Iran:Visa Requirements

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Iran Visa Requirements Map

Iran: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The traveler must carry a passport or accepted travel document valid for at least six months from the planned date of departure from Iran.
  • The purpose of travel for which the visa exemption may be used, the permitted duration of stay, frequency of entry, and the right of extension vary according to the applicable exemption arrangement. For holders of ordinary passports under the unilateral tourist visa exemption, the duration of stay is 15 days. This period cannot be extended, and the exemption may be used once every six months. Different durations of stay and entry conditions may apply under other bilateral or special exemption arrangements.
  • Visa exemption does not automatically provide permission for employment, education, journalism, investment, or similar special activities. If the purpose of travel falls outside the scope of the exemption, an appropriate visa must be obtained.
  • A central and uniform document list for the number of blank pages required in the passport, financial sufficiency amount, accommodation document, return ticket, and travel health insurance applicable to all visa-free travelers has not been published. This information has not been definitively stated in the central official source.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • The application must be made online through the electronic visa system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. Completion of the electronic application does not mean that the visa is automatically granted. The application may be subject to consular assessment, additional document review, or personal interview.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the planned travel date. Persons holding dual nationality must declare the nationality information in the passport they will use when traveling to Iran in the application. If the nationality information on the visa does not match the nationality information on the travel document, the visa may be considered invalid.
  • All questions on the application form must be answered correctly and completely. Answers must be written in English using the Latin alphabet. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the information entered, even if the form was prepared by another person.
  • During the application, the visa type, nationality, passport type, and the embassy, consulate, or appropriate port of entry where the visa will be obtained are selected. Depending on these selections, the system may request different information or additional documents later in the application. Therefore, there is no single universal document list valid for all applicants.
  • An active and accessible email address must be used. After the application is submitted, an email verification code must be entered. If the email verification is not completed within three days, the application will expire and a new application must be made.
  • After email verification, the application notification page containing the barcode and tracking code must be printed and kept. The tracking code, passport information, date of birth, and registered email address may be used to follow the application status.
  • A color digital image of the first page of the passport containing the identity information must be uploaded during the application. The image must be in JPEG format, not smaller than 10 KB and not larger than 500 KB. The minimum dimensions of the image must be 800 × 600 pixels, prepared in landscape orientation, in the correct direction, and all text must be clearly legible. Full passport images, cropped information fields, blurry, dark, overly bright, or low-quality images are not accepted.
  • The digital personal photo must be color and in JPEG format. The file must be between 10 KB and 500 KB. The minimum dimensions of the photo must be 400 × 600 pixels, and the height must be greater than the width. The face must cover approximately 70–80 percent of the photo.
  • The photo must have been taken within the last six months, reflect the current appearance of the person, have a solid white or off-white background, and be taken from the front. The facial expression must be neutral, eyes open, and the face fully visible. Hats or headgear that cover the face or hairline must not be used, except for daily religious wear. Earphones and similar devices are not accepted.
  • As a rule, glasses must not be worn. In exceptional cases where glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons, a medical statement signed by a health professional may be requested. The frame, reflection, or shadow of the glasses must not cover the eyes.
  • The photo must not be digitally altered to change the appearance. Photos scanned from an identity document, magazine photos, full-length photos, low-quality automatic booth or mobile phone images are not accepted. In photos of infants and young children, no other person should appear, and the background must be solid white or off-white.
  • If travel arrangements have been made previously, the travel itinerary should be kept ready. The applicant may be asked for résumé information regarding current and previous education or employment history.
  • Additional documents are requested depending on the visa type. These may be a valid letter of invitation, a student acceptance or eligibility certificate from an authorized institution in Iran, a work permit or employment document obtained by the employer in Iran, a visa for the destination country, a media activity permit, investment approval, a treatment acceptance certificate from an authorized health center, or documents proving family relationship.
  • Submitting the application online is the first stage of the process. The system states that the applicant should wait for an assessment period of approximately 10 business days; however, this period does not guarantee a definitive outcome. Additional review, interview, or request for documents may extend the processing time.
  • The visa fee, payment method, validity period of the visa, permitted duration of stay, and number of entries may vary according to nationality, visa type, and the selected issuing authority. A definite fee or payment method valid for all applicants has not been published in the central official source.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport, the requirement for a machine-readable or biometric passport, the period for bank statements, the minimum financial sufficiency amount, and the minimum coverage of travel insurance have not been definitively stated in the central official source.
  • Travel to Iran must take place within the validity period specified on the visa document. If the visa is not used within its validity period, a new application must be made.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • The visa on arrival process is conducted through suitable international airports in Iran and authorized ports of entry selectable in the system. It should not be assumed that a visa on arrival will be issued at every border crossing.
  • Travelers are advised to apply for a visa on arrival through the electronic visa system at least two days before travel, and this pre-application stage is required in the official procedure.
  • When the application is approved, the Grant Notice, i.e., the visa issuance notification document sent by email, must be printed. A printed copy of the document must be presented at the visa on arrival counter at the arrival airport. It is not guaranteed that processing can be done with only the application number or the application screen shown on a phone.
  • The passport or accepted travel document must be valid for at least six months as of the planned date of departure from Iran.
  • The visa fee is paid in euros via banking terminals at the airport. The exact fee varies according to nationality and the applicable visa arrangement. A single fee valid for all travelers has not been stated in the central official source.
  • The purpose of travel for a visa on arrival, the types of passports with which it can be used, and the eligibility conditions vary according to the applicant's situation. Travel for journalism, travel with a diplomatic or service passport, nationality status connected to Iran, and special travel purposes may be subject to different procedures.
  • The maximum duration of stay, extension conditions, insurance coverage, financial sufficiency amount, and the accommodation or return ticket documents to be submitted for a visa on arrival have not been definitively and universally stated on the central visa on arrival page.
  • Electronic pre-approval does not guarantee definitive entry at the border. Final document and entry control is carried out by the authorized border and visa authorities.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • For some visa types or some applicants, processing must be done through the authorized embassy or consulate of Iran after the online application. Some applications may be required to be made in person directly at the relevant diplomatic mission.
  • The applicant must first register on the electronic visa system, complete the form, verify the email address, and obtain the application tracking code or visa issuance notification. Then, the instructions of the selected diplomatic mission regarding document submission, passport presentation, fee, and appointment must be followed.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months. The consulate may request the original passport for visa printing or document preparation.
  • Diplomatic missions may request printed photos in addition to the online photo. For example, some official mission instructions request two recently taken photos. Since the number of photos and the size of printed photos may vary by mission, they should not be applied as a universal number.
  • Depending on the visa type, a letter of invitation, a permit or reference number of the host institution in Iran, an employer letter, a student acceptance certificate, a work permit, investment approval, a treatment acceptance certificate, family relationship documents, or a media permit may be requested.
  • The applicant may be asked for the address and contact information in the country of residence and the address or host information in Iran. Non-citizens in the country where the application is made may be required to provide a valid residence permit or proof of legal residence. These conditions vary by mission.
  • Travel health insurance is mandatory in the visa-type-specific document lists of some diplomatic missions. However, the insurance company, policy type, or minimum coverage amount applicable to all applications has not been definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The consulate may request a personal interview if deemed necessary. There are official mission instructions indicating that electronic fingerprints of all ten fingers may be taken for certain nationalities. The requirement for biometric processing varies by nationality and the mission applied to.
  • Minor applicants may be required to provide notarized parental or legal guardian consent. For family or civil status visas, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and documents showing the parental relationship may be requested. The instructions of the selected mission regarding translation, notarization, or legalization of the document should be followed.
  • The visa fee and payment method vary according to nationality, visa type, and diplomatic mission. Bank transfer, bank payment receipt, cash, or card payment should only be used if the relevant mission explicitly accepts them. A single universal fee and payment method has not been published in the central official source.
  • The validity, maximum duration of stay, and single or multiple entry status of the visa are determined by the visa type and approval granted. A multiple-entry visa may be subject to additional Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval or assessment with the inviting institution in Iran.
  • The authorities may request additional documents, explanations, or an interview. Submitting documents does not guarantee that the visa will be issued.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • A transit visa is issued for travelers who will pass through Iran to another country and have no intention of staying in Iran.
  • The application must be made through the electronic visa system. The application form must be filled out correctly and completely, the email verification must be completed, and the application notification document containing the tracking code must be kept.
  • The passport or accepted travel document must be valid for at least six months. A color JPEG image of the first page of the passport complying with the technical standards specified in the central system and a digital personal photo meeting the standards must be uploaded.
  • During the application, it must be declared that the traveler has the right to enter the final destination country. In cases where necessary, a valid visa for the final country or an entry permit to that country may be requested.
  • If the travel itinerary has been prepared previously, the flight or transportation plan should be kept ready. The diplomatic mission may request a confirmed ticket or transportation reservation showing onward travel from Iran to a third country.
  • The transit visa fee, payment method, permitted transit period, number of entries, and processing time may vary according to nationality and the diplomatic mission applied to. A definite fee, maximum transit period, or payment method valid for all transit travelers has not been stated in the central official source.
  • Travel insurance may be required in the transit visa checklists of some missions. The minimum coverage of the insurance and the accepted policy type have not been definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The consulate may request additional documents or a personal interview if deemed necessary.
Population
93,168,497(2026 est.)
Official language
Persian
Government type
Theocratic republic
Continent
Asia
Capital
Tehran
Currency
Iranian rial
Area
1,648,195 km²
Phone code
+98

Iran: Key Destinations

Tehran, the capital and principal gateway, is served by Imam Khomeini International Airport. Major cities such as Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz are key destinations for both transit and exploration, each offering distinct cultural and historical sites.

Iran's rich cultural heritage is evident in its ancient ruins, grand mosques, and bustling bazaars. The southern islands of Kish and Qeshm provide coastal and free-trade zones, while the Caspian Sea coast in the north offers lush landscapes and resort areas.

Domestic flights connect major cities efficiently, but road and rail journeys are also popular for experiencing the varied terrain. Visitors often plan routes linking Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd for a classic Persian itinerary, or include the Caspian region for a varied experience.