Iran Visa Info

All nationalities with the exception of Israeli citizens can visit Iran. However, all foreign visitors with the exception of nationals from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, and Turkey require a visa to enter Iran. Nationals from the above mentioned countries could stay for up to three months without a visa.

Tourist Visa (single or multiple entry)

Tourist visas are issued to those who wish to go to Iran for sightseeing or to visit friends and family. The visa is valid for 30 days of stay.

Entry Visa (single, double or multiple entry)

An entry visa is the same as a business visa. It allows foreign nationals to visit Iran for economic, commercial, cultural, or industrial purposes. Visitors who are in Iran to participate or attend a conference or sporting event will also need an entry visa. The duration of stay is up to 30 days.

Commercial visitors must have an invitation letter from the Iranian company or organization that they intend to visit.

Press Visa

Foreign journalists, who want to visit Iran for business reasons, must have a press visa. Applications for press visas must be sent to the Press Section of the embassy.

Transit Visa

Transit visas are for foreign nationals who are passing through Iran on their way to another country.

Work Permit Visa

Work permit visa are for foreign nationals who want to work in Iran. The company you intend to work for must apply for a work permit before you can apply for a work permit visa.

Pilgrimage visas are for foreign Muslim pilgrims, who wish to visit religious sites and shrines in Iran.

A student visa is for foreign nationals, who want to study in Iran.

A diplomatic and service visa is for foreign nationals, who have diplomatic and service passports, and want to visit Iran for an official visit or to work on a diplomatic or consular mission.

To apply for an Iranian visa, visit your nearest Iranian embassy at least 8 weeks before your intended date of travel. You will need to fill out an application, obtain a letter of invitation from a sponsor in Iran, which can be a family member, a tour operator, or a hotel. Once you’ve submitted these documents to the Iranian Embassy, they will send your application to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Once your visa status has been decided, the Iranian embassy will contact you with further information.

Please note that for all US citizens, you can only enter Iran as a part of a pre-booked guided tour. This means that you must travel as a part of a tour group, or on a tailor-made individual tour with a tour guide. You will need to make these arrangements at least 10 weeks before your intended travel date. You will need to book your flight and hotels before you can be issued a visa. All other nationals do not have to book hotels or flights before applying for an Iranian visa.

Citizens of the following countries can get a tourist visa that is valid for 15 days on arrival at certain Iranian airports:

Albania, Armenia Australia Austria Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Columbia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arabic Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia.

Visa extension for tourists, entry, and pilgrimage visas are allowed. To get an extension, visit the closest Police Department of Alien Affairs. You will need to provide reasons for your request. Extensions can be granted for up to two months free of charge.

Diplomatic and service visas can only be extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and upon the request of the foreign diplomatic mission in Tehran.

The Police Department of Alien Affairs can also extend work permit visas. Any request must have the support of a sponsor.

Female visitors traveling alone are required to have a guide. Female travelers are also required to wear a headscarf in their visa application photographs.