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Byevisa » Iran Tourist Visa

An eVisa is required. We can assist in processing this document.

Travel Document Type

eVisa (Grant Notice)

Government Fee

Differs per nationality. To pay at airport.

Byevisa Processing Fee

USD —

Processing Time

10 business days

All About the Islamic Republic of Iran Visa

With all its history, not to mention extraordinary landscapes and diverse gastronomy, how could you not add Persia to your travel bucket list?

If you’ve already decided to make this country your next destination, you’re probably looking into the next steps. Most importantly, how to apply for a visa for Iran.

Fortunately, since 2018, the country has opened its entry policy significantly and now all visitors from all nations (with the exceptions of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) can benefit from the Iran online electronic visa service.

The government currently offers 3 types of Iran visas online – the Iran travel/business visa, the Iran tourist visa, and the pilgrimage permit for Muslim tourists visiting holy sites. These can be applied for by uploading your passport and travel information onto our online form.

These Single-Entry permits allow visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days and can be extended for a further 2 months once you’re in the country.

Conveniently, the e-Visa for Iran is now accepted at all major Iranian International airports. Moreover, as entry approval is linked directly to your travel document, the Iran eVisa online eliminates the need for a physical sticker or stamp to be placed in your passport.

We’ve compiled all the must-know information on the visa to Iran to make the application as quick and painless as possible. When you’re ready, click on ‘Apply Now’ to get started!

What Is the Difference Between an e-Visa vs an Iran Visa on Arrival (VoA)?

Although different names are frequently used to refer to the 2 travel passes, in fact, they are the same document and involve filling in the same website application form.

To begin, you must submit your eVisa application online at least 2 days ahead of your trip. Once it’s approved, you’re sent what’s called a Grant Notice.

Then, you must print the Grant Notice to take with you to Iran, to submit at the airport’s Visa on Arrival counter.

At this point, you pay the government’s fee for your visa at the airport’s banking terminals, only in euros, and you receive your permit to enter the country.

Then, you’re free to enjoy the extraordinary sights of Pasargadae, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, or top cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and, of course, the capital Tehran!

Iran Visa Application Process

Applying for a tourist visa for Iran is easy with Byevisa. In order to fill in the Iran visa form online, you just need to have the following information/documents at hand:

  • Some personal information, like your full name, place and date of birth, passport details, and the name of your university or current employer.
  • An itinerary for your visit, including the entry and exit dates.
  • Information on any prior trips to the country (dates and reason for travel).
  • A passport that’s valid for at least 6 months past your travel dates and that has at least 1 blank page.
  • A debit or credit card to pay the Byevisa processing fee. You pay for the eVisa itself at airport customs when you arrive.

Iran Visa Requirements and Eligibility

Most nationalities are eligible to use Byevisa’s quick and easy service to request your electronic travel permit. The only travellers required to request a traditional entry document through an Iranian embassy or consulate are those from the below countries:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Canada
  • Colombia
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Pakistan
  • Somalia
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

To obtain the eVisa, you must apply at least 2 days ahead of your journey.

Travellers are obligated to hold travel insurance that specifies coverage for this country. To prevent any hold-ups in immigration, be sure to carry a copy of your insurance certificate.

When completing the Iran visa application form through Byevisa, be sure to follow the instructions listed on each page. Any unanswered questions could mean your application is delayed or rejected. Additionally, write all names or addresses using only English letters. Foreign letters such as ñ, é, ü, or ç will not be accepted.

When you have finished filling in the Iran visa form and have paid the online fee, you will receive an email from Byevisa with an order ID that you can use to track your application.

For nationals who are eligible for the e-Visa, an additional visa requirement for Iran could be to conduct an interview with a consular officer at your relevant Iranian embassy. In this case, you’ll be alerted by Byevisa via the email address provided in your application.

Generally, if you qualify for the permit without the interview, you can receive your visa to Iran in 10 business days.

Iran Visa-Free Nations

Citizens of the following countries are part of the visa waiver programme for Iran, and can enjoy travel to Persia without having to apply for a traditional or eVisa beforehand.

To benefit, upon arrival at the airport, simply present a national passport valid at least 6 months past your travel dates. You can stay for the amount of time specified in brackets:

  • Armenia (visits of 90 days within a 180-day period).
  • Azerbaijan (14 days).
  • Bolivia (30 days).
  • China (21 days).
  • Egypt (20 days).
  • Georgia (45 days).
  • Hong Kong (21 days).
  • Lebanon (30 days).
  • Macau (21 days).
  • Malaysia (15 days).
  • Oman (30 days).
  • Syria (90 days within a 180-day period).*
  • Turkey (90 days).
  • Venezuela (15 days).

*The Iran visa waiver is only available for Syrian passport holders travelling by air directly from Damascus.

Citizens of Iran visa-free countries who intend to stay for more than the amount of time specified above must seek approval through the Iranian embassy or consulate in their country of origin.

Iran Visit Visa Forms and Documents

To apply through Byevisa is simple and only takes a few minutes.

  1. Select your nationality and the country where you’re travelling.
  2. Once you’ve selected your nationality, you’ll see:
    1. The Iran visa fee.
    2. Byevisa’s fee to request your application on your behalf.
    3. The processing speeds available.
  3. Next, click ‘Apply Now’ which will take you to the page where you can fill in your personal information, and upload your photo and scanned image of your passport (see below for further details).
  4. The last step is to choose which Byevisa service you require. Rapid and Highly Rapid service are available for a slightly higher fee. Then, you make the payment.

When uploading the photo for your Iran visa, make sure your picture meets the following requirements:

  • In colour.
  • In a JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) file format.
  • The file size is equal to or less than 500 kB (kilobytes).
  • In a rectangular aspect ratio of 400 x 600 pixels.
  • Taken within the last 6 months.
  • Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
  • No head coverings or uniforms unless for religious purposes.

Additionally, when uploading the scanned copy of your passport, make sure to meet the below specifications:

  • In colour.
  • In a JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) file format.
  • The file size is equal to or less than 500 kB (kilobytes).
  • Upload a picture of the photo page only; full-length photos are not acceptable.
  • All characters must be readable.

How Much Does an Iran Visa Cost?

The Iran visa fees vary depending on your nationality, the type of pass (business/entry, tourist or religious pilgrimage), and whether you wish to expedite the process.To find out how much your pass will cost, use our helpful checker tool.

If you’re eligible to request this document online, you pay the government’s fee at the banking terminals at the airport upon arrival. Please note that all fees are only payable in euros. As foreign cards are often not accepted, our recommendation is to travel with enough cash to cover this fee.

In addition, Byevisa charges a processing fee to help you secure your document quickly and with less uncertainty and hassle. Simply choose the package that best suits your needs and pay the Byevisa fee online when filling in your application:

  • Standard service for — USD. You’ll receive your authorisation in approximately 10 business days.
  • Rapid service (available soon).
  • Highly Rapid service (available soon).

Iran Visa Status Check

Changes to your application’s status will be sent to you via email, though you can track your application at any time through the ‘Log in’ section of the Byevisa website.

Also, Byevisa will alert you by email whether any additional steps need to be taken (e.g. if your application requires an interview) and will send you a message informing you whether your application has been approved or rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Travel to Persia

We hope the above information has clearly explained the process you follow to request your travel permit. Below, please find the answers to some additional questions you may have before your trip.

You must apply at least 2 days before your trip, while the online process can take up to 10 business days if you’re not called upon for an interview.

To make sure everything is processed in time, we recommend that your visa’s validity period matches your travel dates.

Yes, it is a Single-Entry document. That said, fortunately, the pass can be extended once in the country.
Yes, once in the country your pass can be extended for up to 60 days by going directly to the Immigration and Passport Police, available in all large cities. A 30-day extension costs approximately 8 USD and a 60-day extension about 20 USD.
Unless one of your nationalities is visa-exempt, there is no benefit to using one passport over the other.

It is important to make sure, however, that you travel with the same document that you used to apply, as immigration will check your passport against the information stated in your Grant Notice.

Yes, unless you’re visa-exempt (please see our section on ‘Iran Visa Requirements and Eligibility’), you need to apply for a transit permit online using the same application process as the one for the electronic travel pass.
US passports are valid for travel to this country; however, American passport holders are not eligible for electronic passes.

As such, American citizens must visit through a certified travel agency in the country. All application documents should be sent to the Embassy of Pakistan, the entity representing Iranian interests in the US, along with a 40 USD postage fee to pay for the return shipping of your passport. This process can take up to 8 weeks.

The Swiss embassy in Tehran serves as the Protecting Power of the US in this country. Here’s the address:
  • US Embassy in Tehran, Embassy of Switzerland, Foreign Interests Section No. 39, Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Corner of Paidarfard St. (ex-Amir Ebrahimi St.) Pasdaran, Tehran, Telephone: (202) 485-7600
For consular services for British nationals, the UK Embassy in Teheran can be contacted from 9:00- 12:00 Sunday to Thursday (excluding public holidays):
  • British Embassy Tehran, 172 Ferdowsi Avenue, Tehran, 11316-99813, Tel: +98 (0) 912 812 0092
Yes, Pakistani citizens will need to apply for a visa. Luckily, you can take advantage of Byevisa’s services to request your Iran visit visa online.
Entry is at the discretion of immigration officials. However, by submitting your materials within the advised time frame, travelling with a passport valid past your dates of stay and holding proof of travel insurance, you greatly minimize your risk of running into inconveniences when passing through customs.
Yes, you should print a copy of your Grant Notice so that immigration officials can scan the QR code located in the upper right-hand side.

Please see our section below for an example of the document you will receive. The document you print will be sent to you by Byevisa once it is approved.

No, visitors eligible for the eVisa will not receive a stamp or sticker in their passport. Upon arrival to the airport, customs officials will simple stamp your printed Grant Notice. However, citizens from the following countries will still receive the entry stamp in their passport upon arrival at the airport:
  • Afghanistan
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Canada
  • Colombia
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Pakistan
  • Somalia
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • United States*
*This aspect of the Iran visa policy was created in response to US travel restrictions. Nevertheless, US nationals still need a traditional entry permit to be fixed in their passport. This pass will be stamped by immigration upon arrival.
Iranians are known for their kindness and hospitality. Most people will be more than willing to help you out, whether it be offering directions or recommendations for local places to visit.

This being said, practice common-sense precautions such as avoiding demonstrations and large public gatherings. It is also advised to read up on local customs and areas to avoid before your trip.

The popular resort islands of Kish and Qeshm are great places to swim, shop and relax in the Persian Gulf. All tourists may enter Kish Island or Qeshm Island for 14 days or less without obtaining a visa for Iran online beforehand.

American, Canadian and British travellers are only required to have a certified escort guide who will provide them with hotel reservation letters to present at the airport upon reaching immigration.

The official language is Farsi, often referred to in English as Persian.
The Islamic Republic differs from other Muslim-majority countries in the region in that Shia Islam is the official state religion.
The law in this country requires women to wear modest “Islamic” clothing. In practice, this means a chador, a full-body cloak, or a headscarf and clothing that covers your arms. Jeans and leggings may be worn in combination with a long top. When wearing trousers, be sure that your ankles are covered.

For men, t-shirts and sandals are allowed but you must not wear shorts in public.

Some social media platforms are banned in this country and cannot be accessed without a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This includes Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter and YouTube. Make sure to download your VPN before arrival if you plan to use one because a lot of sites are blocked by the government.

Last but not least, do not forget to bring cash! ATMs in this country do not usually accept foreign debit or credit cards.

Here's an example of an Iran electronic entry permit for you to see:

To learn more about visiting this fascinating Middle Eastern destination ahead of your trip, here are some useful articles:
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