Iran visa Information:
Foreign nationals of most countries must have an approval number from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to legally enter Iran. For getting this number, you need to start a process that based on your nationality needs different times:
- 10 to 15 working days for British and Canadian
- 30 to 45 days for American
- 5 to 7 working days (except Thursday & Fridays) for other nationals
Iran touristy visa has 90 days validity from the date of issuance and the visa holder can stay maximally 30 days during these 3 months; although it is extendable in some exceptional cases but can't be guaranteed at all. This article will guide you through the options, though it's worth checking with the relevant consulate or travel agencies as rules do change with unnerving regularity.
- Type of Iran Visa
- Iran Visa Requirements
- Applying Iran Visa
- Iran Visa Process
- Cost of Iran Visa
- Upon Arrival (Airport) Visa
- Iran Visa for Americans
- Other Tips
Iran Visa Required Documents:
- Visa application form
- Passport copies
your passport copy at least must has 6 months validity and less than 40 kb
Ways of Applying Iran Visa and Process:
It is some years that applying for Iran visa needs a 'sponsor'. Approved travel agencies or Iran embassies are good options for this sponsorship; although the former can do this process faster and simpler and the later often takes longer; furthermore if you know someone in Iran they can be your sponsor too.
- Applying through Iran embassies / consulates
If you want to save agency fee, go directly through an Iran embassy/consulate and apply for your visa. It is necessary to mention that many embassies don't accept an application form without an invitation letter and refer you to a travel agency.
- Applying through travel agencies
In this way the applicant sends the above stated documents to his/her selected travel agency. The process starts by submitting them to mfa in Tehran. Once the request is approved, Mfa issues and sends a 6-digit authorization number to both your nominated Iranian embassy/consulate and travel agency; they will forward it to you, too and three working days later, you go through the embassy process and get your visa.
Since each embassy has its own policy, some of them issue your visa immediately whereas some have a longer process; therefore, our recommendation is that the applicant calls the embassy after three days and asks for required documents and start the process.
Iran Visa Fees:
It has two different payment processes:
- MFA payment: visa process through travel agencies costs an amount that varies based on the nationality of clients and policy of each agency.
- Embassy paperwork: the embassy paperwork, too, costs another amount that the clients must pay directly to the embassy.
Types of Iran Visa:
- Iran Business visa
- Iran Diplomatic visa
- Iran Pilgrimage visa
- Iran Press visa
- Iran Student visa
- Iran Touristy visa
- Iran Transit visa
Iranian Tourist Visa Upon Arrival (Airport Visa):
Some nationals can get a 15 days tourist visa upon their arrival to Iran and at Imam Khomeini airport, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz and Isfahan airports. This visa can be extended up to 15 more days and needed documents are:
- A confirmed return ticket an onward air ticket
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity
- A photo to be attached to the application form
- One of the flowing proofs:
- Address and contact number of the place in which they want to stay in Iran
- Invitation Letter
- Hotel booking confirmation for duration of their stay in Iran
the above mentioned nationals are:
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam.
Iran Visa for American Nationals:
Contrary to popular misconception, US citizens are welcome to Iran and can apply for their visa. In addition to application form and passport copy; detailed itinerary, too, is of the necessary documents for visa process. Furthermore, according to the rules American nationals need to pre-arrange an organized group or private tour.
Some Points on Iran Visa:
- Foreign nationals of all countries can stay in Kish & Qeshm Island for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa.
- All nationals except Israeli citizens that are totally banned from entry to Iran can apply for getting Iran visa.
- Also, Citizens of many countries may stay in Kish Island for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa.
- Citizens of Turkey, Taiwan, Malaysia, Syria, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Ecuador don't need a visa to enter Iran.
- Travelers whose their tourist visa been rejected can't apply for airport visa.
- Citizens of Syria, Turkey, Malaysia and the Republic of Azerbaijan do NOT require a visa to enter Iran.