- Picture should be rectangular (at least 400 x 600 pixels)
- Your face should take up 70-80% of the photo
In order to apply for an Iran Visa on Arrival, you have to receive a Grant Notice from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs beforehand.* You can apply for the Grant Notice online at the Iranian MFA’s official website. Once you have the confirmation, you can travel to Iran and appear before the VOA counter to receive your visa.
Iran Visa on Arrival Online Application
You have to apply at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website:
- Start the application here.
- You will need an electronic (scanned) copy of your passport as well as a picture.
- Make sure to answer all the questions correctly.
- Once you have completed all the sections, submit the application.
- You will receive a Verification Code in your email, which you have to write on the Verification Page
- After you verify your email, you will see a confirmation page with a barcode
- Print the page (there is a Print button) and write down the Tracking Code
- Use the Tracking Code to track your application
- Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive a Grant Notice.
- Print it and bring it with you when you travel to Iran, along with the required documents.
*Some travellers claim that an online application is not always necessary and that you can simply apply at the Iran airport once you get there. There are some problems with that, including:
- This process will generally take longer
- The chances that you will be denied entry are greater than if you first applied online.
It is generally advisable to apply online before you travel, simply for peace of mind and added security for visa approval.
Applying for Iran Visa on Arrival at the Airport
Once you arrive at the airport, you have to approach one of the Visa Issuance offices at the airport along with all your documents. There, you have to pay a fee in Euros. They will only accept cash, not cards.
Note: If you are a woman, make sure you wear a headscarf after you land in Iran. You also have to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants or stockings.
What Types of Iran Visa I Can Apply For?
The types of Iran visas you can apply for based on the purpose of your travel are:
- Iran Tourist Visa, for people who want to enter Iran simply for tourism purposes. Applicants will need a sponsor such as a travel agency in Iran.
- Iran Pilgrimage Visa, for muslim foreign nationals who want to do pilgrimage on one of the Holy places in Iran
- Iran Student Visa, for foreign students or religious scholars and researchers who will study in Iran. Applicants will need a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status from the science ministry, education ministry, or an accredited academic institution
- Iran Work Visa, for foreign nationals who intend to work in Iran such as skilled workers and specialists. Applicants will need a labor certificate from their employer in Iran, which is approved by the labor ministry.
- Iran Transit Visa, issued to travellers who only pass through Iran and do not intend to remain in the country for any extended period of time, such as tourists, drivers, or merchants. Travellers will need a visa for the final destination or other proof of onward travel.
- Iran Media Visa, which is issued to foreign journalists or film directors. Applicants need a permit from the Media & Public Diplomacy center.
- Iran Marriage Visa, issued to foreign men who are married to Iranian women as well as their children.
- Iran Medical Visa, issued to foreign nationals who wish to enter Iran to receive medical attention.
What Are the Iran Visa Requirements?
When you apply for an Iran visa, the documents you need will depend on the Embassy as well as the type of visa. However, you can expect to be required to submit these documents:
- Your passport. You must hold a passport with a validity period of at least six months.
- Electronic copy of the first page of your passport (for the online application or to send to the travel agency):
- .jpg or .jpeg format
- More than 10 kB and less than 500 kB
- Colored
- At least 800 x 600 pixels
- Clear and legible
- Recent (within the last six months)
- Colored
- White or off-white background
- Your face must be fully visible. You must be staring ahead.
- Women must wear a headscarf
- No headgear allowed except for religious purposes. Even in this case, it must not obstruct your face
- Glasses are not allowed.
- Acceptance from accredited educational center.
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status from the science ministry, education ministry, or an accredited academic institution
- .jpg or .jpeg format
- More than 10 kB and less than 500 kB
- Colored
- At least 800 x 600 pixels
- Clear and legible
- Recent (within the last six months)
- Colored
- White or off-white background
- Your face must be fully visible. You must be staring ahead.
- If you are a woman, wear a headscarf.
- No headgear allowed except for religious purposes. Even in this case, it must not obstruct your face.
- Glasses are not allowed.
Iran Visa Fee
Here are the Iran visa fees:
Visa Fee Visa on Arrival Fee From €10 to €100 From €40 to €150* The Iran visa fee changes based on the following factors:
- The travel agency that will help you with your visa application.
- The Embassy/Consulate of Iran where you submit your visa application.
- The fee for an Iranian Visa on Arrival changes depending on nationality. You have to pay it in cash at the Visa on Arrival Issuance office and in Euro currency.
*For most European countries the VOA fee is €75
How Long Does It Take to Receive an Iran Visa?
Since there are two different applications processes involved, the visa processing time is not always the same.
First, you have to apply for the Iran Visa Code (online or via an agency). It takes about 5-7 working days to receive an Iran Visa Code online. If you are from the US, UK, or Canada, it may take around 1-3 months.
Then, you have to apply for your Iran visa at the Embassy, which again can take a few days to two weeks, depending on your nationality.
If you are not applying at an Embassy, then you can get the Iran Visa on Arrival, which takes just a few hours at the airport.
Iran Visa for US Citizens
US citizens are included among those who have to apply for a regular Embassy visa for Iran along with the Letter of Invitation or the Visa Code from the online application at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. However, when it comes to actually submitting the documents for the visa application, since there is no Iranian Embassy in the USA, you will have to contact the Iranian Interests Section of the Embassy of Pakistan instead.
USA citizens can expect to wait anywhere from 1 to 3 months to receive their Visa Code.
What is the Duration of the Iran Visa?
The duration of the Iran Visa depends on your nationality as well as the type of visa you receive:
- Iran Visa (in advance from Embassy) and Visa on Arrival are valid for 30 days.
- Iran visa for residents of Georgia is valid for 45 days.
- Iran visa for residents of Turkey, Syria, and Armenia is valid for 90 days.
- Iran Visa for residents of Venezuela and Malaysia is valid for 15 days.
Can I Extend an Iran Visa?
Yes, if you have received an Iran visa in advance or on arrival, you can extend it from the Police Department of Aliens Affairs in a major Iranian city. The process usually takes only about one day.
The extension of your visa is based on the initial duration: if you had a 30-day visa, you can extend it for an additional 30 days. If you had a 15-day visa, then you can only extend it for another 15 days, and so on.
