americans don't need a visa for up to 90 days - business or tourist. basic googling would tell you that.
[ooh more downvotes for posting facts. because that's what hn is all about.]
[ooh more downvotes for posting facts. because that's what hn is all about.]
"Business travel" precludes several things, including work.
(of course, several duties in a business travel can be considered work, but they're usually spelled out). Basically you can't be compensated by your activities directly by someone in the receiving country.
But I'm sure doing an investigating in another country under government orders does not count as business.
Source: http://www.utl.is/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti...
As to your point, I have no idea about the legalities, but it seems to me that if law enforcement officials are going to operate in a foreign country they might want to go through official channels before turning up.
Regarding the private plane, I would imagine that the article mentions it because it (accurately or otherwise) enables me to better visualise a group of brash Americans turning up via the most expensive mode of transport and expecting the little Icelanders to be so awed by the powerful FBI that they won't ask for little things like, you know, governmental authorisation.
I really want to like America. There are so many things to love about it, especially on paper. And then I read about stuff like this and wonder if it really is that much of a mystery why much of the world has such distaste for the country and the people.
Not that I'm claiming the UK is any better, mind. And our teeth are much worse.
Iceland does not have a visa, automatic or otherwise, for Americans on a short visit. Quoting from the Icelandic Útlendingastofnun at http://utl.is/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&... : "Who does not need a visa to enter Iceland?" ... "Nationals of the following countries are exempted from the obligation to carry a visa on arrival in Iceland for a stay of up to three months in all within the Schengen area." ... "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
So no, US citizens visiting Iceland do not need a visa to enter Iceland.