Iran Tourist Visa (Updated Dec 2025)
Iran tourist visa requirements have returned to the pre-August 2025 rules. Visitors no longer need a guide during their trip. You can apply for your visa directly through this page.
Iran Visa Application Process:
1. Complete the online application form via the following link and pay the service fee
2. Your request will be reviewed by our team and then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. Upon visa approval, you will receive your visa authorization code in 2-3 weeks.
4. Finally, you will pick up your visa from the embassy or airport
*Please make sure to read important notes, Terms and conditions before starting your application.
Important Notes – Terms & Conditions For Iran Tourist Visa
- Your travel package includes an application fee, which covers our service for processing your application and following up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is separate from the visa fee, which you'll pay directly to the government when you collect your visa at the embassy, consulate, or airport. The amount of the visa fee depends on your nationality and where you pick it up.
- Citizens of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada must apply at least 2 months in advance. In addition, they must travel on organized tours with a private guide approved by the Iranian government during their stay
- The application process typically takes two weeks (excluding holidays, Thurs and Fri) to get approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Processing times may be longer for certain nationalities.
- Applicants who have previously been rejected and wish to reapply must submit a rejection notice from their prior application.
- Your Passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of departure. (see all the required documents for Visa application.)
- Some countries have more than one Iranian consulate; please specify the exact consulate in which you would like to pick up your visa on the online application form.
Who Needs an Iranian Tourist Visa?
Most tourists need a visa to travel to Iran. However, due to international agreements, citizens of some countries are exempt from this requirement for tourist stays. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citizens of the following countries may enter Iran for tourism without a pre-arranged visa (15-day stays, renewable once every 6 months).
Azerbaijan  |
Armenia  |
Bahrain  |
Belarus  |
Bosnia and Herzegovina  |
Brazil |
Brunei Darussalam (Brunei)  |
Cambodia  |
China |
Croatia  |
Cuba  |
Egypt  |
|
Georgia |
Zimbabwe | Indonesia  |
|
Iraq |
Japan  |
Kazakhstan  |
Kuwait  |
Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) |
Mauritania  |
Mauritius  |
Mexico  |
Oman  |
Peru  |
Qatar  |
Saudi Arabia |
Serbia  |
Seychelle |
Singapore  |
Syria  |
Tanzania |
Tunisia  |
Turkey  |
United Arab Emirates  |
Uzbekistan |
|
Vietnam |
|
|
* For some nationalities this exemption is only permitted under specified conditions. Therefore it is recommended to consult with our team via WhatsApp or online chat (on the bottom right corner) to get updated on the latest rules and regulations.
Everything You Need to Know About the Iran Tourist Visa
Is Iran Safe To Travel?
Safety is one of the first concerns travelers bring up when planning a trip to Iran, and at To Persis, we hear this question every day. Political headlines can make things seem uncertain, yet the experience of most visitors tells a very different story.
Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between Iran and some Western governments, daily life in the country is stable, and thousands of tourists explore Iran each year without encountering safety issues. In fact, many travelers describe Iran as one of the most welcoming places they’ve visited, often feeling safer here than in destinations considered “low-risk.”
Still, Iran has its own cultural norms and legal sensitivities. The rare situations where foreign nationals faced problems usually involved engaging in political activities—such as attending demonstrations or posting political commentary online during their stay.
Do You Need a Visa for Iran? Here’s How to Know
Most travelers must obtain a visa before entering Iran unless their passport is listed among the exempt nationalities (see the table above). Others may apply online and choose where to pick up their visa depending on eligibility — either at an embassy or upon arrival at an international airport.
Applying Through An Agency or the MFA Portal — Which Is Better?
Travelers normally choose one of two application paths:
The MFA Online Portal (Official Government System)
This platform is valid, but many users experience:
-
Unpredictable approval times
-
A lack of communication
-
Rejections caused by minor technical errors
These issues have become more common in recent years.
Applying Through An Agency (Recommended for Most Travelers)
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Fewer errors and far fewer rejections
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Status follow-ups if delays occur
-
Clear guidance tailored to your nationality
Most applications processed through an agency receive approval in about 2 weeks.
We provide this link for travelers to simplify the visa application process. Click here!
Some nationalities have different and more complicated visa process:
United States, United Kingdom, Canada: Citizens of these countries must apply at least 2 months in advance.
France, Germany, Netherlands: Visa approval takes more than 7 days for these nationalities.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, Nepal, Somalia, Yemen: The visa process for these nationalities is also a little complicated.
* To get updated on the latest rules and regulations, it is recommended to consult with our team via WhatsApp or online chat.
Required Documents for an Iran Tourist Visa
The good news is that the requirements are straightforward—what really matters is providing them in the correct format. Most delays and rejections happen not because people lack documents, but because files don’t match the MFA’s technical standards.
Below is the clearest, most up-to-date guide to what you’ll need:
- A Valid Passport (Minimum 6-Month Validity): Your passport must remain valid for at least six months from the date you plan to leave Iran. If it expires sooner, the MFA will not process your application, so check this early.
- A Digital Passport-Style Photo: This is one of the most sensitive requirements. Even small formatting issues can cause the application to be rejected or delayed.
- A Color Scan of the Passport’s Main Page: Iran’s MFA requires a clear, sharp, full-color scan of the passport information page. Blurry or cropped scans are one of the top reasons applications get rejected.
- Travel Insurance that Explicitly Covers “Iran”: You must present insurance that mentions Iran by name. Many international policies exclude Iran due to sanctions, so double-check your coverage. If your insurance doesn’t list Iran, we can arrange compliant coverage instantly.
- A Rough Travel Itinerary: This doesn’t need to be exact or final. The MFA simply wants to know: Which cities you plan to visit, Approximate dates, Where you intend to stay (hotel names or general areas). You can modify your itinerary later during your trip—no problem. To Persis helps you create a clean, MFA-friendly itinerary if needed.
- Completed Visa Application Form: The form includes: Personal information, Travel details, Contact information, Optional host details. Small mistakes in the form often slow down approval, so in To Persis Team we will review every form before sending it to the MFA.
Cost of Iranian Tourist Visa
The cost of obtaining an Iranian tourist visa is not a fixed amount for all nationalities and depends on various factors, including the applicant's nationality and the visa pick-up location (typically between $50 to $150). You will pay this amount directly to the government upon final collection at the embassy, consulate, or airport (usually in cash).
In addition to the main visa fee paid to the embassy or consulate, there is an additional service fee charged by the travel agency which is for services such as completing the application form, tracking and following up the visa status though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and providing consultation.
Important Notes for Citizens of Specific Countries (USA, UK, Canada)
Citizens of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada face specific and usually stricter requirements and documents for obtaining an Iranian tourist visa compared to other nationalities. These requirements are imposed due to political reasons and diplomatic relations between these countries and Iran.
- An important point for these tourists is that independent travel isn't allowed; they must travel on organized tours with a private guide approved by the Iranian government during their stay. This requires booking through a reputable Iranian travel agency and having their itinerary approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs beforehand.
- Another point is that citizens of these countries are not eligible for visa on arrival (VOA) and must apply for their visa through the Iranian embassy or consulate in their country. For these travelers, the role of travel agencies in facilitating the visa application process is very important.
- The visa processing time for applications of these nationalities is usually longer than for other nationalities, often taking 30-40 days for issuing visa authorization code. Therefore, these citizens are advised to apply at least 2-3 months before their planned trip.
Visa Process for US, UK, and Canadian Citizens:
- Provide required documents and apply online through our website.
- We'll contact you to help choose or design a travel package.
- We'll initiate the visa process with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- After approximately 4-5 weeks, upon visa approval, you can collect it from the selected embassy or consulate.
Where You Can Collect Your Iran Visa
You may receive your visa at:
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Any Iranian embassy or consulate worldwide
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Major airports in Iran including: Tehran (IKA), Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Kish, Qeshm, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Ahvaz, Kerman, Urmia
"To Persis" Team can help you choose the best pickup option for your itinerary.
Have any questions?
have any questions about visa requirements or planning your visit, feel free to contact us — we’re here to help.
