How Can You Obtain an Iran Visa?
Even though getting a tourist visa for Iran sounds a bit complicated and overwhelming, it is a smooth procedure. Following this topic, we will make sure you have all the information you need to get your Iran tourist visa.
Iran visa gives you an allowance to enter Iran for a limited time. It is issued by Iranian embassies and consulates or at Iranian International airports. Iran issues Visas of different types depending on your intention to visit the country. Like any other country, Iran also applies some rules to issue visas to visitors.
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Iran visa guideline
If you aim to visit Iran, you must acquire a visa from the Iranian government. Iranian diplomatic missions are in charge of visa issuance. Visitors also must have a passport that has 6-month validity. Women who do not put on Islamic head cover, stocking, and long sleeves cannot get admission.
As a response to the US sanctions after 2018 on people who have visited Iran, the head of Iran’s Cultural heritage, handicrafts, and Truism Organization (ICHTO) declared that Iran no longer wants to affix passports. ICHTO further announced that it would not even stamp the passports of foreign tourists. Iran does this to alleviate the tourists’ concerns about visiting other countries after they leave Iran. The rule applied from November 2018.
Iran issues different types of visas for different goals, including:
- Iran entry visa (type A)
- Iran Tourist Visa (type B)
- Iran Pilgrimage Visa (type C
- Iran Diplomatic Visa (type D)
- Iran Service Visa (type S)
- Iran Education Visa (type E)
- Iran Temporary Work Visa (type F)
- Iran Transit Visa (type G)
- Iran Press Visa (type H)
- Iran Investment Visa (type I)
- Iran Marital Visa (type M)
- Iran Medical Visa (type T)
Applying Through Travel Agencies
Note that travel agencies are authorized to apply only for the Iran Tourist visa. For all other visas, you must apply directly through the MFA website. Further, you can apply through MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) associated companies in the country.
Israeili Passport Holders
Nationals of Israel are banned from obtaining an Iran visa. Admission and transit are refused for them.
How much is the Iran visa fee?
Visa Free Countries
Iran tourist visa is free for the citizens of the following 14 countries:
Armenia (90 days within 180 days)
Azerbaijan (30 days)
Bolivia (30 days)
China (21 days)
Egypt (20 days)
Georgia (45 days)
Hong Kong (21 days)
Lebanon (30 days)
Macau (21 days)
Malaysia (15 days)
Oman (30 days)
Syria (90 days within 180 days)
Turkey (90 days)
Venezuela (15 days)
- Algeria
- $30
- Angola
- $85
- Argentina
- $70
- Armenia
- FREE
- Australia
- $145
- Austria
- $75
- Azerbaijan
- FREE
- Bahrain
- $20
- Bageladesh
- $40
- Belgium
- $75
- Brazil
- $80
- Bulgaria
- $75
- Cameron
- $60
- Chile
- $120
- China
- FREE
- Croatia
- $50
- Cyprus
- $75
- Czechia
- $75
- Denmark
- $75
- Dominican
- $70
- Egypt
- FREE
- Eritrea
- $40
- Estonia
- $75
- Ethiopia
- $25
- Finland
- $75
- France
- $75
- Gabon
- $75
- Georgia
- FREE
- Germany
- $75
- Ghana
- $75
- Greece
- $75
- Hong Kong
- $80
- Hungary
- $75
- Iceland
- $75
- India
- $90
- Indonesia
- $45
- Iraq
- $50
- Ireland
- $75
- Italy
- $75
- Ivory Coast
- $60
- Japan
- $60
- Kenya
- $60
- Kuwait
- $60
- Lebanon
- FREE
- Lithuania
- FREE
- Mongolia
- $70
- Malaysia
- FREE
- Mexico
- $45
- Morocco
- $30
- Morris
- $60
- Mozambique
- $40
- Netherlands
- $75
- New Zealand
- $150
- Nigeria
- $55
- Norway
- $75
- Oman
- FREE
- Palestine
- $45
- Philippines
- $55
- Poland
- $75
- Portugal
- $75
- Qatar
- $75
- Romania
- $75
- Russia
- $70
- Saudi Arabia
- $30
- Senegal
- $50
- Serbia
- $85
- Singapore
- $75
- Slovenia
- $75
- Slovakia
- $75
- South Africa
- $80
- South Korea
- $50
- Spain
- $75
- Sri Lanka
- $40
- Sudan
- $60
- Sweden
- $75
- Switzerland
- $75
- Syria
- FREE
- Tanzania
- $60
- Thailand
- $75
- Tunisia
- $45
- Turkey
- FREE
- Uganda
- $100
- Ukraine
- $80
- UAE
- $100
- Uzebekistan
- $70
- Venezuela
- FREE
- Yemen
- $40
Iran free trade zones
As by December 2017, Holders of ordinary passports traveling as tourists can enter following Iran trade zones without a visa with a maximum stay of 2 weeks (extendable):
- Kish Island
- Qeshm Island
- Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone
- Anzali
- Arvand Free Zone
- Aras Free Zone
- Maku, Iran
Kish and Qeshm Islands
As a part of Iran’s program towards tourism growth, all international tourists may stay on Kish and Qeshm Islands for 14 days or less without obtaining any Visa. The US, UK, and Canada citizens are only required to have a certified escort guide waiting for them upon their arrival.
Iran tourist visa requirements
International Insurance Coverage
Due to the US sanctions, some of the biggest international travel insurance companies does not cover Iran anymore, make sure to check your insurance before coming to Iran, otherwise you will be required to obtain an Iranian one at the airport which may not cover all of the expanses. The price starts from $14.
To obtain an Iran tourist visa, you need pre-approval form from the Foreign Ministry in Tehran. First, your travel agency or tour company must request a visa From the ministry on your behalf. Once the ministry approved, it will provide the agency or company with a visa authorization number that is inconsonant with your application. Once you have received the the visa authorization number, you can apply for an Iran tourist visa. You will require to send these documents:
- Passport with a minimum of 6-month validity
- Passport copy
- The visa application form
- Two passport photos
- Visa fee in cash (Sometimes you need to make a deposit at an Iranian bank closeby the office and bring them the receipt instead)
You can collect your Visa the next day. At most, It could take up to 48 hours in the working days for your Visa to be issued.
E-Visa & Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Starting from January 2018, the Iranian government lifted visa limitations for 60 countries as a part of Iran’s program to attract more foreign tourists. The lists have been grown to all nationals with the expectations of 16 countries, which are:
Not Eligble Countries
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, United States, Yemen
Passport holders of the mentioned countries can apply for an Iranian visa by approaching an Iranian diplomatic office (Embassies or consulates) or by applying through travel agencies or directly through E-visa System MFA website.
Travelers holding a normal (ordinary) passport can obtain a maximum 30 days visa (extendable to 90 days) at the following airports:
- Bandar Abbas International Airport (BND)
- Isfahan International Airport (IFN)
- Kish International Airport (KIH)
- Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
- Qeshm International Airport (GSM)
- Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
- Tabriz International Airport (TBZ)
- Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
- Mehrabad International Airport (THR)
- Urmia Airport (OMH)
- Ahvaz International Airport (AWZ)
- Kerman Airport (KER)
- Larestan International Airport (LRR)
Iran visa on arrival requirements
We would advise you to apply for your Visa in advance, so you would not need to wait at the airport for your Visa to be issued. You can apply for your Visa through MFA website or a travel agency. You need to send the application at least two days before the arrival. If you already have the authorization code, you can pick-up your Visa at the airport much faster.
If you are applying for a visa on arrival, you will need these documents:
- Passport with a minimum of 6-month validity
- Iran visa application form
- Visa fee in cash (Sometimes you need to deposit the fee at an Iranian bank at the airport instead)
