Iran Visa

Iran Visa

How to Obtain Iran Visa

Today, obtaining any type of visa from the embassy of any desirable country is a bit difficult. The process of applying and getting a visa may take a lot of time and energy. Hogo Travel Team tries to make this process easy for you by using its 14 years of experience in the tourism industry. Iranian visa can be issued to tourists who travel to Iran, their friends, and family. It can be issued for an individual or a group.

Types of Iran Visa:

Foreign visitors can get two types of visas based on their area of activity:

1. Tourist Visa

In order to get your Tourist Visa, you can refer to an embassy or consulate of Iran, or apply through the e-visa website of the Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs or seek the help of professionals by filling the Iran visa application form of Hogo Travel.

2. Visa on Arrival (VOA)

You can collect your Visa on Arrival at one of the International airports of Iran regarding your place of arrival. To make sure you won’t face any inconvenience at the airport you can get an Iran Authorization Code by contacting us through our email.

Notes:

• We recommend the latter especially during the high season and suggest that you make the necessary preparations in order to avoid facing any possible issues.
• Hogo Travel can also provide any sort of visa such as an Investment or Business visa for you.

 

Different Ways of Getting Your Iran Visa

1. Hogo Travel Visa Services

Hogo Travel tries to make the visa application process easier for its clients. You just need to fill the Iran visa application form and submit the required documents and pay the application fee. We will send your request to the Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and once your authorization code is ready, you will be directed to your desired destination with the required documents to collect your visa.

 

Why should I apply through Hogo Travel?

Hogo Travel experts minimize the chance of rejection and make the process of getting your Iran visa as fast as possible with a reasonable price.

Here are some steps you need to take:

 

Step 1: Apply for your visa online

• Fill in the online Iran visa application form

 

Step 2: Choose the location to collect your Iran visa

There are two possible ways to obtain your visa:

• Before the arrival (at an embassy or consulate)
• Upon your arrival (at one of Iran’s international airports)

Below is the list of Iran’s International airports:

• Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
• Isfahan International Airport (IFN)
• Kish International Airport (KIH)
• Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
• Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
• Bandar Abbas International Airport (BND)
• Tabriz International Airport (TBZ)
• Urmia (Uromieh) Airport (OMH)
• Dayrestan Airport (GSM)
• Kerman Airport (KER)

Note: Citizens of the 13 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Iraq, Colombia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Yemen, and Nepal should acquire their visa by referring to an Iranian embassy or consulate before entering Iran.

Step 3: Submit the required documents

These documents are:

• A scanned copy of your passport
• A digital passport-size photo
• Resume (US, UK, and Canada ONLY)
• Detailed travel itinerary (US, UK, and Canada ONLY)

 

Step 4: Pay the visa application fee

You can easily pay for your visa application fee via all major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa Card, etc.

Step 5: Receive the authorization code

First, we will send your request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When your visa application to enter Iran is processed and your authorization code is ready, we will send you an email and inform you about the process. Then, you can go to the embassy or consulate you have chosen or to any of Iran’s international airports (except citizens of the US, UK, and Canada, who are not eligible for a visa on arrival or an e-visa) with required documents (see step 10) to collect your visa.

Step 6: Pay the visa fee

Note that your visa fee is subject to change based on your nationality.

Step 7: Travel to Iran

At this step, you are ready to get on board and fly to Iran. If you haven’t already collected your visa at any of Iranian embassy or consulates, you can collect your visa at one of the international airports under the condition that you are not from one of the countries mentioned countries below:

Somalia, Colombia, the United States of America, Britain, Canada, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan

Step 8: Referring to the Visa on Arrival counter

Those who are eligible for receiving Visa on Arrival are required to go to the Visa on Arrival counter to collect their visa. At this point, you should submit your authorization code and passport.

Step 9: Purchase your Travel and Health Insurance

You can buy your travel and health insurance:

• At one of Iran’s International Airports
• Through Hogo Travel

Step 10: Submit your documents and receive your visa

You are required to present these documents in order to obtain your visa on arrival (VOA) at any of Iran’s International Airports:

• Passport (within a 6-month validity)
• Passport size photo
• Travel and Health Insurance
• Visa authorization code
• Detailed resume (US, UK, and Canada ONLY)
• Complete itinerary (US, UK, and Canada ONLY)

 

Note:

1. You can apply through the Hogo Travel website or by contacting us through email and receive your authorization code via email before collecting your visa.
2. If you wish to enter Iran through one of its land border crossings, you should apply for your visa and have your visa sticker in advance. To have your visa before arriving at any of Iran’s border crossings, you can refer to any of Iran’s embassies or consulates (as no visa on arrival is issued at the land borders). But before going through this stage, you should have your authorization code. To have your authorization code, you can apply for your visa through Iran E-visa Website or Hogo Travel visa services

 

After taking these steps you are ready to enter Iran and begin your incredible journey.

 

2. Iran’s Electronic Visa or E-Visa Website

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran has created an E-Visa website, through which you can take the first steps in getting an Iranian visa. However, this does not shorten the process of obtaining a visa.

Note: We strongly recommend not using this method in order to apply for a visa if you are a citizen of the US, UK, and Canada. Please check out the section of the Iran Visa page related to visa for the US, UK, and Canadian citizens.

Step 1: Apply for a visa online 

Apply for your visa via Electronic Visa Service of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of I.R.Iran.

Step 2: Choose the location you want to collect your visa

 There are two ways of collecting your Iran Visa Sticker:

1. Before arrival: at any of Iran’s embassies or consulates listed on the E-Visa application form.
2. Upon arrival: at any of Iran’s international airports:

• Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
• Isfahan International Airport (IFN)
• Kish International Airport (KIH)
• Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
• Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
• Bandar Abbas International Airport (BND)
• Tabriz International Airport (TBZ)
• Urmia (Uromieh) Airport (OMH)
• Dayrestan Airport (GSM)
• Kerman Airport (KER)

 Step 3: Submit the required documents

Foreign visitors should present the following documents to complete their online application form

• High-quality scanned image of your passport
• A digital passport-size photo
• Detailed Resume (only US, UK, and Canada)
• Complete travel itinerary (only US, UK, and Canada)

Step 4: Get your Visa Authorization Code

As soon as your Visa Sticker (Authorization Code) is ready at the chosen pick-up location, the website will inform you by sending you an email.

Note: Usually, you will be informed after 3-7 workdays

Step 5: Pay your visa fee

You should pay your visa fee when you want to collect your visa. You can pay it in two ways:

1. Before arrival: at any of Iran’s embassies or consulates listed on the E-Visa application form.
2. Upon arrival: at any of Iran’s international airports (mentioned above)

Note: The options for payment vary according to your nationality and pick-up location.

Step 6: Travel to Iran

Except for the citizens of 13 countries that are not eligible for getting Iran Visa on Arrival, now you have all the necessary documents in order to enter Iran.
(Please check out the citizens of countries that are not eligible for Iran Visa on Arrival).

Step 7: Visit the VOA counter (optional)

You only need to visit the Visa on Arrival counter if you are going to pay for and collect your visa at any of Iran’s International Airports. 

Now, you should submit your visa and authorization code.

Step 8: Purchase Travel and Health Insurance at the Airport

The travel and health insurance fee is about 15 Euros. You can also get your insurance via Hogo travel’s travel and health insurance service.

For further information and help refer to the VOA counter.

 Step 9: Submit all the required documents

After arriving at the immigration counter, you should submit the following documents:

• Passport
• Travel & health insurance
• Visa Sticker
• Hotel reservation (if any)
• Detailed resume (US, UK, and Canada Only)
• Complete travel itinerary (US, UK, and Canada Only)

Step 10: Enter Iran

After obtaining your Iran visa sticker on separate pieces of paper you can enter Iran.

Note: 

1. Visitors from the US, UK, and Canada may be asked further questions regarding the purpose and length of their trip.
2. We have received many reports from travelers that their efforts to apply for Iran visa through the E-visa website have not been successful, as the status of their applications is “pending” all the time. So, if this occurs to you, you have two options:

1) Contact the embassies or consulates of Iran listed on your online application form, or

2) Apply through an Iranian travel agency or through Hogo Travel.

 

3. If you wish to enter Iran through one of its land border crossings, you need to apply for your visa and have your visa sticker beforehand. In order o get your visa before arriving at any of Iran’s border crossings, you can apply through any of Iran’s embassies or consulates. But note that before going through this stage, you need to get your authorization code. To get your authorization code, you can apply for a visa through the Iran E-visa Website or by contacting Hogo Travel.
4. Citizens of Afghanistan and Bangladesh must apply via embassy or consulate.

3.Iran’s Embassies and Consulates

This is the most traditional way of obtaining a visa through which the applicants refer to the country’s embassies or consulates in order to get their visa. However, this process takes a lot of time and effort and the person must visit the embassy or consulate several times in order to get his/her visa. Prior to referring to the embassy, you need to get your visa authorization code via your relatives, your host business partners, or via travel agencies in Iran or those who offer services related to Iran in their country.

You can apply to get your authorization code via Hogo Travel visa services by contacting our email.

If you tend to get your visa from an embassy or consulate you must take the following steps:

Step 1: Refer to an embassy or consulate and make an appointment

See the list of Iran’s embassies or consulates throughout the world.

Download the Visa application form from the desirable embassy or consulate.

An appointment date will be set and you will be informed about the required documents you need to take to the embassy or consulate.

Step 2: Get an Authorization Code

You need to get an Iran Authorization Code via your relatives, your host business partners, or via travel agencies in Iran or those who offer services related to Iran in their country.

Hogo Travel can provide this authorization code for you. You just need to contact our email.

Step 3: Prepare all the documents needed

To apply for Iran Visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

3.1. Documents for the online application form 

• A scanned copy of your passport
• A digital, passport-size photo

3.2. Documents for presenting to the embassy 

• Original Passport
• Two Passport size photos
• Two copies of your passport
• A completed Iran Visa Application form (provided by the embassy or consulate)
• Detailed Resume (Only US, UK, and Canada)
• Complete travel itinerary (only US, UK, and Canada)
• Authorization number from Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Hotel reservations (all of the information about the hotels’ names, contacts, dates, addresses, and cities).
• Iran visa fee (paid inside the consulate and only in cash)

Note: The citizens of the US, UK, and Canada should apply for Iran visa through Iran’s embassies or consulates.

• Visitors from the United States and Canada can apply for their visas via the Interest Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Washington, DC.
• Visitors from the United Kingdom can get their visas by referring to the embassy of Iran in London.

However, since personal applications are mostly subject to failure, we strongly recommend applying for a visa through Hogo Travel or any other reliable agencies in Iran. For more information about the terms and conditions pertaining to the US, UK, and Canadian citizens, please check out the Visa for Visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada section of our visa page.

Step 4: Pay the visa fee

At this step, you need to attend your appointment (call the embassy or consulate in your country), submit all the required documents, and pay the visa fee in cash. Iran visa fee can differ based on your nationality and you should pay the stated amount at the embassy and consulate to which you submit your documents.

Step 5: Collect your Iran visa sticker

The embassy or consulate will inform you when your visa is ready. Visas are often issued on the same day but in some cases, it may take more time.

Step 6: Buy your Travel and Health Insurance 

We recommend purchasing your travel and health insurance before leaving your country. You can buy the insurance via a local insurance agency or Hogo Travel insurance services, otherwise, you can purchase the insurance when you arrive at one of Iran’s international airports.

Step 7: Submit all the required documents and enter Iran

After arriving at the immigration counter, you should submit the following documents:

• Passport
• Travel and Health Insurance
• Visa Sticker
• Hotel Reservation (if any)
• Detailed resume (only US, UK, and Canada)
• Complete travel itinerary (only US, UK, and Canada)

Note: the US, UK, and Canadian citizens may be asked further questions regarding the purpose and length of their trip.

After getting the appropriate entrance stamp, you are ready to enter Iran and start your journey

Note: Citizens of Bangladesh and Afghanistan who wish to visit Iran are required to refer to the embassy or consulate of Iran in their own country and complete the application form in person.

4.Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Any traveler who wishes to visit Iran can receive a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA); except for the citizens of 13 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Iraq, Colombia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Yemen, and Nepal. To obtain a Visa on Arrival you should fill in the visa application form at the desirable airport. However, it might be time-consuming, especially in high seasons and you should wait in long queues and do a lot of paperwork, while it is possible that you even get rejected.

 

Note: Citizens of the US, UK, and Canada, along with the other above-mentioned countries (13 countries) cannot get Visa on Arrival. The passport holders from these 13 countries should refer to one of Iran’s embassies or consulates and receive their visas before the arrival at one of Iran’s airports.   

For receiving an Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA) you need to take the following steps:

 

Step 1: Apply for a visa at the Visa on Arrival counter

Fill in the Iran Visa form at the VOA counter of the airport.

 

Step 2: Submit the required documents:

• Passport (within 6-month validity)
• Passport size photo
• Visa authorization code
• Hotel reservation voucher (if any).
• Confirmed return ticket
• Travel itinerary (US, UK, and Canada ONLY)
• Resume (US, UK, and Canada ONLY)
• The required fee for an Iran Visa on Arrival, the amount of fee depends on your nationality and should be paid in cash. You can pay your visa fee at Iran Visa and Passport Office at the airport.
• Travel and health insurance. You can buy travel and health insurance at the insurance counter in any of Iran’s international airports. The insurance fee is about 15 euros. However, 

Note:

1. Those who want to pick up their Visa on Arrival at any of Iran’s international airports are obliged to present one of the following:

• At least the first few nights of their hotel reservations and the contact information
• Contact information of their host

2. You can also apply and receive your insurance through Hogo TravelVisa Services.
3. If you already own your insurance and are not willing to buy it at the airport, make sure that you have the Terms and Conditions of your valid insurance at hand for further inspection by the immigration officials. The insurance you own must explicitly contain the phrase “Iran” or “Islamic Republic of Iran” or any other combination of these phrases; exactly written inside the Terms and Conditions under the countries in which this insurance is active and available.

Step 3: Pay the visa fee         

The visa fee depends on your nationality and it can range from 40 € to 150 €.

Step 4: Submit the required documents and enter Iran

As you submit all the required documents listed in step 2 and pay the visa fee, your Visa on Arrival will be issued and now you can enter Iran.

Note: receiving the entrance stamp usually takes between 3 to 4 hours.

 

Should I apply for a Tourist Visa or Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

Applying for a Tourist Visa requires some effort, doing the paperwork and paying for visa expenses beforehand. After a successful application, you should go to the embassy or consulate to pick up your Iran visa sticker. If you apply through Hogo Travel, the process becomes easier and we do all the necessary requirements and paperwork. You can do your own works and let us make your trip to Iran enjoyable.

If you want to apply for a Visa on Arrival at the airport, you get to avoid any pre-trip difficulties, but it requires you to submit a visa application and make the payment after you refer to the visa counter of the airport. Depending on the number of visa applicants, there might take up to two hours until your visa is ready. Therefore, 

The Validity of Iran Visa

Normally a Tourist Visa is valid for up to 3 months, though you can extend your visa for another 30 days during your stay in Iran.

Where Should I Collect My Visa?

All the foreign citizens who wish to visit Iran can refer to any Iranian embassy or consulate inside their countries to collect their visas.

However, except for the citizens of certain countries, most visitors are able to pick up their visas at one of Iran’s international airports. The airports through which foreign visitors can collect their visa are:

• Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
• Isfahan International Airport (IFN)
• Kish International Airport (KIH)
• Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
• Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
• Bandar Abbas International Airport (BND)
• Tabriz International Airport (TBZ)
• Urmia (Uromieh) Airport (OMH)
• Dayrestan Airport (GSM)
• Kerman Airport (KER)

Iran Visa Extension

 It is really cheap and quite easy to extend your Iran Visa. Visitors can stay in Iran for up to 30 days, even though an Iran tourist visa is valid for 3 months. However, you can extend your visa at most two times without difficulty. A 30-day visa plus two times extension gives you 90 days. You can apply for your Iran visa extension through any Police Office of Foreign Aliens in major cities.

The documents required for extending your Iran Visa:

In order to have your visa extended, you need to submit the following documents to the office:

• Your passport
• A copy of your passport
• Two passport-size photos (for women it should be with head-scarves)
• Your current visa or e-visa document
• Filled out visa extension form
• Visa extension payment receipt. The cost of renewing your visa is approximately 345,000 Rials which you must pay in cash at the Melli Bank.

 

The place where you can extend your visa:

You can extend your Iran visa at Police Offices of Foreign Aliens in major cities as follows:

Tehran: You can extend your visa in Tehran at two immigration offices. One is placed in Dr. Fatemi Junction, towards Vali-e Asr Avenue and the other is located near Sepah Square. It is somehow difficult to extend your visa in Tehran and your extension will be partial rather than thirty days.

  Tehran Police Office of Foreign Aliens

 

Mashhad: The immigration office of Mashhad is located on Rahnamaee St. You can also apply for an Afghan visa in this city because it is easier to apply in Mashhad than in the capital.

 Mashahd Police Office of Foreign Aliens

 

Shiraz: The best place to extend your visa is in Shiraz. Extending your visa is quite easy and quick in this city. The immigration office is located on Moddarres Blvd, near Vali-e Asr Square.

Shiraz Police Office of Foreign Aliens

 

Isfahan:  You can extend your Iranian visa in Isfahan from the immigration office near Azadi Sq, on Roudaki St.

Isfahan Police Office of Foreign Aliens

 

Yazd: The immigration office is located near Abouzar square, Kashani St. It may take more than a day for your extension to be ready.

 

Tabriz: It is not the ideal place to extend your visa and we recommend not extending your visa in this city; since there have been many rejections reported in this city.

Note: Workdays of the offices are from Saturday to Wednesday, from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. As they are often crowded we recommended referring to the office early in the morning.

 

Tips for Visa Extension

1. Apply to extend your visa 1 to 3 days (not earlier) before the expiration of your current visa.
2. For Women, the photo must be with hijab (headscarf).
3. A few questions might be asked from you at the visa extension counter, such as:

• Why do you want to extend your visa?
• How many more days do you want to extend your visa?
• Where are you staying during your trip?
• Are you here for pleasure or work?
• What do you do?
• Do not mention that you’re staying at a friend’s house. The authorities are very strict about it. Rather, tell them you are staying at a hotel. You can name the hotels you previously stayed in order to convince them completely.
• There is no need to worry if they do not know English at the Melli Bank. Simply say the word “Visa” and they will help you.

Citizens of Countries Which Do Not Need Visa to Enter Iran

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter and stay in Iran within a specific time period:

Countries that do not need Visa
Armenia: for 90-180 days	Malaysia: for 15 days
Azerbaijan: for 30 days	Serbia: for 30-365 days
Bolivia: for 30 days	Syria: for 90-180 days
Egypt: for 20 days	Turkey: for 90 days
Georgia: for 45 days	Venezuela: for 15 days
Lebanon: for 30 days

 

Countries Not Eligible for getting Iran Visa on Arrival

Citizens of the following 13 countries cannot get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA), and should apply for visa by referring to any of Iran’s embassies or consulates before entering Iran:

Countries Not eligible for VOA
Afghanistan	Pakistan
Iraq	Bangladesh
Sri Lanka	Jordan
Yemen	Somalia
Nepal	Colombia
United States	United Kingdom
Canada

 

Iran Visa on Arrival Fees

Note: The prices may change. To get an update on the latest prices please contact your nearest embassy or consulate.

Fees in Iranian embassies and consulates

Click on the fees in Iranian embassies and consulates in order to see the distinguished amount of fees in each country.

 

Visa for Visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada

Visitors from the US, UK, and Canada are not eligible for Iran Visa on Arrival. Therefore, they should apply for Iran visa through Iran’s embassies or consulates. American and Canadian citizens who wish to travel to Iran can apply for an Iran visa via the Interest Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Washington, DC. Visitors from the United Kingdom can get their visa by referring to the embassy of Iran in London. However, since personal applications are mostly subject to failure, we strongly recommend that you apply for a visa through Hogo Travel Visa Services since our company is exclusively licensed to provide visa for the citizens of the US, UK, and Canada.

If you have decided to apply for your visa through an Iranian agency, first you need to send some documents to your selected agency. So the agency could apply for the visa on your behalf and acquire the required authorization code. Then, you should go to the embassy or consulate you have chosen with some further documents to collect your visa. Also, you should keep in mind that it usually takes 45 days to receive your authorization code. Then, it takes two more weeks to get your visa sticker from the embassy or consulate.

Visa for visitors from the United States and Canada

First, you need to send the required documents to the agency; so the agency could apply for your visa and get your authorization code. The required documents are:

• A completed Iran visa application form (presented by the embassy or consulate)
• A high-quality scan/copy of your passport
• A digital photo or 2 physical photos
• Detailed Resume
• Complete travel itinerary

Then you need to post your “Visa Grant Notice” along with your passport and money order to the Interest Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Washington, DC. It is important to keep in mind that the Interest Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran does NOT accept prepaid return envelopes. So, you should add another 40 dollars for postage fee to the visa fee (Americans are required to pay 80 dollars and  Canadians 65 dollars) before you obtain a money order. It usually takes about two weeks for your visa to be ready, but if you want to receive it quicker, you should pay an extra 60 dollars.

Visa for visitors from the United Kingdom

First, you need to send the required documents to the agency; so the agency could apply for your visa and get your authorization code. The required documents are:

• A completed Iran visa application form (presented by the embassy or consulate)
• A high-quality scan/copy of your passport
• A digital photo or 2 physical photos
• Detailed Resume
• Complete travel itinerary

 

After getting your authorization code, you are required to submit your application to the consulate section of Iran’s embassy in London personally, along with the following documents:

• Original passport
• Completed visa application form
• Authorization number from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of I.R.Iran*
• Two passport-size photos
• Visa fee (cash only, at the embassy or consulate)

Note: Applicants for Iran visa should obtain their authorization number via relatives, business partners in Iran, or via travel agencies who are active in the UK and Iran.

 

Visa for the Citizens of Israel/ Holders of Passports with an Israeli Stamp

Israeli citizens are not eligible to receive any Iranian visa and do not have permission to enter Iran. In addition, holders of passports or any other travel documents bearing a visa or stamp from Israel up to 12 months prior to their Iran visa application are not eligible for any type of Iran visa. However, those applicants who were only born in Israel and now have acquired the citizenship of another country may obtain a visa under special circumstances.

 

Kish Island Regulations: Needs No Visa

All foreign visitors, except those from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Yemen, Colombia, Jordan; Nepal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada can enter and stay on Kish Island; for 14 days or less without submitting any visa.

After arriving at Kish International Airport, foreign visitors do not need to submit a lot of documents except their valid passports. However, you may be questioned about the purpose of your travel. In order to avoid any misunderstandings and problems, make sure to bring all your verification documents, hotel reservations, etc. But after your photo and fingerprints are taken by the officials, your passport will be stamped and you will be free to explore the beauties of Kish Island for up to 14 days.

No More Passport Stamp on Iran Visa

According to Mehr News the head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization announced that passports of foreign tourists who visit Iran will not need to be stamped.

Since August 2018, the Iranian government has started to issue travel visa stickers on separate pieces of paper. In other words, the visa sticker is not attached to the travelers’ passports and the passports will not be stamped. The travelers are only required to carry the paper (Iran E-Visa paper or Visa Grant Notice) along with their passports during their stay in Iran.