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Iran Visa on Arrival and Evisa Iran (2024): all you need to know

Fernanda jumping in front of Azadi Monument like singing in the rain

Find out now how to get the Iran visa on arrival as well as how to apply for the evisa Iran (article updated for 2024). We have travelled to Iran twice already and guarantee you: getting the Iran tourist visa is simpler than people think!

But before you dig in, have a look at our page about travelling to Iran with all the information you need before travel this beautiful country!

The reflections in the Pink Mosque in Shiraz, Iran

How to get the Iranian visa in 2024: Iran visa on arrival x Evisa Iran

The process of getting an Iran tourist visa is actually simpler than most people think. Surely, there are a few requirements and precautions to take when applying but we will outline everything in this article.

Applying for an Iranian visa before the pandemic was easier, as many nationalities could apply for the VoA (Visa on Arrival) on their arrival at any international airport . Tourists had to follow a few prerequisites, such as having purchased a return ticket and a hotel booked for the first days. However, it was still very simple: you would arrive at the Iranian airport, talk to the immigration officer, pay the Iranian visa fees and that was it – “Welcome to Iran!”

After Iran reopened for tourism in October 2021, things changed a little bit. Now, the Iranian government requires all travelers to Iran to apply for a visa before arriving . It doesn’t have to be the visa itself, but a simplified version called an E-Visa (meaning an online visa) . You can apply for this Iran electronic visa up to two days before arriving, according to the government’s official website.

How to Apply for the Iran EVisa (Iran Electronic Visa) in 2024

Monday Feelings no Pink Mosque de Shiraz Irã

Applying for the Iran Electronic Visa is quite simple and the whole process can be done online.

For this, you will need to:

Have a passport valid for at least six months;
Not having evidence of entry to Israel (if you have already visited Israel, it is better to issue a new passport. And be aware that even if you do not have an Israeli stamp, any evidence of entry into the country is considered. For example, if you have a land entry visa for Jordan at the border with Israel);
Be from one of the countries eligible for the EVisa Iran (most Europeans and other nationals are. Below we will give you a full list of countries eligible for the Iranian Evisa);
Present the full itinerary of your trip to Iran;

Other documents and information may be requested by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), if they deem it necessary to issue your Iran electronic visa .

It is worth mentioning that, although they ask for at least two days in advance to apply for the E-visa, I would recommend at least 10 days. The rules in Iran are always a little confusing and it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

Remember that to enter the country you must be wearing accordingly: Women must cover their hair, legs and arms and men must cover their legs. Find out all the details on how to dress in Iran here .

Iran Visa Fees

The cost of your Iranian tourist visa will depend on your nationality, but in general, it goes from €70 to €80.

Some examples of Iran visa Fees:

Iran visa price for Europeans (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, etc): €75
for Australians: €145
For Brazilians: €80

Issues with the E-visa to Iran

Apparently, the E-Visa system in Iran can be quite unreliable and we actually heard from a few travellers and readers that their application was denied without further explanation.

Our recommendation then for those who want to feel more secure in the process is to apply for the Iranian EVisa through a local agency, such as the 1st Quest company .

This is an Iranian travel agency that allows travelers to book things online. As you probably know, due to the sanctions you cannot use any debit or credit card in the country as they are mostly American brands, such as Visa, Master Card, American Express and so on.

With tourism really picking up in recent years in Iran, some local online travel agencies have started to operate to facilitate this.

It was with this in mind that during our last visit to Tehran, we went to visit the 1stQuest HQ to see in person if we could trust them . We really liked what we saw and since then we have been recommending their services to readers, friends and clients. So far, everyone’s feedback has been very positive.

As part of their services, you can apply for the Evisa Iran . They will take care of the whole process for you for about €17. In case it gets denied they will tell you why, so you can arrange amendments and try again. Bear in mind though they have a 98% approval rate.

people sitting on the floor of a house around a cloth full of food for dinner

After your Iran EVisa is approved

Once the MFA has issued the granted visa to you, you can received it by three means:

1. To receive it at your home (costs on your own); 2. To pick up at the nearest Iranian Embassy; 3. Or to pick up on your arrival at the Iranian airport. In this case, you will receive an official letter by email saying that your order is approved and with this letter, you can board the plane without any problems. Once you arrive at the airport, you can pick up your Iran tourist visa near customs.

Applying for an Iranian visa in an Embassy

If you still don’t feel confident in applying for a visa online to visit Iran , you can always do it through the Iranian Embassy. The process takes a little bit longer as they ask for more documents than the E-Visa, but it is still a possibility!

TIP: If you are looking for a true Iranian experience, don’t book your accommodation for the whole trip. Eventually, you will very likely be invited to stay over at people’s houses. Don’t hesitate! That’s the best part of the trip as you get to know how Iranians truly are. You can see more about these unique experiences in this article: the 12 things that happen only in Iran.

Compulsory travel insurance to Iran to apply for the visa

Tiago e Fernanda under the Si-ose Pol Bridge in Esfahan

One of the requirements for getting an Iranian visa is to have travel insurance. Due to economic sanctions, no international travel insurance will cover you in the country. Even if you have one of those worldwide travel insurances, you can check they don’t cover Iran.

However, this is not an issue, as it is possible to purchase one at the Iranian airport upon arrival. Travel insurance to Iran costs €14 for 30 days and the immigration officer will show you where to buy it. This insurance entitles you to use any hospital in Iran, both public and private, and is mandatory for anyone applying for an Iran tourist visa .

If you want to have everything arranged before so as not to have to deal with bureaucracies once you are at the airport, you can buy your travel insurance to Iran beforehand for the same price or even cheaper. We recommend doing it through 1st Quest .

TIP: We have heard that, because of the new sanctions against Iran, it is getting hard to make exchanges and payments with US dollars. Even though we didn’t feel that at all, it might be safer to give priority to Euros over US dollars for your trip to Iran .

What are the countries that CAN get the Iran Evisa (Iran Electronic visa)?

Almost every nation can, in theory, apply for the Iranian Evisa . That includes Australians, Germans, Portuguese, Italians, Brazilians and so on.

Countries that CANNOT get the Iran Evisa

The only countries that cannot get their visa on arrival in Iran are Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Canada; Colombia; Iraq; Jordan; Libya; Nepal; Pakistan; Somalia; Sri Lanka; Tajikistan; United Kingdom; United States and Yemen.

Also, British, Americans and Canadians can only travel to Iran with a travel agency. And they must have a travel guide with them at all times. Israelis are forbidden to enter the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Countries that do not need a visa to Iran

Armenia (90 days), Azerbaijan (30 days), Bolivia (30 days), Egypt (20 days) Georgia (45 days), Lebanon (30 days), Malaysia (15 days), Servia (30 days), Turkey (90 days) e Venezuela (15 days), China (21 days); Hong Kong (21 days), Macau (21 days), Oman (30 days) and Syria (90 days).

*Also read – Is Iran safe for tourists? – Iran Travel Guide: a complete itinerary ; – How is Tehran, our first impressions of the Iranian capital .

Extending your tourist visa in Iran

Iranian flags in the city with cars passing by

As mentioned before, the Iran visa on arrival allows you to stay in the country for 30 days. If you fall in love with Iran – like we did – and feel like staying longer, you can extend it for another 30 days! That’s exactly what we did, and we paid US$16 for the extension.

Necessary documents required to extend your visa in Iran:

A copy of the passport and the visa;
Two 3×4 photographs.

*IMPORTANT: Women, bring a picture where you are covering your hair! We obviously didn’t consider this fact. And the official had to cut Fernanda’s picture by the hair to make it look like she had a hijab. It sounds strange, but it worked!

Bespoke itineraries to Iran

Hey, we are Tiago and Fernanda. We have been in Iran twice already, adding to about three months over there. Iran has completely won over our hearts and will very gladly help you organise your trip to Iran. We create bespoke itineraries, with tips and information about the places and what to do in the cities! Also, our itineraries have recommendations of places to eat and to sleep that will fit your pocket.

Do you want to know more about it? Then send us an email on [email protected] or just a quick message in here and let’s talk!

Tiago and Fernanda during one of their trips to Iran

We hope this article gives you that little push you need to embark on this journey to Iran! It is worth saying that you can also apply for your Iranian visa at any Iranian Embassy too.

This “Iran Visa on Arrival and evisa Iran Guide” has been originally written in August 2015. Updated in February 2024.

After Iran reopened for tourism in October 2021, things changed a little bit. Now, the Iranian government requires all travelers to Iran to apply for a visa before arriving .

Applying for the Iran Electronic Visa is quite simple and the whole process can be done online. For this, you will need to: – Have a passport valid for at least six months; – Not having evidence of entry to Israel; – Be from one of the countries eligible for the EVisa Iran (see below a full list of countries; – Present the full itinerary of your trip to Iran; Other documents and information may be requested by the MFA

British, Americans and Canadians can only travel to Iran with a travel agency. And they must have a travel guide with them at all times.

Hello, and thanks for the post. It’s very helpful. Based on your experience, perhaps you can give me your advice on my situation. The problem is that I already have my flight to Tehran for a last minute tour I booked. I applied for the e-visa trough an agency thinking I had enough time to get it. Apparently, due to local bank holidays I only have 4 working days left. So it’s likely I don’t get the e-visa on time. What would you recommend? Should I try to get my flight to Tehran and try to get the visa at the airport? Will the airline allow me to board the plane without e-visa already approved? I still have 4 working days left and 8 days in total for my trip, but the situation it’s tricky. Perhaps I should try to change my flight. What you recon? Thanks

Hello Joan, I hope this message gets to you on time. In order to receive the Visa on Arrival, you must first receive their approval by the ministry of foreign affairs. Without it, I am not sure you will even be able to board your flight. If you apply through the agency, I would speak with them about your concern. It should not take that long to take the visa. If you and the agency are pretty sure your visa won’t come on time, then I would suggest to change the flight date. Safe travels and enjoy Iran

I have three passports (Australian, UK and Canada) definitely lucky I know. Ideally I want to travel with all three but am very unsure what would happen if I entered on my Australian and they found out I had others.. I wonder what the risk of being searched is.

Hey Daniel, thanks for stopping by. And yeah, quite lucky! Good to travel in so many places (shame for Brexit though). If you apply before for your visa (yes, please do) with an Australian passport and they issue the visa, you probably won’t have problems at customs. Even when we were stopped at customs for 5 hours, we weren’t searched. However, they knew we had two nationalities too. But Iran is unpredictable and nothing is for sure. Please let us know if you want help by applying for visa in Iran. Safe travels,

Thank you for all the information you guys! Truly appreciate it. Had a quick question about the availability of Evisa for Sri Lankan passport holder. I see in the article above that Evisas are not available for Sri Lankan national but I heard that this has been changed. However, I do not have confirmation. I wonder if you happen to know about this and If I would be able to apply with a Sri Lankan passport. Appreciate any information on the matter. Thanks in advance.

Hello Ammar, Unfortunately, it is not easy to get confirmed information about that. I recommend applying for a visa online through our partner, 1st Quest, as they would tell you exactly what you need. If you require assistance or a tailored itinerary, please do let me know as it would be pleasure to help. Safe travels,

This blog has nicely presented the visa application process for Iran. As a fan of travel blogs, I have gained lots of insights into the rich culture and amazing hospitality of Iran.

Thank you, Nilkanth

My E-VISA is taking so long..it still shows under review..is there another way to get it done faster

Hello Sikandar. Doing it by yourself and rely on the public service is Russian roulette, really. I really recommend, in this case, doing it through 1st Quest . They will take care of your visa and, in case of failure, they let you know why (something public service won’t) so you can adjust your documents and re-apply. Let us know how it goes.

Passengers with normal passports traveling as tourists can obtain a visa on arrival in Esfahan (IFN) or Mashhad (MHD) for a maximum stay of 30 days. They can request to extend their stay. esto es lo ultimo dia 6 de octubre ojo q una agencia me ha dicho hoy que hay que llevar un guia obligatorio si si para todo guiri

Hey Javier, gracias! Are you sure about that, though. Because that was the case before Covid. But after borders opened, they demand the traveller to complete an online form. I sent a client on June and she was only able to embark the plan because we had done her visa. I have heard travel agencies saying the most absurd things, so I don’t trust most of them. With regards to having a guide, that is specific to USA and UK passaport holders, really. You should be fine, I suppose.

Hallo, ich möchte über eine Landgrenze in den Iran einreisen. Esendere/ Türkei Ich habe die Deutsche Staatsbürgerschaft. Dazu finde ich keine Informationen.

Hi! Vielen Dank für Ihre Kontaktaufnahme. Entschuldigung für schlechtes Deutsch, es ist von Google übersetzt. Sie können also auf dem Landweg in den Iran einreisen, aber Sie sollten vorher Ihr Visum haben. Ich empfehle, hier 1st Quest zu verwenden , da Sie es weniger mühsam haben. Sichere Reisen

I would like to extend my visa when in Iran. I have some questions if you don’t mind. any info would be much appreciated,

On entering is it possible to have my flight booked for a date after my entry visa permits? Are travelers’ onward flights details required to be within the first initial visa given? e.g enter on 1 Oct but would like to stay to 15th Nov,but on entry the visa is only for 30 days, can i have a flight booked for the 15th Nov with the hope of getting the extension and be allowed to enter the country on arrival with that plan?

What did you do?

Hello Dino, Thank you for stopping by. I’m not sure I understood exactly what you need. If not, let me know. So, when applying for your visa, you will have to upload your flight details as well – inbound and outbound. The visa is for up to 30 days, and it will depend on your flight details. If you plan to stay only 30 days, you are ok to book your return flight 30 days after your arrival. If you plan to extend the visa for another 30 days – or less – I would probably take two routes:

1) Pre-reserve a flight with an agency. That way, you have a pre-reservation that can be changed. Then apply for your visa for 30 days, apply for an extension in Tehran and change your flight details

2) Find a flight company that will allow you to change flight details without paying exorbitant amount of money – they might charge you a bit extra for that though.

Anyway, I will contact our partner in Iran to see with them if they have a better option than that. Feel free to contact us again – or anytime – for travelling to Iran! Thanks,

Should women wear a headscarf in the photo they submit for the evisa? I keep finding conflicting advise.

Hello Laura. No, it is not necessary. I have applied for an e-visa for a client recently and there was no need and no problems to submit a photo without the headscarf.

I do understand the confusion. It is not easy to get a definite information about these issues. A while ago, when we had to renew our visa in Iran, Fernanda had to have the headscarf. But not in the last time. I believe, as more international tourists are coming to Iran, they are becoming more flexible on some rules.

If you need any assistance on your trip to Iran, please do let us know.

Safe travels,

Thanks for your response. Yes all the sample photos on the MFA evisa website are of a man so no help. It specifically says not to wear a head covering unless normally worn for religious reasons but other websites say the opposite! I guess I will try without as that seems to be what the official website says too.

Hi Laura, I suppose there is an unofficial understanding about posting photos of women on the internet and that should be the reason why there are only men. I do understand the confusion as well. But as said, we recently did for a client and there was no need for the head cover. In the past it was necessary, but not anymore. Do let us know if you will need any help with the visa submission! And we would love to hear about your experience in Iran once you return as well 🙂 Safe travels!

So sad that as a travel blog you decide to go with the wrong partner. Most of the 1stQuest comments on the internet are just fake and made by the team itself… they open dozens of accounts on various websites (tripadvisor, etc. )to promote their services but if you dig a little bit you’ll understand quite easily that there is nothing behind it.

Plus, from a customer perspective why would you book trhough a travel agency when everything is so easy on the official government portal … just don’t get it.

Same goes with everything from bus to hotels … would you book your trip with a company that just tries to promote itself through fake comments? Does sound like a great deal.

Hi Orkun. Hope you are well.

I understand your concern about who we choose as partners. But let me assure you that we do choose them carefully. We only partnered up with 1st Quest after we have actually visited their office in person, when we were in Tehran and met with the founder, which, by the way, we are always in touch. I honestly don’t know about their marketing strategy. But in terms of efficiency, they are very reliable and very human as well, with an excellent customer service, at least up to now.

When you say everything is so easy on the official government portal, it has not been easy really, at least for us and for the people we spoke that travelled recently to Iran. It is very bureaucratic, very demanding and not so much straight-forward, at least recently. We do say, though, you can do via official website and point to this direction in our post too, as you probably read.

In terms of booking hotels and buses, unfortunately international cards aren’t accepted in Iran. And people prefer to have their travel organised and not carrying as much cash as they would if they have to pay for buses and hotel when in Iran. All in all, it does indeed sound like a great deal.

However, if there is any concerns deeper that you would like to raise as well, please do let us know. I would love to hear more about your views on them. But for now, I am very happy with 1stQuest.

Best wishes,

Great piece of information. Thanks I will be travelling from Azerbaijan to Tehran by flight. Do you know if I am still eligible for the Visa on arrival with the authorisation letter? Regarding the Covid19 requirements:

– Is a PCR test compulsory in addition to the the fully vaccinated requirement? or it is one option or the other?

Thanks, Rui

Hi Rui. Thank you!! So, as far as I know, Iran isn’t currently issuing visa on arrival after borders were re-opened. But if you have an authorization from MFA, then you basically have already a visa and it should be no problem. PCR is not compulsory. I don’t want to give you 100% though, because you can never be too sure when it comes to bureaucracy in Iran. However, we organized a trip to a couple in June and they didn’t have to make a test. Hope it helps and safe flight to Iran!

If you have an E-Visa that is valid for 90 days and grants a 30 days stay …

Do the 30 days needs to be within the 90 days interval? Or can one enter within the 90 days validity period and leave after at most 30 days but after the validity period?

Hello Martin, Normally, your e-visa is valid from the moment you arrive in the country. In this scenario, your 90 days e-visa granted will only starts from the day you arrive in Iran, therefore you will have 30 days to stay and still a window of another 30 days to renew your stay, if wished.

Now let’s assume the consulate issued an e-visa and the validity already started.

Does the entire stay need to be within the validity period or just the entrace?

For example: The 90 days end on the 20th. I arrive on the fifth and stay until the 25th. That’s 20 days and thus less than the 30 days validity. But only the entrance would be within the 90 days, no the whole stay. Would that be allowed?

Or would the e-visa be replaced by a new one in the airport?

Hi Martin, thanks for the question.

It works like that. You are going to apply for a visa. If approved, you will receive a letter from the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) saying that you visa is validated already. Once you arrive in Iran, the customs will take this letter and issue you a visa from that moment onwards. So, if you have a 30 days visa which you applied today, August 2nd. Then you arrive in Iran on August 20th, your 30 days will start counting from August 20th, which means you are allowed to stay until September 29th.

If you need anything with your trip to Iran, feel free to contact us directly.

Multumesc pentru ca va ganditi si la noi, viitorii turisti in Iran. Astept cu mare nerabdare sa ajung in Iran. Am reletionat cu iranienii camd am facut rezervari la hoteluri . Sunt admirabili. Am mai obtinut VoA in Thailanda si nu am teama. Nu stiu insa daca am nevoie de poza, sau o fac ei. Cred ca nu e o problema ca eu sunt in varsta, iar cea cu care sunt impreuna de ani de zile e mult mai tanara. Multumesc mult!

Salut Andreescu. Sunt sigur că veți avea un sejur grozav în Iran. Suntem îndrăgostiți acolo. Atunci spune-ne cum a decurs călătoria ta. Îmbrățișări

Very useful information. Thank you.

We intend to travel with our motorhome to Iran, which is Visa wise a different issue.

Hello Hermann, Wow, that should definitely be a great experience!!! I would love to hear more about that when you leave Iran. It would be great to update this post with information about motorhome, really. Safe travels!

We need photoes for VoA?

Hi Andreescu, We brought our own pictures when we did our VoA. But I’m sure you will find those photo machines that will give you an instant picture

hello good page to find out, today a girl on facebook who lives in Madrid, wrote me that the visa on arrival no longer works, how true is that?, thanks.

Hello Fernando, Thank you so much. Well, as far as I know, you can still get your visa on arrival, but not all nationalities. It depends on the passport you hold. I will look it further anyway. Thanks for the comments

Hi Im traveling to iran in May and I wonder how I do with the visa . I was thinking to do it at arrival since I will go for holidays and stay at my friends place in Tehran but I saw that without an evisa could be a problem . I wanted to ask you if it is better to do it directly with the e visa from the Iranian govt or though 1stquest . Also do I need a letter of invitation from my friend .I don’t know 1stquest at all and I tried to call them several times and they did not pick up so I m a bit suspicious about them If you could help me with your recommendations I would appreciate it Regards

Hello, Daniel. Thank you for getting in touch with us. I’m sure you will have a great time in this wonderful country! With regards to a letter of invitation, if you decide to get a visa on arrival, I’d recommend the letter. The problem is that you can’t really predict how the people from custom will deal with your situation. It will depend mostly on your profession, your social media activities and the countries you have visited, really. The second time we entered Iran, we had a hard time getting the visa on arrival. For this reason, we recommend the evisa, because there will be no surprise. Applying for the evisa via government website is an option, but you might need luck though. It’s a bit confused and not quite straight-forward. 1stQuest is our partner, we know them personally as the last time we visited Iran, we went to their office to get to know more their work. We are constantly in touch with them and they are not dodge at all. I’m not sure which number you tried to contact them, but I will be happy to facilitate this negotiation anyway. In fact, I have recently help a person to get their visa through 1stQuest and the letter of authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came in less than one week. So, pretty good for such bureaucracy! Please do let me know if we can help with the visa and wish you a safe flight to Iran! Best of luck,

Hi am Darlington from Liberia ?? west Africa, am planning on traveling to Iran next week can I get visa upon arrival for a Liberian passport

Hello Darlington, Sorry if the answer came too late. We were on an immersive project in the Pantanal of Brazil. So, you should have no problem getting a visa on arrival in Iran with a Liberian passport. Please let me know how it has been! Best of luck

hey,i am living in spain nut i am from pakistan.i want to ask that do i need visit visa to iran without visa or will i get visa on arrival.pleas reply.

Hi Najia. You can read on top of this article saying that Pakistan cannot apply for a visa on arrival, therefore you have to apply for a visa either online or at the embassy. I recommend you to apply online, which is hassle-free and they will help you out. Please check our partner: 1st Quest . Safe travels

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Iran Visa on Arrival- e-visa: Everything You Need to Know

June 20, 2023

Are you excited about visiting Iran, a country where ancient history meets modern wonders? If you’re wondering about how to get a visa without any fuss, we have good news for you! Iran offers an easy and convenient option called Visa on Arrival (VOA) for most travelers. This means you can obtain your visa upon arrival at specific airports. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the straightforward process of getting a visa on arrival in Iran. We’ll cover who is eligible, the documents you’ll need, the airports where you can apply, and some helpful tips to make your journey smooth and enjoyable. It’s good to know many Iranian travel agencies offer Iran visa for free if you book one of their Iran tours . You can book your tour to Iran provided by Iran local tour guides or local tour operators before your trip to Iran.

So, let’s dive in and travel to Iran without any visa-related worries! It’s good to know that Iran has recently (Late November 2023) increased the number of countries whose citizen can enter the country without visa. to know more about these new changes check Travel to Iran without Iran Visa .

Which airports you can obtain your visa?

Iran offers a Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Iran e-visa option for tourists visiting the country. This means that most nationals can obtain their visa upon arrival at six international airports in Iran.

Here are the international airports in Iran where you can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA):

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Kish International Airport (KIH)
Qeshm International Airport (GSM)
Isfahan International Airport (ISF)
Tabriz International Airport (TBZ)
Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
Ahwaz International Airport (AWZ)
Bandar Abbas International Airport (BND)
Lar International Airport (LRR)
Bushehr International Airport (BUZ)

Check Shiraz tours for your trip to Iran

Explore Qeshm Island tours

Who are not eligible to apply?

The Visa on Arrival (VOA) option in Iran is not available for citizens of the following countries:

United Kingdom (UK)
United States (US)
Afghanistan

If you are a citizen of any of these countries, you will need to apply for a visa in advance through an Iranian travel company or the nearest Iranian embassy/consulate before your trip. Unfortunately, the VOA facility is not applicable to travelers from these specific nations.

Who are eligible:

Citizens of the following countries can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for Iran if they hold valid passports and wish to visit the mainland:

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Korea
Philippines
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Slovak Republic
South Korea
Switzerland
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates

Important Information: If you are eligible for Iran’s Visa on Arrival (VOA) and enter the country through an international airport (not land borders), you have the option to request the authorities to stamp your visa on a separate piece of paper. This can be especially helpful for business travelers concerned about the US sanctions on Iran or for individuals who frequently travel to the US.

However, it’s worth noting that nationals of nine countries will still receive a sticker on their passport, and their passports will be stamped at the entry and exit points. The nine countries are the USA, UK, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Colombia, and Jordan.

Iran Visa Requirements for Visa on Arrival (VOA):

To obtain a Visa on Arrival in Iran, you will need to have the following documents:

Hotel booking document: It is necessary to show a printed hotel reservation for at least the first night of your stay in Iran. If you plan to stay with locals, provide their contact details to be presented to the immigration authorities. Iran Safar Visa Dept. can assist you in obtaining the required documents.
Travel Insurance: All travelers must possess valid travel insurance for their visit to Iran. If you don’t have insurance, you can purchase it on the spot for 14 Euro. However, keep in mind that the insurance available at the airport offers limited coverage. It is strongly recommended to obtain comprehensive travel insurance prior to your trip. Please contact [insurance provider] for further assistance.
Return flight ticket: Some travelers have reported that their Visa on Arrival was not granted because they did not have a return flight ticket or the authorities were unable to verify their accommodation details. It is advisable to have a confirmed return flight ticket and provide accurate contact information of your host or accommodation.
Visa fee: The visa fee must be paid in cash, and only in Euros (€), either at the airport or embassy. The exact fee varies depending on your nationality, but typically ranges from 40 to 150 Euros. For EU citizens, the Iran Visa Fee is 75 Euros.
Visa authorization code document: Although not mandatory, having a visa authorization code document can guarantee your visa and save time at the airport. This document is obtained in advance and serves as proof of visa approval. Iran Safar Travel Co. can assist you in obtaining the visa authorization code letter.

Please note that these requirements are specifically for obtaining a Visa on Arrival in Iran. It is advisable to check the latest updates and regulations from the Iranian authorities or consult with an Iranian travel agency for any changes or additional requirements prior to your travel.

Iran Visa on Arrival Fee The fee for obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Iran is slightly higher compared to the visa issued by an Iranian Embassy or Consulate. The payment for the visa on arrival must be made in cash, and only the Euro currency is accepted. It’s important to note that Iran only issues three types of visas for VOA: Entry (Type A), Tourist (Type B), and Pilgrimage (Type C). All these visas allow for single entry, and the maximum duration of stay permitted is 30 days. The specific fees for Iran VOA vary for different nationalities.

The cost of your Iranian tourist visa will depend on your nationality, but in general, it goes from €30 to €100.

Some examples of Iran visa Fees:

Armenia: €10
Tajikistan, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, Libya: €30
Oman, Qatar: €75
United Arab Emirates, China: €100
Iran visa price for Europeans (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc): €75
for Australians: €145
For Brazilians: €80

Visa on Arrival (VOA) with Visa Grant Notice Document

While it is not mandatory to have a visa authorization for Visa on Arrival (VOA), having such a document can guarantee your visa. By obtaining a visa authorization before your trip, you can minimize the risk of being denied at the airport and save time during the visa issuance process.

Having a visa grant notice document means you have received prior approval for your visa, which provides assurance and smoothens the process upon arrival in Iran. It is recommended to acquire this document in advance to ensure a hassle-free experience and avoid any potential complications at the airport.

When do you need a previously issued visa grant notice?

You will require a previously issued visa grant notice in the following situations:

✔ If you plan to enter Iran overland.

✔ If you are flying from Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, or Turkey, you must apply for your visa in advance.

✔ If you want to avoid wasting time at the airport, especially after a long flight.

✔ If you wish to ensure the security of your visa.

✔ If you are a citizen of Canada, UK, US, Ireland, Colombia, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, or Sri Lanka, you need to apply for your visa before your trip through an Iranian travel company.

Obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for traveling to Iran can be a convenient option for travelers from various nationalities. With VOA, you have the flexibility to obtain your visa upon arrival at the designated airports in Iran, making the process more streamlined.

However, it is important to be aware of the specific requirements and limitations associated with VOA. Certain countries, such as Canada, UK, US, and several others, are not eligible for VOA and must apply for their visas in advance through an Iranian travel company. Additionally, having a visa grant notice in advance can help secure your visa and save time during the immigration process.

Remember to prepare the necessary documents, such as hotel reservations, travel insurance, return flight tickets, and the visa fee in Euros. It is also advisable to stay informed about the latest regulations and updates from Iranian authorities or consult with an Iranian travel agency for any changes or additional requirements.

By understanding and fulfilling the visa requirements, you can have a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience while exploring the beautiful country of Iran. Plan ahead, ensure compliance with the visa regulations, and embark on an unforgettable journey to discover the rich history, culture, and landscapes of Iran.

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Journey Into Iran: The Definitive Guide to Iran Visa and Visa On Arrival

Iran E Visa

According to the announcement of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran’s tourist visa has been resumed after about 2 years of suspension and now it is possible to apply for a type B tourist visa. On this page, we have explained the conditions for obtaining Iran tourist visa , costs, methods and procedures.

Iran Tourist Visa Resumption

After about 19 months since the announcement of the suspension of Iran tourist visa issuance and closing the entry for tourists of Iran, Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced in September 2021 that the issuance of Iran tourist visa for foreigners will resume on October 23. After about 1 week from the announcement, the possibility of registering a tourist visa by travel agencies in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website was reactivated and nationals of different countries can apply for Iran type B visa. The visa can be obtained both by the travelers themselves and through travel agencies.

New Iran Tourist Visa Conditions

According to the new guidelines issued by the National Headquarters for Coronavirus, visa applicants must meet the following conditions:

Having a negative PCR test at least 96 hours before departure (For over 12 years old)
Having a vaccine card for every 2 doses
Approval of the Injected vaccine by Iran

The applicant should not from high-risk countries and/or his/her next destination is not a high-risk country.

Required Documents for Iran Tourist Visa

Here are requirements for iran visa request:

Scan of the first page of the passport
Scan of 3×4 photo with white background (preferably recent)
Scan of the accommodation card (in case of the applicant’s passport and his/her place of residence are different. For example, he/she wants to apply for a visa from Paris with an Afghan passport.)
Fill out the form in the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the personal information form prepared by the travel agency
Travel insurance: Itinerary, tour leader card, hotel watcher and plane ticket (only for Canadian, USA and UK citizens)

Types of Iranian Tourist Visas

There are different types of Iranian tourist visas that we’ll describe about their methods, procedures and also Iran visa fee.

1. Tourist visa Through Travel Agency

Agencies licensed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can apply for Iranian visa applicants in the special website of travel agencies. In this method, because the documents are prepared and reviewed by the agency and the Iran travel agency is introduced as the applicant’s sponsor and host, the rejection possibility is minimized.

In this type, the agency receives the documents from the visa applicant and after reviewing and solving possible problems, registers the visa application in the website and finally receives an authorization code. According to experience, requests registered by the agency are answered faster than personal requests.

In this type of Iran tourist visa, the agency receives a fee for visa advice and hosting the applicant. Keep in mind, the agencies are only visa agents and the main authority for issuing Iranian visas is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Tourist Visa Through The MFA Website

In this way, the applicant can personally apply for a visa through the MFA website. The applicant can register his/her visa application in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ system by entering the website evisa.mfa.ir. After registering the application, the applicant must wait for his/her application to be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After approving the application and receiving an email from the Iranian visa system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, go to the Iranian embassy or consulate in the country you chose at the time of registering the application and after paying the visa issuance fee, get the final approval of the visa.

Keep in mind that if there is any minor problem in the submitted documents or registered information, there is a possibility that the application will be rejected.

3. Iran VOA Visa

Visa on arrival (VOA) is a type of visa that is issued to travelers when the applicant enters the destination country at one of the land, air or sea borders and travel and residence permits are issued for passengers. This way costs less than the in-advance visa (the 2 previous types), but because Iran is highly sensitive to issuing visas, travelers often do not apply for a visa on arrival, because if their visa get rejected, the cost of flight and hotel will be to their detriment.

To get a VOA visa, the applicant must go to the Visa Issuance counter after getting off the plane and after waiting in line and registering the application and paying the fee in cash, wait for a few hours for the visa to be issued.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on a journey to Iran? Look no further for a comprehensive guide to obtaining various types of visas, understanding the conditions, and uncovering the Iran visa fees . Whether you’re a tourist, business traveler, or student, this guide equips you with the knowledge to navigate the visa process seamlessly. Discover the requirements, application procedures, and stay durations for each visa category. Get ready to immerse yourself in Iran’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality with confidence and clarity. Let the doors to Iran swing open as you embark on an unforgettable adventure.

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How To Get An Iran Visa On Arrival

Last Updated: February 24, 2019

Everything you need to know about how to get the Iran visa on arrival.

Since 2016 it has been getting easier and easier to apply for an Iran visa on arrival for citizens of most nations. The stunning, diverse and hospitable Middle Eastern country has been growing in popularity for tourists, and the government is now making it simpler for people to visit.

The Iran visa on arrival now makes the process less of a headache, avoiding the tedious ‘letter of invitation’, authorisation codes and embassy interviews that have been mandatory to acquire a visa for years.

These days it is completely possible for people to book their travels to Iran without much prior preparation.

We visited Iran in November 2017 and managed to collect our visas on arrival with no issues at Tehran airport. Here is our guide on how to get a visa on arrival for Iran.

Table of Contents

The E-Visa For Iran

I am from the usa/canada/uk – can i apply for a voa, how many days does the iran visa on arrival last, where can i collect my visa on arrival in iran, what you need to get an iran visa on arrival.

There are a few things you need to have pre-organised in order to successfully apply for a visa on arrival in Iran.

Onwards transport.
Confirmed itinerary, or at the very least your first few nights booked at a licensed hotel.
Medical/ travel insurance for Iran .

Besides the main three items above, you may also be asked for the following things to get your visa on arrival for Iran:

Passport photos.
Proof of funds to support your trip.

In our experience the only things we were asked for was proof of travel insurance and the first night’s accommodation.

For the travel insurance you need to have “Islamic Republic of Iran” specifically outlined on your policy. We are with 1Cover , and had them email a new copy of our insurance policy that said, ‘Countries Covered: Islamic Republic of Iran”.

If yours just says ‘Worldwide’, ‘Middle East’, ‘Asia’ or something similar it won’t be accepted and you will be forced to purchase insurance at the airport for 18 Euro.

Note – Check with your travel insurance to see if Iran is covered. Our friends who we travelled with normally use World Nomads, but World Nomads refused to cover travel to Iran based on government advisories.

For our confirmed itinerary we booked our first few nights at Iran Cozy Hostel , and they emailed us a letter (in English and Persian) saying we were confirmed to stay there. This was adequate when asked by the visa officer.

We weren’t asked for our proof of onward transport, passport photos or proof of funds, but it’s worth having these on you anyway.

Have them printed, not just saved on your phone.

Iran Visa On Arrival Immamzadeh Saleh Shrine Tehran

According to some sources it is ‘mandatory’ to complete an e-visa application before flying into Tehran. It takes at least 48 hours to be approved, and then you print off the form and show this to the visa officer.

We did not do our e-visa, and had no problems. The officer did ask if we already had it, and when we said no he just asked us to get in line.

Supposedly if you already have your e-visa it can speed up the process, so it doesn’t hurt completing the form – but don’t stress if you forget like us.

Click here to go to the Iran e-visa application website .

The Process To Apply For Your Iran Visa On Arrival In Tehran Airport

Once you get off the flight you will walk down the hallway and come across the visa section directly in front of you in the main hall.

Walk up to the officer (there was one standing outside the window) and wait behind the ropes. You will be asked where you are from, whether you already have your visa or if you have an e-visa. Answer his or or her questions with a smile. For us we had none of these, and said we wanted a visa on arrival.

You will be handed a small form to complete basic information (names, passport number, address in Iran, occupation etc) and another piece of paper with your visa cost. For us it was only necessary to complete one person’s details on the form for both travellers.

Once you have this walk to the next window with the sign saying ‘bank’ on it. Wait in line and when it comes to your turn hand over the form and piece of paper with the price on it.

Pay your visa fee in cash (Euros or USD only, but the fees were quoted in Euro) then collect your receipt from the cashier.

Walk back to the original visa window and get in line with all your paperwork. Once you reach the front hand it over along with your passport and the officer will put it on a pile with many other passports before handing it through to the officers behind the window. Now you wait.

When your passport is ready your name will be called out. Head back to the officer and collect your passport, freshly decorated with a shiny Iranian visa.

IMPORTANT – Check the visa carefully for details and dates. If there is an issue (such as only being granted 15 days instead of 30 days) this is the only place you can fix it.

It took us about an hour of waiting to get our passports back, although we saw another person who had been waiting over three hours to get theirs. All you can do is be patient.

With your Iran visa on arrival now secured go through customs (where you will probably be greeted with a very warm “welcome to Iran”), then carry through to collect your bags.

Congratulations, you are now in Iran!

How Much Does The Visa On Arrival For Iran Cost?

For all nationalities eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Iran, the cost is currently 75 Euros.

The only exception is for Australians. The cost for an Iran visa on arrival for Australian citizens is currently 145 Euros.

At the moment all passport holders from the USA, Canada and the UK must be accompanied by a licensed guide for all travels in Iran.

This essentially means that unless you hire your own private guide for your entire duration of your visit, you must join an organised tour.

Citizens from these countries may be able to apply for a visa on arrival, as long as they have an authorised letter saying they will be on tour, and their guide is waiting for them in the airport.

However we strongly suggest you have your visa already before travelling to Iran. The man who was waiting over three hours for his visa on arrival when we were in the airport was from the USA, and we can only imagine his delay was due to the officers calling a tour company to confirm he was actually booked on a trip.

IMPORTANT – If you are from the USA, Canada or the UK you must be on an organised, licensed tour to visit Iran, and they will assist with your visa application.

Your visa on arrival for Iran now lasts for 30 days, and can be extended for another 30 days at an immigration office around the country.

Extending your visa is actually easier in smaller cities, so avoid Tehran, Esfahan and Mashad and instead look for immigration offices in other destinations.

The Lonely Planet Iran guidebook has good information on where you can extend your visa.

At the moment you can only apply for your Iran visa on arrival at the following international airports:

Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport
Tehran Mehrabad Airport

You cannot apply for a visa on arrival at land borders, so if you’re planning on overlanding into Iran you’ll need to get your visa before visiting.

IMPORTANT – Check the latest information from the Iranian embassy in your home country to see if things have changed.

And that’s it for our guide on how to get an Iran visa on arrival. Leave a comment below if you have found this article useful, or if you have any personal experience of your own. Happy travels!

Visa On Arrival In Iran Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque

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How to Get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)

I have a lot of countries that I’d love to visit, but there’s one thing that keeps putting my plans off – visas. Some visas are quite difficult to obtain and require a lot of documents.

Some even require you to send your passport to the Embassy which means that you can’t travel while waiting for a visa. And for a person constantly moving like me, it’s quite difficult.

Thankfully, that’s not the case with Iran as you can Iran visa on arrival for tourist purposes, at least if you’re an EU passport holder. Especially if you’re traveling to Iran as a solo female traveler, visa on arrival is easier to obtain than at the Embassy at some countries.

How to Get Iran Visa on Arrival

Visas on arrival for any country can often be problematic. The most popular reason why a lot of people don’t like visas on arrival is that they’re afraid that they might not be granted a visa. But even with a visa, an immigration office might refuse you to enter the country (even in the US), so I’d say don’t worry. Iranian visa on arrival is one of the easiest.

Another reason is that airlines need to put a disclaimer that they might refuse boarding to any person without a valid visa, even if you can obtain it on arrival. Don’t worry about that too. I was asked if I had a visa for Iran in my passport, but when I told the airlines representative that I’ll get it upon arrival, no additional questions were asked.

Iran visa on arrival (VOA) or Iran airport visa, refers to that kind of Iran tourist visa received by eligible nationals traveling to Iran for tourist purposes. Diplomatic passport, official passports, etc. cannot apply for this type of Iran visa.

Visa on arrival can be issued at major international airports in Iran. You cannot get this visa on the land borders. List of airports where you can get Iran visa on arrival:

IKA: Imam Khomeini Airport
TEH: Tehran Mehrabad Airport
SYZ: Shiraz International Airport
MHD: Mashhad International Airport
TBZ: Tabriz International Airport
ISF: Isfahan International Airport
KIH: Kish International Airport

Iran visa on arrival is valid for 30 days since January 2017. It used to be only 14 days, and some airlines are still misinformed claiming it’s only 14. Some airline representatives might be trying to tell you that your return ticket must be within 14 days like it happened in my case. Tell them it’s not true and not to worry.

Visa on arrival can only be extended if the Iranian Foreign Affairs Office finds it necessary. In that case, usually a maximum 14 days extension is possible and it’s not an easy process. If you’re planning on staying longer than 30 days, make sure to get your Iran visa at the Embassy instead.

IMPORTANT: Visa on arrival doesn’t mean that it’s a visa-free country. Iranian visa isn’t just a quick stamp in your passport, like in for instance Japan. In order to get this visa you still need to have the necessary documents.

Who Can Get Iran Visa on Arrival?

Countries whose Nationals Do NOT NEED a Visa to Iran:

Armenia (90 Days), Azerbaijan (30 Days), Bolivia (30 Days), Egypt (20 Days), Georgia (45 Days), Lebanon (30 Days), Malaysia (15 Days), Serbia (30 Days), Turkey (90 Days), Venezuela (15 Days).

Countries whose Nationals CAN Apply for the Iranian Visa on Arrival:

Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China (People’s Republic), Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea. Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

Countries whose Nationals CANNOT Apply for Iran Visa on Arrival:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

American, British and Canadian passport holders also cannot get a visa on arrival. Citizens of these countries also can’t ‘just go’ to Iran and are only allowed in when on an organized tour with a guide.

If you’re illegible to travel on your own, you can consider taking the Discover Persia 14-day G Adventures tour, which I’ve heard good things about. The tour doesn’t chaperon you 24/7 and you’ll have some free time, so even if you’re not a group trip person, you’ll be fine. Click here for the latest Discover Persia tour prices and itinerary .

Another option would be Iran tours from Intrepid. They have a few options available, so check the latest dates and prices here .

Iranian Visa for US Citizens

If you’re a US citizen or resident I suggest contacting HQ Visa service . They’re the best and quickest when it comes to arranging visas online, not only to Iran.

Regardless of the nationality , you cannot have an Israeli stamp in your passport. And while Israel doesn’t stamp passports anymore, you also can’t have any evidence of entry in Israel. For example, an Egyptian stamp at the border city of Taba could result in denied entry.

Requirements for Iran Visa on Arrival

Official documents required to obtain an Iran visa on arrival are:

A valid passport with at least 6 months validity
A confirmed return ticket within a 30-day timeframe
A photo to be attached to the Iran visa application form
Visa stamp fee, which is payable to the Iran Visa & Passport Office at the airport. Iran airport visa fee depends on the applicant’s nationality.
An invitation letter or hotel reservation voucher. The invitation letter has to be sent from the Iranian travel agency to Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 48 hours before your arrival to Iran airport.
Not officially listed, but mandatory: travel insurance valid for Iran. Printed.
(OPTIONAL) Online visa application form with an authorization number.

Let me explain these points to you in detail:

1 & 2 – pretty self-explanatory.

3 – When I went to Iran I read that you’re required to have a photo with you. Women should follow Iran’s official Islamic dress code and wear a headscarf in their picture. While I had a photo with me, no one asked me about it at any point and instead, they used a photo from my passport.

4 – It’s a fee that you need to pay at the cashier upon arrival. I read that it should be paid in USD, but since Trump’s travel ban no one wants dollars in Iran anymore. While it’s still acceptable, it’s better to bring Euros. My visa was 75 euros, but it costs double – 145 for Australians.

5 – Regardless whether you have an itinerary and pre-booked every hotel or not, you must have confirmation at least your first night. I booked accommodation for the first 2 nights online and received an email from them stating that I’m staying with them (below):

However, I was just required to put the address of my accommodation. No one has asked me to show this email, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

6 – You won’t be granted a visa without valid travel insurance. And in case you’re wondering EU insurance cards won’t work in this case, as they do check whether your policy is actually valid for Iran. While I normally recommend World Nomads or First Allied , they no longer cover Iran.

The only insurance that’s valid for Iran is 1st Quest .

UPDATE ABOUT E-Visa Application (7):

Filling an e-visa application online is NOT necessary, but it might speed up your process upon arrival. How to apply for an Iranian visa is completely up to you.

If you are a planner type then definitely go with E-Visa procedure. It’s fairly simple and time-saving and lots of different agencies in Iran and also Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs offer this service on their websites.

The procedure is simple, this is what you need to do :

Fill out the online application form
Wait for the application receipt confirmation and application fee payment instructions.
Pay the service fee.
You will receive the visa authorization code after the application is processed.
Refer to the Iranian consulate you have selected and collect your visa.

Pro-Tip: You can get 1st Quest to get it done for you, together with travel insurance as well. My readers have reported that if they randomly get rejected for the E-Visa they reapplied through 1st Quest and got their code within 2 days.

Other Important Info

Journalists and reporters on a mission cannot get Iran visa on arrival. If you’re a blogger, it’s a gray area. I put ‘online marketing’ as a job and didn’t have any problems.

While you can enter the US with an Iranian stamp in your passport, but you won’t be eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program.

This means that you’ll have to apply in person for a tourist visa next time you want to visit the States. But fear not, before I became a US resident I had a tourist visa for the US. Thanks to that, I was actually allowed to stay in the country up to 180 days, unlike people on visa waiver only 90 days.

Voila! Now you’re ready to go to Iran. Read up on safety in Iran and enjoy it, as it’s a beautiful country. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to post your comment below!

Want to read more about Iran? Check out my ultimate guide to Iran page.

How to get a visa for Iran – Ultimate guide 2024

By Joan Torres 84 Comments Last updated on April 1, 2024

Important update: The visa on arrival for Iran has always been – and still is – available but, since summer 2022, some airlines (only some) have denied access onboard to passengers without a valid visa. This means that you should try to get your visa in advance.

Getting an Iran tourist visa might sound a bit complicated and overwhelming to some travelers, as there are many variables and a couple of exceptions to take into account.

However, the Government is also trying to make the Iran visa policy easier and facilitate the process for many nationalities.

This is the ultimate guide to getting a visa for Iran, where you will find all the latest updated information.

In this Iranian visa guide you will find:

Table of Contents

Who is eligible for a free visa

Iran visa on arrival (VOA)

When to apply in advance
How to apply for a visa in advance
Visa duration
Visa extension
Visa for American, UK and Canadians
More Information

How to book hotels, flights and tours in Iran

Because of the sanctions, foreign cards or popular sites such as booking.com can’t be used in Iran, but now you can thanks to 1stQuest .

1stQuest is a local company that offers services such as visa LOI, hotel booking, tours, domestic flights, and travel insurance for Iran.

5% discount on ALL bookings with voucher code:

Who can apply for a free Iran tourist visa?

Most likely, you can’t enter Iran on a free visa because only 8 countries are eligible for that. These lucky countries are:

Armenia, Azerbaijan , Bolivia, Georgia , Malaysia, Syria , Turkey, Venezuela

If you don’t hold a passport from any of the above countries, you must pay for your visa.

If you enter via Kish Island, all nationalities who are eligible for a VOA, can get a 14-day free Iran tourist visa if they remain in Kish. You may think: who the hell wants to travel to Iran to just remain in Kish? Well, the truth is that many European expats living in Dubai or Doha fly out to Kish to spend the weekend there.

VERY IMPORTANT – UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022

While getting a visa on arrival at the airport in Tehran is still possible, new travel reports (2022) have suggested that some airlines might require it so, otherwise, they won’t let you on board. This has come as a really big surprise for many travelers, especially because technically, you can still purchase your visa upon arrival in Iran. My recommendation: Do get your visa in advance. Keep reading to learn more.

Except for citizens of:

Canada, UK, US, Afghanistan , Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Iraq , Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan , Somalia and Sri Lanka

Everybody can get an Iran visa on arrival at several international airports in Iran, as long as your airline allows you to get on board.

Important! Of course, citizens of Israel can’t enter Iran.

According to MFA, if there is any evidence on your passport, your visa will be granted as long your last visit to Israel was more than six months ago.

However, I would not rely 100% on it so, if you have any evidence, I would recommend renewing your passport.

For more information, read: Avoid Israeli passport stamps – FAQ

Update – Iran isn’t stamping passports anymore. Instead, they give you a separate piece of paper. However, remember that, if you decide to do an Iran visa extension, you will get a full-page stamp.

Which airports are eligible for an Iran tourist visa on arrival?

Tehran , Shiraz , Esfahan, Qeshm & Kish Island, Mashhad, and Tabriz

Iran travel visa requirements – VOA

Hotel reservation – You need to bring your hotel reservation printed out for your first night in Iran at least. If you are staying with a friend, make sure to have their contact details.

Your host contact – Have in hand your host contact details, whether it is a hotel or a friend. If they can’t contact them, you may have to wait at the airport for a very long time.

Cash, preferably in € – You must pay your visa in cash.

Travel Insurance – All travelers must have valid travel insurance for Iran. If you do have it, you should bring any documents which prove it.

If you don’t, they will make you buy it at the airport and these are the approximate prices:

1 to 31 days: 14€
32 to 45 days: 23€
46 to 62 days: 28€
63 to 92 days: 34€

However, the insurance you buy at the airport has very limited coverage, so coming with proper insurance is a must.

Iranian visa fee

It depends on your nationality but, typically, all passports pay around 75€.

Australians pay 140€

In Iran, many websites are blocked, so you will need a VPN to access them. Read how to find the right VPN for Iran

When you need to apply for an Iran tourist visa in advance

If you can get a visa on arrival, why should you get it in advance?

There are some exceptions:

1 – You enter Iran overland

If are coming from Afghanistan, Iraq , Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan , Pakistan or Turkey, you must apply for your visa in advance.

Apparently, a VOA is available at the Armenian border but there are some reports of people who tried to cross there recently, who failed to get a visa, so don’t rely 100% on it.

2 – You don’t want to wait at the airport for several hours

If you already have your visa, you can enter the country immediately. However, the VOA process takes around 2 or 3 hours and, in some cases, me for example, it may take up to 6 hours.

Reasons for waiting hours vary but, in my case, it was because I didn’t have a return flight ticket, said that I planned to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan afterward and had a brand-new passport. They found me a bit suspicious.

3 – To secure your visa

There are some reports from travelers who claimed that their VOA was not granted because they didn’t have a return flight ticket or because the authorities could not contact their host or any other excuse.

The percentage of people in this situation is very low but still, there might be some small risk.

If you want to make sure, get your visa in advance.

4 – You are an American, British or Canadian citizen

Like I said before, these three nationalities are not eligible for a VOA, so you will have to arrange your visa via a tour company.

How to apply for an Iran tourist visa in advance

It’s mandatory to have travel insurance to get your visa on arrival in Iran. Because of the sanctions, most insurance companies don’t provide coverage for Iran, but IATI Insurance does. Get your exclusive 5% discount if purchasing via this link .

In order to get your Iran visit visa in advance, you will have to first get a code which, basically, is a letter of invitation from a tour operator.

Once you have this code, you will be able to collect your visa at any embassy or at any airport.

How to get your Iran visa code?

As you may imagine, there are quite a few companies that can provide this code.

I strongly recommend 1stQuest . Why?

Basically, because they offer the lowest rate, their system is easy, fast and they are very responsive.

A few things you should know regarding the Iran visa code:

The code is valid for one month – Which means that you need to collect your visa within a month.
Iran visa code cost – It costs 29€.
Timing – Since very recently, it only takes 1 to 3 working days.
You are planning to enter Iran overland – You will have to pick up your visa at the embassy and you will have to mention which embassy at the application, as 1stQuest will send the code to them.
You are flying in Iran – You need to tell which airport, so you will just have to collect, very quickly, your visa once you arrive at the airport.

Moreover, the readers of this blog can use my discount code to get an exclusive 5% discount which can be used for all the services of 1stQuest, not only for your visa but for travel insurance, hotel bookings, flights and tours.

My voucher code: ATC-QST

How to pick up your Iranian visa at the embassy

Only needed if you are entering Iran overland. Otherwise, you can collect directly at the airport and avoid all the waiting time.

Once you get the code, you can pick up your visa.

Since I was in Tajikistan, after traveling the Pamir Highway and the Wakhan Valley , I decided to pick it up in Dushanbe.

However, regardless of the embassy, your first step will be to verify that your code has arrived at the embassy.

For this, the agency will give you a tracking number which you need to show at the embassy. However, you could actually call them and there’s no need to go to the embassy.

I still went to the embassy but only because it was really close to my hostel. Either way, you will have to wait for one day until they check that the code has arrived.

Iran travel visa requirements – Needed documents to apply for your Iran visa at the embassy

Passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity
Passport copy
2 passport photos
Visa application form – To be collected and filled at the embassy

When you have all your documents, you can go to the embassy.

For EU nationalities, the price is 75€. An Australian friend paid 150€.

You will have to make the deposit at the Iranian bank and come back with your payslip. The bank is very close to the embassy and they guy will give you the address.

Once you show the payslip, you will have to leave your passport and come back on the next day (or the same afternoon) to collect your visa.

e-Visa for Iran

In 2017, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) launched a website where you can actually apply for your visa.

However, you need to know that this is not a regular e-visa portal but, in the unlikely case you managed to apply successfully, it just gives you the same code as 1stQuest does, which means that you still need to go to the embassy.

The only advantage of the e-visa is that it is a bit cheaper but the application process takes ages, plus in most cases it doesn’t work. Most travelers report that the visa verification remains as pending for weeks.

Remember that with my voucher code, you can get an additional 5% discount.

Duration of the Iranian visa

Normally, everybody traveling to Iran should be able to get a 30-day visa, regardless you enter via airport or overland.

Iran Visa Extensions

Extending your visa is very easy and feasible.

Typically, if you get a 1-month visa, you can extend it twice for 30 days. This means that you can travel in Iran for up to 90 days.

You can extend your visa at any Immigration Visa Office in any provincial capital. Yazd or Esfahan are very popular places to extend your visa among travelers.

I personally extended mine in Bandar Abbas, a southern city. Each office has its own rules but, in Bandar Abbas, they required a passport and visa copy and two passport photos. The one-month extension cost me 345,000IR and it took 24 hours to proceed.

Visa for Americans, UK and Canadian citizens

As you may know, the MFA requires Americans, British and Canadian nationals to make a tour from arrival to departure; essentially this means you need a guide at all times on a daily basis.

Citizens of these countries need to have a confirmed itinerary, which should be requested from a valid tour company. For this, they should send a passport copy, as well as passport photos to the tour operator.

Typically, getting the invitation letter takes around 30 working days.

It is highly recommended that these nationalities book their international flight ticket after receiving the LOI, as there have been several refusals.

More information for visiting Iran

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Iran .

As well as all our Iran articles:

Iran itinerary
Best Books about Iran
Travel insurance for Iran
VPN for Iran
Solo Female Travel Guide to Iran
Tehran Travel Guide
Qeshm Island Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Shiraz
A trip to the desert of the Kaluts
Trekking Guide to Zagros Mountains
Meeting the Qashqai People
Fars Province Travel Guide
Darband Travel Guide
Masouleh Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Golestan Province
Iran-Iraq border crossing
Is Iran Safe?
Best Hotels in Tehran

84 comments

Joan, in your advice on “How to get your Iran visa code+” you say … ” The Iranian Ministry of Tourism has launched a website where you can actually apply for this code, saving you from getting a letter of invitation. However, the website is not working properly and, apparently, nobody has been able to get it, including myself.” –

A question; on this website it gives an e.mail address for contacting them & I am interested to know whether you DID contact them mentioning their ‘website’ not working ?

In any case as a British citizen, along with Americans & Canadians, in theory we have to have not only an official ‘letter of invitation/visa code but can not go as independent travellers without an official guide & itinerary which it is necessary to produce when applying for the Visa Reference Number. Unlike EU, Australian & New Zealand nationals, whom can also now get Visas On Arrival !!!

As of 2016, for my last visit, and now preparing my next for Spring 2018, this still seems to be the case, at least, for Brits. However there is no mention of this on the website you posted http://e_visa.mfa.ir/en/ , which may only be for French nationals & those others as mentioned with telephone numbers for enquiries ! ??? Perhaps that’s why the website didn’t work for you ?

Hi Soko, thanks for your message! This post is aimed at people who can get their visa on arrival. Perhaps, I should specify that at the beginning of the article. For you guys, the process is significantly different and I don’t really know the rules.

As per the website, I tried to apply for my code and the application didn’t go through. I checked in a few forums, including Caravanistan, and apparently, nobody has ever been successful in applying for it. I will keep an eye on this, to see if they can fix it soon and will update the post accordingly. I am going back to Iran in March, so I’ll check the website again because I may enter overland. Cheers,

Thanks for your response Joan, and probably a good idea to mention the differences … for those Brits, Americans & Canadians who might be following your English blog ! Also I notice this Iranian website is new-ish/2017, and what with the fluidity of relations between Iran & other countries, could also explain why it doesn’t actually work …. as yet !

I appreciate your work, this is really very useful for those who are going to visit Iran. Thanks for sharing this post.

WOW!! An Iran visa looks great in Arabic font and this is really very useful for those who want to travel around.

“Arabic font”?

This post is very informative for Iran tourist visa but how do we get a work visa for Iran?

Note sure! I provide leisure travel information so can’t help you, sorry!

very helpful post

Hey there, I tried to apply for my code on http://evisa.mfa.ir/en/ and it was rejected after 30 days (automatically). I called the embassy, asking them wtf. He told me to make application again and call him back in 2 days. After 2 days he told me, he sent it to Iran and I should call him back in 2 weeks. I checked the application in 5 days and it was accepted so I called him again and he confirmed it. The next day I went to embassy (in Vienna) and got my visa. Paid 50€ (for 21 days) + 27€ to get it in the same day. I am from Slovakia.

Hi Peter, thanks for the heads-up man! I will update it accordingly, as soon as I get home! Cheers!

Thanks for the info. Just let me mention that World nomads does not seem to insure Iran (at least being a Spanish citizen)

Thanks for letting me know. Yeah, that was a huge mistake!

Hello! Thanks for all the informations! Just one question: Is with e-visa required an exit flight ticket? Because I would like to exit overland in Azerbaijan. Thank you

no, it’s. I also left overland and there was no problem. Cheers!

I really appreciate the sharing of information as an Iranian. I appreciate your work, this is really very useful for those who are going to visit Iran

Hi. I’m traveling to Iran in two days and was planning on getting my VOA at IKA (Uruguayan passport) but I filled out the e-visa form as it said it would speed up the process and last night I got a “visa rejected, apply through sponsor” message. Does this mean I cannot get a VOA anymore? Will I always be rejected? Or am I stuck with paying an agency? I would very much appreciate any Information you may have! Thanks!!

Hi Alejandra. E-visa form from which website? The official Iranian website doesn’t work very well and visas get often rejected or the system doesn’t work. That’s why you need to do it through 1stQuest, like I say somewhere in the article. Cheers.

I am an Indian passport holder and citizen of India.. I plan to enter Iran overland border by my self driven own car while coming from Turkeministan. Do I need a paper visa? Do I need to be a part of tour group of a tour agency for crossing overland border? Is it not possible for me to enter Iran as a solo traveler? Even if I get LOI from a tour agency still is this possible that i may be refused visa by Iranian embassy here in India?

Hi, I don’t know if there are especial restrictions to Indian citizens but, in any case, assuming there aren’t, all your questions are answered in the post. You can enter overland alone with you car and all you need is to get the visa beforehand, which you can do through 1stQuest: https://1stquest.com/visa#a_aid=joan&a_cid=11111111 and then present their authorization code in the embassy in India. You’ll be fine

Hi guys.i have some qsts.I’ve been applyed for a 3 month visa through http://evisa.mfa.ir/en/ 22 days ago,and still there is written waiting for verification.i contact embassy in my city they said my visa is rejected,but i didnt got any official email regarding this and the status on website diddnt change yet.what shall i do in this case? Thanks

The e-visa system is very unreliable and that’s why in the article I recommend you get the authorization code from 1stQuest and then go to your embassy. It is seriously much quicker, more effective and easier.

They still can help even do in system mention waiting for verification?

What? Sorry, I don’t understand your question

I mean,on the system of http://evisa.mfa.ir/en/ written till now-“waiting for verification”.they can help in this case?

They have nothing to do with this system. They just provide with the authorization code which is needed to pick up the at the embassy, regardless of your visa status. You are not the first person has some trouble and gets the visa rejected with the official e-visa system. It sucks and it’s still very buggy, so waiting for something to happen is not very recommended.

Thank u.i will try to contact the 1st qst

hi, Hope to see other travelers in Iran. A nice and complete article about my Country.

hi, I want to travel to Iran with a personal car, is a carnet du passage , and if he can get at the border? Thank you !!

You can enter Iran with your personal car, yes

I have applied using the online process and like other people over 2 weeks later no verification. I’m Irish but based in London and have repeatedly rang the London consulate with no one answering. I’ve emailed and got no reply. I went to First Quest but they no longer provide the service detailed above. Any suggestions??!?!?!? I could officially get a visa on arrival, but I don’t want to risk this or spend hours in the airport after overnight travel.

You can try to find another agency which does or go to the Consulate in person

They solved the issue and you can now get your visa code again with 1stQuest

Hello everybody, 1stQuest had suspended their visas services temporarily but they just emailed me saying that their service is finally back.

You can already apply for your visa code 🙂

hi Joan, regardin visa in advance… while fillin up the application form it asks to provide address in iran. 1st quest gives the info? thanks

Hey, it refers to the address of your hotel during the first few days of your stay in Iran, or anywhere where you will be staying. It is not a big deal

hi, i have a question about application form for visa in advance. is it a trouble to say you are unemployed? (box where it asks for business address) would it mean i have to provide some sort of proof i have enough cash for travel? and another one where it asks to give all countries visited in the past 10 years.. i mean come on.. what if there are a 100 of them. list them all? thanks, Jana

Hi Jana, if you say you are unemployed or a student, you don’t need to prove you have cash. Moreover, just list a bunch of countries, like 10, nobody is going to check. You could also list the ones have stamps in your passport

hi. sorry for 2 messages. thought it did not get send

Hi I have an indian friend who is working in dubai now and wants to travel to iran for few days before going to india to visit his family. On May 4th he applied for evisa, but still its saying waiting for verification. Finally we lost our hope. Then he got tickets for india for the end of the month. Now after reading these comments i found out that visa ll be rejected because the system is not working properly. If he goes to consulate in dubai, can he get visa soon?

the best you can do is apply for the 1stQuest code. You’ll get it in a few days

I currently live in Canada but have an Irish passport and will be flying to Tehran from Canada. Will I be treated as an Irish citizen and be able to get a visa on arrival? You mention in your blog people flying FROM the countries, as opposed to citizens.

Also, is the visa on arrival just a passport stamp or do you get the ID sticker as in the images above? I assume you get this with the advanced visa.

Hi there, I don’t know how this will work for you. If I was you, I would contact the embassy The visa in arrival is today provided in a separate piece of paper

Do you have any info pertaining to pilgrimage visas for Iran? Are there agencies that would help with this?

Hi Tamara, sorry but I only know about tourist visas

Dear Joan, thanks for all the effort to keep this information up to date. The visa lasts for 30 days, however do this 30 days start counting when collecting the visa in the embassy or is it possible to set a start date? Let’s say one month after collecting the visa? Or would it just start counting once entering Iran? Thanks, Florian

Hi Florian, if I am not mistaken, the Iranian visa is valid for 1 month within a 3-month period starting from the day you got it.

Cool, thanks!

As a Canadian with an authorization code/ Visa Grant Notice already issued, I now have to send my passport together with photo and money order to the ‘Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran’ at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC. Does anybody have information on how long a process this is as I’m only three weeks from departure?

for visa on arrival, i need the reservation of my first night in a hotel? is also posible the reservation of a hostel/guesthouse?

yes, budget hostels should work. Bring a hostel phone contact

Hallo ik heb nodig visa van Iran ik kom uit Afghanistan

Hi there, We are planning to travel to Iran in the coming week. We will arrive at IKA airport and do the VOA with the authorisation code from 1stquest. We are kiwis and travelling on New Zealand passports. Question 1: is it ok to have a forward airport ticket instead of a return ticket? Question 2: we have a Jordan entrance stamp in our passports but no exit stamp. Will this be a problem? Greatly appreciate your advise. Cheers Blair

Hi Blair, my responses 1 – They will not ask for your return ticket flight 2 – I also had it and had no issues. I don’t know whether it was because they didn’t see it or because they applied the rule that, if the stamp is more than 6 months old, doesn’t count

Hello Joan, thanks a lot for the great information you provide. Is it possible to get a 3 months visa with 1stquest letter of invitation? Thank you.

Hi there, it is better if you contact 1stQuest directly for this matter

I live in Bilbao-spain .So first should i go to the Iran`s embassy in Madrid or apply through 1stQuest to get the code ? Which one is easier and faster way? then should i have to go to the Iran`s embassy with all my documents AGAIN ? Actually i dont know what is the easiest and fastest way for me since i dont live in Madrid.

Hello, are you flying in? Because if you are flying in you don’t need to go to the embassy. You just get the code and then you skip the line.

Hey Joan, I’m a paisano and admire your work here. I think I got a lot of help from your site when I thought about visiting Iran so thanks so much!

I wanted to ask, how the heck did you manage to get your Iran visa on your passport, as in the full page awesome sticker? I asked for it in Iran like 20 times they wouldn’t give it or mark anything on it… Was very sad… there’s no trace there.. how did you get it?

Hi Daniel, that’s because the second time I visited Iran I applied for the visa at the embassy, as I was entering the country overland

Aaahh ok, then I’ll ask at the embassy. It’s real pity because I want that mark on my passport. Iran is amazing and I definitely want to go back. The country is huge and has so much to explore that you’d need at least 3 months to see it all. It is know however since a couple years back that the authorities are not stamping or leaving trace on your passport of your visit to Iran, on purpose, because of the problems the people would then have to access Israel or US, so they refuse to stamp your passport or put a sticker visa on it. I went last year in June 2019. Thanks Joan! I’ll ask at the embassy and hope that they say yes 😉

Hello, Is it possible now to get a e-visa for Iran or the country is still closed for foreigners? Thank you

How easy it is to get multiple entry visa. I will enter and exit Azeri border several times within 4 months period as a tourist.

Theres no mention about people who only have UN travel documents or alien passports. Are they able to travel and what diifficulties they might experience in visa process? Many Afghan refugees living in Europe have families in Iran which they like to visit but they do not have Afghan or any other national passports, so how they can travel there? Do You know the answer?

Hi, this post refers to tourist visa for Iran

Could anyone let us know if there’s anyway to get Iran visa now days as tourist visa is still unavailable ?

Hi there, No, unfortunately, they are still not issuing visas.

Hi! I’m travelling to Kish Island in 2 months to meet an Iranian friend. I’m travelling from England but I am American. Do I still need a tour guide? Because my friend will be with my British friend and I the entire time I don’t see a reason I’ll need a guide. My friend there is getting the hotels for us and everything as well. I just want to know what to expect when we arrive! Thanks so much.

yes, and your British friend will also require a tour-guide. UK, US and Canadian passport holders all require this.

Hi Joan, On Saturday March 26th, my girlfriend and I were denied boarding at Barcelona airport before travelling to Teheran because we had no e-visa. It seems that right now it is not possible to get a visa on arrival without the reference code of the e-visa. Regards.

Very sorry to hear this Ruben, I am going to investigate it further.

I’m a USC hoping to travel to Iran as a tourist. Where do I find and how do I choose one of these tour operators of which you speak? Which are the least expensive? Best (and in what way)? Do you recommend any? Thanks!

Hi Thanks for the info. Just wanted to point out the list of countries that can enter Iran without visa has been updated. Now there are 11 countries, adding Egypt, China and Lebanon.

Will the airline let you board if you have the code from 1st Quest?

If your airlines require you to have your visa in advance, the code from 1stQuest isn’t enough, but it’s your first step for getting your visa

which airlines will not allow you to board without a visa?

I don’t know, it could be any, it could keep changing all the time

When applying for the e-visa, do they give a whole page sticker in your passport or is the printed visa the actual visa?

Hello, nowadays, they aren’t stamping passports anymore, your printed visa is the visa.

I would like to visit my boyfriend in Iran this summer. I’m an American so I know I need to have a tour guide with me the whole time I’m there. But I wondered if there is anyway to get around this rule and go without a tour? Do you know if they are very strict with it? Thanks!

Hi Linda, I don’t know how you can get around it and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you since that’d be illegal in my opinion

Hello Juan, very informative blog.

I’m looking to travel from UAE to Bandar Abbas by boat, travelling up through Iran with my dog up to Turkey and back to the UK.

I understand I’ll need a tour guide, but travelling with a dog, I may not be able to leave him anywhere.

Would you have any info on the ease of travelling with pets through Iran and any issues that you may face?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Scott, I have never traveled with a pet, so I can’t really know the restrictions when staying in hotels, entering restaurants and stuff. What I know, however, is that in traditional areas from Muslim countries they don’t really like dogs to be inside buildings.

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Iran Visa on Arrival

Iran visa on arrival at tehran airport.

Planning your journey to Iran? Know that most travelers require a visa to enter the country unless they’re from a visa-exempt country or eligible for an visa on-arrival . Thankfully, the Iranian visa policy is crystal clear and easy to navigate. Here, we outline step-by-step guidance to help you get an Iran visa on arrival (VOA) at Tehran airport.

Covered Topics in this Post

Read more about Visa on Arrival at Tehran Airport here.

Note: Living in Tehran is not a travel agency and doesn’t take a commission on travel advice. Our advice is entirely impartial and free to access!

Necessary Documents for Visa on Arrival in Iran

Before embarking on your journey, ensure you have these essentials:

A passport with a validity of at least six months.
Travel insurance, which you can secure in advance or purchase at the airport.
Iran eVisa waiver acquired in advance free of cost online. Click here to start the process!

Remember, possessing these documents ensures a smooth VOA acquisition process at the Tehran airport.

Navigating Tehran Airport

As you disembark, follow the signposts marked ‘VISA’. Avoid the passport stamp area and head towards the visa area, identifiable by the signage ‘Welcome to Imam Khomeini Airport City’.

Process at the Visa Area

After receiving your visa grant, proceed directly to the designated window. Submit your passport and visa grant, then patiently wait for your visa paper. Once you have the visa paper, proceed to the bank counter to your left to settle the requisite fees. Costs will include the visa fee, which depends on your nationality. Typically, most European countries pay around 75 euros / 80 USD.

Upon payment, you’ll receive your passport with the visa stamp, enabling your travel into Iran. Ensure you return to the starting window with your new Iran tourist visa paper, bank payment receipt, and passport. Confirm everything is in order and seek permission to exit.

Visa on Arrival Rates for Various Countries

The visa on arrival rates vary from country to country. Here are a few examples:

New Zealand: 150 Euro
Australia: 145 Euro
Chile: 120 Euro
Serbia: 85 Euro
Philippines, Nigeria, Panama: 55 Euro
Ukraine, South Africa, Brazil: 80 Euro
Emirates, Uganda, Vietnam, Taiwan: 100 Euro
Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, Estonia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal, Czech, Denmark, Romania, Sweden, Swiss, France, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Netherlands, Greece, Thailand, Singapore, Oman, Qatar, Cuba, Malta: 75 Euro

Upon completion, return to the passport officer’s area and queue. Enjoy your stay in Iran!

Why Doesn’t Iran Stamp Passports Anymore?

To protect travelers from potential US sanction consequences, Iran has stopped stamping passports on entry. Instead, they issue a paper stamp or a digital entry record. Be aware of each country’s passport stamping policies you plan to visit.

About Iran eVisa

The Iran Electronic Visa Application (Iran eVisa) is an online system allowing travelers to apply for an eVisa waiver. Managed by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the eVisa can be obtained by completing an online form and supplying necessary details. Upon approval, you’ll receive an eVisa waiver via email, required upon entry into Iran.

Need to contact your embassy? Living in Tehran has the full list of embassy contact details for all embassies in Tehran .

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide to Getting an Iranian Visa on Arrival

Navigating the visa process can be overwhelming, but don’t fret. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to obtaining your Iranian visa on arrival at Tehran Airport:

Step 1: Pre-Travel Preparation

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months ahead of your travel dates. Obtain travel insurance in advance or plan to purchase it at the airport upon arrival.

You should also consider securing an Iran eVisa waiver online, free of charge, to streamline your process further.

Step 2: Arrival at Tehran Airport

As you disembark your flight, follow the signage marked “VISA” to direct you to the correct area. Avoid heading towards the passport stamp area, and instead, look for the sign “Welcome to Imam Khomeini Airport City” – this will lead you to the visa section.

Step 3: Visa Granting Procedure

Once you’re at the designated window, present your passport and approved visa grant. Wait for the visa paper to be issued – this will be the document allowing your entrance into Iran.

Step 4: Fee Payment

After acquiring your visa paper, approach the bank counter to the left to pay your visa fees. The fee will depend on your nationality; for example, most European countries pay 75 euros / 80 USD.

Step 5: Final Check

Return to the initial window with your new Iran tourist visa paper, bank payment receipt, and passport. Check everything is in order and ask if you can leave.

Navigating Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport

Welcome to tehran.

Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is the primary international airport serving Tehran, Iran. The airport is located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Tehran, near the localities of Robat-Karim and Eslamshahr.

Airport Amenities and Services

IKA is well-equipped with all the amenities and services one would expect from an international airport. You’ll find various eateries, duty-free shops, currency exchange kiosks, car rental services, and more within the terminal building. For added convenience, the airport also offers free Wi-Fi to passengers.

Transportation To and From the Airport

Transportation from the airport to Tehran city center is facilitated by taxis, shuttle buses, and a metro line. The Metro Line 1 conveniently connects the airport to Tehran city center and operates from around 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

Flights to Tehran

Tehran is a hub for many international airlines, connecting Iran with the rest of the world. Major airlines like Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates offer regular flights to and from Tehran. In addition, Iran Air, the national flag carrier, connects Tehran with various destinations worldwide.

For the best deals on flights to Tehran, it’s advisable to book well in advance, particularly if you plan to travel during peak seasons. Online travel agencies and comparison websites can help you find the best prices and most suitable flights for your journey.

Experiencing Tehran

Once you’ve arrived in Tehran, the city offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and culinary delights. From the sprawling bazaars to the stunning Golestan Palace, Tehran is a city full of life and vibrancy that will offer an unforgettable experience.

Traveling to Iran and navigating through Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport doesn’t need to be a daunting task. With proper planning and preparation, your travel experience can be smooth and enjoyable, setting the tone for the adventure that awaits in this historic and captivating city.

Traveling from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport to the City

Imam Khomeini International Airport is approximately 30 kilometers from the city center of Tehran. There are several ways to travel between the airport and the city. Here are the most common options:

Airport Taxi Services

After landing at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, you can easily find official airport taxis just outside the terminal . These taxis offer 24-hour service and can take you directly to your destination in the city. The ride to the city center usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Please note that rates may vary based on your destination and the time of day. Remember though, guys hanging around offering rides, they may be cheaper but are not insured to take passengers, SO AVOID.

Pre-booked Private Transfer

For a more convenient and hassle-free ride to the city, consider booking a private transfer service in advance. This service provides a personal driver who will wait for you at the airport and take you directly to your hotel or any other destination in Tehran. The price for this service varies depending on the company you choose, but it offers peace of mind, especially for first-time visitors.

Shuttle Bus

Another economical way to get to the city is via the shuttle bus service. The buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, departing from the airport to the city center every half an hour. The journey can take around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

If you’re traveling light and wish to experience local public transport, the Metro Line 1 is an excellent choice. The metro station is connected to the airport, and trains depart to the city center every hour. This option is the most cost-effective, but please note that the metro service operates from around 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

For those who prefer to drive themselves, various car rental services are available at the airport. You can rent a car directly upon arrival, but it is generally more convenient to reserve one in advance. Ensure you are familiar with the local traffic rules and regulations before deciding to drive in Tehran.

Stay at Tehran Airport

There are two international quality airports a short walk from the terminal. Read more here to book online .

In Conclusion

Obtaining an Iranian visa on arrival at Tehran airport is a relatively straightforward process. With the correct preparation and understanding of the procedure, you can ensure a smooth and efficient entry into Iran, ready to enjoy everything this fascinating country has to offer.

The eVisa waiver can also be done through the official online Iran Electronic Visa Application (Iran eVisa).

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A Complete Guide to Getting an Iran Tourist Visa in 2023

Visa in advance, visa on arrival, visa-free travel & free trade zones.

Traveling to Iran soon and need an Iran tourist visa ? I’m here to help you find your way through the whole process. To have the visa process going smoothly, you should know about the ways to apply for an Iranian visa, the rules that exist for getting one, the places you can pick up your visa, and of course the cost of Iran visa. For getting an Iran visa, your first step would be to apply for an e-visa in advance. What about visa-free travel to Iran or traveling to Iran free trade zones that don’t require a visa? Stay with me to find out all the details how to get an Iranian tourist visa .

*Note: This is a guide to get an Iranian tourist visa for all nationalities except for Americans, Canadians, and the British. You can find out more about the process of getting an Iran visa for these citizens, please check out the blog post we’ve dedicated to it.

How to Get an Iran Tourist Visa in Advance

Getting an Iran tourist visa in advance is a 2-step process. The first thing you need to do is get a visa application reference number (Iran visa reference number) and the second is to get the visa itself. But how can you get them?

A. Iran Visa Reference Number (Visa Application Reference Number)

To enter Iran, the first thing you need as a tourist is to get an Iran visa reference number from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After receiving the visa application reference number, you’ll have only one month to get your Iran tourist visa. To make sure you have your reference number in time, apply for it at least 10 days before your trip (and even much earlier if you are an American, British or Canadian citizen ). You can receive this code in 2 different ways:

Licensed Travel Agencies
Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website

1 . Getting a Visa Application Reference Number via a licensed travel agency

Want it to be hassle-free and uncomplicated? Then leave everything to our team at IranOnTour . Getting the Iran visa reference code through a licensed travel agency is much faster and because of the reliability they have, the chance to get rejected is lower. To get your Iran visa through us, complete the visa application form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

What you’ll need to apply for your visa:

Your filled-out visa application form
A copy of the first page of your passport
Your passport photo or a photo that meets Iran visa photo requirements (check if your photo meets the standards at https://evisatraveller.mfa.ir/en/request/image_tools/)

After receiving your email, we’ll send a request to the Embassy of Foreign Affairs and wait for verification from them. Depending on your nationality, the verification process can take from 2 to 10 days. The process might be even longer and unpredictable for American, British, and Canadian citizens. But don’t worry! Because we’re here to save you all the trouble and get a visa for you. In a hurry? Contact us to get express services.

Important Notes for Iran Tourist Visa Application:

An American , British , or Canadian citizen? You must also attach a detailed resumé of yourself.
A Bangladeshi , Afghan , Pakistani , or Sri Lankan citizen? You can’t apply for an Iran tourist visa via travel agencies. You can only apply by going to an Iranian embassy/consulate in the country of your residence.
Want us to get you a visa application reference number? Contact us for the fee.

2. How to Get Iran Visa Application Reference Number via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website

If you’d like to get Iran visa reference number on your own, you should apply online through the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://evisa.mfa.ir/en/ . After filling out the application form and sending the required documents, wait for your verification code in an email that will be sent to you. Yet, there is the possibility of rejection and a long delay. So, we recommend applying through a licensed travel agency.

B) Getting Iran Tourism Visa

After getting the Iran visa reference number, you just need to pick up your Iran tourist visa at one of these places:

1. Visa counters at Iranian International Airports and overland borders (Iran Visa on Arrival)

2. Embassies/consulates of the Islamic Republic of Iran in your own country

If you like to have your Iran tourist visa ready before your trip and pack for your trip with peace of mind, you’ll have to go to an Iranian consulate or embassy in your country and receive your visa. But since getting a visa from embassies and consulates might take longer, we recommend that you get it from the visa counters at Iranian International Airports. Why is that? Because some consulates might demand other requirements that might take you more time or confuse you. Plus, when you have your Iran visa reference number, it means that they’ve already approved your visa and you have nothing to worry about. All they need to do at the airport is to issue your visa.

Here are the requirements for getting your visa from an international airport or a consulate/embassy:

Your passport
Your Iran visa application reference number
Your travel insurance card

Important Note : For getting an Iran tourist visa, you’ll need Iran travel insurance. Although there are travel insurance counters at International airports, we recommend that you get it in advance. Because insurance counters might be closed at night, or you may have to wait in a long queue. You can find out more at our Iran Travel Insurance blog.

List of Iranian Airports that Issue Iran Visa on arrival (VOA)

I mam Khomeini International Airport
Mehrabad International Airport
Kish International Airport
Qeshm Dayretan International Airport
Chabahar International Airport
Bushehr Airport
Shiraz International Airport
Tabriz International Airport
Mashhad Hashemi Nejad International Airport

3140331 - A Complete Guide to Getting an Iran Tourist Visa in 2023

Iran Tourist Visa on Arrival, Imam Khomeini Airport (Tehrantimes.com)

Which Nationalities Can’t Get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA) & Have to Get Their Visa from an Iranian Embassy/Consulate?

Afghanistan
If you have Iraqi nationality, you can only get a VOA at Mashhad International Airport.
Visa on arrivals are only issued for tourists. So, if you need another type of Iranian visa, try the 2 other ways.

Visa-free Travel to Iran in 2023

According to some international agreements, citizens of some countries don’t need a visa to stay in Iran for a certain period. But keep in mind that these agreements are only valid if you enter Iran from the country of your nationality. If not, you’ll have to get a visa.

Here’s a list of all the nationalities that can travel to Iran visa-free and the maximum number of days they can stay:

Turkish (90 days)
Chinese (21 days)
Hong Konger (21 days)
Egyptian (20 days)
Macau (21 days)
Malaysian (15 days)
Azerbaijani (30 days)
Omani (30 days)
Armenian (90 days)
Georgian (45 days)
Lebanese (30 days)
Bolivian (30 days)
Venezuelan (15 days)
Syrian (90 days)

Iran Free Trade Zones

Iran operates a few free trade zones that don’t require a visa to enter. So, even if you don’t have an Iran tourist visa, you can stay up to 2 weeks in these regions. But if you decide to travel to other places in Iran from there, you’ll have to go to the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the region and get a visa. These free trade zones are:

Qeshm Island
Kish Island
Bandar Anzali
Chabahar Port
Arvand Trade Industrial Free Zone
Aras Trade Industrial Free Zone
Maku Trade Industrial Free Zone

American, Canadian, or British citizens have to have an approved guide beside them even during their trip to Iran’s free trade zones.

3404552 - A Complete Guide to Getting an Iran Tourist Visa in 2023

Kish Island, One of the Iran Visa-free Trade Zones (Tehrantimes.com)

Iran Visa Extension

If you are willing to extend your Iran tourist visa, it is much better to do it at least 3 days before your Iran visa is expired. The process of Iran visa extension is not so complicated. All you need to is going to an immigration and passport police office, and ask for your Iran Visa extension. The documents you’ll need for Iran visa extension are:

Two passport photos
Iran visa extension forms
Copies of your passport and Iranian visa
An entry stamp
Visa extension fee (350/000 IRR + 50/000 for a folder and photocopies) (the payment should be in cash to a “Melli Bank” and the payment receipt will be needed for your visa extension)

Please be noted that for ladies, the photos should be with hijab. Also, the process of visa extension may seem a little complicated without assistance from your tour guide or a local companion; so it is much better to extend your Iran visa with a tour guide, or a reliable local assistance who speaks your language and can function as your interpreter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can i get iran visa online.

Of course! This is actually the first step of the way. You can either apply for an Iranian tourist visa through the Iranian government’s e-visa website, or do it through a travel agency. The thing is that doing it directly through the e-visa website will probably take a longer time that doing it through a reliable agency. The risk of getting rejected will also be lower by application through an agency. The cost for visa application varies, but if you are traveling with us and you have a nationality except for American, British or Canadian, we offer you free visa application. A certain fee is added for the visa application for these specific nationalities.

What do I do after I receive my Iran visa grant notice?

After you receive a visa grant notice (or reference code) from the evisa or the agency, you are ready to go! Most nationalities can either get their visa at an Iranian International Airport on arrival or pick it up from an Iranian consulate/embassy at their country. But for some nationalities, only the second choice is possible. To find out if you are among these nationalities, you can read my Comprehensive Guide to Getting an Iran Visa.

How much should I pay for getting an Iran tourist visa?

For getting an Iran tourist visa at the airport, you’ll have to pay a fee in Euros and in cash. Iran visa fees are different for different nationalities (ranging between 10 to 150 Euros). You can’t use international debit cards and credit cards in Iran. So, you need to have cash for payments.

This fee does not include the fee you pay a travel agency for receiving a visa application reference code.

How long is an Iran tourist visa valid?

Your single-entry Iran tourist visa will be valid for 3 months from the issue date. Generally, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues visas for 15-day, 30-day, 60-day or 90-day stays. So, don’t apply for a visa before your travel plans are fixed.

How do I extend my Iran tourist visa?

If you like to stay in Iran more that your visa allows you, you’ll need to go to an Immigration and Passport Police Office in one of Iran’s major cities and extend your visa. The process might take from one to a few days. Your visa extension depends on your visa validity. So, if you have a 30-day visa, you can extend it for another 30 days. And if you have a 15-day visa, you can extend it for another 15 days. You can extend your visa to a maximum of 90 days. For extending your visa, you’ll have to go through a series of paperwork; a process that a travel agency can save you from.

Is Iran travel insurance mandatory?

For receiving an Iran tourist visa, covering yourself under travel insurance is a must. You can do it at an insurance counter at an Iranian international airport, get international insurance that covers Iran or ask us to get you an Iranian insurance card. At an Iranian International Airport, you’ll have to pay the insurance fee in cash. But we suggest covering yourself under Iranian insurance before your trip. The reason is that it might take a lot of your time, or that you might arrive at night when visa counters are closed. Plus, international insurances cost way more. Find out more at our Iran Travel Insurance blog.

Why apply for a visa in advance?

Because when you get your visa in advance, your entry to Iran is guaranteed. Plus, you can’t get a VOA if you are entering Iran overland. What else? Getting a VOA at the airport might take a lot of time or you might even be rejected and sent back to your country.

Why Apply for an Iran Visa Through IranOnTour?

Stress-free travel to Iran
Lower chance of getting rejected
Skipping the line of VOA and the paperwork of consulates
Receiving your verification code faster
Getting express services if you are in a hurry

Iran Visa Application, Contact Us

Want to apply through us? Contact us through website chat, WhatsApp, …

Keywords: extend Iran visa, how to get Iran visa, tourist visa Iran, Iran visit visa, Iran airport visa, Kish island visa, Iran visa process, Iran visa photo requirements, Iran visa fee, Iran visit visa requirements, visa on arrival Iran, evisa.mfa.ir

Zahra Soltani

Content manager, international relations manager.

To Zahra, introducing the beauties of Iran is a delight and an inherent mission! Beyond that, arts, culture, literature, mythology, and all the astonishing secrets of our marvelous universe set her soul on fire! This is what makes Zahra a filmophile, an insatiable reader, and a passionate writer.

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Iran Visa on Arrival at Tehran Airport

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Getting an Iran Visa on arrival at Tehran airport is very straightforward. Learn here how to get a VOA Iran step-by-step.

Everyone, before travel to Iran must acquire a visa from one of the Iranian embassies around the world unless they come from one of the visa-exempt nations or countries eligible for an Iranian visa at the airport. The Visa policy of Iran is very clear about it, and the whole process is relatively easy and straightforward to deal with.

Passport valid for at least six months;
Travel Insurance (made in advance through RJ Travel services or bought at the airport).
Iran eVisa waiver done in advance free of charge through RJ Travel services.

Note : In order to obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) at the airport in Iran, there are a few things you will need to have with you. Firstly, it is crucial to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months. This is a requirement for all travelers to Iran, regardless of their nationality or the purpose of their visit. Additionally, you will need to have travel insurance, which can be obtained in advance through RJ Travel services or purchased at the airport. Finally, you may want to consider obtaining an Iran eVisa waiver in advance, which can be done free of charge through RJ Travel services. Having these documents and items with you when you arrive at the airport will ensure that you can smoothly and efficiently obtain your VOA and begin your trip to Iran.

Iran visa form for visa on arrival at the airport

Visa Policy Information

Iran Visa on Arrival

When you get off the plane, follow the arrows that say VISA . There is a section that leads to the passport stamp area. Don’t go there. Look for the visa area under the letters “ Welcome to Imam Khomeini Airport City .” The entrance door is closed and opens automatically.

Tehran Airport eVisa Iran Area

What to do:

At RJ Travel Agency , we understand that obtaining a visa for Iran can be a bit of a hassle. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the process and make it as smooth as possible. After checking the current visa policy of Iran , make sure you follow these steps.

Once you’ve been granted a visa, you’ll need to take a few more steps before officially entering the country. We recommend heading straight to the designated window and handing over your passport and approved visa grant. After that, all you have to do is wait for your new visa paper to be issued.

Once you have your new visa paper, we suggest heading to the bank counter on the left to pay any necessary fees. This will include the cost of the visa itself. Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive your passport with the visa stamp, allowing you to travel to Iran without any problems.

At RJ Travel Agency, we’re committed to making sure your experience obtaining a visa for Iran is positive. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us .

The price of visa depends on nationality. Most European countries pay 75 euros / 80 USD.

Iran visa on arrival costs 75 euros + 3 USD bank commission (if you give 100 euros, they give change). The Iran visa on arrival fees is different depending on your passport. But usually, they are always based on the 75 Euro fee.

Return to the starting window with the new Iran tourist visa paper, bank payment receipt, and passport. Ask if everything is OK and if you can leave.

And it’s done.

Rates of visa on arrival for different countries:

New Zealand: 150 Euro
Australia: 145 Euro
Chile: 120 Euro
Serbia: 85 Euro
Armenia, Bahrain: 10 Euro
Philippines, Nigeria, Panama: 55 Euro
Nepal, Yemen: 40 Euro
Ukraine, South Africa, Brazil: 80 Euro
Tajikistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia: 30 Euro
Indonesia, Kirghizstan, Mexico, Venezuela: 45 Euro
Emirates, Uganda, Vietnam, Taiwan: 100 Euro
Russia, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Mongolia: 70 Euro
Japan, Turkmenistan, Cameron, Sri Lanka, Kuwait: 60 Euro
South Korea, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Paraguay: 50 Euro
Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, Estonia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal, Czech, Denmark, Romania, Sweden, Swiss, France, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Netherlands, Greece, Thailand, Singapore, Oman, Qatar, Cuba, Malta: 75 Euro

Congratulations !

Leave the area, return to the passport officer’s area, and wait in line. You see, Iran visa requirements have been made easy!

Iran no longer stamps passports on entry in response to USA sanctions on people who have visited Iran.

Why doesn’t Iran stamp passports anymore? In response to sanctions imposed by the United States on individuals who have visited Iran, the Iranian government has stopped stamping passports on entry into the country. This means travelers who enter Iran will no longer have a physical stamp on their passports to show they have visited the country. Instead, travelers will receive a paper stamp or a digital record of their entry into the country. This change was implemented to protect travelers from potential consequences related to the US sanctions. It is important to note that other countries may still stamp passports on entry or exit, and travelers should be aware of the passport stamping policies in any country they visit.

Iran Visa on Arrival Countries Map

The Iran Electronic Visa Application (Iran eVisa) is an online platform that allows travelers to apply for an eVisa waiver for entry into Iran. An eVisa waiver is an electronic version of a visa issued by the Government of Iran and allows travelers to enter the country for a specified period. The eVisa waiver can be obtained through the official online Iran eVisa platform, managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. To apply for an eVisa waiver, you must complete an online application form and provide certain information and documents, such as your passport details and a digital passport-sized photograph. Once your application has been approved, you will receive an eVisa waiver by email, which you will need to present at the point of entry into Iran.

The eVisa waiver can also be done through the official online Iran Electronic Visa Application (Iran eVisa).

Iranian tourist visa Q&A

How much does iran visa cost.

75 Euros is how much Iran visa costs. If you want to know how much is Iranian visa on arrival, you also need to know that there is a 3 USD processing feed to be paid extra. How much visa from UK to Iran is also the same price, although consider that UK, Canada, and USA passport holders need to get the visa in advance. The cost of your Iranian tourist visa will depend on your nationality, but generally, it goes from €70 to €150. Some examples of Iran visa fees for Russia, France, Spain, Poland, Germany, Italy, and Portugal are €75. For Australian passport holders is €145, and if you’re from Brazil, expect to pay €80.

What is the required passport validity to enter Iran?

All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months. If you are planning to visit Iran, it is essential to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months. This requirement applies to all visitors to the country, regardless of their nationality or the purpose of their visit. A passport meeting this requirement is necessary to be allowed entry into Iran. If your passport is set to expire in less than six months, you may need to renew it before you can travel to Iran. It is always a good idea to check the passport and visa requirements for any country you plan to visit in advance of your trip.

What is the length of Iran VOA?

The Iran visa on arrival VOA allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days. The visa on arrival (VOA) for Iran allows travelers to obtain a visa at the point of entry into the country. The VOA is valid for up to 30 days in Iran. It is important to note that the VOA is only available to citizens of certain countries and can only be used for a single entry into the country. If you plan to stay in Iran for a more extended period of time or if you need to leave and re-enter the country during your visit, you may need to apply for a different type of visa. It is always a good idea to check the visa requirements for any country you plan to visit in advance of your trip to ensure that you have the necessary documentation to enter and stay there.

Can the Iran visa on arrival be extended?

You can extend your stay in Iran for another 30 days. This process can be done twice, so you can stay a total of 90 days after extending your tourist visa. Extending your stay in Iran is possible if you have a visa on arrival (VOA). The VOA is initially valid for a stay of up to 30 days but can be extended for an additional 30 days. This process can be repeated once, allowing you to stay in the country for 90 days. If you need to stay in Iran for longer, you may need to apply for a different type of visa. It is important to note that the process for extending a VOA may vary depending on your location within the country and the specific circumstances of your visit.

Which countries can get an Iranian visa?

All the mentioned countries can get an Iranian visa on arrival: Albania, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, North Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

Can American travel to Iran?

A government-approved guide must escort US citizens at all times. Independent travel in Iran for Americans has been banned due to the closure of Iranian foreign missions in the US. The same applies to Canadian and British citizens.

All Iran authorization code applications must be accompanied by a detailed resume for U.S., Canadian, and British passport holders. This document must list the passenger’s education and career history – comparable to what you would prepare for a job application. Due to strengthened security standards, the passenger’s father’s name, job history, and social accounts are also demanded.

What is the price of an Iranian visa on arrival?

What you should know about when it comes to obtaining a visa on arrival (VOA) for Iran, it’s important to know that the cost typically comes out to 75 euros plus a 3 USD bank commission. These fees may vary depending on your passport. If you’re planning on paying with a larger amount, like 100 euros, it’s likely that you’ll receive change. But keep in mind that the fees for the VOA are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the current cost before you book an Iran tour. It’s also worth noting that VOAs are only available to citizens of certain countries and they’re only good for a single entry into the country. So, if you’re planning on staying in Iran for an extended period of time or if you need to leave and re-enter the country during your visit, you may need to apply for a different type of visa. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you and guide you through this process and find the right visa for your trip.

At RJ Travel Agency, we understand that obtaining an Iran visa can be tricky, and we want to do our best to help you navigate the process. This guide is intended to provide you with general information about visa requirements for Iran. Still, please keep in mind that the information provided may not be exhaustive and can be subject to change at any time without notice. As an adventure tour operator , we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this document or any changes to visa requirements that may occur after the document is published. It is ultimately the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that they have the correct and up-to-date information about visa requirements for Iran and to follow the necessary steps to obtain the appropriate visa for their trip. We want to make sure your travel experience is a positive one. Still, please understand that we cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from this document or the traveler’s reliance on the information contained within it. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at RJ Travel Agency. We’re here to help make your trip to Iran as smooth as possible.

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How To Get Iran Tourist Visa? (Iran Visa)

Published on February 9, 2022

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If you like to get Iran Visa, apply now and fill out our Iran visa application form.

So, there is some required information for every traveler going to visit Iran. Things like what are Iran visa requirements, how much is Iran visa fee and travel insurance for Iran visa, what are the conditions for Iran visa on arrival and else. Here, in IranAmaze Iran travel agency, we listed important Iran visa information you would need. Following these important steps will guarantee your success in line with Iran visa policies.

Ready for your next adventure?

Who Needs Iran Visit Visa?

Recently, the authorities are trying to facilitate getting an Iranian visa. So more nationalities are exempt from Iran visit visas. Also, more zones are eligible for visa-free traveling. Here is the list:

Which Countries Do Not Need Visa For Iran?

1. Citizens of 11 countries can travel to Iran without a visa. These Iran visa-free countries are (the 2019 update):

2. Citizens of all countries (except Israel) can enter all free zones with a 14-day free Iran visa on arrival (VOA). They are:

Kish Island
Qeshm Island
Bandar Anzali

3. Iranian who didn’t renounce their Iranian citizenship (they have an Iranian passport) can enter Iran without a visa.

What are Iran visa types?

Likely, you can’t enter Iran without a visa. So you need Iran visit visa. Iran visa types are:

Business visa
Transit visa
Tourist visa
Visa on arrival
Pilgrimage visa
Education visa
Temporary Work visa
Investment visa
Marital visa
Medical visa

If you are going to visit Iran, the best option is Iran tourist visa. But how you can get Iran visit visa? Now you have two different ways:

Two Methods of Getting Tourist Visa

1. Get a visa in advance: You can go to Iran consulate in your city and ask Iran tourist visa.

2. Get on arrival visa (VOA): You can acquire your visa at Iran international airports. (except 11 countries

Both types have their pros and cons. We’ll get into the necessary details about these types. Notice that Iran tourist visa validity is 30 days and can be extended another 30 days.

How to Get Iran Travel Visa in Advance?

In this type, a traveler must apply for a visa before traveling to Iran. They have to go to Iran consular office or embassy in his/her country. A tourist can apply for a visa in person or through a travel agency. Here we discuss the details.

Less risk: It’s less likely that your visa application gets denied. There are several reports from travelers who applied in person that their visa was rejected.

More time saving: If you get already your visa, at the airport you can enter the country immediately. In some cases, the VOA process takes several hours.

How to get Iran in advance visa through a host or travel agency?

To get in advance visa, you need to follow these steps:

1. Choose a travel agency or tour operator . Firstly, you need to choose a travel agency to start this process. Our agency, IranAmaze, has prepared Iran visa service for you. So you can fill out our Iran visa application form. You should answer all questions accurately and completely. You need to have several things prepared before starting the process. These are the necessary items:

A digital image of the first page of your passport. This copy is required to be:

In JPEG or PDF format
Less than 500 KB
Clear and readable
In a rectangular aspect ratio

It’s needless to say, having a passport with at least 6 months’ validity and 2 blank pages are necessary.

A personal digital photo. This photo is required to be:

In JPEG or JPG format
Taken within last month
Taken in front of a white background
The photo must be full-face, with open eyes, without eyeglasses or a hat

2. Visa service fee : you should pay this charge to the agency that applies visa for you. Iran visa service fee for travelers who take Iran tours with IranAmaze is free. However, you can get a visa without taking tours. If you don’t want a tour, the Iran visa service fee is 19-30 euros depending on trip duration.

3. Iran visa authorization code : Iran visa code that is also known as “reference code” or “Iran visa grant notice”, is a necessary code for getting the visa. It takes about 2-10 working days. For US, UK, and CA citizens, it takes about two months.

4. Collect visa : once you received the Iran visa authorization code, you can choose to pick up your visa at Iran embassies or consulates or airports. You can collect it in any country of your choice. Just mention it in your form.

You can collect your visa at:

Iran embassy/consulate. If there is an Iran embassy in your country , you can choose it. It’s not necessary to collect the visa in person. You can post your documents and wait for the result.
Iran international airports. If your country isn’t on the above list, likely, Iran doesn’t have an embassy/consulate over there. So you can collect your visa at Iran airports. But notice citizens of some countries cannot collect their visa at Iran airports. More information is in the “getting VOA” topic. Here, you have to choose Iran embassy/consulate in nearby countries.

Collecting visa at Iran airports: You can collect your visa at these airports:

Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA)
Tehran Mehrabad Airport (THE)
Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
Tabriz International Airport (TBZ)

Necessary documents for collecting visa:

whether you collect your visa at Iran airports or an embassy, these documents are needed:

Iran visa authorization code
A passport with at least 6 months validity
A copy of your passport
Iran travel insurance: Without Iran travel insurance, you can’t collect your visa from Iran embassy/consulate or visa office at the airport. Pay attention that Iran is clearly mentioned in the insurance. Some companies mention “Asia” or “Middle East”, but it’s not enough for the officer. In other words, just “Iran” is acceptable. Travel insurance fee depends on your nationality and how many days you want to stay in Iran. It’s about 10-15 Euros.
Iran visa fee: it depends on your nationality. You should pay something between 30 to 145 euros.

Either you pick up your visa at the embassy or airport, all ORIGINAL documents are needed.

How long does it take to get my visa after collecting my documents? It takes 2-3 days, but in some cases, it took 2-3 weeks.

How to get Iran in advance visa in person?

It’s very similar to getting Iran tourist visa through an agency. But there are some important differences:

The process is the same, but you fill out the Iran visa application form from MFA website in person. You should wait for the Iran visa code.
It takes at least 2-3 weeks to get the code. But through a travel agency, it was about 2-10 days.
Recently, there are several reports from travelers who applied in person, and they are refused. Authorities told to choose a travel agency in Iran for applying for the visa and getting the code.
If you choose to get your visa in person, expect at least 6 weeks as the wait time to get your visa.
The only benefit is a free visa service fee. It’s about 20 euros that you don’t pay to Iran travel agency. In conclusion, it’s a high-risk choice, and we don’t suggest it.

How to Get Iran Travel Visa on Arrival ?

Diplomatic ties between different countries have a substantial impact on visa application conditions. In the last topic, we discussed getting visa in advance. But many nationalities can get their visa at airports. This visa is called an Iran travel visa on arrival or VOA. This type of visa is attractive because you can get your visa without the usual hassles of booking visa appointment. Also, this type is suitable for travelers who decide to visit Iran suddenly. The validity of an Iran travel visa on arrival is 14-30 days, and you can extend it for 14 days.

1. You can’t rely on it 100%. Maybe you would be rejected at Iran airport so you will lose your flight money.

2.Waiting at airports can be another good reason to apply for the visa in advance.

Which airports are qualified for an Iran travel visa on arrival?

We recommend choosing Imam Khomeini Airport for getting VOA.

Which countries cannot get Iran travel visa on arrival?

Afghanistan

Iraqis can get VOA only at Mashhad airport.

What are the Iran visa requirements for Iran travel visa on arrival?

If you didn’t apply beforehand and you don’t have an Iran visa authorization code, you need:

Your passport with at least 6 months validity
A personal photo. It’s attached to the visa form application .
Return flight ticket within the next 30 days
Hotel or hostel reservation voucher. Take care to have your hotel/hostel contact. Consulate officers may call the hotel.
Iran travel insurance: Iran must be mentioned clearly in the insurance. “Asia” or even “Middle East” is not acceptable. If you don’t have Iran travel insurance, you can purchase it at the airport. It costs about 15 euros.
Iran visa fee: you have to pay it at the airport. It depends on your country, and it’s 30-145 euros.
Travel itinerary: it’s better to have a printout of your travel itinerary. The officer can check the detailed plan and your destinations. So it can reduce the risk of rejection.

How Can You Extend Your Iran Visa?

Generally, Iran tourist visa validity is 30 days and can be extended another 30 days. But, if you have VOA, the validity is 14-30 days, and you can extend it for 14 days. For this, you should start a couple of days before your visa expiration. All Immigration offices in the main cities are ready to submit your visa extension request. You must explain the reason for this extension and fill some forms. Then, attach copies of your passport and your passport-sized photos to the forms.

How Much Is Iran Visa Fee?

You pay the fee to the Iran embassy. It depends on your nationality, but it would range from 30-145 euros. In this table, we listed the details:

If you want to get in advance visa through an Iranian travel agency, you need to pay the “visa service fee” to the agency. It is about 20 euros. The charge of Iran visa for US citizens, UK citizens, and Canadian citizens is about 100 euros.

As we told, if you take IranAmaze Iran tour packages, Iran visa service fee is free.

How long is an Iran tour visa valid?

For VOA it’s from 14 to 30 days. For in advance visa, the maximum days you can spend in Iran is 30 days.

Can I extend my Iran tourist visa?

Yes, it’s pretty easy. You can extend your tourist visa for another 30 days. But it’s hard to extend it again, up to 90 days. If you have a 15-day VOA, you can extend it to 30 days. But it’s a little bit difficult. You can extend your visa in Tehran and almost all major cities.

If I travel to Iran, is there any problem to enter the USA?

No, you can enter Iran without a Iran passport stamp . So there is no evidence of your travel to Iran.

Why is an Iran visa application rejected?

Rejection process isn’t evident. But recent reports confirm the following circumstances may affect visa application:

No Israelis are allowed to enter Iran. In addition, any traveler who has ever visited Israel possibly can’t get an Iranian visa.
Business visa application is denied, and after that, you apply for a tourist visa. It’s likely your tourist visa will be rejected.
If you’re a political activist against Iran in times past.

You must follow the visa rules. Prepare all Iran visa requirements and fill out the application form carefully and honestly. You have to explain the purpose of travel and your itinerary should prove your claim. Invalid Iran visa grant notice can be a reason for Iran visa denial.

Can American, British and Canadian travel to Iran?

Yes. But, American, British, and Canadian cannot get VOA. Besides, take care American, Canadian and British visa holders must apply through an Iranian travel agency and the process will be longer. It’s better to mention that Iran is safe . And all nationalities are welcomed here.

How long does it take to get Iran tourist visa?

If you apply through a travel agency, it takes about 2 weeks. You can get VOA once you arrived in Iran at the airports.

What is the best time to apply for Iran visa?

You should apply 1-2 months beforehand.

If there is no Iran embassy/consulate, what can I do?

You have to choose Iran embassy/consulate in nearby countries. Also, you can get VOA. But some nationalities are not eligible to get VOA. Please check it before your travel.

How to get Iran multiple entry visa?

It’s possible to get, but it’s difficult. Foreign Minister Affair claims it’s possible to get multiple visa. But there are many reports about the rejection of multiple visa applications.

Is my nationality important in Iran visa application process?

According to the rules, all nationalities excluding Israeli passport holders can apply for Iran visa. Other nationalities can enter Iran without a visa, with visa on arrival or in advance visa.

How long after getting Iran visa I can enter Iran?

Once you get a visa you can enter Iran. You must enter Iran within 2 months. Otherwise, the visa will expire.

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Get your Iran Visa on Arrival at Tehran Airport: How does it work?

When you plan to travel to Iran as a tourist, you need to have a tourist visa before you can enter the country. In the past, you had to go to the Iranian embassy in your country or your region and apply for a visa. Since January 2016, Iranian government has changed the rules to apply for a visa and you can get your Iran visa on arrival at Tehran airport for 30 days. But how does it work?

When you travel to Iran you need a tourist visa. You can now apply for your Iran visa on arrival at Tehran airport for 30 days. But how does it work? I explain step by step what you need and where to get it and tell you from my own experiences how you can get your Iran visa on arrival in Tehran.

My travel to Iran

In the Netherlands there is an Iranian embassy, but I decided to see how the visa on arrival at Tehran airport works, so I didn’t apply for a visa before I left. I’m a Dutch citizen en I travelled solo to Iran for 2 weeks in February 2017. I arrived to Tehran airport on a direct flight and had a return ticket for 2 weeks.

Tehran Airport

Most international flights will arrive at IKA – Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran. After you disembarked the plane, the route will lead you to the main hall. On the far left, there are booths for customs authorities. You can only go through direct if you already have a visa or don’t need one.

In the main hall, you’ll find:

Insurance booth in the middle of the hall
Office to apply for your visa on arrival on the right
Booth to pay for your visa

How to get your Iran visa on arrival at Tehran airport. I got my Iranian visa and explored the Golastan Palace in Tehran.

What do you need to bring for your Iran visa on arrival?

Before you leave home, make sure to have the following things with you (in your carry on!).

Valid passport that is still valid for 6 months after the duration of your intended visa
CASH!! Either $ or € will do. I paid 75 euros but this seems to vary.
Name and address + phone number of the location where you’re staying the first night. You do not need proof of your whole itinerary but authorities will check the first night.
Proof of insurance coverage in Iran. If you do not have this, you can buy it at Tehran airport. Make sure your insurance company states: “valid in Iran” on the document. The words “world coverage” do not count. Obviously, the document needs to be in English.

Insurance for travel in Iran

First, you need to get your insurance paper stamped. Just wait in line at the insurance office for the guy to stamp your paper. If you do not have proof that your insurance covers you in Iran, you can buy insurance for €15. Or purchase it online before you go, for example via this company .

Pay for your Iran visa on arrival at the airport

Once you filled everything out, the guy at the office will give you a yellow post-it with an amount on it, which you can pay at the payment booth. Your credit card or debit card will not function, so you can pay in US Dollars or Euro. I paid € 75.

Wait for your Iranian visa

Now you have to wait until they call your name. My hotel confirmed that the authorities called them to check if I had a reservation with them. A group of Belgium people confirmed their tour guide received a phone call too.

How long does it take to apply for a visa on arrival?

For me, it took a little over an hour. This was at 1.30 am and we were the 2 nd plane at that time. We had to wait until the previous applications had been handled, before I could apply for my Iran visa on arrival.

It can take up 2 hours, depending on how busy it is at Tehran airport and how quick you are yourself! Make sure to calculate enough time if you arrange taxi or pick-up service before you leave home.

How to get your Iran visa on arrival at Tehran airport. My Iranian Visa

Final step for your visa on arrival at Tehran airport

As I was the last tourist standing, the guy didn’t have to call my name. I got my passport and inspected the visa.

Make sure your visa has all the correct information and check if you received the correct passport back!

Now, only one final step to take: go to the custom office and get that visa stamped! Welcome to Iran! You successfully applied for your Iran visa on arrival at Tehran airport!

How to get your Iran visa on arrival at Tehran airport. My passport stamps for Iran

Pro’s for applying for your Iranian visa at the airport

You do not have to travel to an embassy to apply for the visa
You do not have to leave your passport for multiple days to get a visa
You can spontaneously visit Iran on a last minute decision

Con’s to applying for your Iran visa on arrival

It might be cheaper to apply for the visa at the embassy
You will not know if you get your Iran visa until the very last moment
If you’re declined (for whatever reason) you have to find a flight elsewhere at the airport.

For me, the cost and time to travel to my embassy and leave my passport there for a couple of days was more inconvenient than to apply for the Iran visa on arrival at the airport. I did worry a bit if I’d get my visa for Iran on arrival but I hope this post eases your mind about how you can apply for your Iran visa on arrival at the airport.

Use an agency to get your visa

If you’re still not sure if you want to take the risk to apply for a visa on arrival at the Iran airport, you can use an agency to get your Iranian visa before. They save you the time and hassle of going to an embassy to apply. You need to pay a fee, fill out a form and they handle the application for you.

Apply for your Iran Visa with 1stQuest

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Travel to Iran, Solo travel to Iran, Photo E-Book, pictures of Iran

Do you plan to travel to Iran and have more questions? Please let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them and add them here.

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Author: Naomi

41 comments.

Hello! Did they ask you for an exit flight ticket? Because I would like to exit through Azerbaijan overland. Thanks (:

I booked a return ticket, so they didn’t ask me as it was pretty obvious, but you can also obtain the via at the border, so I guess it will be ok. Better check with your embassy what they say about it. Have a good time Antonio.

Hoi! Wat een ontzettend duidelijke blog!:) Ook leuk om te lezen hoe je reist! Ik hoop binnenkort ook solo naar Iran te gaan, maar vraag me af; weet je misschien of het mogelijk is je visum buiten je paspoort te laten drukken? Zodat je ook nog naar de VS en Israel kan blijven reizen?:)

Dank je Rose. Ik denk niet dat dat kan voor een Iraans visum. Het plakkaat gaat echt in je paspoort.

Hoi Rose. Naar de VS reizen kort nadat je in Iran bent geweest, zal sowieso vervelend worden. Op een ESTA moet je niet meer hopen en bij een gewone visumaanvraag kan je je aan ernstige vragen en misschien een weigering van je visumaanvraag verwachten. Naar Israel reizen is in theorie geen probleem. Mensen die Iran bezochten worden niet systematisch geweigerd bij de Israelische grens. Verwacht je echter ook hier aan erg veel vragen. Zeker in Israel gaat het er bij zulke ondervragingen om dat je gewoon kalm, eerlijk en geduldig moet antwoorden op de vragen en dan komt alles wel goed.

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Iran Visa Requirements 2020

Before applying for an Iranian visa, you have to make sure that your documents meet Iran visa requirements and consider all MFA standards for digital pictures that you will upload onto the e-visa website. Any incompatible uploaded file can lead to visa refusal.

Tourist Visa Requirements
E-VOA Requirements
Other Visa Types Requirements
Passport Scan Requirements
Photo Scan Requirements

Iran Tourist Visa Requirements

If you intend to visit Iran you have to apply online for the Iran visa and receive the authorization code or Iran visa grant notice via email. To get this visa approval, you have to have a valid travel document, which has at least 6 months validity.

An acceptable travel document is: an ordinary passport, service passport, diplomatic passport, refugee passport, travel document, or laissez passer. Your passport information page should be scanned and uploaded alongside a digital recent photo of yourself.

You also need to declare your trip itinerary, purpose of trip, home address, telephone number, and a valid email address.

In summary, Iran tourist visa requirements are:

A travel document valid for at least 6 months + digital picture (scan) of its information page.
A recent personal digital picture (this picture will be printed on your Iran e-visa ).
A valid email address to receive your Iran e-visa.
Trip itinerary.
Residence address and telephone number.
For some nationalities like Afghanistan and Bangladesh there is one more requirement: Digital picture (scan) of their residence permit (if they are living in a country other than their home country).
A valid travel insurance .
Visa fee to be paid to an Iranian Embassy/Consulate.

Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA) Requirements

To get your Iran VOA , you have to apply online for the visa before your departure and have received your visa grant notice or at least your visa submission notice. Also, it is required to have valid travel insurance. Finally, you have to pay the visa fee in CASH in Euros .

In summary, Iran e-VOA requirements are:

Iran visa grant notice.
Valid travel insurance.
Enough CASH in Euros to pay the visa fee.

In case you don’t have any visa approval or haven’t already applied online and plan to apply on site (at the international airport) for a visa, more documents will be required. Although the visa officer ultimately decides what documents should be submitted, it is recommended to bring all these documents:

Confirmed returned air ticket.
Hotel reservation.
Telephone number of your host or contact person in Iran.
Personal picture to be attached to your Iran visa application form.

Other Iran visa requirements

If you are applying for any visa type other than the Tourist (B) and Pilgrimage (C) visas, you may need to submit some more documents:

Iran Entry Visa (A) Requirements:

A travel document valid for at least 6 months.
Travel insurance valid in Iran.
A valid invitation letter.
Online visa application.

Iran Education Visa (E) Requirements:

Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status from the Science Ministry, Education Ministry, or an accredited academic institution.

Iran Temporary Work Visa (F) Requirements:

Obtaining the labor certificate from a sponsor employer in Iran, approved by the Labor Ministry.

Iran Transit Visa (G) Requirements:

Declaring visa or eligibility to enter the destination.

Iran Media Visa (H) Requirements:

Obtaining the permit from the Media & Public Diplomacy Center.

Iran Investment Visa (I) Requirements:

Approval letter from the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran.

Iran Marital Visa (M) Requirements:

Father’s official permission regarding the children’s trip to Iran.

Iran Medical Visa (T) Requirements:

Approval letter from one of the authorized Iranian medical centers.

When you are applying online for an Iran visa, please NOTE that all uploaded documents should meet the MFA standards. They are:

Iran Visa Passport Scan Requirements

The digital image of your passport or personal photo is a vital part of your Iran visa application. To learn more, review the information below from the MFA on how to provide a suitable digital image . The acceptance of your photo is at the discretion of the Iranian Embassy/Consulate where you apply to collect your Iranian visa.

The scan of your passport must be:

in JPEG (.jpg) file format,
equal to or less than 500 KB in file size (less than 10 KB is not accepted),
only the first page (full-length images are not acceptable),
horizontal in a rectangular aspect ratio (height must be less than width),
at least 800 x 600 pixels in dimension,
sharp without any visible pixels,
properly exposed (too dark or light is not acceptable),
in a right position,
clear and all characters must be readable.

Please NOTE:

Photo taken by low quality cameras or mobile phone images are not acceptable. Please pay attention to the following examples:

Iran Visa Photo Requirements

Your personal photos must be:

equal to or less than 240 KB in file size (less than 10 KB is not accepted),
vertical in a rectangular aspect ratio (height must be greater than width),
at least 600 x 400 pixels in dimensions, about 70-80% of the photo must be filled by the applicant’s face,
taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance,
the background should be plain white or off-white,
taken in the full-face view directly facing the camera,
with a natural facial expression and both eyes open,
taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis.
Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the eye(s).
There must not be a glare on the eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s).
There must not be shadows or any refraction from the eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s).
Photos digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, and full-length photographs are not acceptable.

Change of Appearance

If your photo(s) or digital image does not reflect your current appearance, even if it is within 6 months, the Iranian Embassy/Consulate will request that you provide a new photo with your application.

Applicants will be requested to obtain a new photo if they have:

undergone significant facial surgery or trauma,
added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos,
undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain,
made a gender transition.

Generally, if you can still be identified from the photo in your visa application, you will not need to submit a new photo. For example, growing a beard or coloring your hair would not generally be considered a significant change of appearance.

If the appearance of your child under the age of 16 has changed due to the normal aging process, he or she will generally not have to provide a new photo. However, the acceptance of your photo or digital image is at the discretion of the Iranian Embassy/Consulate where you apply.

Taking photos of your baby or toddler

When taking a photo of your baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo, and your child should be looking at the camera with his or her eyes open.

Tip 1: Lay your baby on his or her back on a plain white or off-white sheet. This will ensure your baby’s head is supported and provide a plain background for the photo. Make certain there are no shadows on your baby’s face, especially if you take a picture from above with the baby lying down.

Tip 2: Cover a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and take a picture of your child in the car seat. This will also ensure your baby’s head is supported.

Photos taken by low quality cameras or mobile phone images are not acceptable. Please pay attention to the following examples:

What is Iran visa on arrival requirements?

To get your Iran e-visa on arrival, you have to have a travel document (passport) valid for at least 6 months. You have to apply online for the visa before your departure and have received your visa grant notice or at least your visa submission notice. It is obligatory to have valid Iran travel insurance as well. Finally, you have to pay the Iran visa fees in cash, in Euros.

How can I get Iran visa?

To get a visa for Iran you need to:

Fill in our Iran visa application from online.
Receive your Iran visa grant notice.
Submit your passport to Iran Embassy/Consulate or international airports.
Pay the visa fee.
Collect your visa or e-visa for Iran.

How much is Iran visa fee?

Iran visa cost varies between 20 and 150 euros. Iran visa cost is dependent to your nationality, visa type and where you want to collect your visa. Iran visa on arrival is a bit more expensive than if you collect your visa before arrival from Iran embassies or consulates.

Iran tourist visa cost for most European nationals is 50 and 75 euros if they collect visa from embassy or on arrival respectively.

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Iran visa on arrival

With its rich history, cultural heritage, and most welcoming people known around the world, Iran has become the destination of most tourists. Additionally, the simplicity and low costs of visa and travel to this country have raised the number of tourists visiting this country. But few people are familiar with visa types, especially visa on arrival (VOA).

This article will mention all Iran visa types you can receive depending on your travel conditions and nationality. After that, we exclusively focus on Iran’s visa on arrival (VOA).

Important Note : Visa on arrival is no longer available for travelers as of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, we recommend other visa types to apply for in order to visit Iran. You can either visit IRAN Electronic Visa (Iran eVisa) website to apply for a visa individually (not recommended) or visit a reliable travel agency along with the required documents to process your visa application (highly recommended).

What visa types does Iran government issue?

What is visa on arrival and who is eligible to receive it, visa on arrival for usa, uk, and canada citizens, where can you apply for iran visa on arrival, how much does it cost to acquire iran visa on arrival, visa free countries – traveling to iran without a visa.

You can receive one of the following visas to enter Iran:

Muslims of different countries can apply for Iran Pilgrimage Visa to visit holy sites of this country.
Tourist Visa – This is the most common and easiest way of entering Iran.
Entry Visa – This is applicable mainly for individuals who received an invitation from their family members or employment invitation from a certain organization/company.
Medical Iran Visa – This visa requires authorization from a certain health medical center.
Investment Visa – As the name suggests, individuals with investment purposes are eligible for this visa type.
Transit – If you are just passing through Iran soil to enter another country, you can apply for it.
Press Visa – If you are an employer of a media agency visiting Iran, it is mandatory to receive this type of visa. Also, if you are visiting Iran to follow your career, you can apply for this or a Temporary Work visa.
Work Visa – For employment purposes, you can either apply through this visa type or entry visa while holding your invitation letter.
Student Visa – Students can apply for this visa with the intention of following their education career. A full list of universities is mentioned in other articles on our website( Iran student visa ).

Visa for Diplomatic Services – Officials and government agents are eligible to receive this visa.

This is the type of visa applicants of certain countries can apply on the airport; not all nationalities are eligible to apply for it. In general, the following conditions should hold for these nationalities:

Tourism should be the primary purpose of your travel. Individuals employed by media agencies, athletes, investors, etc., should apply for their respective visa types.
The following countries are not allowed to apply for visa on arrival: USA, UK, Canada, Colombia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. However, they can apply for other visa types before entering Iranian soil.

In addition, Israeli citizens are also banned from entering Iranian soil. Any other citizens can apply for this visa, except for those who do not need to acquire a visa to enter Iran and only need to pay a certain fee for a certain duration. For the full list, visit Iran visa policy , section “Which Countries’ Citizens Do Not Require Iran Visa before Entering the Country?”, where you find the respective countries and the duration of their stay. You can also check the Iran visa cost for each country here.

Second-time applicants should apply through a travel agency recommended by Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs.

As we have seen in several cases, there is a rejection chance of visa on arrival and also Evisa website, especially after the pandemic. For this reason, we suggest you apply through eVisa; otherwise, a reliable travel agency to acquire your visa approval. This way, the chance of rejection will be close to zero, and you can acquire your visa within three to five working days.

Important note : There is a chance you may not find the respective visa type for your conditions. In such cases, you can always rely on Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Suppose you can’t find reliable information. In that case, you can get the help of our travel agency, TAP Persia, to carry out your visa application with the aid of an experienced support team.

Once you have applied, you can check your application status by visiting Iran’s E-visa website and entering the information requested, including your Application ID, Passport number, and E-mail.

Qeshm and Kish islands have become one of the most exciting destinations for foreign travelers because travelers can enter these two islands without needing a visa. The duration of stay varies between 1 day to 14 days. Additionally, citizens of the USA, UK, and Canada can benefit from visas on arrival for these two destinations.

For other destinations, they are required to apply for a tourist visa and Iran travel packages through an eligible and reputable travel agency, and it is mandatory to travel with an escort guide during the trip. For both the above cases, these citizens can acquire an Iran visa on two conditions

(1) a suitable host (tour guide, appointed by Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs) will accompany them throughout their journey,

(2) citizens should announce their destinations, places of stay, and travel itinerary before requesting a visa. Hotel booking in advance is also mandatory for USA, UK, and Canadian citizens before applying for a visa.

Although you can apply and get a visa on arrival at the following airport, there is a chance that your visa application can be rejected. For the above reason, this type of visa is not recommended for travelers; hence, you best apply for another Iran visa based on your conditions and nationality.

Important Note : The Visa on Arrival (VoA) cannot be requested when entering Iran by land. A person who travels through other means of transportation cannot apply for VOA. In such a case, that person should apply for a visa through Evisa or a travel agency and acquire visa approval. Next, he/she should receive the visa from an embassy appointed in the visa approval form and then travel to Iran.

Note that the following list of fees is not fixed and it can vary for each country. In any case, the current costs for countries are as follows. You can also visit the following link to get the exact prices.

Countries including Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brunei, Croatia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Malaysia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Venezuela are required to pay an amount of 10€ to 50€.
The costs for other countries except for the UK, US, and Canada ranges from 60€ to 150€, with the highest fee belonging to Australia and New Zealand.
The fees of Iran tour packages for the UK, US, and Canada vary for each agency, so we recommend contacting our support team on TAP Persia to get the needed information. For more information, you can visit the Iran visa page.

Note that the actual price will be shown when you register online on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, and these prices may change. So, you better check them out first. Another best way to get informed of the costs is to visit a travel agency to guide you through the whole process. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may increase visa fees for some countries( Iran travel restrictions ).

Travelers can stay in Iran without a visa for the mentioned days. If you want to stay in Iran for more than the mentioned time you have to apply for an Iran visa.

The countries which can travel to Iran without a visa are listed below with the maximum number of days they can stay in Iran without a visa. If you want to stay longer even 1 more day you should apply for a visa.

No visa stamp in the passport . You will not receive an entry stamp within your passport at customs. You will most likely receive no paperwork to show your entrance into the country. If anything, you might be given a payment receipt when you pay your visa fee at the VOA counter of the airport. This will act as your documentation once inside the country.

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Iran Visa on Arrival

A tourist visa granted to specific nationalities upon arrival at designated Iranian airports.

Citizens from authorized nations traveling to Iran for tourism with a regular passport.

Requirements

Submission of a fully filled visa application form
Digital copy of passport
Digital headshot photo
Presentation of the original passport during visa collection at the airport
Visa stamp fee
Potential interview at the consulate

Tourist Visa

Pilgrimage (Ziarat) Visa

Diplomatic Visa

Student (Education) Visa

Transit Visa

Media (Press) Visa

Investment Visa

Family (Marriage) Visa

Relatives Visa

Service Visa

Medical (Treatment) Visa

Iran Visa Application Process

In compliance with the regulations set forth by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Tourist visa is granted to foreign nationals who wish to travel to Iran either independently, as part of a group, or to visit friends and relatives.

This visa allows for a maximum stay of 90 days, with the possibility of extensions within Iran, and remains valid for a period of 3 months from the date of issuance. Depending on your nationality and the consulate you approach, you have the option to submit your documents and obtain a visa after a few days without requiring a reference from Iran. Alternatively, you can apply through the new e-visa system. However, this process may prove time-consuming or unproductive, especially when applying from outside your home country.

Most consulates typically require an authorization letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran, a crucial step in the visa application process. Once you have obtained this authorization code, the remaining steps are relatively straightforward, and you can usually receive your visa within 1 or 2 days.

While an Entry (Business) visa is an option, it necessitates an invitation letter from your Iranian host. It’s important to note that opting for a tourist visa provides the advantage of enjoying special tourist rates with hotels and other accommodations.

Step 1 : Complete the Application Form

Your submitted data will be used to generate a formal application sent to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, granting authorization to the consulate for visa issuance. It’s crucial to ensure the accuracy of the details entered, as they must align with your passport information and the documents you will later submit to the consulate for visa collection.

Step 2 : Payment

Upon submission of your application, you will be provided with the service bill and payment instructions. It’s important to note that this charge is separate from the visa fee required for the consulate to stamp your passport in Step 4.

Step 3 : Obtaining the Visa Grant Notice

Upon completion, you will receive an authorization letter, referred to as the Visa Grant Notice, which will be sent to the Iranian Consulate or airport specified in your application form. You will be provided with both the visa code and a visa grant notice document, allowing you to retrieve your visa. Please note that this code is exclusively valid for the designated consulate and only for a duration of 2 or 3 months from the date of issue. If needed, you can request us to forward it to another consulate for an additional charge.

Step 4 : Visa Collection

With the reference code in hand, proceed to the consulate accompanied by your passport (valid for the next 6 months), the completed visa application form (available for pickup at the consulate or downloadable from their website), 2 recent passport-sized photos (sometimes not required), the applicable visa fee (subject to your nationality), and the authorization reference code. Always ensure to verify the specific document requirements with the consulate, as variations may exist from one consulate to another. Additionally, explore the possibility of submitting the documents by mail and receiving the visa through this method. For further information, please reach out to the consulate directly. You can access a directory of all Iranian consulates here .

Step 5. Arrival in Iran

Congratulations! You are now free to enter Iran!

Please share your feedback with us regarding the visa collection process. Let us know if it was straightforward or if you encountered any challenges. In the event of any issues, rest assured that we will stand by you to resolve them until you successfully obtain your visa. We greatly value the feedback provided by our clients, as it helps us enhance our services. Even during your travels within Iran, we remain at your disposal. Feel free to reach out for any questions, assistance, or additional services you may require. Should you wish to extend your visa, you can make such arrangements through the Police Department of Foreign Aliens Affairs when in any major Iranian city. Safe travels!

Iran Visa Application

Simply complete the following form, get the visa grant notice, and collect your Iran visa from the Iranian consulate or airport* of your choice.

* Airport visa collection is currently not available for passport holders of: USA, UK, Canada, Colombia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Passport Copy Requirements
Photo Requirements

" * " indicates required fields

Personal Details

Passport details (or other travel documents), trip details, contact details, apply for visa.

Do you need a Visa for Iran?
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Iran Visa Types
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Pakistan says Iran’s President Raisi will visit next week despite tensions in the Middle East

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during Army Day parade at a military base in northern Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Raisi warned that the “tiniest invasion” by Israel would bring a “massive and harsh” response, as the region braces for potential Israeli retaliation after Iran’s attack over the weekend. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Pakistan as scheduled next week despite increasing tension in the Middle East in the wake of Tehran’s aerial attack on Israel, Pakistan’s foreign minister said Thursday.

Ishaq Dar said Raisi will arrive in the capital, Islamabad, on April 22 on an official three-day visit.

Dar provided no further details, but the visit seems to be part of efforts by the two sides to mend ties which had briefly been strained in January, when Tehran and Islamabad carried out tit-for-tat strikes targeting militants accused of attacking each other’s security forces.

But the two sides soon agreed to work together to improve security cooperation.

The visit was announced days after Iran launched unprecedented air strikes on Israel after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.

Pakistan is among the countries that has no diplomatic relations with Israel because of the lingering issue of Palestinian statehood. Dar said Pakistan wants the issue to be settled according to U.N. resolutions.

Why is Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi visiting Pakistan?

Raisi is set to hold talks with top Pakistani leaders as the two nations aim to boost trade and resolve border issues.

In this photo released by Prime Minister Office, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, left, walks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a welcome ceremony in the prime minister house in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is in Pakistan on a three-day trip to discuss regional and bilateral relations days after Iran and Israel carried out attacks against each other, risking the Gaza war to expand into a regional conflict.

Raisi is scheduled to hold talks with top Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif , as the two neighbours seek to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile attacks in January.

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Local media reported that Raisi will also meet General Asim Munir , the head of Pakistan’s military, which wields huge political and economic influence in the South Asian nation.

What’s the agenda of the trip?

Raisi arrived in the capital, Islamabad, on Monday as the two neighbours aim to boost economic, border and energy ties.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with the neighbourhood policy … is interested in promoting relations with Pakistan and during this trip, various issues including economic and commercial issues, energy and border issues will be discussed with the government of Pakistan,” a statement by the Iranian presidential office said on Monday.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for improving bilateral ties.

“The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts,” the statement said.

The Iranian president will visit major cities, including Lahore and Karachi, and focus on bilateral and trade ties, it said.

Mosharraf Zaidi, a partner at advisory services firm Tabadlab and former adviser to the Foreign Ministry, told Al Jazeera in a written statement that Raisi’s trip is “an effort to secure an expression of support from Islamabad and Rawalpindi [military leadership] for Iran – as it stumbles deeper into a dangerous conflict with Israel”.

Zaidi added that Iran’s strategic thinkers are aware that Pakistan has both a domestic political crisis and a growing range of economic compulsions that limit the range of movement on Pakistan’s engagement in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

What’s the status of Iran-Pakistan ties?

Iran and Pakistan have a history of a troubled relationship, with both accusing each other of failing to rein in armed groups.

The border tensions escalated in January when Iran carried out air attacks across the border in Pakistan killing two children. The Iranian state media said the attack was targeting two bases of the armed group Jaish al-Adl . Pakistan retaliated by firing a missile into Iranian territory and recalling its ambassador from Tehran.

But the two neighbours decided to de-escalate tensions, with Tehran rushing its top diplomat to Islamabad to mend ties. The two countries agreed to confront the “menace of terrorism” together, especially in the border region. Before Raisi’s visit, Tehran and Islamabad talked about combating “terrorism”.

“At that time, Pakistan had a caretaker government in place. So what Iranians had indicated was that after the new government comes in, there could be a visit to repair the relationship and rebuild confidence,” Muhammad Faisal, a PhD Scholar at the University of Technology Sydney who specialises in Pakistan’s foreign policy, said.

Why is the Pakistan-Iran relationship vital?

Foreign policy analysts in Pakistan have backed re-engagement with Iran despite the border tensions.

“Pakistan has troubled borders with India as well as with Afghanistan. And therefore, to have a normal, stable relationship with Iran has been of utmost importance for Pakistan, and it remains so,” veteran Pakistani diplomat Maleeha Lodhi told Al Jazeera in the wake of the January border tensions.

Islamabad and Tehran have been aiming to boost bilateral trade, which currently stands at more than $2bn.

Faisal told Al Jazeera that there is a sizable informal trade between the two countries, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and crude oil. He added that Iran also provides electricity to Balochistan province and other border areas in Pakistan.

In May 2023, Sharif and Raisi inaugurated the first border market at the Mand-Pishin border crossing.

Moreover, the two neighbours have close cultural and religious ties, with tens of thousands of Shia minority people from Pakistan going to Iran every year on pilgrimage.

However, Tabadlab’s Zaidi said common cultural bonds and a long border – 900km (559 miles) – have not translated into people-to-people exchanges and deep trade ties.

“Instead, trade is mostly outside the formal domain and travel is restricted to religious tourism,” he said.

On the eve of his trip, the Iranian president set a target of $10bn in bilateral trade, saying the level of economic relations between the two countries is not equal to the level of political relations. Last August, they had set the bilateral trade target at $5bn.

A plan to build a pipeline to export Iranian natural gas to Pakistan has been stalled amid opposition from the United States, which has slapped a wide range of sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Faisal, from the University of Technology Sydney, said the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline might be discussed during the talks.

How has Pakistan responded to Iran-Israel tensions?

On April 14, a day after Iran’s strikes on Israel, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for de-escalation . The statement deemed the events “the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy”.

“These also underline the ‘grave’ implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfil its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security,” the ministry statement said.

It further said Pakistan underlined the necessity of international efforts to prevent further hostilities in the region and for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“It’s now critically urgent to stabilise the situation and restore peace. We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint,” the statement concluded.

Pakistan does not recognise Israel and does not have direct channels of communication with it.

“In recent years, there has been growing conjecture about pressure from GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries on Pakistan to make changes to its Palestine policy. There is no indication that such a change is on the cards,” Zaidi said.

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Russian troop arrival spells end for US military presence in Niger

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The Russian plane landed at the international airport in Niger ’s capital Niamey at about midnight with little fanfare, ferrying anti-aircraft defence systems and troops to Moscow’s newest ally in the Sahel.

The arrival of the 100 soldiers this month was the final death knell for the presence of US forces, who have been based in the west African nation since 2013 — and underscored Niger’s determination to diversify its security partnerships beyond the west.

It also marked another strategic victory for Moscow in the Sahel, the semi-arid strip south of the Sahara, where military governments have increasingly shunned their traditional western allies in favour of new alliances with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The shifting ties come as a wave of insecurity and terror continues to afflict the Sahel, where al-Qaeda and Isis-linked Islamist insurgents have unleashed havoc from Niger to Burkina Faso and Mali for more than a decade. Military juntas have seized power in all three countries as popular discontent swelled over the failure of democratic governments and the west to stem the violence.

A wave of anti-France sentiment in the European nation’s former colonies has led to the rejection of French forces, while thousands of people have joined protests in Niger, where the junta took power in a July coup , calling for US troops to leave.

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Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, senior Sahel analyst at the International Crisis Group, said Niger’s main reason for embracing Moscow was “protecting the regime”, particularly from France, which it has repeatedly accused of plotting its demise.

“One thing they fear is an attack from the air,” he said. “A country that will provide them with anti-aircraft defence — that’s where Russia comes in.

“It makes a lot of sense for [Niger] to embrace this new phase opening in the Sahel.”

The withdrawal of US troops from Niger was set in motion in March when a junta spokesperson described the military deal between the two as illegal and said it “violates all constitutional rules”.

The relationship worsened during a visit by US officials - including assistant secretary of state for African affairs Molly Phee and head of the US-Africa Command General Michael Langley - to Niamey. Nigerien officials said the US delegation was “condescending”, and rebuffed their attempts to meet junta leader General Omar Tchiani.

Russian forces speak to the media after arriving in Niamey

Washington resisted a pullout even after Niger ended the accord that authorised US forces to operate in the country, insisting negotiations were ongoing with the regime.

Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, who was in Washington last week to attend the IMF and World Bank spring meetings, separately met US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell to discuss the relationship. He told the US official that while his country welcomed co-operation in other areas, Niamey would not change its position on the troops, said a person familiar with the situation.

Another person familiar with the situation said that although Washington would formally withdraw its troops from Niger as requested, the two sides had reached an understanding that would allow the US to still do some things in the country. The person declined to provide any specifics on what had been agreed.

The US last week finally signalled it would withdraw its more than 1,000 military and civilian employees, with the departure expected to take months to complete. The fate of American assets in the country, including the six-year-old drone base near the northern city of Agadez, is unclear.

The main source of contention at the Campbell-Zeine talks was a potential deal for Niger to sell uranium to Iran, according to US officials familiar with the negotiations.

Uranium is Niger’s most significant export and the country is Africa’s second-largest exporter of the metal. Zeine visited Tehran in January, when both countries agreed to co-operate on health, energy and finance. Iran is subject to international sanctions over its nuclear ambitions.

Members of Niger’s junta join protesters calling for the US to pull its forces out of the country

Niger’s embrace of Russia was widely seen as inevitable following warming ties in the aftermath of the coup, which toppled the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum. The former leader remains in detention.

Criticised by France and the US, which suspended almost $600mn in military and economic assistance following the coup, and initially shunned by the Economic Community of West African States, the junta pivoted to Moscow to deepen security and diplomatic ties.

Co-operation between Niamey and Moscow has intensified since the start of the year, with Russia’s defence ministry saying in January that both countries would work together to “stabilise the situation in the region”.

Putin and Tchiani spoke by phone last month, with a Kremlin readout saying they discussed a plan to “develop mutually beneficial co-operation in various spheres”, and to co-ordinate “security and counterterrorism efforts” in the Sahel.

Video description

Protesters marching, chanting, dancing and carrying anti-US banners

Cameron Hudson, senior fellow at the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the troop withdrawal left the US “on the outside looking in”.

With rumblings of discontent in Chad, where the military government has asked US troops to halt their activities at the Adji Kossei Air Base, Hudson said Washington would be “deaf, dumb and blind” in the Sahel if its troops there were also forced to withdraw.

Russia’s state-owned news agency Ria said the newly arrived soldiers belonged to Africa Corps, a semi-official arm of the defence ministry that subsumed the private military company Wagner Group after the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last year.

Speaking on the airport tarmac shortly after the Russians arrived, one of the troops said they had come to train the Nigerien army. Dressed in military fatigues, most of his face obscured by a snood, he said: “We’re here to develop military co-operation between Russia and Niger.”

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IR-IRAN Electronic Visa (Iran eVisa) Application
Individual and Travellers. Tourists who wish to visit Iran can apply for a visa through the following link by entering all the required information and receive a visa application reference number. Since the visa application process is online, your email address will be required and authenticated throughout the process. APPLY NOW.
Iran Visa on Arrival and Evisa Iran (2024): all you need to know
The cost of your Iranian tourist visa will depend on your nationality, but in general, it goes from €70 to €80. Some examples of Iran visa Fees: Iran visa price for Europeans (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, etc): €75. for Australians: €145. For Brazilians: €80.
IR-IRAN Electronic Visa (Iran eVisa) Application
ELECTRONIC VISA Visa on Arrival Apply for all Iranian International Airports. It is notified to travelers to the Islamic Republic of Iran intending to acquire their visa at Iranian International Airports that in order to expedite the issuance of visa take the following measures (at least two days prior to their travel): Read More
Iran Visa
Most people who want to visit Iran will have to get an Iran visa, either from an Embassy or on arrival. Even though the Iranian government has been planning to introduce a visa-waiver program for nationals of 60 countries in an effort to boost tourism, no such plan has been implemented yet. So far, only […]
Iran Visa on Arrival 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Iran Visa on Arrival (Iran VOA) By issuing a 30-day electronic Iran visa on arrival for most nationalities (US, British, and Canadians are exempt from receiving this visa), more tourists are able to easily visit Iran. Since late 2018, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) no longer affixes visas to passports nor stamps them on entry as a response to the US sanctions on persons who have ...
Iran Visa on Arrival- e-visa: Everything You Need to Know
The payment for the visa on arrival must be made in cash, and only the Euro currency is accepted. It's important to note that Iran only issues three types of visas for VOA: Entry (Type A), Tourist (Type B), and Pilgrimage (Type C). All these visas allow for single entry, and the maximum duration of stay permitted is 30 days.
Visa policy of Iran
Iran's tourist visa is issued for up to 30 days and can have up to two additional 30-day extensions, for a total of 90 days. To get a visa prior to arrival, a Visa Authorization Code must be applied for through the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affair's e-visa website or an Iranian travel agency.
Journey Into Iran: The Definitive Guide to Iran Visa and Visa On Arrival
According to the announcement of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran's tourist visa has been resumed after about 2 years of suspension and now it is possible to apply for a type B tourist visa. On this page, we have explained the conditions for obtaining Iran tourist visa, costs, methods and procedures. Iran Tourist Visa Resumption
How To Get An Iran Visa On Arrival
What You Need To Get An Iran Visa On Arrival. There are a few things you need to have pre-organised in order to successfully apply for a visa on arrival in Iran. Onwards transport. Confirmed itinerary, or at the very least your first few nights booked at a licensed hotel. Medical/travel insurance for Iran.
How to Get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Official documents required to obtain an Iran visa on arrival are: A valid passport with at least 6 months validity. A confirmed return ticket within a 30-day timeframe. A photo to be attached to the Iran visa application form. Visa stamp fee, which is payable to the Iran Visa & Passport Office at the airport.
How to get a visa for Iran
Important update: The visa on arrival for Iran has always been - and still is - available but, since summer 2022, some airlines (only some) have denied access onboard to passengers without a valid visa. This means that you should try to get your visa in advance. Getting an Iran tourist visa might sound a bit complicated and overwhelming to some travelers, as there are many variables and a ...
Iran Visa on Arrival
Step 1: Pre-Travel Preparation. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months ahead of your travel dates. Obtain travel insurance in advance or plan to purchase it at the airport upon arrival. You should also consider securing an Iran eVisa waiver online, free of charge, to streamline your process further.
A Complete Guide to Getting an Iran Tourist Visa in 2023
After getting the Iran visa reference number, you just need to pick up your Iran tourist visa at one of these places: 1. Visa counters at Iranian International Airports and overland borders (Iran Visa on Arrival) 2. Embassies/consulates of the Islamic Republic of Iran in your own country.
Iran Visa on Arrival Complete 2020 Guide
Iran visa on arrival (VOA) (aka Iran airport visa) is a tourist visa granted to citizens of 180 countries upon their arrival to Iran. Where a previous application is required to get a standard tourist visa, visa on arrival can be issued without any previous application. While getting a VOA is usually very convenient and fast, our recommendation ...
Easy Iran Visa On Arrival
Most European countries pay 75 euros / 80 USD. Iran visa on arrival costs 75 euros + 3 USD bank commission (if you give 100 euros, they give change). The Iran visa on arrival fees is different depending on your passport. But usually, they are always based on the 75 Euro fee. Return to the starting window with the new Iran tourist visa paper ...
Iran Visa
The validity of an Iran travel visa on arrival is 14-30 days, and you can extend it for 14 days. Some Risks. 1. You can't rely on it 100%. Maybe you would be rejected at Iran airport so you will lose your flight money. 2.Waiting at airports can be another good reason to apply for the visa in advance.
Get your Iran Visa on Arrival at Tehran Airport: How does it work?
Insurance for travel in Iran. First, you need to get your insurance paper stamped. Just wait in line at the insurance office for the guy to stamp your paper. If you do not have proof that your insurance covers you in Iran, you can buy insurance for €15. Or purchase it online before you go, for example via this company.
Iran Visa (15 Euros)
To obtain the visa, you'll need to provide the following items in your mailed package, and send to 1250 23rd St. N.W. Suite # 200 Washington, DC 20037: - Visa application forms (Download) - Authorization code (provided by SURFIRAN) - Colour passport photo. - Valid passport with minimum six months validity.
Iran Visa Requirements 2024: An Updated Checklist
In summary, Iran tourist visa requirements are: Iran visa grant notice ( Iran visa authorization code ) A travel document valid for at least 6 months + digital picture (scan) of its information page. A recent personal digital picture (this picture will be printed on your Iran e-visa ). A valid email address to receive your Iran e-visa.
Iran Tourist Visa Application
Visa. Insurance. Blog. About Us. Contact Us. [email protected]+98-922-724-6056+98-21-66942659More Info. search. Iran Tourist Visa Application. Visa Fee Calculator.
Can I get an Iran visa on arrival?
Important Note: Visa on arrival is no longer available for travelers as of the COVID-19 pandemic.Hence, we recommend other visa types to apply for in order to visit Iran. You can either visit IRAN Electronic Visa (Iran eVisa) website to apply for a visa individually (not recommended) or visit a reliable travel agency along with the required documents to process your visa application (highly ...
Visa on Arrival
Gardesh-haye-Irani (Iranian Tours) Travel Co. was authorized by Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization under license number 126-22380 and has been active in providing travel services to Iran visitors since 2001. IranianTours has a sales and marketing office in London as well.
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Contact Us . Address: 25 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley ACT 2606; postal address: P.O.Box: 705 Mawson ACT 2607 Tel - Embassy : +61-6290 2430; Tel - Consular section:
This is the Difference between a Tourist Visit Visa and a "Visa on Arrival"
KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO. Foreign nationals queue to pay for visas on arrival (visa on arrival) at the BNI counter at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Monday (20/10/2008).JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Visa visit tourism or even visa on arrivalcan equally be used for foreigners while visiting Indonesia. However, referring to the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number M.HH-02.GR.01. ...
Pakistan says Iran's President Raisi will visit next week despite
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Pakistan as scheduled next week despite increasing tension in the Middle East in the wake of Tehran's aerial attack on Israel, Pakistan's foreign minister said Thursday. Ishaq Dar said Raisi will arrive in the capital, Islamabad, on April 22 on an official three-day visit.
Why is Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi visiting Pakistan?
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is in Pakistan on a three-day trip to discuss regional and bilateral relations days after Iran and Israel carried out attacks against each other, risking the Gaza ...
Russian troop arrival spells end for US military presence in Niger
The arrival of the 100 soldiers this month was the final death knell for the presence of US forces, who have been based in the west African nation since 2013 — and underscored Niger's ...

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Iran visa on arrival (VOA)

Who can apply for a free Iran tourist visa?

Except for citizens of:

Which airports are eligible for an Iran tourist visa on arrival?

Iran travel visa requirements – VOA

Iranian visa fee

When you need to apply for an Iran tourist visa in advance

1 – You enter Iran overland

2 – You don’t want to wait at the airport for several hours

3 – To secure your visa

4 – You are an American, British or Canadian citizen