Overview
The Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa is Iceland's embassy in Canada, headed by Ambassador Mr. Hlynur Guðjónsson. The embassy is located at 360 Albert Street, Suite 710 in downtown Ottawa. Iceland and Canada are NATO allies and Arctic neighbours with bilateral ties in fisheries, Arctic policy, renewable energy, trade, and a strong cultural connection through the Icelandic-Canadian diaspora. Canada is home to the largest Icelandic diaspora outside Iceland itself — concentrated in Manitoba (Winnipeg and the Interlake region, historically known as New Iceland), with significant communities in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and the Maritime provinces. The embassy provides the full range of consular services; a Consulate General in Winnipeg and 11 honorary consulates across Canada offer local contact points.
Visa Services
Iceland is a Schengen and EEA member. Canadian citizens travel to Iceland visa-free under Schengen rules for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A passport valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen Area is required. For longer stays (work, study, family reunification), Canadian residents apply for Icelandic residence permits through the embassy.
Consular Services
The embassy provides passport services, identity document processing, civil registrations (births, marriages, deaths of Icelandic citizens abroad), notarial services, and emergency consular assistance for Icelandic nationals in Canada.
Trade & Export Support
Key Icelandic exports to Canada include seafood and aluminium. Canadian firms engage with Iceland in Arctic research, fisheries management, renewable energy, and mining. The embassy facilitates trade contacts between Icelandic and Canadian businesses.
Cultural & Educational Programs
The Icelandic-Canadian diaspora is the strongest cultural bridge between the two countries. The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba (Íslendingadagurinn) in Gimli has been held annually since 1890 and is one of the oldest ethnic festivals in North America. The University of Manitoba maintains an Icelandic Collection and Chair of Icelandic Language and Literature. The Consulate General in Winnipeg — a career post, not an honorary position — reflects the depth of this connection.
Service Area
The embassy covers all of Canada. The Consulate General in Winnipeg (a career consular post) handles Manitoba and the Prairie provinces. Honorary consulates in Calgary, Charlottetown, Edmonton, Halifax, Iqaluit, Montréal, Quebec City, Regina, St. John's, Toronto, and Vancouver provide local first-line contact across the country.
Appointment Information
The embassy is open Monday to Friday 09:00–16:00. Appointments for consular services are recommended. Contact by phone (+1 613 482 1944) or email (ottawa@mfa.is).