How To Get An Iranian Visa

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Israeli passport holders can not visit Iran.

Also, anyone with evidence that they have visited Israel in their passport can not enter Iran. If you have Israeli stamps, apply for a new passport.

Visa-Free Countries

Congratulations if you have a passport from one of the following countries, you will not require a visa to visit Iran:

CountryMaximum Stay
Armenia90 Days
Azerbaijan30 Days
Bolivia30 Days
China21 Days
Egypt20 Days
Georgia45 Days
Iraq30 Days
Hong Kong _21 Days
Lebanon30 Days
Macau21 Days
Malaysia15 Days
Oman30 Days
Syria90 Days
Turkey90 Days
UAE30 Days
Venezuela15 Days

Visa on Arrival

If you are not from a country that has not been mentioned above, then it is highly likely that you are eligible for a visa on arrival.

The visa on arrival program is only eligible in some ports as below:

Imam Khomeini International AirportTehran (IKA)
Mehrabad International AirportTehran (TEH)
Shahid Dastghaib AirportShiraz (SYZ)
Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport _Mashhad (MHD)
Shahid Madani AirportTabriz (TBZ)
Shahid Beheshti AirportIsfahan (ISF)
Kish International AirportKish (KIH)
Bandar Abbas AirportBandar Abbas (BND)
Shahid Sadooghi AirportYazd (AZD)
Qeshm Dayrestan International AirportQeshm Island (QSM)
Kerman International AirportKerman (KER)

**for all other entry ports into Iran, you will need to receive a visa in advance***

Note: It may feel great that you can obtain a visa on arrival, although you may wish to consider applying for your visa in advance based on the following points:

  • A guaranteed visa is received, and the risk of rejection at the border is removed.
  • Surprisingly it’s cheaper than the visa on arrival.
  • Our Absolute Nomad’s top tip is it avoids the long queues; these are generally around two-three hours but can be longer if your paperwork is not in order.

Visa in Advance

No matter your love of Iran and hatred of all of her perceived enemies, if you are from one of the following countries, you must apply for and obtain a visa prior to travelling to Iran.

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Canada

United Kingdom

Colombia

India

Iraq

Sri Lanka

Pakistan

Somalia

Jordan

Libya

Nepal

Tajikistan

United States

Yemen

How to apply for the Iranian visa

Documents Needed (as and when):

  • Copy of passport ID page with 6 months validity.

(to be sent to Absolute Nomads)

  • Personal photo with white background (ladies are not required to send photos with head covering)
  • (to be sent to Absolute Nomads)
  • Completed Iranian visa application form.
  • (to be sent to Absolute Nomads)
  • Tour Itinerary

(this will be submitted by Absolute Nomads when we have checked and applied the above three.)

  • For citizens of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, a little more information is required:
  • A CV please see attached (including social media links)
  • An Iranian Visa Form

Following completion and submission of the above, after the application is reviewed (which may take between 3 days and 3 months, an Invitation Letter (Authorization Code) will be issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.

This can then be used to obtain your Iranian visa at your requested embassy.

**Note**

This usually takes from 3-10 days for applicants from most nationalities.

It can take from 1-3 months for Americans, British and Canadians, although lately, it takes around 3-4 weeks.

The visa will only be valid for the applicant’s dates applied for (Visa extensions are available in Tehran).

Photo Requirements

Your photo is an essential part of your visa application, and we recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements.

Photo Example

Your passport photo must be:

  • clear and in focus
  • in colour
  • unaltered by computer software
  • at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
  • at least 50KB and no more than 2MB



Passport Copy Requirements

The digital image of your passport is an essential part of your visa application. To learn more, review the information below on how to provide a suitable digital image. The acceptance of your passport copy is at the discretion of the IRANIAN Embassy or consulate where you apply.

Passport Scan must be Clear and Readable

Your passport photos must be:

  • clear and in focus
  • in colour
  • unaltered by computer software
  • at least 50KB and no more than 10MB