There are two common types of visas that you can receive: the Tourist Visa and the Visa on Arrival (VOA). You can apply for your Tourist Visa at one of Iran’s embassies and consulates, online through the e-visa website, or with the help of TAP Persia VIP Visa Services. The Visa on Arrival can be obtained on the spot at the visa counter at the airport. To speed up the visa on arrival process and to guarantee a successful application, you can apply for an Iran visa authorisation code through TAP Persia VIP Visa Services before you arrive at the airport.
Applying for a Tourist Visa requires you to handle the paperwork and payment for the visa before your trip. After a successful application, you should drop by your chosen embassy/consulate to pick up your Iran visa sticker. If you apply through TAP Persia, you may even collect your visa sticker at any one of the airports in Iran. With a Tourist Visa ready, you can have a smooth entry into Iran without any worry.
If you apply for a Visa on Arrival at the airport, you get to avoid any pre-trip hassle, but you’ll need to submit your visa application and make the payment at the airport itself. Depending on the queue, you might have to wait up to two hours before your visa is ready.
TAP Persia’s VIP Visa Services will ease the visa application process for travellers and provide assistance with our n-call customer support. You simply have to submit the visa application form online, choose a pick-up location (an embassy/consulate or an Iranian airport), pay the application fee and we’ll process the visa for you. Once it is ready, you can pick up your visa sticker at your chosen location.
Why apply through TAP Persia?
The benefits are faster visa processing, minimized chance of rejection, and speedy entry at the immigration counter. As part of our VIP services, we also offer the option to purchase the TAP Persia Travel Insurance before your arrival for only 30 Euros.
Caution: Citizens of the US, UK and Canada along with the 14 countries in the list below can NOT receive their visa upon arrival and need to apply for their authorization code at the Iranian embassy or consulate in their native country prior to their arrival in Iran.
Complete your online Iran Visa Application Form on our website
OR
Download and complete the Iran Visa Application Form and email it to our customer support at visa@tappersia.com
Please prepare paperwork 2 weeks before travelling (US, UK and Canada 5-6 weeks)
You may pick up your Iran visa stamp in 2 ways:
All visitors are required to submit:
We do NOT require any hotel/hostel reservations or the contact information of your Iranian host.
Check the table below for different application fees
Once your visa sticker is ready at your chosen pick up location, we will contact you via email
Wait time: maximum 2 weeks (US, UK and Canada 5-6 weeks)
Your visa fee must be paid upon your visa pickup and can be paid:
Your visa fee will depend on your country of citizenship, check the table below for each country respective visa fee
You do not need any additional documentation to board your flight to Iran as all except these 14 countries are qualified for Iran’s Visa On Arrival (VOA)
IMPORTANT: Please observe Iran dress code upon your arrival in Iran
Only visit the VOA counter if you chose to pay for and pick your visa at any one of the Iranian airports in the list below.
Your visa fee will depend on your country of citizenship, check the table below for each countries respective visa fee
The Insurance fee is approximately 15 EUR. Ask the VOA counter for assistance.
If you wish to save yourself some time when you arrive at the airport, or if you travelling to Iran by land, you have the option to purchase TAP Persia’s Travel & Health insurance plan ahead of time for only 30 EUR. Be sure to click the check the insurance box when you fill out your application with TAP Persia.
Upon arriving at the immigration counter, you will present the following documents
Citizens of the US, UK and Canada may be asked additional questions about the purpose and length of their trip.
Once your visa receives the appropriate entrance stamp, you are free to enter Iran
Various nationalities are eligible for a 30-day Visa on Arrival, which saves them the need to apply for a Tourist Visa beforehand. However, those who choose this option will need to submit their visa application at the airport, which may subject them to long wait times, confusing paperwork and the possibility of visa rejection.
In order to guarantee a successful Visa on Arrival, you can apply for a visa authorisation code before your trip. With this code, you can pick up your visa at the airport within a matter of minutes.
Apply/Picking up visa from the airport’s VOA counter:
Those who wish to fill out their application or pick up their visa stickers from the Visa On Arrival (VOA) counter at one of Iran’s airports MUST present one of the following:
Caution: Citizens of the US, UK and Canada along with the 14 countries in the list below can NOT receive their visa upon arrival and need to apply for their authorization code at the Iranian embassy or consulate in their native country prior to their arrival in Iran.
You do not need any additional documentation to board your flight to Iran as all except these 14 countries are qualified for Iran’s Visa On Arrival (VOA)
IMPORTANT: Please observe Iran dress code upon your arrival in Iran
Complete an Iran Visa Application Form from the VOA Counter
IMPORTANT: Please observe islamic dress code upon your arrival in Iran
All visitors are required to submit:
Your visa fee will depend on your country of citizenship, check the table below for each countries respective visa fee
The Insurance fee is approximately 15 EUR
Ask the VOA counter for assistance
Upon arriving at the immigration counter, you will present the following documents
Citizens of the US, UK and Canada may be asked additional questions about the purpose and length of their trip.
Once your visa receives the appropriate entrance stamp, you are free to enter Iran
The traditional way to apply for a tourist visa is through embassies or consulates in major cities. However, this option may require multiple visits and are known to take more time for visa processing. You may also need to apply for a visa authorisation code either through the Iranian embassy/consulate itself or TAP Persia VIP Visa Services.
To see the list of Iran’s worldwide embassies and consulates , click here.
Check the embassy or consulate website for download your application form.
You’ll get an appointment date and will be told which additional documents (if any) to bring.
All visitors are required to submit:
Go to your appointment and submit all required documentation.
Your fee will depend on your nationality and the embassy or consulate you submit your application.
Once your visa sticker is ready, the embassy or consulate will contact you via email
Wait time: maximum 2 weeks (US, UK and Canada 5-6 weeks)
Once you arrive, you need to purchase your Travel & Health insurance.
The Insurance fee is approximately 15 EUR.
Ask the VOA counter for assistance.
Upon arriving at the immigration counter, you will present the following documents
Citizens of the US, UK and Canada may be asked additional questions about the purpose and length of their trip.
Once your visa receives the appropriate entrance stamp, you are free to enter Iran
We have received numerous complaints regarding Iran’s E-Visa website and application. Several travellers who chose to pick up and pay for their visas at the airport were rejected entry without proper cause.
Caution: Citizens of the US, UK and Canada along with the 14 countries in the list below can NOT receive their visa upon arrival and need to apply for their authorization code at the Iranian embassy or consulate in their native country prior to their arrival in Iran.
Complete your application here
Please prepare paperwork 2 weeks before travelling (US, UK and Canada 5-6 weeks)
You may pick up your Iran visa stamp in 2 ways:
All visitors are required to submit:
Once your visa sticker is ready at your chosen pick up location, the website will contact you via email
Wait time: maximum 2 weeks (US, UK and Canada 5-6 weeks)
Your visa fee must be paid upon your visa pickup and can be paid:
Your visa fee will depend on your country of citizenship, check the table below for each countries respective visa fee
You do not need any additional documentation to board your flight to Iran as all except these 14 countries are qualified for Iran’s Visa On Arrival (VOA)
IMPORTANT: Please observe Iran dress code upon your arrival in Iran
Only visit the VOA counter if you chose to pay for and pick your visa at any one of the Iranian airports in the list below.
Your visa fee will depend on your country of citizenship, check the table below for each countries respective visa fee
The Insurance fee is approximately 15 EUR.
Ask the VOA counter for assistance
Upon arriving at the immigration counter, you will present the following documents
Citizens of the US, UK and Canada may be asked additional questions about the purpose and length of their trip.
Once your visa receives the appropriate entrance stamp, you are free to enter Iran
If you apply through TAP Persia, you will receive your visa authorization code within 2-3 working days (other than thursdays, and fridays)
You should realistically apply for your Iran Visa Authorization Code 3-4 weeks before your departure to Iran
Depending on where you have chosen to pick up your Iran Tourist Visa (airport VOA counter, or one of Iran’s worldwide embassies and consulates),
If the reason for your rejection states that you should “apply through a local Iranian agency”, you can re-apply for your Iran Tourist Visa through TAP Persia VIP Visa Services.
Getting your visa is now easier than ever. With a few pieces of informations, you can complete your visa application and be on your way to explore the mystical, ancient and beautifully colorful land of Iran. No wait time for visa processing, no hassle at the airport, no questions from the authorities. Even citizens of the US, UK and Canada are eligible for an Iranian tourist visa.
Having a safety plan is always a fundamental requirement for having a stress-free and relaxing vacation. TAP Persia Travel Insurance helps travellers rest easy, knowing that they are covered in the event of unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances. TAP Persia Travel Insurance provides liability coverage for those who wish to minimize the risk of travelling to a new country. Click to here to apply for your travel insurance and explore Iran with peace of mind.
| US, UK & Canada (Land or Airport Entry) | 60 Euros |
| Airport Entry, Land Entry | 20 Euros |
Having too much fun? Want to explore Iran even longer? You can extend your stay by up to 60 days. Click here to find out what you need to do to extend your visa.
NOTE: Visa stamp
Iranian visa won’t be stamped in passports of European tourists
NOTE: Those who already have insurance
If you do not wish to purchase your insurance at the airport, you must have the Terms & Conditions of your valid insurance plan available for inspection by the immigration officials.
Your insurance must explicitly have the phrase “Iran” or “Islamic Republic of Iran” or “I.R. Iran” or any other combination of these three phrases EXACTLY written inside the Terms & Conditions under countries in which this insurance plan is active available.
NOTE: Travellers entering through one of Iran’s land border crossings
If you plan to pick up your Visa Sticker at one of Iran’s many embassies or consulates before you arrival at Iran’s land border crossings, you MUST have your authorization code in your hand when you visit the embassy or consulate.
Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, if you arrive at the embassy wishing to fill out your visa application form at the embassy before you arrive in Iran, the embassy may deny your application.
You must apply through either:
Note: Citizens of Afghanistan and Bangladesh MUST apply via embassy/consulate
Unfortunately, citizens of Afghanistan and Bangladesh wishing to get a tourist visa must complete their applications IN PERSON at the Iranian embassy or consulate in their native country.
Bandar Abbas International Airport
Isfahan International Airport
Kish International Airport
Mashhad International Airport
Qeshm international Airport
Shiraz International Airport
Tabriz International Airport
Imam Khomeini International Airport
Urmia Airport
Ahvaz International Airport
Kerman Airport
Larestan International Airport
A high quality copy of your passport
2 passport photos
Hotel reservation and contact details for the first night of stay or the contact details of your host in Iran
Armenia 90-180 days
Azerbaijan 30 days
Bolivia 30 days
Egypt 20 days
Georgia 45 days
Venezuela 15 days
Lebanon 30 days
Malaysia 15 days
Oman 30 days
Syria* 90 – 180 days
Turkey 90 days
*Important: Syria is visa-free if arriving by air directly from Damascus if not they need a visa in advance
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Canada
Colombia
Iraq*
Jordan
Nepal
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
United States
Yemen
Citizens of these countries should check with their nearest Iranian embassy or consulate in order to make prior arrangements before travelling to Iran. To find your nearest embassy or consulate, please click here.
*Important: Citizens of Iraq can have visa on arrival at Mashhad airport or Arvand free zone by land. They also can obtain the visa on arrival if have e-visa confirmation.
All foreign nationals can enter Kish and Qeshm islands without an Iranian tourist visa.
Americans, Canadians and the British are only required to have a certified escort guide waiting for them upon their arrival. the guide has to have the hotel reservation letters of the passenger with him/her and let the immigration office of the airport know about the arrival of the American/Canadian/British passenger 48 hours before the arrival.
Due to political constraints, British, Canadian and American citizens are required to be escorted by a government approved guide at all times. Independent travel for these citizens has been banned.
Holders of passports or travel documents containing a visa/stamp from Israel up to 12 months prior to their application are not eligible for any form of Iranian visa.
| Fee (Euros) | Country |
Fee (Euros) |
Country |
| 10 | Malaysia (+15 days) | 70 | Argentina, Mongolia, Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan, Zambia |
| 20 | Armenia, Bahrain | 75 | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus Island, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Qatar |
| 25 | Belarus | 80 | Brazil, Hong Kong, South Africa, Ukraine |
| 30 | Algeria, Bhutan, Egypt (+20 days), Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan | 150 | New Zealand |
| 40 | Ecuador, Eritrea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Yemen | 100 | Chad, China, Emirates, Uganda, Vietnam |
| 45 | Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Niger, Palestine, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, | 120 | Chile, Sierra Leone |
| 50 | Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Paraguay, Senegal, South Korea, India | 145 | Australia |
| 55 | Fiji, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines | ||
| 60 | Cameroon, El Salvador, Guyana, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malawi, Turkmenistan |
These prices are not always fixed. Please call your closest Iranian embassy or consulate for more specific information.
Travellers from Albania, Brunei and Peru please check with us about finding out about your country’s visa fee.
| Fee (Euros) | Country | Fee (Euros) | Country | Fee (Euros) | Country | Fee (Euros) | Country |
| 0 | Azerbaijan | 30 | Bhutan | 40 | Suriname | 50 | Latvia |
| 35 | Argentina | 60 | Botswana | 0 | Syria | 40 | Lesotho |
| 40 | South Africa | 60 | Burkina Faso | 80 | Somalia | 50 | Luxembourg |
| — | Albany | 50 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 80 | Sierra Leone | 50 | Poland |
| 50 | Germany | 0 | Bolivia | 90 | Chile | 25 | Liberia |
| 60 | America | 50 | Paraguay | 65 | Serbia | 20 | Libya |
| 50 | Andorra | 40 | Pakistan | 35 | Iraq | 50 | Lithuania |
| 70 | Angola | 55 | Panama | 30 | Saudi Arabia | 40 | Madagascar |
| 50 | Austria | 75 | Portugal | 50 | Oman | 50 | Macau |
| 15 | Ethiopia | 40 | Peru | 45 | Ghana | 45 | Malawi |
| 50 | Jordan | 20 | Tajikistan | 50 | France | 40 | Malta |
| 10 | Armenia | 40 | Tanzania | 30 | Palestine | 25 | Maldives |
| 25 | Eritrea | 45 | Thailand | 50 | Finland | 5 | Malaysia |
| 45 | Uzbekistan | 40 | Turkmenistan | 40 | Fiji | 15 | Mali |
| 50 | Spain | 0 | Turkey | 40 | Philippines | 50 | Hungary |
| 100 | Australia | 35 | Trinidad | 50 | Cyprus | 20 | Morocco |
| 50 | Estonia | 35 | Tobago | 30 | Kyrgyzstan | 20 | Egypt |
| 50 | Slovakia | 35 | Togo | 30 | Kazakhstan | 45 | Mongolia |
| 50 | Slovenia | 25 | Tunisia | 50 | Qatar | 30 | Macedonia |
| 80 | Afghanistan | 35 | Jamaica | 40 | CostaRica | 30 | Mexico |
| 25 | Ecuador | 30 | Djibouti | 20 | Cambodia | 30 | Mauritania |
| 20 | Algeria | 70 | Chad | 40 | Cameroon | 40 | Mauritius |
| 40 | El Salvador | 50 | Czech Republic | 50 | Canada | 25 | Mozambique |
| 80 | Emirates | 85 | China | 35 | Croatia | 50 | Moldova |
| 20 | Indonesia | 50 | Denmark | 25 | South Korea | 30 | Montenegro |
| 180 | England | 20 | Lebanon | 0 | North Korea | 20 | Myanmar |
| 30 | Uruguay | 50 | Dominique | 80 | Columbia | 45 | Namibia |
| 60 | Ukraine | 45 | Rwanda | 120 | Congo | 25 | Nepal |
| 70 | Uganda | 40 | Russia | 40 | Kenya | 50 | Norway |
| 50 | Italy | 50 | Romania | 40 | Cuba | 35 | Niger |
| 50 | Ireland | 50 | Zambia | 50 | Comoros | 40 | Nigeria |
| 50 | Iceland | 120 | New Zealand | 40 | Kuwait | 20 | Nicaragua |
| 30 | Barbados | 30 | Zimbabwe | 55 | Gabon | 25 | Venezuela |
| 20 | Bahrain | 40 | Japan | 70 | Gambia | 80 | Vietnam |
| 100 | Brazil | 40 | Ivory Coast | 40 | Grenada | 50 | Haiti |
| 30 | Darussalam Brunei | 25 | Sri Lanka | 0 | Georgia | 50 | Netherlands |
| 60 | Burundi | 50 | Singapore | 40 | Guatemala | 30 | India |
| 25 | Belarus | 30 | Senegal | 45 | Guyana | 40 | Honduras |
| 75 | Belgium | 50 | Swaziland | 30 | Equatorial Guinea | 60 | Hong Kong |
| 75 | Bulgaria | 50 | Sweden | 25 | Guinea-Bissau | 20 | Yemen |
| 25 | South Sudan | 50 | Swiss | 45 | Guinea Conakry | 50 | Greece |
| 40 | Bangladesh | 40 | Sudan | 25 | Laos | 40 | Other countries |
| 30 | Benin |
When I first trying to found out about Iran VOA process in Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) Tehran, I assume that it will be simple 4 step process, go get the form from the visa counter and then fill it, buy insurance, pay the visa, and then submit it back to the visa counter and wait. Yes, that indeed was the process. But no one told (or write) that actually there is no queuing line and passengers just swarming around the counter. A little bit chaotic.
Anyway, this is my note and a drawing about my experience getting Iran VOA. It might help other travelers. Or not. (I need to put a disclaimer because that was my first and only experience, so I don’t know if the absence of proper queuing line was a common practice or just only happened on that particular night I arrived).
Ok, take a look at my drawing. There are 4 steps you will go through: VOA counter, insurance counter, bank, and finally – of course – passport control.
Depends on whether you got off first or last from the plane, there will be lots of people gather in front of VOA counter behind the queuing pole. All you need to do is getting as close as you can to the ‘VOA guy’ to get his attention – raise your hand if needed – and tell him your nationality. (I screamed: Indonesia). Then the VOA guy asks you ‘EUR or USD?’ He is asking you what currency you will pay the visa fee in. I said EUR. Then he will do some writing in a scrap of paper ‘45’ and give it to you. So the visa fee for Indonesian nationality paid in EUR would be EUR 45. Bear in mind that it will be different depends on your nationality and currency used).
With that handwritten note he will also give you the visa form. It’s very simple with just a few to fill: first name, surname, father’s name, passport number, address and phone number of place you will be staying at least for your first night. (You need to have proven document of this because many said sometimes they do random check by calling the address. Printed confirmation email from your hotel as a proof is enough).
Go and buy travel insurance (USD 16 on October 2017).
Pay the visa fee in bank. The bank teller will check your passport to ensure your nationality. You will sign and have carbon copy of visa payment slip.
Go to the visa guy again, hands him your document (passport, completed visa form, and copy of visa payment slip). Actually he will only take a quick look of your insurance.
That’s it. Then you wait. When your passport is ready, he will shout your surname or nationality. All of this process took 1 hour of my time. I was arrived at 11 PM and my passport with newly minted Iran visa was given back to me at 00.20 AM. There were around 30 people getting the VOA at that time, not too bad actually.
Finally, you go to the passport control as usual.
Final thought, Iran VOA process is simple. But the absence of queuing line and sudden arrival of passengers try to get the visa at the same time could be overwhelming and make you confused.
Step 1 and step 2 can be interchangeable. But you can’t do step 3 before you get confirmation from the visa guy the exact amount of your visa fee you have to pay (that handwritten notes in scrap of paper is really important).
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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