Our Iran Visa Guide will teach you everything you need to know about Iran’s visa policy for people from all over the world, including different types of visas, particular requirements, visa sponsorships, visa fees, and more. It is critical to have a scheduled flight ticket in hand before applying for a visa to Iran.
Who needs a visa to visit Iran?
If you are from one of the following nations, you must submit a visa application in advance: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, the United Kingdom, and the United States are these nations.
For more information on visas to Iran, you can visit their Embassy page.
Visit Embassy WebsiteEntry into Iran
The second dosage of a two-dose vaccine (or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine) must have been administered more than 14 days prior to entry into Iran. Alternately, passengers may present a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours previous to their arrival. No vaccination certificate or PCR test is necessary for children under the age of 12.
Passengers may be subject to health screening upon arrival and may be required to undergo quarantine at government facilities if they exhibit symptoms. At all times, passengers coming in Iran must wear a mask on the plane and in the airport.
Multiple international commercial flights are in service, although some have limits on whose passengers they will transport. The circumstance is susceptible to change. If you have concerns regarding future travel arrangements, please contact your airline. The following link is the most effective way to determine which airlines travel from Tehran.
If you are in Iran, you should routinely watch developments and adhere to the recommendations of local authorities, especially in regards to local regulations.
Arrivals with dual nationality
If you are an Irish national with Iranian nationality or a dual Irish national who enters Iran on a passport other than an Irish passport, you should be aware that Iran does not recognise dual nationality. As a result, our ability to provide consular assistance to dual nationals is extremely limited. Land travel from Iran to neighbouring nations is feasible. The Department of Foreign Affairs cannot provide introduction letters for visa reasons to Irish nationals who wish to travel to neighbouring countries through land.
Eligibility to apply for a Iran visa
The criteria for a visa in Iran is straight forward and must be followed in order to obtain entry to the Country. The criteria is listed below for your benefit.
Before applying for an Iran visa, you must have an Iranian sponsor who can provide a Letter of Invitation.
Once you have received the Letter of Invitation, you can submit it along with the necessary documents to the Iranian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Processing time for Iran visas
Due to the fact that there are two distinct application procedures, visa processing times vary.
You must first apply for the Iran Visa Code (online or via an agency). It takes around 5 to 7 business days to obtain an Iran Visa Code online. If you are from the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada, it may take between one and three months.
Then, depending on your nationality, you must apply for your Iran visa at the Embassy, which can take between a few days and two weeks.
If you are not applying at an embassy, you can obtain an Iran visa upon arrival at the airport in just a few hours.
Appointment waiting times
Although NVC aims to schedule appointments within three months after NVC’s receipt of all requested papers, this timeline is contingent on the consular section’s operational state and capacity.
Who can visit Iran without a visa?
The nations that can travel to Iran without a visa are listed below, along with the maximum number of visa-free days allowed in Iran.
- Turkey 3 months
- China 21 days (+11 days)
- Egypt 20 days
- Macau 21 days
- Malaysia 15 days
- Azerbaijan 30 days (+11 days)
- Oman 30 days (+12 days)
- Armenia 90 days within 180 days of each visit
- Georgia 45 days
- Lebanon 30 days
- Bolivia 30 days
- Venezuela 15 days
- Hong Kong 21 days
- Syria 90 days within 180 days of each visit
For detailed information on specific parts of the general visa process, you can refer to the links below to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Iran visa types
There are several types of visas available in Iran. Depending on what the reason for your visit, you will need a specific visa for your trip. The types of visas are:
- Business visa
- Tourist visa
- Pilgrimage visa
- Diplomatic visa
- Education visa
- Temporary work visa
- Transit visa
- Press visa
What to do if your Iran visa is refused?
When your visa is denied, you will typically receive a message or email, as depicted in the image below, requesting that you apply through an Iranian travel agency. Therefore, you need only wait 24 hours and reapply through a travel agent.