread the message of Iceland’s potential as an ideal destination. Roadshows can be organised for this purpose.

Embassy of Iceland – Handling High Profile Visits

Icelandic embassy officials in the respective countries are responsible for handling the visits of high-ranking officials of the Icelandic government to the country where the embassy is located. The embassy staff is usually a mix of Icelanders and local compatriots. This helps in the interaction with the government and the local people. When such visits are planned, local knowledge helps to ensure that these visits are successful. These visits can be conducted by the government ministers or senior bureaucrats. They meet with their counterparts in the other country and make plans to develop relations between Iceland and that country.

Many such visits may culminate in the signing of MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) between the two countries. The staff at the Icelandic embassy must take the decisions set out in the MOUs.

Diplomatic Immunity

A great responsibility rests on the shoulders of embassy staff. As a rule, the embassy is headed by the ambassador and the consulate by a head of consular affairs. These heads are supported by a team of foreign service officers. As employees of the Icelandic embassy, they represent a country and must follow the rules of the country to which they are posted. Even if they inadvertently commit a crime in the country, they enjoy diplomatic immunity if they are Icelandic citizens and hold an official position in the embassy or consulate. The host country will inform the Icelandic government of the details of the alleged crime committed and insist that the official be relieved of his or her duties at the embassy.

Embassy staff also enjoy certain other privileges. These include the possession of a diplomatic passport, which means that they do not have to pass through the regular immigration controls at airports. Their luggage is also processed without being checked.

Processing and issuing visas for citizens of other countries visiting Iceland is one of the main tasks of all Icelandic embassies and consulates around the world.

If you are planning a visit to Iceland and need any kind of help in the country, contact Swapp Agency .