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How to get Iran Visa? [2020 update]

Iran visa and how to apply for it

Getting an Iran visa is very easy. You have two simple option for getting an Iran visa. There are different types of visa and different ways to apply for it. Usually, if you don’t have any political issue. you wont face any problems.

To get Iran visa you have two options:

  1. Visa on arrival (VOA)
  2. Get an e-visa

Who can apply for Iran visa?

Who can apply for Iran visa

All foreign tourists can apply for Iran visa except Israelis. Iran and Israel have a long history conflict. If you are somehow related to Israel, you can’t apply for the visa. Even if you have Israel stamp on your passport you have a high chance of visa refusal.

Visa exempts

Iran and some countries have a mutual agreement for getting the visa. Citizens of these countries don’t need to apply for a visa. They include the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan (for 15 days), Bolivia, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Georgia, Armenia, Venezuela, Egypt, and Malaysia.

How to apply for Iran visa

Who can apply for Iran visa

You can visit the website of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to apply for an electronic visa. Also you can go to the Iran embassy (in your country) in person to apply for the visa. After applying and paying for the visa fee, you have to wait until Iran issue you an authorization code.

If you receive your authorization code, it means your visa is ready. Usually, it takes ten business days to issue your visa.

Sometimes Iran embassy will ask you for a visa interview. You must take the interview with consular officer otherwise your visa will not be issued. The visa interview is not required all the time. But if you are asked, remember to go to the specified embassy for the visa interview.

When you apply for the visa, you must state that where you want to collect your visa. You can collect your visa either from Iran international airports or from an Iranian embassy. Be careful about choosing you visa pick-up location because  after you submit where you will collect your visa, you can’t change it.

What are the requirements for Iran visa?

  • A valid passport (6-month validity)
  • Your work and educational resume (you may be asked)
  • A digital personal photo
  • Digital copy of your passport
  • You will be asked for additional information based on your visa type

What documents do you need to collect your visa?

  • Travel insurance
  • Original passport and other documents you have provided for visa application
  • Authorization code
  • Visa fee
  • Fingerprint

In Some Iran embassies in Europe they need your fingerprint for picking-up your visa, so you have to collect your visa by yourself. Before going to Iran embassy check the details with  them.

Iran visa expiration and extension

Iran tourist visa is a 30-day visa. You can extend it up to 3 months. It will be 3 months in total after the issue date. In order to extend your visa, you have to visit the Police Department of foreign Affairs.

The workweek in Iran starts on Saturday and it ends on Wednesday. The work hours start from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. These times are affected by Iran holidays.

What do you need for visa extension?

  • Two photocopies of your passport, entry stamp, your current visa, and documents of the previous extension
  • Extension fee which will be around 7 Euros (check the current fee at the office).

You have to pay for the extension fee in Iranian Rials. You will be directed to Bank Melli branch for the payment. Or you can pay at the office using  IntravelCard. You can use  IntravelCard  to pay for your visa extension fee at the office via POS terminal. There is no need to go to the bank and wait in a long queue. learn more about our service.

Can American, Canadian, and British citizens get Iran visa

get Iran visa

As we stated before anyone can get the visa except Israelis. Due to political and diplomatic consideration; American, Canadian, and British citizens have a different approach for getting a visa. They need to be accompanied by an authorized tour guide or tour agency in order to get the visa. In addition, citizens of these countries, have to reserve hotels in Iran in order to get the visa.

This doesn’t mean that you won’t be alone the entire trip. You can have your trip and your adventures. There are some places in Iran that you cannot visit on your own. It’s kind of hard to find them. Having a tour guide or tour agency has its own advantages.

Free Zones

kish island free zone in iran

Iran has free zones. You don’t need to get a visa for these places. They include Kish Island, Qeshm Island, Chabahar, Aras, Anzali, Arvand, and Maku. The Kish island and Qeshm island have international airports. You can stay up to 14 days. Keep in mind exiting these areas and entering other parts of Iran requires a visa.

You don’t get an entry/exit stamp on your passport

There are some citizens of countries (mostly Europeans) that can visit united states for 3 months without obtaining a tourist/business visa. After united states sanctions against Iran, this policy has been affected.

If they have visited Iran they would need to get a visa to visit united states. Iran responded to these sanctions and have updated its visa policies. Citizens of these countries won’t receive Iran entry/exit stamp on their passport. They can visit Iran without any problem.

visa fees

Visa fees depend on your country. Iran embassy in London has provided a list of countries and visa fees. You can download the PDF version here.

Iranian Prepaid Travel Card

If you want to travel to Iran, you need a prepaid travel card for your expenses.  MasterCard and Credit Card is not accepted in Iran. Using our IntravelCard, you no longer need to worry about carrying cash. you can shop using IntravelCard all over the country with confidence.