How to get Iran Tourist Visa

The mysteries of obtaining an Iran tourist visa! Some might say it’s as easy as sitting maths 4th table. But for some it is siting 17th table – Both of them are right!

The answer to your burning question on getting a Tourist Visa where history dances with culture and natural beauty embraces ancient wonders is – “Yes… kinda, sorta, maybe, with a pinch of wit!”And this time, we aren’t just talking about the visa process for Indians but also to other western countries!

So, here we go sorting how to get Iran Tourist Visa without much of a trouble.

1. Eligibility and Application Process

Getting Iran tourist visa is not easy as getting Thailand tourist Visa, but definitely not a hassle – depending on your nationality. Iran began to offer visa-on-arrival (VoA) at its airports in 2018. Remember, not all nations are eligible for this.

Do Indians need a Visa to visit Iran?

Following Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, Iran is now the fifth country letting Indian passport holders skip the visa hassle. The Iranian government made a big announcement on December 14 2023, ditching visa requirements for visitors from 33 countries. While the Iran tourist visa is one of the toughest to get for American, British and Canadian tourists, it is one of the easiest Visas for Indian citizens.

Can Americans get Iran Tourist Visa?

Yes! The political heat between the two nations give birth to cause of concern. But many Americans travel to Iran to experience Iran’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. UK,USA and Canada citizens must do it to get to Iran and they must apply though a travel agency registered under Iran’s government.

Travel companies such as 1stquest take care of all the requirements for Americans, Canadians, and Brits to obtain their visas. The process involves following straightforward instructions, like filling in your itinerary and flight details, which isn’t too difficult.

Additionally, the Iranian government mandates that many Western European countries must have an Iranian guide accompany them throughout their trip. For details on how this is managed, you can inquire with 1st Quest.

2. Common Causes for Iran Visa Application Rejection

There are some cases where your Iran tourist visa application gets rejected.

If you apply through Iran’s official E-Visa portal will be rejected very likely as it happened to us & many other travellers. To get Iran Tourist Visa, you should have an Iran cell phone number & authorization code, which most of us won’t have as non-Iran residents. If you have an invitation letter or a relative living there, you can get either of them.

So you must apply through any reliable travel agencies in Iran to get your Visa as we did through 1stquest.

The other reason for rejection is- people with dual citizenship! Let us say you have both – Armenia and USA citizenship. You will try to apply for Iran Visa using your Armenian passport as it is simpler than using USA passport. When they get to know this – surely, there will be a huge trouble!

Will an Egyptian stamp impact your Iran visa application?

For 99%, you will have no issues getting Iran visa if you have Egypt visa stamp on your passport! Because we travelled and had stamps of Jordan and Egypt before going to Iran. With all documents in place and a Visa grant, we could easily pass immigration process at Tehran’s airport without a trouble.

Entering Iran with Israeli Stamp.

Well, we didn’t have Israel stamp when we travelled to Iran. But all the online traveller’s forums suggest that if your passport contains an Israeli stamp you may be refused entry to Iran.

3. Visa Fees Payment Method and Processing

While getting our actual Visa at Iran Airport, we paid 45 Euros per person. This fee varies with the nationality of the visitors. And you must pay it in cash – Either Euros or Rials.

How long does it take to get Iran Tourist Visa application approved?

The official MFA website says they need 5 to 7 days. But We got our E-Visa grant through 1st Quest in three working days! After applying your e-Visa and getting it approved you receive a Visa grant, not the actual Iran Visa. And I bet, you will never receive a Visa grant as beautiful as the one you get from Iran!

The MFA says they still can reject your Visa, even after getting your Visa grant, if the officers at the airport find your documents wrongful or suspicious.

Is travel insurance mandatory for Iran?

Yes! Travel Insurance is mandatory to get through the immigration process at Iran’s Airport. But you need not buy it while applying for E-Visa. Iran MFA is particular about Travel insurance Companies. Not all company’s insurances are valid. 

You can buy insurance at the airport while getting your Visa process done. Officers will guide you, but it is a waste of time at the airport especially if you can’t speak Persian. You have to do a bit of running around from kiosk to kiosk. So it is best to opt for purchasing insurance before leaving to Iran.

4. Iran Tourist Visa Validity and Extension

Usually Iran tourist visa is valid for 15, 30 or 45 days depending on your application request. You can get it extended once you are in Iran if need be.

How can I extend my Iran tourist visa?

Many long-time travellers end up spending time more than they thought they would – Indeed, Iran is that beautiful. To get your visa extended, you must visit particular police stations in the city. Remember not all police stations aren’t authorised to extend tourist’s visa in Iran. It must be “Alien and Foreign Immigrant Office”. They exist in major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Yazd. Spot your nearest location, head there. While going you must have a passport size photo to submit. Ladies, have to carry a passport size photo wearing a hijab. The general opinion is Yazd or Shiraz are better for visa extension policies. And is harder in the countryside Police station.

5. Can an unmarried couple travel to Iran?

The tangled web of Iranian relationship rules! Iranian law does not allow Iranian unmarried couples to live together. It states people of opposite sex can not to be alone together unless they are family members or married together.

But when you apply for Visa and stay at hotels, these things don’t matter. Apply for visa individually and state you are single.You will be all fine. When I checked other unmarried couple traveller’s blog, they said there was no difficulty at hotels for staying in the same room as an unmarried couple.

6. Does an Iranian stamp affect other visa applications?

Your passport won’t be stamped in Iran at all! To ease travelers’ visa concerns for other countries, Iran doesn’t stamp foreign passports upon entry or exit. There won’t be any slip or paper given as a stamp (similar to what they did for Ashrith in Hong Kong). Your entries and exits will be recorded in Iran’s server.

And if you’re wondering whether we encountered any issues obtaining visas for other nations after visiting Iran – I traveled to Austria after a year of visiting Iran. Three years post my Iran trip, we explored Japan for 19 days. With precise documents and a clean record, I was able to obtain both visas without any hassle

7. Documents to Carry when you travel to Iran

If you apply through their Iran official MFA website with your Iran cellphone number & authorization code, click here for a list of documents.

Suppose you are Applying through 1st quest as we and which we recommend, your valid passport copy, photograph with white background is all you need.

You have to carry hard copies of the Visa grant and travel insurance while getting the Visa at airports.

Is it easy to clear the immigration process at Tehran Airport?

Yes. It is very easy to clear the immigration process at Tehran airport even if you don’t speak Persian. Trust me, Iranians are the kindest people we have ever met on earth!

All officers were kind and helpful. We finished the Visa process in 10 Minutes and moved toward the Immigration check. Apart from these Visa grant and insurance documents, the officers didn’t ask for anything else. Learn little phrases of Farsi. Iranians love when we approach them for help talking in their language. Plus, Airport officials speak decent English.

Crossing Iran borders on land versus airports.

Tehran airport is the biggest of all in Iran, hence it is easier here. In 2020 Shiraz international airport was functioning though it was half-built. Since we were exiting Iran from Shiraz, there were no procedures to follow. But if you decide to enter Iran at other airports or cross land borders from Armenia or other countries, do extensive research beforehand as the process may not be as smooth as it is in Tehran. You may not be able to buy insurance at the land borders and smaller borders.

Did this help you to get your Iran tourist Visa? Let us know in the comment section below.