Iran is a beautiful country and has so many things to offer. Before travel to Iran make sure to check out our Iran travel guide to learn more about things to do in Iran; culture, events, cuisine, conferences, exhibitions and etc. This complete Iran travel guide has everything you need when you travel to one of the friendliest countries in the world.

Iran visa for US citizens

Iran visa for US citizens

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Citizens of more than 100 countries need to obtain an Iran visa to enter Iran for activities such as tourist travel and business. Among these countries, the citizens of the three countries of England, Canada and the United States have different conditions than other countries. Especially obtaining Iran visa for US citizens is a bit complicated.

what happened in 2017?

Nearly two years ago, Donald Trump ordered a visa freeze for seven countries. Iran is one of the seven countries, A country that does not have a good political relationship with the United States. Therefore, Iranian citizens were not allowed to enter us. In retaliation, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ceased issuing visas for the US (as well as Canadian and UK) travelers for a short period of around two months. But in the past few months, conditions have changed slightly and visas are issued for American citizens.

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

Things US citizens must know before applying for Iran visa

Citizens of these three countries can obtain an Iran tourist visa if they enter Iran on a tour. In the meantime, Getting an Iran visa for American citizens is a bit different. they must travel to Iran in the form of a tour, along with one of the leaders approved by the Iranian foreign ministry, Department of Cultural Heritage and Police Immigration and Aliens. the leader must accompany US citizens throughout the journey.
citizens of the united states must have a complete itinerary so that all the details of their journey, such as the exact time of arrival and departure, the place of residence and attractions to be visited, and in some cases the routes to be traveled, should be mentioned.

Today, getting an Iran visa for US citizens is partly simple but have a time-consuming process. Its better before applying for a visa, be aware of a few things:
• Americans citizens not eligible for a visa on arrival.
• Due to government regulations, the Iran visa process is long. So the process may take 60 to 90 days
• Supporting documents must also be provided when applying for an Iran visa.

Iran visa for US citizens will issue after a two-step process:
1- Obtaining a travel license from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2- Real tourist visa that will issue by the Iranian Consulate

As a US citizen, The tourist company you choose will do the Office work for your visa. All you need to do is fill out the application form and submit it to the same Iranian consulate you have chosen to apply for a visa. Then you have to wait until they summon you. The tricky part of this process is obtaining a license number, which usually takes 60 to 90 business days for US citizens. Once you get this number, getting a visa from the Iranian Consulate is almost certain within 2 to 3 days.
Although Iran does not have an official embassy in Washington DC but has an “Interests Section” at the Pakistan embassy that handles the Iranian visa application. If you do not live in the DC area, you will need to send your passport, application form and passport photo with a prepaid return package, by post.
Also, you can obtain your visa from the Iranian Consulate abroad. Just specify the consulate location when requesting a license number. For example, some tourists get their visas from the Iranian Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey.

jameh mosque, Isfahan

Documents and forms required for getting an Iran tourist visa (for US citizens):

• Scan from personal photo
• Scan from the first page of the passport
• Scan from the national card of Iranian host
• Invitation Form
• Resume (Including Academic Records, Careers, and Interests)
• Specified itinerary such as exact time of arrival and departure, place of residence, attractions to be visited and routes to be traveled.
• Payment of 10% of the tour fee (the remainder after receiving the visa)

traveling to Iran

Is Iran among the safest countries to travel?

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One of the most important questions for tourists interested in traveling to the Eastern countries, especially traveling to Iran, is the security of these countries.

Iran is a specific country with a wide range of natural features and cultures. Therefore, due to its tourism potential, traveling to Iran is considered a great destination for foreign tourists. In addition, due to the fact that Iranian money is worthwhile for most people in the world, travel to this country is Affordable. But about the visit to Iran, this question has always busted the minds of tourists that whether this country is safe enough or not?

traveling to Iran

Azadi Tower in Tehran

Negative media propaganda

Due to global political issues and negative media propaganda against Iran, there are many negative opinions about Iranian all over the world. many tourists consider that all these arguments are true and they forgot that the existence of this issue between governments and not people. thus, they refuse to travel to Iran. because of negative propaganda and unaware of the Iranian beliefs and morals, Many tourists do not have a correct idea of Iran and Islam.

Tourists Experience of Traveling to Iran

according to Persia digest, One traveler who recently traveled to Iran on his experience of the trip says: “I traveled to Iran with my wife for two weeks and can honestly say that this country is one of the safest places we have ever traveled. The only problem in Tehran is traffic that’s crazy! The Iranians are the most welcoming people we have ever seen, and due to lack of time, we could not answer all their invitations. “

Another traveler about his experience traveling to Iran says: “I traveled to Iran for the first time in 2012. While other tourists advised me that Iran was really safe and people were excellent in all respects, the media outlined Iran as the most dangerous region in the world, but on my trip to Iran, I found all the negative propaganda against this country is wrong and on a trip to Iran We must forget them. ”
So you can also experience reality by traveling to Iran. Do not listen to what the main American media say about Iran and travel to Iran, and enjoy visiting the culture and several thousand years of civilization along with the hospitable people. But if these topics still can not convince you to travel to Iran, come along us.

Iran is one of the safest countries according to research articles

According to the Independent, the results of a new study show that Iran is safe in terms of safe European countries, and is among the safest countries in the world to travel alongside Britain, Slovenia, Denmark, and Switzerland. The two risk assessment institutes called “International SOS” and “Risk Control,” in collaboration with each other, have been developing plans called “Road Risks Roadmap in 2019”, which will give external travelers level of risk in any country or territory.

traveling to Iran

Road Risks Roadmap

Political violence (including terrorism, civil protests, insurgency, and war), social unrest (including ethnic and sectarian violence) and violent crimes are among the dangers that have been addressed in this study. The strength of the public transport infrastructure, the state of industrial relations, the efficiency of security services and emergency services and the degree of vulnerability to natural disasters have also been other factors that considered by the International SOS and Risk Control agencies to assess the level of security of countries that people travel to them.
The map prepared by the two institutions classifies travel hazards in different countries of the world at five levels: intangible, low, moderate, high and excessive. Very few countries have been able to stay on the “intangible” category for safety reasons. Luxembourg, Denmark, Slovenia, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, and Iceland are the only countries that come from the continent of Europe and stand in this category. most European countries, including the United Kingdom, are on the list of “low-risk countries.” Interestingly, Iran, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Uzbekistan also coincide with European countries and stand in this category (low-risk countries). Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand are also in the same category.
According to this map, countries with high or extreme risk are almost entirely from Africa and the Middle East. Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Mali, South Sudan, and Somalia are among the countries that are in the fifth category, which means “excessive risk”.

Therefore, from the point of research documents, Iran is one of the safest countries in the world to travel and you can safely enter this country and bring memories of joy for yourself.

Transportation in Tehran

Transportation in Tehran

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Traveling around the metropolis of Tehran is relatively difficult due to the size of the city, the constant traffic, and population. One mistake in route planning can result in a great loss of time. High number of highways, bus routes, taxi, and subway routes and online taxis, all of them are your options for transportation in Tehran. If you have a well-planned trip to Tehran beforehand and know which vehicle you can better reach your destination with, you will save a lot of time and energy.

Tehran subway

Tehran Subway (Tehran Metro)

Tehran has a powerful and complete subway route. You can get anywhere on the subway. From north to south, east to west. Lots of Tehran locals use subway to head to work or places they want to get to. Some stations in-office hours are really busy. Tehran subway is maybe your first choice for transportation if you are an environmentalist. Here is the Tehran metro map:

 

Tehran Complete Subway Map

 

Also, there is a mobile application that includes stations and whether or not they include markets or toilets.
Download Tehran metro app for Android
Download Tehran metro app for IOS

BRT Bus

BRT Buses are special buses with special routes throughout cities in Iran, including Tehran.

Tehran Buses (BRT Buses)

 

Tehran has currently 10 BRT lines.
Line 1: Azadi Terminal to Tehranpars crossroad
Line 2: Azadi Terminal to Khavaran Terminal
Line 3: Science & Tech Terminal to Khavaran Terminal
Line 4: Tehran South Terminal to Chamran Highway-Parkway Intersection (Afshar Terminal)
Line 5: Science & Tech University Terminal to Argentina Sq. (Beihaghi Terminal)
Line 6: Chamran Highway-Parkway Intersection (Afshar Terminal) to Sohanak (Laleh Terminal)
Line 7: Railway station is located in the southern part of Tehran to Tajrish that is located in the northern part of Tehran. (Valiasr Ave.)
Line 8: Tehran South Terminal to Khavaran Terminal
Line 9: Sohanak (Laleh Terminal) to Javanmard Ghassab Metro Station
Line 10: Azadi Sq. to Daneshgah Azad sq. in Hesarak
These stations are usually recognizable as they have stations in the middle of streets with a line separating bus route from streets. As you saw in the above picture.

Tehran BRT buses app for Android

Motorcycle Taxis

Tehran has a surprise for visitors. Motorcycle taxis! On every street corner, there is a motorcycle driver shouting “taxi”. If you want adrenalin filled, traffic-free ride. Hop on one of the motorcycles. It’s a great way to get around town if you are in a hurry. Cost depends on your driver but they may cost as much as taxis but it doesn’t take as much time. They usually don’t have a spare helmet for you to wear but if you ask them they willingly give theirs to you.
Besides traditional motorcycle taxis which are found in Tehran streets, AloPeyk is an Iranian startup specializing in motorized transportation for cargos and people. Snapp! is another startup that has a motorcycle taxi, we will get to that one later.

Download AloPeyk app for Android

Download AloPeyk app for IOS

Traditional Taxis

Traditional taxis which are found in every street corner in Tehran, are not private unless you tell them to be. They are public services filled with at least 3 passengers to travel to destination. Private taxis are discussed later. If waving for a taxi in Tehran, yellow or green cars are typically official public taxis. Unless you’re familiar with the going taxi rates, agree to a price before getting in the vehicle. You can also book a taxi service at the Airport or simply ask your hotel reception for one.

Private Taxis

Snapp!, Carpino and TAP30 are three Iranian startups for private and modern taxis. I am certain that you heard of UBER or at least used it. It is exactly like that only Persian. Alongside Private Taxi, Snapp also has Snapp Motorcycle, Snapp Market (you can order groceries from the nearest supermarket), Snapp Food (it is like UberEats) and Snapp Trip (for booking hotels). Nowadays lots of Tehran locals use these three Tehran taxi services because they are comfortable and fast.

Download Snapp! for Android

Download Snapp! for IOS

Download TAP30 for Android

Download TAP30 for IOS

Download Carpino for Android

Carpino Web Application

As you have read, there is a number of choices for transportation in Tehran. So, it totally depends on your destination and your time limit. It is recommended that you consult with your tour guide or locals to know whether to take the bus, subway, taxis or simply just walk to your destination! Good luck and enjoy Tehran.

shemroon kabab on of the Elegant Tehran Restaurants for Tourists

Elegant Tehran Restaurants for Tourists

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Memorable and delicious dishes are not only served in the most stylish and best restaurants, but we know that if the public as the best knows a restaurant, it usually serves the most delicious quality. Although prices are often high in such restaurants, they are worth a try. Tehran is a very good city for eating out, especially if you are a guest in our country and need good food. If you are looking for the most luxurious restaurants in Tehran, come along.

Kubaba Restaurant

A restaurant called Kubaba with a different and semi-casual atmosphere has been listed among Tehran’s most famous restaurants. At Kubaba’s Restaurant, you have a variety of foods to choose from, which is why it is so popular in the capital. As to the other features of this restaurant, it is stated that this restaurant has a very stylish atmosphere with respectable and professional staff.
Another top feature of Kubaba’s restaurant is its varied menu, and you can even try Lebanese and Afghan dishes. Hams, salads, falafels, samosas, and salads are delicious here as a snack. Among the dishes, we suggest Alexander Effendi, Afghan Plow, Eggplant Mosaic, and Eggplant Stew and Gourmet try once. Kubaba Restaurant also has breakfast.

Kubaba Restaurant

Address: 1st Floor, Golkhaneh Street, No.257, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 12:30-3:30 PM, 7:30-11 PM
Phone: 021 2620 8016
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kubaba.kitchen/?hl=en

Iran Shahr Dizi Sara Restaurant

In addition to the numerous cafes that exist on Tehran’s Iranshahr Street, there are some good restaurants, one of which is IranShahr Dizi Sara. This Dizi Sara has been operating for 6 years now and is one of the most famous restaurants in Tehran. Although the price of food at this restaurant is high, you will get a decent Dizi instead. The appeal of this Dizi Sara is that in addition to the traditional food that is cooked, the restaurant atmosphere is compatible with the food. Interior design is traditional Iranian style and you will find coffee-house paintings on the walls of the restaurant.

Dizi Sara

Address: Iran Shahr, Kalantari Street, No.52, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 11:30 AM– 4:30 PM
Phone: 021 8881 0008

Yas Restaurant

This restaurant is located in Tehran’s Valiasr Street and is one of the best restaurants in Tehran. If you are looking for an Iranian-French restaurant, Yas Restaurant is a great offer. Stylish and modern décor, as well as Iranian and international cuisine such as steaks and soups, are among the highlights of the restaurant.

Yas Restaurant

Address: District 3, Valiasr Street, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
Phone: 021 2201 1020

Koohpaye Restaurant

Koohpayeh Restaurant is one of Tehran’s most popular restaurants located in the Darband area of Tehran. The restaurant is built on 4 floors and the beautiful fountains on each floor give the restaurant a very beautiful view. At this restaurant, you can enjoy a delicious meal while listening to the relaxing sound of water.

koohpaye Restaurant

Address: Darband, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 11 AM-11:59 PM
Phone: 021 2270 7201

Khooneh Restaurant

When you walk into this beautiful traditional restaurant, you will forget your homesick feelings because this exactly feels like a Persian home inside a restaurant. The beautiful layout of the tables, the carpets on the floor, the delicacies on the rose plates awaken all the feeling of nostalgia for its Iranian customers, making it one of the best traditional restaurants in Tehran. All of the dishes at this restaurant taste similar to home-made dishes and the restaurant environment is very warm and lovely.

khooneh Restauran

t

Address: End of East Kaman Dd End, Shahidi St, Towards East Haqqani Highway, Jahan Koodak 4way, Africa St Towards East Haqqani Highway, Jahan Koodak 4way, Africa St, Tehran, Iran
Phone: 021 43937
Hours: 11:30 AM – 5 PM

Tamasha Restaurant

Located on the sixth floor of Milad Noor Shopping Center and is one of the best ones as it has a very modern decoration, great food, and professional staff. This restaurant is one of Tehran’s most luxurious restaurants and attracts many customers by offering a variety of Asian, European, Italian and seafood dishes.

Tamasha Restaurant

Address: Farahzadi Boulevard, Milad Noor Shopping Center, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 11:15 AM – 11 PM
Phone: 021 8808 5448

Morshed Restaurant

Morshed Restaurant in Tajrish is one of the most famous restaurants in Tehran that has great barbecues and if you go to it once you will be a regular customer every time you come back to Iran. If you love traditional-style restaurants and quality and delicious Iranian dishes, this may be a great choice. The price ratio of this restaurant is average depending on the quality it offers. Tajrish Restaurant staff are very kind and friendly to their customers.

Morshed Restaurant

Address: Niavaran, After Jamaran, Delshad Alley, No.2, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 12-4 PM, 8-11 PM
Phone: 021 2200 2200

Shemroon Kabab

Another one of Tehran’s most famous restaurants that can be found in places such as Niavaran or Tajrish is Shemroon Kabab. This restaurant complex has 4 branches in Tehran. One of them which is located in the square near Tajrish Square has a three-story building, and the terrace on the top floor overlooks Tajrish Square with a very spacious design. This restaurant has been working for 5 years. Shemroon Kabab has been the first choice for lots of Tehran-Kabab-Loving-People.

Shemroon Kabab

Address: District 1, Tajrish Square, Tehran, Iran
Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM
Phone: 021 2274 6007

Travel Insurance in iran

Iran Travel Insurance for Tourists

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Ever thought about the dangers of foreign travel? Diseases caused by climate change, seasickness, foreign food poisoning, severe cold in the winter, etc. These are just a few threats to passenger health. Problems that may arise when your identity documents are lost, delayed flight, legal problems if you do not comply with the laws, and so on. These problems can be very worrying about foreign trips due to the traveler’s unfamiliarity with the environment and the language in Iran. Iran travel insurance can be a good solution to these threats.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Iran travel insurance protects you against possible travel accidents. Due to the exchange rate difference in our country and most foreign countries, the treatment costs vary from one to another. If the insurer wishes to pay for the accident in the event of an accident, but a simple cold may incur heavy costs. A bigger problem may be that the insurer does not have to pay for its treatment. Imagine your luggage containing the necessary travel supplies. Especially if it is difficult to continue without it. If you have travel insurance, you can cover the cost of losing your cargo insurance. Therefore, it is not too far-fetched to conclude that travel insurance offers many benefits to insurers and is vital for preparing for overseas trips.

Travel Insurance in Iran

travel insurance is necessary for travelers

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

• Costs related to cargo, travel documents, and flight delays: In these coverages, the insurance company pays for the loss of lost or stolen cargo and personal documents, as well as delayed travel of the vehicle.
• Cost of Legal Issues: In cases where travel insurance includes legal coverage, the insurance company will provide a lot of legal support to the person. Legal problems can occur if you do not observe foreign citizenship laws or are unfamiliar with the laws and regulations there and may incur a lot of problems and conflicts for the passenger. In these cases, the insurance company pledges to support such as counseling and prosecution, as well as payment of attorney fees and court and defense costs. These costs are different in different companies and each company will pay for them on their own terms.
• Accompanying fee: Also, in cases where there is a need for hospitalization of more than 10 days, the cost of commuting and staying of a patient’s first-degree relative is paid by the insurance company to accompany them.
• Return costs: In the event of illness or an accident that requires more than 10 days to be hospitalized, the insurance company pays for the return of a patient’s companion.
• Severe illnesses: In the event of relatively serious accidents or serious illnesses, the insurance company determines, on the basis of the injured person’s condition, and in consultation with a physician, whether to take the necessary measures to treat the person in the same country or to arrange for him to be transferred to his country. The insurance company is obligated to make the most appropriate decision in consultation with a specialist.
• Drug Costs: In the event of missing passenger companion drugs (provided they are necessary to use), the insurance company is obligated to pay for the re-shipping of the required drugs to the insurer.
• Dental costs: For dental costs, only the necessary medical expenses will be paid. Costs like treating severe infection, toothache, tooth extraction, etc.
• Medical costs: All costs incurred as a result of various illnesses or injuries that require medical care and hospitalization and treatment will be covered by the insurance company. This covers all costs of hospitalization, examination, treatment, surgery, etc. up to the limit of the insurance premium.

Travel Insurance Duration

The insurance period begins on the date you leave the country and when you exit the stamp on the passport. Since the issuance of travel insurance, the insurer has a limited time to leave the country. This period is six months for some insurance companies and up to one year for others.
It is also important to know that all travel insurance covers travel for less than 92 consecutive days. That is, even if you buy one-year travel insurance, you must return to the country every 92 days since you will no longer be covered by the 93rd day.

Travel Insurance in Iran

travel insurance cover the threats of travel

Iran Travel Insurance

The idea of designing and supplying travel insurance has occurred since the beginning of 2007 for the wellbeing of incoming travelers to Iran. Necessary measures were taken by Central Insurance to compile and translate this insurance. Under this insurance, all foreign nationals and residents living abroad who intend to travel to Iran will be covered by the benefits of Iran travel insurance.
This insurance policy is issued only to foreign travelers to Iran and starts at the time of arrival in the Islamic Republic of Iran. There is no age limit on this policy and medical costs up to € 10,000 are covered during the insurance coverage, which includes surgical, medical and poisoning. The premium rate is also calculated based on the age and the age of the insured on the basis of the euro.

Choosing an Iranian Travel Insurance Agency

The best way to get Iran travel insurance is by buying it at the airport. As you can obtain Visa on Arrival in Iran, you can buy Iran travel insurance at the airport too.

But below I will introduce agencies and contractors you can trust. You can fill out their online application and send an insurance request to the company. They will email you with more details.

Agency #1: http://www.irantravelinsurance.com/
Agency #2: https://1stquest.com/insurance

How to obtain Iran Business visa

How to obtain Iran Business visa

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Iran Business visa is issued to those who intend to travel to Iran for business purposes, either as an Iranian business visa. Foreigners can use this option if they intend to trade with Iranians. Currently registered companies and business card holders can apply directly to the Iranian Foreign Ministry for visas. Here’s how to get an Iran Business Visa. If you are not a Businessman, please read How to get a visa for Iran.

Iran Business Visa

If a person intends to travel to Iran to do business, he or she must apply for a business visa. This type of visa is known as “Iran Corporate Visa” or “Iran Business Visa”. An Iranian business visa is recommended for those who intend to apply for a multiple entry visa later.

There are two types of Iranian business visa. Single entry visa and multiple entry visas. Multiple entry visa includes those who have traveled to Iran at least three times in the past year.

How to obtain Iran Business visa

single entry visa

Who Can Apply?

If you intend to trade with Iranians you can use this Iranian visa. Registered companies and business cardholders can apply for a business visa directly through the Iranian Foreign Ministry. In general, the host of a business visa for Iran must be the CEO of the company or the organization inviting a foreign national.

The important thing to apply for an Iran Business Visa is that a foreigner must be invited by the CEO or organization to enter Iran and obtain a business visa. Only an invitation from a reputable company or organization within Iran can apply for an Iranian corporate visa.

How Much Should I Wait?

Iran Business Visa process takes between 4 to 10 business days. Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran abroad can invite the applicant for an interview if necessary.

The process may face delays due to the Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ decision for more investigations. However, the above-mentioned process times are met in most cases. Please notice that Thursdays and Fridays are weekend days is Iran and not counted as working days for the process. Public holidays are also added to non-working days.

Iran business visa requirements:

  • A business partner (real or legal) invitation to apply for a business visa is required.
  • Two new 3 * 4 biometric photo pieces (the photo must be full face, no hat, dark glasses)
  • Applicant’s valid passport (Passport must be valid for at least six months).
  • Filled out the host profile form
  • Filled out the guest profile form
  • Letter of Appeal with Letterhead, Sealed, and Official Signature of CEO Requesting the Iranian Foreign Ministry to Visit Iran for a multi-entry Visa Application
  • The official newspaper along with the latest changes to the company
  • A crisp, clear image of the passport’s front page
  • Picture of the host national card (both sides of the card)

Special Nationals

Special Nationals like British, American and Canadian nationals and businessmen who travel to Iran for economic, commercial, cultural and industrial workers need a visa license. They should apply for a visa with their business partner’s representative in Iran applying to the Foreign Ministry’s General Directorate of Foreign Affairs and then to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Iran Multiple Entry Visa

A Multiple Entry Visa is only available to people traveling to Iran on a business trip. This visa is issued with different credits due to the number of individual trips last year. The validity of a Multiple Entry Iran visa varies between three months, six months or one year, depending on the foreign national and the number of trips made in the year prior to applying for a Multiple Entry.

This visa has several advantages. Saving time and money to get a visa multiple times is one of the benefits of this visa. With this visa, you will not have to worry about problems with getting a visa over and over.

Multiple entry visa applications are accepted on the basis of the Passport Office’s opinion and it is possible that even if all the above-mentioned documents have been completed, you will not be able to apply for a multipurpose visa.

Important Considerations

  • Under 18 years old applications must be signed by their parents.
  • People whose father or mother is Iranian have Iranian citizenship and can travel to Iran with an Iranian passport.
  • All applications must be completed and fully signed. Otherwise, the documents will be returned without action.
  • Iranians who did not leave their nationality and also hold a foreign passport cannot travel to Iran with the above-mentioned documents; such persons must obtain a new passport and travel with the Iranian passport.
  • Handwritten and offline passports are not valid.
  • The host for the Iranian Business Visa must be the CEO or inviting organization.
  • This business visa is offered to those who intend to obtain a multiple entry visa later.
  • If you intend to travel to Iran, it is best to apply through the Iranian tourist visa.

Contact Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Website: https://en.mfa.ir

Phone: 61151

Public Relations: 66739191

FAX: 61154275

Zip Code: 1136914811

Email: info@mfa.gov.ir

Address: Iran, Tehran, Imam Khomeini Street, Imam Khomeini Square

Office Hours: Saturday to Wednesday (8 till 15)

Iran's currency

Iran’s currency guides for tourists

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Iran’s currency can be confusing for foreigners. First of all, Iran’s currency is the Rial. It is recommended that you carry Dollar to Iran. You can exchange your dollars to Rial but you may not need to do that. Because Iran is not connected to the western banking system, your first choice is to bring cash with you. But don’t worry there are some other ways to spend money in Iran without any trouble. In this article, we are going to talk about Iran’s currency.

Iran's currency

10.000 Rial / 1.000 Toman

Credit Card

As we said, Iran is not connected to western banks so you cannot use your credit cards here. There are plenty of ATM’s and banks but you cannot withdraw cash with your credit card because there is no connection between Iran banks and foreign banks. Therefore, one way is to bring all your travel money with you on your arrival in Iran. So, you need to calculate how much to bring first. Another way is using Mah Card. recently, some hotels have been adding Master Cards to their payment system.

Mah Card

Mah Card is an Iranian prepaid credit card designed by Mah Card Startup for tourists and foreigners. You can add your funds to this card, from any currency you want and convert it to Iranian Rial. Mah Card is first to provide card services to tourists in Iran. Helping tourists to access electronic payments in Iran.

Shetab is the Iranian digital and electronic payment system. You can use Mah Card anywhere that accepts Shetab Cards. Nowadays almost all hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, entertainment venues, e-commerce websites, and some taxis, accept Shetab Cards. ATMs are very common in Iran and are found everywhere on the streets.

Mah Card Website: https://www.mahcard.com/

Money Exchange

The exchange rate for converting USD or Euro to Rial is volatile. So, at the time you want to travel to Iran search for the “Iranian Rial exchange rate” and visit converting websites for today’s rate.

Money converting in Iran is not that hard. Look for any sign saying “Currency” or “Exchange”. For example, if you are in Esfahan, in Ostandari Street there are numbers of money exchangers on the streets. There are some currency converting offices on that street too and it is recommended that you visit those offices instead of money changers on the street. Google search “money exchange office address in …”. fill in the blank with the name of the city you are at.

Banks for Money Exchange

Banks can exchange foreign currency up to 2000 USD or it’s equivalent to other major currencies for each passport holder and each companion of the passport holder or up to 2000 Euro for the same purpose per transaction.

List of these Banks: Melli Bank, Mellat Bank, Saderat Bank, Sepah Bank, and Tejarat Bank.

Iran's currency
Central Bank of Iran

Rial or Toman?

Here our story gets a little confusing. Rial is Iran’s currency. But what is Toman? Toman, in general, has 1 Zero less than Rial. Iranians use Toman. It is not an official currency but prices and costs are all indicated in Tomans unless told otherwise. But you can’t exchange your money to it because Toman is not coins or banknotes, it is just a name and a way for money. Confused? Well, it is what it is.

Money Loss

If you ran out of money or were robbed or lost your money, you have to seek Melli Bank with your passport and visa and call a friend or family in your country to make a money transfer to that particular branch of Melli Bank using Swift code, your full name and passport details. Melli Bank has branches in London, Hong Kong, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, Hamburg, Baghdad, Muscat, Baku, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Kabul, Bahrain, Ras-Al-Khaimah and Sharjah. Many European, Indian and Japanese banks provide service to Iranian banks including Melli Bank.

How Much Money for Travelling to Iran?

Average Daily Cost (per person): 2.000.000 Rial

Average Cost for One Week (per person): 14.000.000 Rial

Average Cost for One Month (per person): 60.000.000 Rial

Average Cost for One Week (for a couple): 28.000.000 Rial

Average Cost for One Month (for a couple): 120.000.000 Rial

Typical Hotel or Hostel Cost for One Person (per night): 1.500.000 Rial

Typical Hotel or Hostel Cost for a Couple (per night): 3.000.000 Rial

Average Meals Cost for One Day: 1.000.000 Rial

One Bottled Water Cost: 15.000 Rial

Average Taxis, Local Buses and Subways cost (per day): 300.000 Rial

Entrance Tickets for Monuments, Shows Cost: 1.000.000 Rial

Tips and Handouts for Tour Guides or Service Providers: 1.000.000 Rial

Average Cost of Bus Travelling Between Cities: 400.000 Rial

You may find cheaper or more expensive costs so Average costs for one day, one week and one month is not stable.

Banknotes

Rial banknotes come in 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and the 100,000 Rial note, which is too small for substantial purchases.

In recent years a useful method also has been adopted which reduces needs to carry lots of Rial in your pocket. It is called “check pul” and works like a traveler’s check but doesn’t have a name written on it. The most common denominations of chek puls are 500000 and 1000000 Rials.

Iran Visa for Special Nationalities

Iran Visa for Special Nationalities

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In an article called How to get a visa for Iran, we talked about the process which you can obtain your Iran Visa and mentioned that for most countries you can have a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and in other cases, you have to get your Iran visa before you travel to Iran. In this article we are going to talk about those other cases and if you need further information read the article mentioned above. By the way, to consider tourist’s concerns, the Iran government won’t stamp on foreigners’ passports so don’t worry about sanctions. Here’s how to get an Iran Visa for Special Nationalities.

Which Countries are Special?

Due to political reasons, these countries nationals cannot obtain a visa on arrival and need to go through a different process:

United States of America, England, Canada, India, Columbia, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

Iran Visa for Special Nationalities
Indian people can’t get Iran visa on arrival

In General, What Should I Do?

In general, Canadian, British and American (USA) people can only get a tourist visa if they travel with tours. In addition to that, they must have their tour leader with them the whole time and their tour leader has to be verified by Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Iran Immigrant and Passport Police.

Nationals of Canada, England and the United States of America need to have a complete and detailed traveling plan explaining the exact time of arrival and exit, where they’re staying, landmarks and places they want to visit and selected routes for traveling.

These 3 countries added to those mentioned above have to visit Iran Embassy in their countries in order to get a visa. They can also contact a travel agency that can get their visa process started. Consider that there are just a few agencies that can obtain your visa for you. So, do your research first and be sure of your decision.

Is it Safe for Special Nationalities?

Iran is Absolutely safe. From cities and villages to deserts and jungles, north to south, west to east, I can confirm that you are in no danger by people nor the government and if you follow the laws of visa there will be no problem.

Cost:

This depends on what nationality you are but there are two different prices you have to pay.

  • Iran Visa Services Cost (commonly received by your travel agency)
  • Cost of sticker or stamp on the visa

To make sure of how much the cost is, contact your travel agency.

Time Validation for Iran Visa:

In a special nationality situation, Iran Visa is valid for two weeks (14 days) and you can stay in Iran for 14 days. But if you want to extend your stay you need to submit an extension request to Iran Immigrant and Passport Police at the city you’re staying. Their offices are found on Google Maps or you can ask your travel agency for help.

 

How Long till My Visa is Issued?

Embassy says that it takes 2 to 3 months before your flight to issue a visa for special nationalities. The reason that it takes too long is that every document needs to be checked precisely before publishing your visa. So, collect your documents carefully and be patient. It’s worth the wait.

 

Required Documents:

These documents are official so read them carefully and collect the exact documents. This the most important part.

  • Passport: A passport with a 6-month validity. You need to make a colored, digital and hard copy of all your passport pages.
  • Photo: Official and colored photo to be attached to your visa. Something like your passport photo. Your face must not be covered in a long beard, no hat and no covering your face with a mask.
  • CV: For security reasons, you need to write a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV). Short CVs are not acceptable.
  • Travel Plan: You need a fully detailed drafted travel plan with the exact arrival and exit time, locations and specifications of where you’re staying, landmarks and places you want to visit and selected routes for traveling. Make sure to leave no details behind.
  • Hotel Reservation Voucher: As a form of a ‘receipt’ the traveler can then claim the service he paid for the reserved hotel.
  • Tour Leader ID Card: Some tour leaders are verified by Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iranian Police and some other officials. Iran Government only accepts those leaders to guide your travel and they must be with you the whole time. Their ID card and letter of recommendation (published by travel agencies) must be submitted when applying for a visa.
  • Translated CV and Travel Plan: You need a translation of your CV and Travel Plan into both English and Persian. Travel agencies will do the translations for you.
  • Personal Information Form: This form is downloadable via the Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. Also travel agencies can get you this form for you to fill out. The second way is recommended. You will write about personal and basic information of yourself in this form.
Iran Visa for Special Nationalities
Iran visa for foreign people

Your Passport Won’t be Stamped in Iran:

In 2015, US Visa Waiver Program (WPM), has issued a new limitation imposed on the citizen of some countries (mostly European countries) who have previously traveled to Iran that those travelers can’t visit the US anymore or they must go through a clarification in order to go back to the US.

To counter this sanction, in 2018, Iran updated its visa policy and started a new stamp-free policy to encourage more foreign visitors to enter Iran. In this new policy, Iran tourists will no longer have an Iranian visa attached to their passport or an arrival or exit stamp on their passport.

So, because there will be no arrival and departure stamp on your passport. you just need to deliver the visa to the officer at the immigration section of the airport at your departure time from Iran.

Therefore, you can come to Iran, visit any place you want and if you are worried about sanctions, your passport will not be stamped. Enjoy your stay and don’t worry!

Contact Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Website: https://en.mfa.ir

Phone: 61151

Public Relations: 66739191

FAX: 61154275

Zip Code: 1136914811

Email: info@mfa.gov.ir

Address: Iran, Tehran, Imam Khomeini Street, Imam Khomeini Square

Office Hours: Saturday to Wednesday (8 till 15)

Dress Code in Exhibitions

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You may be in Iran and want to visit exhibitions or art galleries, but don’t know the dress code for such occasions. In this article, I’m going to walk you through this. First I’ll be talking about essentials and hijab, then fashion pieces of advice for women with hijab and then dress codes in exhibitions. By the end, you will know everything about how to dress in Iran and what to pack.

Essentials

You need to pack some essentials to wear for your trip to Iran. Ladies remember that when your airplane lands in Iran, the crew will give you scarves to cover your hair but you need to pack these kinds of stuff too:

  • Underwear and bras. This is optional but advised for Iran.
  • A pair of leggings, jeans or any kind of pants. Sometimes long skirts that cover your ankles work too
  • A shirt or coat or tunic or cardigan that cover your breasts, arms, and stomach

Guys should pack these:

  • Jeans or any kind of pants that cover your ankles
  • Shirts or coats

Hijab

Hijab is for both men and women. For men as long as they cover their legs and upper body they’re ok.

On the other hand, women have to cover their hair, upper body, and legs.

Iran follows Islamic rules and every tourist must have hijab. But don’t worry, the dress code in Iran is more casual than you think.

To summarize it (for both male and female):

  • Hair: Your hair must be covered all the time (Females). But don’t panic if you cover falls of your hair. Just fix it.
  • Legs: Your legs must be covered down to the ankle
  • Arms: Your forearms can be uncovered but cover the shoulders, breasts, and top of arms
  • Feet: Feet can be uncovered

Also if ladies want to wear Iranian hijab dresses you can buy Mantow, Chador and local costumes from clothing stores of Iran.

Fashion tips with Hijab (Females)

  • First of all, dress colorfully. If on some websites you read that you must wear black in Iran, they’re wrong. There’s absolutely no limit on wearing colors. Maybe you like to wear dark and that’s ok too. But if you wear colorful in your country, you can do that in Iran too.
  • Tight jeans are ok. You can wear loose pants or tight jeans. Whichever makes you more comfortable.
  • One other trick to be good looking whilst wearing hijab is to wear long-sleeved tunics or long-sleeved shirts especially if you are traveling in summer. You can wear them with loose pants or tight jeans and either way you will look wonderful.
  • Manteau is a piece of hijab dress made in Iran for covering the upper body and parts of the lower body. They are made in a variety of styles and colors. You can wear them with anything you like. They’re a good choice for a handsomely-dressed-hijab-wearing female tourist.
  • Shawls and Scarves are to cover your hair. Light shawls have been growing in international fashion shows. Although how to wear them in Iran is a bit different but as long as you cover your hair, you can wear them however you like. Shawls and Scarves, like Mantows, are made in colors and various designs. There’s no harm in trying them.
  • Makeup is popular in Iran. Some women overuse them and some wear just the right amount.
  • Nail polish on hands or feet is common in Iran too. So if you’re wearing sandals and you want to use nail polish on your feet or hands it will help you look more stylish. Ignore articles that say Iranians hate nail polish.
  • Skirts are not very common among Iranian women but some wear them so tourists can wear them too. Recently skirts have become more popular. But when it comes to hijab, you should wear leggings or long sucks underneath your skirts. Also, you must wear long skirts that cover your ankles.
  • There’s absolutely no limit for your feet. You can wear high heels, boots, sneakers or sandals.

Dress code in Exhibitions

How do you dress for exhibitions and art galleries in your country? Do that in Iran too. But women must consider hijab.

Women can apply my fashion tips for dressing in exhibitions.

Guys don’t need to wear golden suits and women don’t need to wear Cinderella’s shoes. Just look sharp and comfortable.

If men hate suits, just wear something stylish. In exhibitions, you may find Iranian men wearing T-Shirts with jeans. Just remember it all depends on the kind of event you are going to. If it’s an art gallery, you can dress very casual. If it’s a scientific or technology exhibition you can either wear suits or jeans with shirts. But if you are having a speech in these exhibitions, you better wear suits.

By the way, you are in Iran and people are more easygoing comparing to Europeans. Especially if you are a tourist, nobody expects you to be the best-dressed man or woman in the room. Just be comfortable and stylish.

 

 

How to get a visa for Iran?

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Iran Visa is issued for foreigners who want to travel Iran for visiting relatives, working, educating, amusement and fun, special events or any other purposes. Getting Visa may be the most frustrating part of a trip, for some countries obtaining a visa is difficult and for some it is easy. Thankfully, getting Iran Visa is easy as you can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) for tourism purposes. Of course, that’s the case with most nationalities. Some countries’ nationals require different process due to political reasons.

Though according to a recent bill approved by the Iran government, your passport will not be stamped by the government because most tourists are concerned about the Islamic Republic of Iran stamp on their passport due to US sanctions.
In this article, we’re going to take you through the process, dos and don’ts, cost, required documents, and laws on how to get a visa for Iran.

Your Passport Won’t be Stamped in Iran

Let us put your mind at ease. To counter-sanctions and consider tourists’ concerns, your passports will not be stamped according to a bill that has been approved by the head of Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, Iran Ministry of Industry and Trade, Iranian police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
So, you can easily come to Iran, visit any city you want and if you are worried about sanctions, your passport will not be stamped. So enjoy your stay!

Where Do I Get Iran Visa on arrival?

Here’s a list of Iran International Airports that you can obtain your visa on arrival. Depending on your destination, any of these airports will give you your visa:
• Tehran Mehrabad Airport
• Imam Khomeini Airport
• Shiraz International Airport
• Isfahan International Airport
• Kish International Airport
• Tabriz International Airport
• Mashhad International Airport
• Ahwaz International Airport
• Bandar-Abbas International Airport
• Payam International Airport (Karaj)
• Kerman International Airport

Mehrabad airport and Imam Khomeini airport are located in Tehran, Iran capital. It is recommended that you land in Tehran.
Some visas are not on arrival and you should contact Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any trustable travel agency to obtain your visa. These issues are explained below.

Types of Iran Visa

• Pilgrimage Visa: issued for visitors of Holy Shrines and other Religious landmarks from any religious belief. Especially for Mashhad and Qom.
• Tourism Visa: issued for travelers who want to visit Iran’s landmarks, nature and historical places.
• Scientific and Sports Visa: issued for scientists or athletes that want to visit Iran for tech or scientific seminars, sporting events and such. These people may visit two or more times in a year.
• Political Visa: issued for politicians invited to political events.
• Work Visa: issued for people who want to work in Iran. Some countries’ nationals may have a harder process of getting this visa because of political issues.
• Educational Visa: issued for people who want to educate in Iran. Just like a work visa, students from some countries have to consider a different process to get their visas.
• Media Visa: issued for interviewers, photographers, and journalists.
• Foreigners with Iranian Mothers Visa: issued for people who were born in other countries but have an Iranian mother.
• Transit Visa: issued for people who want to visit a third-party country through Iran via any transportation vehicle.
• Business Visa: issued for people who want to visit Iran for business purposes and business events.
• Family Visa: issued for people who want to marry an Iranian or in Iran.

Visa-Free Nationalities

Because of political relations and international laws between Iran and listed countries, if you are a citizen of these countries you don’t need a visa:
• Turkey (90 days)
• Syria (90 days)
• Lebanon (30 days)
• Azerbaijan (30 days)
• Armenia (90 days)
• Egypt (20 days)
• Georgia (45 days)
• Venezuela (15 days)
• Malaysia (15 days)
• Bolivia (30 days)
• Serbia (30 days)

Iran Visa fee

The answer to this topic varies from a country to another. So, to make sure of Iran Visa Cost you must visit Iran Embassy in your own country or simply ask the travel agency that can prepare your visa for you. The second part is recommended to save your time and energy to focus on your trip.

Time Validation for Iran Visa

We’ve mentioned visa-free countries’ time validation for the visa but in other cases, Iran visa is valid for 3 months (90 days). People can stay in Iran for 30 days and if they want to stay more, they must request the extension. You better request it from 1 to 3 days before your staying date is over. Go to The Immigrant and Passport Police Office in the city you are staying and make your request. Google Maps or your Travel Agency can address you to these offices.

Visa on Arrival for Iran

So, let’s talk about the big issue. Nationalities from some countries can get a visa on arrival and some must get their visa before their arrival.
These are two general options to get your visa:
A. Contact Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs or visit their website (https://en.mfa.ir) and fill out Iran Visa form. Other contact options are listed at the end of the article.
B. Ask any trusted travel agency or tourism company that can handle this problem in a fast time.

Countries whose nationals Can get Visa on Arrival

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

Countries whose nationals Can Not get Visa on Arrival

United States of America, England, Canada, India, Columbia, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka.
These countries’ nationals must get their visas before traveling. So, don’t get up and ‘just go’ to Iran.
I talk about how these nationals can get their visas on Iran Visa for Special Nationalities article.

Required Documents for Iran Visa

These are official required documents for obtaining your visa on arrival. They are fairly easy-to-get documents:
1) Passport with 6 months validity.
2) Visa stamp fee which you can pay at the airport. Cost depends on the tourist’s nationality.
3) An official photo to be attached to Iran Visa. A photo similar to your passport photo works fine.
4) An Invitation Letter. The invitation letter must be sent from an Iranian travel agency to the Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs 48 hours before your flight.
5) Online visa application form with an authorization number.
6) Your return ticket within 30 days timeframe since your arrival to Iran.
7) Travel insurance valid for Iran.

Contact Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Website: https://en.mfa.ir
Phone: +982161151
Public Relations: +982166739191
FAX: +982161154275
Zip Code: 1136914811
Email: info@mfa.gov.ir
Address: Iran, Tehran, Imam Khomeini Street, Imam Khomeini Square
Office Hours: Saturday to Wednesday (8 AM till 15)