Iran Visa

Applying for Iranian visa is an issue that can be a big question for the tourists wishing to travel to Iran and visit different places and sights in this ancient country.

Recently, getting Iran visa is easier and easier. We can divide tourists into three groups in the case of the conditions they can get Iran visa.

No Visa Is Required

The first group are the nationalities who can enter and stay in Iran without Visa.

Citizens of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Syria, Armenia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Egypt are allowed to enter and stay in Iran for fifteen days without Iran Visa. They also can extend their stay paying a low amount of money at affiliated to MFA offices in Iran.

Moreover, all nationalities who are eligible for a VOA can enter and stay in Iran free zones with the above condition. Iran free zones include Kish Island, Qeshm Island, Chahbahar, Maku, Arvand, Anzali, and Aras. To get more information about free zones in Iran, click on the link.

Iran VOA

VOA stands for Visa On Arrival that is issued for tourists travelling to Iran. You can have Iran VOA if you are not a citizen of these countries: Canada, UK, US, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan and Somalia. The important point is that there must not be any evident showing your last visit to Israel was less than six months ago. It is more recommended to renew your passport to ensure avoiding any problem. 

VOA in International Airports in Iran

VOA can be issued at major international airports in Iran. However, issuing visa on the land borders is not available yet. Here, a list of airports where you can get Iran visa on arrival is provided:

• 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; however, it is extendable from Iranian Foreign Affair Offices. It must be mentioned that the process is time-consuming and in some cases it can be fruitless. If the extension process is successful, your visa can be extended up to three months. 

Due to political conflicts and for the comfort of tourists, MFA of Iran has updated a new regulation in summer 2018 and it is you can ask the authorities in international airports in Iran to stamp your visa on a separate piece of paper that is really useful for those traveling to the USA.

Iran VOA Requirements and Fees

To issue your Iran VOA at international airports in Iran, you need following documents:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity;

• A photo to be attached to the Iran visa application form (Recently, visa officers use digital camera to take the needed photos but it is still wise to bring two passport size pictures with you);

• A confirmed return ticket;

• A confirmed hotel reservation for your first night in Iran at least (If you are staying with a friend or relatives, ensure to have their contact details.);

• A host in-contact, whether a hotel or a friend you are going to stay with must be in-hand when they contact him unless you may have to wait at the airport for a long time;

• Travel Insurance: all travelers must have valid travel insurance for Iran (be aware that travel insurance from some insurance companies do not support Iran). If you don’t have travel insurance, you will have to buy it at the airport; however, it is advised to buy it before hand);

• Cash to pay for your visa (Iranian visa fee depends on your nationality; however, the prices would range from 40 to 150€.)

Travel Insurance Fees in Iran

Prices for travel insurance at the airport in March 2018 were as followings:

1 to 31 days: 14€

32 to 45 days: 23€

46 to 62 days: 28€

63 to 92 days: 34€

Who Cannot Receive Iran VOA?

• Those whose passengers’ visa application have already been rejected;

• The journalists and reporters traveling to Iran on mission;

• And as it was mentioned earlier, the citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, India, Columbia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

These groups of passengers can receive their Iran Visa at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in different countries; while, they can travel to Iran Free Zones without visa for 14 days.

Citizens of the United Kingdom, US, and Canada can apply for their Iran tourist visa at the Iranian consulate and receive it stamped at the interest section of Iran embassy in Washington DC. However, they won’t be allowed to travel around Iran freely or stay at local homes and they will need an organized tour.

After you have applied for Iran visa, the procedure will take 1-2 months depending on your nationality; however, generally, the visa will be valid for 3 months while it is not possible to extend your visa at the end of these three months.

To get your application approved, you need to have a finalized itinerary and a guide to accompany you from arrival till departure.

Documents Required for Iran Tourist Visa

1. Passport image with the minimum 6 months of validity

2. Recent personal passport-sized photo (ladies are not required to wear head covers)

3. Filled out visa form 

4. A CV or resume

5. Links and information of all your social media networks

Procedure of Issuing Iran Tourist Visa

First you need to apply from a consulate or a tour operator. They will apply the MFA to receive a reference code. It will take from three working days to 2 months before the reference code is issued. The duration depends on your nationality. When the reference code is issued, it is sent to the tour operator or consulate you have applied from. They will send you the confirmation of your reference code to you and the nearest embassy of Iran to you. After checking the embassy for receiving your reference code, you can get you visa stamped at the embassy. It usually takes one or two working days for the embassy to receive and check your reference code.

It should be mentioned that this is a general procedure and it may change slightly depending on the company you are applying from. 

Do not hesitate to contact us for Iran Visa or any information about it.