How to get a visa for Iran?

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)