Free Zones in Iran

Generally, there are 7 trade-industrial free zones in Iran including: Kish Free Zone, Qeshm Free Zone, Chabahar Free Zone, Aras Free Zone, Anzali Free Zone, Arvand Free Zone and Maku Free Zone. Prices in the free zones are lower than the other parts of Iran. This makes an attractive opportunity to buy whatever you need more easily and more affordable in these regions. In addition, each of these cities has many breathtaking attractions providing a great experience to travelers. So, traveling to the free zones of Iran as a tourist, you can not only access many goods with affordable prices, but also visit beautiful tourist attractions and historical monuments in these parts of the country. Another important thing about free zones is that no visa is needed to enter these zones. Here, we introduce them briefly.

Economic Zone and Free Trade-Industrial Zone

To speak about the free zones in Iran, it is important to know the differences between a free trade-industrial zone and a special economic one. A free trade-industrial zone is a protected geographic area on the border where goods are exchanged under specific customs regulation and are generally not subject to country's customs duty. While a special economic zone refers to a geographical area where business and trade laws are different from rest of the country. They are located on the borders or inside the country's national borders with the aim to increase trade, imports and exports of goods and services.

Kish Free Zone

Kish Island is located in Persian Gulf in the south of Iran. It is considered as the second largest island in Iran. Kish formerly had an important role in the trade relations between India and Mesopotamia countries. You cannot expect to see Kish Island similar to the other islands full of beaches on which there are people wearing bikinis and sunbathing since Kish is in an Islamic country (Iran) following Islamic rules. However, Kish is still regarded as a one of the most popular destinations in Iran particularly for cruise trips and ecotourism and this has made Kish airport as one of the most crowded airports in the country. There are many eye-catching attractions in the island such as Greek Ship, Kariz Underground, Kish Birds Park, Kish Dolphin Park, Green Tree Complex, Hendorabi Island, Coral Beach of Kish, Grand Recreational Pier, Kish Native Anthropology House, Ahuan Park and so on to make the visitors enjoy themselves in this oval-like island as much as possible. The best time to visit Kish Free Zone is from November to March. 

Qeshm Trade-Industrial Free Zone 

Qeshm Island, situated in the south of Iran, is regarded as the largest island in the Persian Gulf.  Qesh Island was discovered in Sassanid era. There are many places to visit in Qeshm including Salt Cave of Qeshm, ChahKouh Valley or Chahkooh Canyon, Stars Valley, Portuguese Castle, Naaz islands, Qeshm Crocodile Park, Khorbas Cave, Namakdan Cave, Qeshm Geopark, Hengam Island, Mangrove forests (Hara Forest) of Qeshm and many other great places which make the island a popular destination not only for Iranians, but also tourists from different countries. As the weather is hot and humid, the high season for traveling to Qeshm Island is considered from November to March.

Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone

Chabahar, located in southeast of Iran, is the only Iran’s oceanic port connecting to Indian Ocean. Chabahar is considered as the best way to access Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and etc. to open waters and plays an important role in this term due to its location.  Chabahar covers all touristic interests since its attractions are so various from recreational activities surfing and fishing, natural attractions such as Martian Mountains, Triple Banmasity Cave, Gelafshan Mountain, Gando Protected Area, Lipar Wetland (Pink Wetland), intact deserts to historical attractions such as Piruz Gat Fortress, Tis Mosque etc. The best time to go to Chabahar is about from November to March when the weather is mild.

Aras Free Zone

Aras Free Zone is located in East Azerbaijan Province covering Jolfa, Kaleybar and Khoda Afarin counties in north west of Iran and on the coast of Aras River. Aras Free Zone continues at the vicinity of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Following Kish Zone, Aras is regarded as the second developing zone in Iran. It consists of seven separated sections in different seven cities. Being at the center of Aras Trade-Industrial Free Zone and having the common border with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Jolfa county is considered to be Iran's most frontier borderline after Tehran's airports. In addition to the economic conditions and enjoying good climate, Jolfa includes many natural and historical attractions and places to visit such as Broken Mill Fall, Khwaja Nazar Caravanserai, Chapel of Chupan, Aras River etc. which has made Aras Free Zone a desirable destination for travelers.

Anzali Free Zone

Anzali Trade-Industrial Free Zone, with the shortest geographical distance to Tehran compared to the other free zones, is an active free zone covering Anzali, Rasht and Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh cities in the north of Iran and the Caspian Littoral States. Guilan Province is considered one of the most economic and touristic province in Iran with the largest port lying along the Caspian Sea. It is reputed for a lot of rain and mild weather nearly all the year; therefore, Rasht is called The City of Rain. Other popular destinations in Gilan include beautiful Masal city, Rudkhan Castle, dreamy Asalem-Khalkhal Road, Satan’s Hill, Masuleh, Salansar, Heyran (Astara), Gissoom Jungle, Sarvelat, Doodvazan Waterfall and etc. On the other hand, Guilan, and especially Anzali Free Zone, is located in the route of communication between Europe and Asia. These factors show the important role of Anzali Free Zone and Guilan Province as a whole in the region in terms of tourism and business.  

Arvand Free Zone

Arvand Free Trade-Industrial Zone including Abadan, Khorramshahr and Minoo Island (Minoo Shahr) is situated in the northwest of the Persian Gulf and southern part of Iran. Arvand Free Zone neighboring Iraq and Kuwait is the intersection of Arvand River and Karun River. Due to easy accessibility to it through the road and railway and airway, Arvand free zone has an especial significance in Iran’s economic. Silver coast and lots of lush palm trees can be found everywhere in the cities in the area. Moreover, boat riding and Mozifs, the typical Arab guesthouses, are considered the Arvand Free Trade-Industrial Zone’s specific attractions. The best time to travel to Arvand Free Zone is about from November to March.

Maku Free Zone

Maku Free Zone, covering Maku, Showt and Poldasht towns and counties, is located in the west Azerbaijan in west-north of Iran and at the vicinity of Turkey and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. It is regarded as the largest free trade-industrial zone in Iran as well as the second one in the world.  Besides its economic situation, Maku Free Trade-industrial Zone is one of the most interesting touristic destinations because of its various historical monuments, more than 3000 of which are registered as Iranian national monuments such as Chapel of Dzordzor, Baqcheh Jooq Palace, St. Thaddeus Monastery, and many natural attractions for example the historical village of Rend, Qale Jog Waterfall, etc. Since Maku enjoys cold weather, the best time to travel there is in late spring and summer.

Free Visa in Iranian Free Trade-Industrial Zones

As it was mentioned at the beginning of the article, there is no need to visa for travelling to the Iranian trade-industrial free zones and international tourists can travel there without getting a visa. All non-Iranians from all over the world can stay in the free zones for two weeks that might be extended to six months.

To read more about Iran Visa in details, click on the link.