Iran Visa

Before You Go

1. Get a private tour with a local.Customizing your own experience with small private tours are the cheapest, most flexible alternative to group tours. TAP Persia offers over 100 different half-day, full-day & multi-day Iran tours to create the ultimate tailor-made experience.
2. Group tours are extremely common.Group tours generally start and end in Tehran, with stops in the must-see cities of Shiraz, Esfahan, and Yazd along with several minor diversions.
   TAP Persia offers you the chance to pick and choose your own, custom-made Iran tour package.
   The price of the package depends on how long you intend to stay, mode of intercity transport, type of accommodations, number of participants, and the exchange rate.
3. Safe for solo travelers, even women. It is easier for women to travel as a couple, but both sexes will have no problem traveling alone. Read Anna Karsten’s articleIs it safe to travel to Iran as a solo female traveler?(+) on the Tehran Times.
4. Bring USD or EUR in cash. Except for a few high-end handicraft shops in tourist centers of major cities, you will not be able to use your credit or debit cards. You can find reputable exchanges by asking the reception of your accommodation.
   You can also apply for an Iran tourist card, a temporary Iranian debit card accepted at almost all shops.
   You can charge it with cash or bank transfer from any city in Iran, your funds will be exchanged and deposited in your account within 1 hour of transfer, and you can use it to withdraw cash from almost any ATM.
5. Locals will invite you to dine with them.One of the most appealing parts of Iranian culture is inviting guests to join you for a home-cooked meal indoors or out on a picnic.
   The country is famous for its Iranian hospitality and you shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to dine with a local family.

Once you arrive

1. Wear Islamic covering before customs. Wear pants and long sleeves. Women cover hair. Assuming you have your Iran visa authorization code, most customs officials are efficient and tourists rarely get too much hassle. Land borders can take longer if you’re on a bus or train.
2. You’ll need an Iranian SIM card. Fast, reliable internet can be found all over the country, but you won’t be able to use your own SIM card while traveling. You can purchase your own Iran SIM card at the airport.
3. Credit/Debit card won’t work. You will need to bring enough cash in USD or EUR for your trip. Other currencies can also be exchanged, albeit less frequently.
   If you want to avoid the hassle of carrying loads of cash, apply for an Iran tourist card. You can charge it with a cash or bank transfer from any city in Iran, your funds will be exchanged and deposited in your account within 1 hour of transfer, and you can use it to withdraw cash from almost any ATM.
4. Flights arrive in the middle of the night.Most flights landing at IKIA or other international airports often arrive at inconvenient hours. To ensure a speedy arrival to your hotel, we recommend an Iran pick-up tour.
   A driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival, even through delays, and will take you from the airport straight to your final destination.
5. Intercity transport is frequent & relaxing. Options such as air, rail & bus are efficient, cheap and can be bought effortlessly. You can even book your own Iran transport tickets.
6. Attraction entrance fees are cheap. While rates are much cheaper for locals, Iran attraction entrance fees are usually 2,000,000 IRR which is around 8 USD or 6.5 EUR (as of Aug 2021) .
7. Tourist hubs, hotels & Gen Z speak English.Inside cities, most people speak enough English and are willing to help so that you’ll never really feel lost.
   Locals consider guests in their country as “God’s Gift” and will go out of their way to make sure you are ok.

Visa on arrival Vs. Guaranteed approval

1. Guaranteed Iran tourist visa (30 Days).Issued for up to 30 days and extendable for an additional 60 days. You can apply for a guaranteed 30-day Iran Tourist Visa. We guarantee your acceptance for the full 30-days, and over 95% of our applicants are approved in just 3 days. For questions, start a chat on the website or send us a message on our WhatsApp.
2. Visa on arrival (VOA).Issued at Iranian international airports for 30 days. Most countries are eligible. Notable absentees are Britain, Canada, and the USA.
   You’ll need to submit your application and make the payment at the airport. Although VOA’s are available at all International Iranian airports, it’s best to fly into Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) to avoid any issues.
   Depending on the queue, you might have to wait up to two hours. Common application mistakes can likely cause rejection. Completing your application upon arrival is risky as the visa-on-arrival process sees a lot of people turned away. Apply for Iran visa online with guaranteed acceptance.

Iran eVisa warning

1. No application fee. All you have to pay is the Iran visa fee in accordance to your nationality and pick-up location.
2. Higher chance of rejection. There are multiple parameters you must keep in mind before you apply for your visa. Answering questions the wrong way could result in a rejected application. (read about frequent Iran evisa rejections).
3. Unreliable status tracking. they are not obligated to answer you about the status of your application

Iran Medical visa

1. Service & facility standards. Most cosmetic or medical patients come for affordable prices, specialist availability, and standardized facilities.
   Iran is one of the main medical tourism hubs in the region and hosts international specialists in every area. Facilities with IPD certifications provide world-class service to international patients.
2. Choosing your doctor. Before we decide that getting your medical treatment done in Iran is the right choice for you, we schedule free video call consultations. We then connect you with several doctors that will go over your medical history, results expectations, and risk factors.
3. Most common procedures. Iran nose jobs along with dental, vision, hair transplant, and skin treatments are some of the most common procedures done, with hundreds of specialists across the country.

Iran Student Visa

1. Students, researchers & scholars. University students & researchers or religious scholars who intend to study in Iran for 1 or more semesters. You will need a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status from the Iranian ministry of science, Ministry of Education, or an accredited academic institution
2. Farsi classes online. Most students come to learn the Persian language, known as Farsi. University courses and degrees are available across Iran. If you want to learn Persian online, you can start your education before you arrive.

Other Ian visa types

1. Transit Visa (Transport). Doesn’t require authorization from Tehran but is issued for 5-7 days. No Iran visa authorization code required, processed in 2-3 days.
   Mostly used by people who enter the country through a land border, those with their own cars, or as a last resort. Must enter and exit via different countries.
   Must provide a ticket to an onward country. Not available to US, UK, or Canadian passport holders.
   If you plan on road-tripping and exploring the country, apply for Iran visa before you go.
2. Business Visa (Entry). Available for 30-day (extendable). Must obtain an invitation letter from the company or organization you plan to visit. Normally for people coming for a conference or to play in a sporting event.
3. Pilgrimage Visa (Ziarat). For Muslims who wish to visit Iranian holy sites. Religious pilgrimages to non-Islamic sites should get a regular tourist visa.
4. Press Visa (Media).For members of the televised, digital, or audio-based press, filmographers, directors, and producers coming on official assignment.

Iran Visa fee calculator & Guarantee fee

1. Iran visa policy. Based on your nationality and where you will pick up your visa. Use the calculator below to see how much your visa will cost.
2. Guarantee fee. Charged by TAP Persia to guarantee your visa admission. You will have a live attendant update you on the progress of your application at every step. If you get rejected for any reason, we reapply on your behalf. If you are still unsatisfied, we will give you your money back. TAP Persia charges a flat guarantee fee of 20 EUR to users of all nationalities, excluding citizens of the UK, US, or Canada. Your Iran visa authorization code will be sent to your email address. Apply for Iran visaonline.
3. Pick up location. Once you get your Iran visa authorization code, you can choose to pick up your visa at your nearest Embassy/consulate, or at the VOA (visa on arrival) counter at most international Iranian airports. While it is a bit more expensive, we recommend you opt for the airport pick up as it is much more convenient.

Authorization code & visa sticker

1. Iran Visa Authorization Code. You can obtain your Iran visa authorization code through a booking agent, tour operator, or at one of the international airports. Apply for Iran visa online with guaranteed acceptance. 
2. Evisa is the cheapest but least reliable. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created an Iran evisa Website (website), allowing travelers to apply for and check the status of their application. However, the service does not guarantee a successful application and includes very inadequate explanations. (read about frequent Iran evisa rejections). 
3. Filling out your application. If you are applying for your Iran visa authorization code at the VOA counter at one of the international Iranian airports, be sure to have the correct paperwork and payment before your trip. Entry may be denied based on incorrectly or insufficiently filled applications.
4. No visa stamp in the passport. You will not receive an entry stamp within your passport at customs. You will most likely receive no paperwork to show your entrance into the country. If anything, you might be given a payment receipt when you pay your visa fee at the VOA counter of the airport. This will act as your documentation once inside the country.

Land vs. airport entry

1. You can only get a Visa on arrival (VOA) at the airport. The fastest way to get your visa to Iran is through the airport VOA counter. You cannot get a VOA at Iran’s land bordering crossing. 
2. Airports that issue a VOA (Updated 2021): The following international airports have VOA stands in their arrival terminal. Almost all incoming flights arrive in Tehran’s IKIA Airport
   • Tehran – Imam Khomeini International Airport
   • Mashhad – Mashhad International Airport
   • Isfahan – Isfahan International Airport
   • Shiraz – Shiraz International Airport
   • Kish Island – Kish International Airport
   • Qeshm Island – Qeshm International Airport
   • Tabriz – Tabriz International Airport
   • Urmia – Urmia Airport
   • Ahvaz – Ahvaz International Airport
   • Kerman – Kerman Airport
   • Lar – Larestan International Airport
   • Bandar Abbas – Bandar Abbas International Airport
3. Must have Iran visa authorization code for land borders. If you plan to pick up your Visa Sticker at any of the global embassies or consulates before your arrival, you MUST have your Iran visa authorization code.

When to Apply

1. Most applications are approved in 3-5 days. TAP Persia guarantees a successful application for almost all nationalities in 3-5 business days, excluding citizens of the US, UK, and Canada.  
2. Validity of Iran visa authorization code. You will have a certain amount of time to do your physical pick-up once your Iran authorization code has been issued. 
   • Upon arrival (Airport arrival pick up) – 3 months
   • Before arrival (Embassy/consulate pick up) – 1 month
3. Applying online ahead of time. Apply online up to 6 months in advance. As part of the TAP Persia guarantee, we will save your application and submit it on your behalf before your arrival date.
4. Citizens of the US, UK, and Canada. Will need 2-3 months of processing. Must plan your trip on a private or group tour. Read more about Iran tours for US, UK, and Canadian citizens.

Here is how you should fill out each section of your application. 

Paperwork & Application

1. Email: if asked for one, give a very generic email, definitely no .gov accounts
2. Itinerary: If you plan on staying for 30 days, write down a full 30-day itinerary. You can even say you’re visiting 3 cities, 10 days each. Do not mention any controversial places such as Bushehr, Natanz, Kurdistan, Baluchistan, or any border regions. After your first night’s stay, you can basically go wherever you want.
3. Occupation: Everyday common jobs are treated with much more slack. Definitely avoid mentioning that you are a journalist, military personnel, or working with the fashion industry. Keep in mind that the personnel may google your name.
4. Purpose of visit: The only thing you should write about is “tourism”. Do not go into specifics.
5. Passport copies and passport photos: Check out the passport photo and passport copy standards below for additional guidelines. Women must have their hair covered with a light scarf in passport photos. 
6. Documents required for the Iranian Visa on Arrival (VOA): Here are the documents you will have to present to the customs officer.

• Printout of travel insurance. Your insurance must explicitly have the word “Iran” explicitly written inside the Terms & Conditions under countries in which this insurance plan is actively available. To save time, money, and energy, get TAP Persia’s Iran travel insurance before you arrive.
• Print of first night’s accommodation reservation. Include the contact info of the hotel in case customs personnel want to confirm your reservation. 
• Iran visa fee in cash. Most countries pay around 75 EUR, but prices vary. Check out this section for exact prices. Iran Visa fees can be paid in EUR or USD.

Who needs a Iran visa

1. Almost everyone can get a Visa on Arrival. The VOA counter at IKIA or other international Iranian airports can process almost all European, Asian, African, South American & Central American nationalities on the spot. However, in order to ensure fast and reliable processing, we recommend first apply for Iran visa online and then pick up your actual visa at the VOA counter upon your arrival. 
2. Nationalities that don’t need a visa. These nationalities can enter Iran without any prior paperwork.
   
   • 90 days. Turkey, Armenia, Syria
   • 45 days. Georgia
   • 30 days. Oman, Bolivia, Azerbaijan, Lebanon
   • 20 days. China, Hong Kong, Macao, Egypt
   • 15 days. Malaysia, Venezuela

    

3. Nationalities that have to apply in advance. These nationalities have more complicated visa processes.
   
   • United States, United Kingdom, Canada
   • Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Jordan, Libia, Nepal, Somalia, Tajikistan, Yemen
4. Dual citizens. If you are a dual citizen of the US, UK, or Canada, use your other passport when filling your application. You can also apply with the nationality that has a cheaper fee. Check the “Visa fee calculator”.
5. Dual citizens, Iranian. If your father is Iranian, you must apply for an Iranian passport before you visit Iran. 
6. Apply early for the high season. Most individuals can and do apply for the visa-on-arrival upon their arrival. This option does carry its own risks, wait times, and hassles. The application process will stall during the Persian New Year (Nowruz) starting from mid-March to mid-April.
7. Entering Iran with no visa. Everyone, including citizens of the US, UK, and Canada, can visit Kish Island without a visa for 14 days. The island, located off the mainland in the Persian Gulf, is a popular travel destination for Iranians.
8. Visiting Israel will get you denied. Israeli passport holders and anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport (or exit stamps at relevant Jordanian or Egyptian border crossings that imply that you must have entered Israel) will not get a visa.

Travel insurance

1. Need travel insurance upon arrival. You must present your travel insurance to the customs agent upon your arrival. Whether you bring your own or get local insurance is up to you. We strongly recommend you get local Iran travel insurance. 
2. Global insurers rarely cover Iran. Even if a travel insurance provider does cover Iran as part of its policies, their coverage is often minimal and extremely slow to respond in real emergencies. Apply for your Iran Travel Insurance online and save time, money, and peace of mind both at the airport, where you have to present your insurance upon your entry and throughout your stay in Iran.
3. Local insurers are faster & more reliable. Local insurers provide immediate service and assistance in case of emergencies. Read about Iran travel insurance coverage details below the application.
4. Bringing your own 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 at the immigration office. Your insurance must explicitly have the phrase “Iran” explicitly written inside the Terms Conditions under countries in which this insurance plan is actively available. Be sure to contact your company and specifically ask what kind of accidents or emergencies are covered.

Customs regulations

1. What you can bring in. Most Iranian officials are relaxed about what foreigners bring into and out of the country. Your bags will most likely not get searched at the airport.
   You are allowed to import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and a “reasonable quantity” of perfume duty-free. Alcohol, pork, and porn are strictly illegal and should not be brought in.
   You can bring in pretty much any book as long as the cover doesn’t show too much female skin or hair.
   You can bring in your laptop, smartphone, shortwave radio, iPad, or video equipment if they don’t look too professional. Technically you have to declare if you have more than 1,000 USD in cash, but few do, and the officials rarely check.
2. Drones laws are complicated. Most smaller drones are allowed, but authorities have been known to scrutinize drones and other film-making equipment. Contact us by starting a chat or sending us a message on WhatsApp for up-to-date information.
3. What can you take home? You can bring out anything that you originally brought in, along with any other handicrafts except rugs.
   You can bring a “reasonable number” of rugs with you as long as the total value doesn’t exceed 160 USD. Save your receipts as proof of purchase. Shopkeepers will undervalue the items on receipts issued to foreigners so that they will be able to export more carpets.
   You can take up to 150 g of gold and 3 Kg of silver, without any precious gemstones. Anything over that and you have to get an export permit from the Iranian Customs Office.
   US sanctions mean that you technically can’t take more than 100 USD worth of Iranian goods into the US.

Iran Visa duration & extensions

1. Most visas are issued for 30 days. Your Iran Tourist Visa is good for 30 days, with a chance to extend the visa an additional 60 days. There is very little difficulty in extending your visa for the first additional 30 days. However, you will have to go to a new city if you wish to extend your visa a second time, for another additional 30 days.
2. Choose your extension location wisely. Plan your trip around a tourist-friendly city that will easily accept your extension application. Shiraz is the best choice, followed by Isfahan.  Kerman, Yazd, and Tabriz don’t always issue the full 30-day extension. Tehran, Mashhad, and other cities are not that reliable.
3. The extension process. Locate the Passport Immigration Police or the Police Department of Aliens Affairs (edareh gozarnameh) in the city you want to extend. You will need 2-3 passport photos, 2 copies of identification pages of your passport, your current Iran Tourist Visa, your entry stamp/paperwork, any previous extensions, 2 copies of your visa extension form, and at least 1,000,000 IRR for the extension fee along with any additional fees for forms/printing/etc. (Photocopiers can usually be found in each location).
   Go to the nearest Melli Bank Melli branch (usually on-site or nearby), tell the bank staff visa and they will fill the forms for you. Pay the fee, return to the office with your bank receipt and visa extension.
   Your visa extension should be issued within 1-3 hours, however, in the case of less reliable cities, the process may take up to 3-7 days.
4. When to extend. You should apply for your extension at least 2-3 days before the visa expires. Your extension starts on the day the extension is issued, not from the end of the original visa. Check with the Online Persian calendar to check the date. 
5. Do not overstay. Overstaying your visa, even by a few hours, could cause you to be detained. In true emergencies, an official doctor’s note could act as a weak form of extension at the border.

No Iran visa needed: Free trade zones

1. Visit free trade zones for up to 14 days. All tourists may stay on Kish Island, Qeshm Island, or other free trade zones for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa. Americans, Canadians, and Britons are only required to have a certified escort guide waiting for them upon their arrival. Must obtain hotel reservations before your arrival. Overall, you can visit the following trade zones for up to 2 weeks without a visa:
   
   • Kish Island
   • Qeshm Island
   • Arvand Free Zone
   • Aras Free Zone
   • Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone
   • Maku

    

2. Kish Island, the Dubai of Iran. Kish Island is a free trade zone located in the Persian Gulf. The island city has seen massive developments in the past 20 years and is one of the main leisure destinations for locals. It is by far the most popular destination for those who want to visit the country without a visa.
3. Qeshm Island, pristine beaches. The dolphin-shaped Qeshm island is the largest island of the Persian Gulf. The island is home to otherworldly natural wonders and pristine beaches. 
4. Need a guide & hotel reservation. What makes the country special is its unique local cultures. Check out boutique Iran hotels, ecolodges & homestays. US, UK & Canadian citizens will need a local guide. 
5. 48 hrs notice before arrival. To ensure a speedy entry, contact TAP Persia at least 2 days before your arrival. In the case of last-minute plans and emergencies, please let us know as soon as you can so that we can make the proper arrangements.

Iran Visa for US, UK, Canadian citizens

1. Go through a local travel agency. Apply for Iran visa at least 2-3 months before you want to arrive. Express services are available at an additional cost. Please contact our support for further details.
2. Must come on a private or group tour. The good news is TAP Persia offers private VIP Iran tours that cost the same as group tours to similar destinations. Choose from a huge range of classic tours and Iran tour packages.
3. Dedicated guide at all times. TAP Persia works with trusted and tested tour guides. Each candidate has had multiple reviews and many years of experience.
4. Location of respective Iranian embassies & consulates:
   
   • United States – Foreign Interests Section of the Pakistani embassy in Washington, DC.
   • United Kingdom – Iranian embassy in London
   • Canada – Foreign Interests Section of the embassy of Oman in Ottawa

    

5. 14 day no visa entry at free trade zones. All tourists may stay on Kish Island or Qeshm Island for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa. Americans, Canadians, and Britons 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. You can visit the following trade zones for up to 2 weeks without a visa:
   
   • Kish Island
   • Qeshm Island
   • Arvand Free Zone
   • Aras Free Zone
   • Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone
   • Maku
   • Anzali (Bandar-e Anzali)