Iran Tourist Visa is a travel document that grants eligible citizens the opportunity to visit and explore Iran up to 90 days, specifically for tourism and recreational purposes. Acquiring an Iran tourist visa entails a series of steps, including the completion of an online visa application form, submission of necessary documents, and ultimately collecting the visa either from an Iranian embassy or at the Iranian airport. It is important to note that all visa approvals and issuances are subject to the sole discretion of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To begin your process of obtaining an Iranian tourist visa, follow these simple steps:
It’s common to come across various terms when discussing Iran tourist visa, which can be confusing. The terms Iran e-Visa, visa grant notice, authorization code, reference number, invitation letter, and tourist visa all pertain to the same type of visa. Essentially, they refer to a document that serves as official confirmation that the applicant has been granted an Iranian visa. In simple terms, it signifies the approval of the visa application.
In order to apply for an Iran Tourist Visa, visitors need to fulfill the following requirements:
All individuals intending to visit Iran must obtain a visa to enter the country unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Certain countries have been granted exemption from visa control, allowing their citizens to enter Iran without a visa. Therefore, individuals holding passports from these countries can enjoy visa-free visits to Iran. If you are a passport holder of any of the countries or territories listed below, you do not need to make advance visa arrangements to travel to Iran.
Citizens of eligible countries do not need to make any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Iran. To avail this waiver, they must present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
The processing time for Iran tourist visa grant notice is approximately 7 to 10 working days. However, it’s important to factor in the processing time if you plan to collect your visa from an Iranian embassy or consulate. If you choose to send your documents by mail, remember to account for the time it will take for them to be mailed back and forth. Therefore, it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel plans, but not more than three months before your intended departure date.
For an optimal experience, it is recommended to begin the Iran visa application process approximately four weeks before your planned travel date. However, it is important to note that the visa processing itself typically does not require that much time.
The validity of a single-entry tourist visa for Iran is three months from the date it is issued. Typically, this visa allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days. The visa grant notice will specify the exact period of validity. It is important to adhere to the specified validity period, as it is your responsibility to do so. If required, it is possible to extend the visa duration while in Iran.
The fee for an Iran visa service is €25 per adult. The visa application fee for an Iran tourist visa must be paid at the time of submitting your application.
Depending on the applicant’s nationality and the location where the visa is collected, there is a visa stamp fee that must be paid either at the embassy or at the airport. The fee ranges from 25 to 150 euros. Please note that visa fees are non-refundable. Additionally, it is important to be aware that fees are collected in the local currency of the embassy or consulate, except at Iranian airports. If you are collecting your visa at an Iranian airport, you must pay the visa collection fee in cash, either in Euros or Dollars. It is advisable to check with your Iran embassy or consulate before submitting your application, as fees are subject to change at any time.
Please refer to the list of Iran Visa Stamp fees, which provides precise information on the visa collection fee for different nationalities.
After submitting your application for an Iranian tourist visa, it is important to allow some time for the visa to be processed. Within a few days, you will receive a visa grant notice via the email you provided during the application process. To stay informed about the your visa application, you can check the status of your application on the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. This will provide you with the latest updates on the progress of your application.
Extending an Iran tourist visa is a straightforward and practical process. If you hold a 1-month visa, you have the option to extend it for an additional 30 days. The duration of the extension depends on the initial visa period: if you were granted a 30-day visa, you can extend it for another 30 days. Similarly, if you had a 15-day visa, the extension can be made for an additional 15 days, and so on.
To extend your visa, you can visit any Police Department of Aliens Affairs located in the provincial capitals. The entire process typically takes approximately one day.
It’s important to note that if you exceed the duration of your Iranian visa, you may face consequences such as being denied a future Iran visa. Additionally, there will be a fine imposed when you depart from Iran.
There are several common reasons for the rejection of Iranian visa applications, including:
If your Iran visa application is rejected, it’s important to note that it’s not a permanent disqualification. You have the option to reapply after 24 hours of receiving the rejection. You can choose to reapply through the MFA visa portal or seek assistance from an Iranian travel agency.
In addition to your passport and visa, there are certain additional documents that you must present when arriving at the Iranian port of entry. These include:
Iranian officers will no longer stamp or put stickers to passports of foreign tourists in order to ease their concerns about traveling to other countries after leaving Iran. When it comes to visiting other countries in the future, the visit to Iran does not have a direct impact. In 2018, Iran implemented a new stamp-free policy as part of its visa policy update. As a result, upon arrival in Iran, instead of stamping passports, travelers are provided with a slip of paper that serves the same purpose. It is important to keep this slip safe throughout your entire trip to Iran.
Thanks to this policy, visitors can easily utilize the Visa Waiver Program to enter the United States or other countries without any issues arising from having an Iranian stamp on the passport.
Indeed, travel insurance is a requirement for entering Iran. Though it is not necessary during the Iran visa application process, it is imperative to possess travel insurance when collecting your visa from the embassy or upon arrival at the airport.
The Iranian visa on arrival, also known as the Iran airport visa, is a tourist visa that can be obtained by citizens of 180 countries upon their arrival in Iran. To obtain the visa on arrival in Iran, you must apply through the Iranian government’s e-visa website or seek assistance from a reputable travel agency in Iran to obtain the visa grant notice prior to your trip.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will present your visa grant notice to the visa officer and receive your VOA.
Citizens from more than 180 countries are eligible for an Iran tourist visa on arrival, except for residents of the following countries. If you belong to one of these countries, please make sure to obtain a visa prior to your travel to Iran.
Citizens holding American, British, Canadian, or Irish passports can visit Iran provided they are accompanied by an authorized tour guide. In addition, they are required to book a tour package to Iran that includes accommodation, transportation, and a tour guide to obtain their visa. Although the process is relatively straightforward, it may take some time, typically up to 40 days.
You have the opportunity to explore the following trade zones in Iran for a maximum duration of two weeks without requiring a visa:
Kish Island and Qeshm Island have international airports with regular international flights, making them easily accessible by air. For other areas, land transportation is the preferred option. However, it’s important to note that you will still need a visa to exit the free zones and enter the rest of Iran. For more comprehensive information, please refer to the details provided in the Iran visa waiver program.
If you have any further questions about Iran tourist visa or need assistance with the visa application process, feel free to contact our visa experts. We are here to help you make your journey to Iran a smooth and enjoyable experience!
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