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Visitors to Iran must obtain a visa from one of the Iranian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months. Admission is refused to women not wearing Islamic head cover, scarf, long sleeves or stockings. Citizens of Israel are totally banned from entry to Iran.
Contents
- Visa free
- Kish and Qeshm Islands
- Diplomatic and officialservice passports
- Visa on arrival
- Mandatory guides
- Admission refused
- References
Iran to start issuing electronic visas by 2017. Furthermore, Iranian authorities are exploring a potential visa waiver program under which visa limitations for 60 countries will be lifted as part of Iran's program to attract more tourists.
Visa-free
Citizens of the following 8 countries can visit Iran without a visa:
According to some news reports, Iran lifted visa requirements for citizens of Egypt and Lebanon in July 2015.
Kish and Qeshm Islands
All tourists, except citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia , India , Iraq , Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, the UK and the US , may stay in Kish Island and Qeshm Island for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa.
Diplomatic and official/service passports
Holders of passports issued by the following countries are allowed to enter Iran without a visa.
D — diplomatic passports
O — official passports
S — service passports
Visa on arrival
Holders of normal passports traveling as tourist can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days (extendable for another 15 days), at the following airports, as by April 2017:
The visa on arrival is issued free of charge for citizens of Lebanon.
Iran plans to increase the length of stay from 1 month to 3 months. Visa on arrival will be available at the airports Ahvaz International Airport, Urmia Airport, Shahid Sadooghi Airport in the near future.
Visa on arrival is not applicable to the nationals of the following countries who must obtain a visa in advance:
Passport holders of these countries are required to apply for an Iranian visa at an Iranian embassy or consulate prior to their arrival in Iran.
Mandatory guides
British, Canadian and American citizens are required to be escorted by a government approved guide at all times. Independent travel for these citizens has been banned due to the closure of Iranian foreign missions in these countries.
Admission refused
Admission is refused to holders of passports or travel documents containing a visa/stamp for Israel or any data that passenger has been to Israel or indication of any connection with the State of Israel during the latest 12 months .
Admission is also refused to the holders of passports of the United States as a reciprocal measure to a similar ban introduced by the United States on January 27, 2017. The entry ban for the US citizens traveling to Iran will be in place as long as the restrictions imposed by the United States on citizens of Iran remain in place, which is expected to expire on April 27, 2017. However holders of valid visas can visit Iran.