Information about Visa 

Visitors to Iran must obtain a visa from one of the Iranian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries eligible for a visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months. Admission is refused to women not wearing Islamic head cover, scarf, long sleeves and stockings. Citizens of Israel are totally banned from entry to Iran.

 

How to get an Iran Tourist visa in 7 easy steps?

1. Fill out the online application form

2. Wait for the application receipt confirmation and application fee payment instructions

3.  Pay the service fee. (USD45.00) [the total amount you pay depends on the payment option taken]

4. You will receive the visa authorization code after the application is processed

5. Refer to the Iranian consulate you have selected and collect your visa

6. Inform us about the receipt of the visa

7. Enjoy visiting Iran!

 

Iran free trade zones

Holders of normal passports travelling as tourists can enter following Iran trade zones without a visa with maximum stay of 2 weeks (extendable), as by December 2017:

• Arvand Free Zone
• Aras Free Zone
• Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone
• Maku, Iran

 

Kish and Qeshm Islands

All tourists, may stay on Kish Island or Qeshm Island for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa.

except citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, India, Iraq (can visit Kish island without visa), Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States.

 

Visa Types

Visa is a permission of entry to Iran for a limited period of time issued by Embassies and Consulates General of the Islamic Republic of Iran abroad, for foreign nationals after receiving the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

. Entry Visa
. Entry or transit visa for drivers carrying cargo
. Work permit visa
. Airport entry or transit visa 
. Pilgrimage Visa
. Tourist Visa
. Transit Visa
. Visa for entry to free trade and Industrial Areas of Iran
. Diplomatic and service Visa

 

Entry Visa

Entry Visa is a permission issued for foreign experts and businessmen who travel to Iran for a limited period of time (once - twice or multiple) for economic, commercial, cultural and industrial purposes.
 
Required documents:

•  Two completed visa application forms
• Valid passport for at least six months
  
•  3 recent photos (size 3x4cm)
  
• Visa fee
  
• Return envelope with address and adequate prepaid postage to cover the cost of registered mail.
•  Interview, if necessary

 

Entry or transit Visa for drivers carrying cargo

This visa will be issued for foreign drivers carrying cargo to Iran or other countries. For these cases, it is necessary to coordinate in advance with the Diplomatic Missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
 
Required documents : 

• Two completed visa application forms
• Valid Passport, for at least 6 months
• 3 recent photos (Size 3x4cm)
• Possession of visa for the third country for drivers who carry cargo to destinations in other countries.
• Payment of visa fee
  
• Return envelope with address and adequate prepaid postage to Cover of registered mail.
  
• interview, if necessary.

 

Work Permit Visa

This visa will be issued for foreign nationals who intend to work in Iran. The Iranian host must obtain the work permit in advance from the concerned authorities.
 
Required documents:

• Two completed visa application (Form….)
• valid passport, for at least 6 months.
  
• 3 photos ( Size 3 ´ 4)  
  
• Visa fee
  
• Return envelope with address and adequate prepaid postage to cover cost of registered  mail. 
  
• Interview if necessary

 

Airport entry or Transit Visa

a. Airport Visa is issued at Imam Khomeini Airport for 72 hour for businessmen. 
b. Airport Transit Visa is issued for 48 hours to the applicants who intend to transit through Iran. 
 
 Required document:

• Visa application forms to be completed at Mehrabad Airport
  
• Valid Passport, for at least 6 months.
  
• 2 recent photos ( size 3x4cm) 
  
• Visa fee
  
• Confirmed ticket to the third country for the applicants of 48 hour transit visa.
  
• Confirmed ticket  for the applicants of 72 - hour visa, and a written request by the Iranian sponsor must be sent to the passport and Visa department- Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Mehrabad Airport branch.

 

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage visa is issued for foreign Muslim pilgrims for the purpose of visiting the sacred places in Iran.

Required documents: 

• Two completed visa application forms
  
• Valid passport, for at least 6 months. 
  
• 3 recent photos (Size 3x4cm)
  
• Visa fee
  
• Return envelope with address and adequate prepaid postage to cover cost of registered mail.
  
• interview if necessary 

 

Tourist Visa

Tourist visa is issued for foreign nationals who are interested to travel to Iran individually or with a group for the purpose of visiting Iran or their relatives.
 
Required documents:

• Two completed visa application forms
  
• Valid passport, for at least 6 months
  
• 3 recent photos ( size 3x4cm)
  
• Visa fee
  
• Return envelope with address and prepaid postage to cover cost of registered mail.
  
• Interview, if necessary

 

Transit visa

Transit visa is issued for a limited period of time for foreigners who intend to pass through Iran to a third country.
 
Required documents: 

• Two completed visa application forms
  
• Valid passport for at least 6 months
  
• 3 recent photos (Size 3x4cm)
  
• Valid visa for third country 
  
• Confirmed air ticket for individuals who travel by air
  
• Visa fee
  
• Return envelope with adequate prepaid postage to cover cost of registered
  
•  Interview if necessary.

 

Entry Visa for Free Trade and Industrial Areas of Iran

This visa is issued for two-week stay at the ports of entry to Free Trade and industrial Areas of Iran (Kish Island, Qeshm Island and Chabahar Port), and may be extended up to six months at the request of authorities of these areas.
 
Note:
Foreign nationals who intend to travel to other parts of the country, should submit their application to representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the area and the application will be reviewed and visa will be issued if approved, within 48 hour.
 
Required documents: 

• Two completed visa application forms
  
• Valid Passport, for at least 6 months
  
• Two recent photos (Size 3x4cm)
  
• Visa fee

 

Diplomatic and Service Visa

This visa is issued for holders of diplomatic and service passports who intend to travel to Iran.
 
Required documents:

• An official verbal note by the ministry of foreign Affairs
  
• Two completed visa application forms
  
• Valid passport, for at least 6 months.
  
• Two recent photos ( Size 3x4cm)
  
• Visa fee (if applicable)

 

How to get an Iran Visa on Arrival?

You have two options:

1. Select to wait at the airport while your visa application is processed. You will be issued a visa for entering Iran if your application is approved. The waiting time can be long and if your application is not approved, you will be deported at your own risk and expense.

You need to refer to the Visa & Passport office which is situated before passport control gates.

You may need to provide: Passport with min. 6 months’ validity, exit transport arrangements (like confirmed flight tickets), hotel reservation confirmation or host’s contact details.

You need to show a valid travel insurance coverage for Iran. If you don’t have one, you can buy it online from Iran Travel Insurance.

You need to pay the visa stamp fee at the bank counter near the visa office.

Your application will be then processed by the visa officers and subject to approval, a visa will be stamped into your passport. You can now proceed to passport control gates.

 

2. Have your application be processed before your trip. If your application is approved, issue of visa is guaranteed and is done in matter of minutes. No risk and no long waiting.

Complete the application form. We will process the application through the ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and will get back to you with a visa approval number.

On arrival in Iran, refer to the Visa & Passport Office and present the number. You will be asked to pay the visa stamp fee at the nearby bank counter and your visa will be stamped into your passport instantly. You need to show a valid travel insurance coverage for Iran. If you don’t have one, you can buy it online from Iran Travel Insurance. You can now proceed to passport control gates.

 

Who can get an Iran Visa on Arrival?

You can apply for an Iran Visa on Arrival, if:

You travel to Iran with an ordinary passport and for tourism purposes. Diplomatic or service, passports, travel documents, etc. will not be accepted.

You do not travel to Iran with a passport of these countries: USA, UK, Canada, Colombia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India. You need to get an ordinary tourist visa before traveling to Iran, in this case.

You do not travel to Iran for journalism or news coverage. You need to apply for a press visa in this case.

Have been rejected an Iranian visa in the past. In this case, you need to apply again in advance.

You are not an Iranian dual national. You need to travel with an Iranian passport in this case.

 

Where can you get Iran Visa on Arrival?

Iran V.O.A. (visa on arrival) can be issued at most Iranian international airports. Here is the most updated list:

IKA: Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport

MHD: Mashhad International Airport

SYZ: Shiraz International Airport

IFN: Isfahan International Airport

TBZ: Tabriz International Airport

KIH: Kish International Airport

 

You can see an image of an Iranian visa here. There are some information printed on the visa which are not in English. Those details are explained below.

Personal information on the visa are intentionally blurred.

1. Visa holder's name in Farsi

2. Allowed duration of stay (in days)

3. Number of allowed entries

4. Number of accompanying persons

5. Visa validity expiry date

6. Visa validity starting date

7. Visa Type 

 

Which countries can go to Iran without visa?

Citizens of the following 11 countries can visit Iran without a visa:

• Armenia: 90 days within 180 days.
• Azerbaijan: 30 days.
• Bolivia: 30 days.
• Georgia: 45 days.
• Malaysia: 15 days.
• Syria: 90 days.
• Turkey: 3 months.
• Venezuela: 15 days.