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How to Get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)

How to Get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)

I have a lot of countries that I’d love to visit, but there’s one thing that keeps putting my plans off – visas. Some visas are quite difficult to obtain and require a lot of documents.

Some even require you to send your passport to the Embassy which means that you can’t travel while waiting for a visa. And for a person constantly moving like me, it’s quite difficult.

Thankfully, that’s not the case with Iran as you can Iran visa on arrival for tourist purposes, at least if you’re an EU passport holder. Especially if you’re traveling to Iran as a solo female traveler, visa on arrival is easier to obtain than at the Embassy at some countries.

How to Get Iran Visa on Arrivalazadi tower

Visas on arrival for any country can often be problematic. The most popular reason why a lot of people don’t like visas on arrival is that they’re afraid that they might not be granted a visa. But even with a visa, an immigration office might refuse you to enter the country (even in the US), so I’d say don’t worry. Iranian visa on arrival is one of the easiest.

Another reason is that airlines need to put a disclaimer that they might refuse boarding to any person without a valid visa, even if you can obtain it on arrival. Don’t worry about that too. I was asked if I had a visa for Iran in my passport, but when I told the airlines representative that I’ll get it upon arrival, no additional questions were asked.


Iran visa on arrival (VOA) or Iran airport visa, refers to that kind of Iran tourist visa received by eligible nationals traveling to Iran for tourist purposes. Diplomatic passport, official passports, etc. cannot apply for this type of Iran visa.

Visa on arrival can be issued at major international airports in Iran. You cannot get this visa on the land borders. List of airports where you can get Iran visa on arrival:

  • IKA: Imam Khomeini Airport
  • TEH: Tehran Mehrabad Airport
  • SYZ: Shiraz International Airport
  • MHD: Mashhad International Airport
  • TBZ: Tabriz International Airport
  • ISF: Isfahan International Airport
  • KIH: Kish International Airport

Iran visa on arrival is valid for 30 days since January 2017. It used to be only 14 days, and some airlines are still misinformed claiming it’s only 14. Some airline representatives might be trying to tell you that your return ticket must be within 14 days like it happened in my case. Tell them it’s not true and not to worry.

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Visa on arrival can only be extended if the Iranian Foreign Affairs Office finds it necessary. In that case, usually a maximum 14 days extension is possible and it’s not an easy process. If you’re planning on staying longer than 30 days, make sure to get your Iran visa at the Embassy instead.

IMPORTANT: Visa on arrival doesn’t mean that it’s a visa-free country. Iranian visa isn’t just a quick stamp in your passport, like in for instance Japan. In order to get this visa you still need to have the necessary documents. 


Who Can Get Iran Visa on Arrival?

Countries whose Nationals Do NOT NEED a Visa to Iran:

Armenia (90 Days), Azerbaijan (30 Days), Bolivia (30 Days), Egypt (20 Days), Georgia (45 Days), Lebanon (30 Days), Malaysia (15 Days), Serbia (30 Days), Turkey (90 Days), Venezuela (15 Days).

Countries whose Nationals CAN Apply for the Iranian Visa on Arrival:

Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China (People’s Republic), Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea. Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

Countries whose Nationals CANNOT Apply for Iran Visa on Arrival:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

American, British and Canadian passport holders also cannot get a visa on arrival. Citizens of these countries also can’t ‘just go’ to Iran and are only allowed in when on an organized tour with a guide.

If you’re illegible to travel on your own, you can consider taking the Discover Persia 14-day G Adventures tour, which I’ve heard good things about. The tour doesn’t chaperon you 24/7 and you’ll have some free time, so even if you’re not a group trip person, you’ll be fine. Click here for the latest Discover Persia tour prices and itinerary.

Another option would be Iran tours from Intrepid. They have a few options available, so check the latest dates and prices here.


Iranian Visa for US Citizens

If you’re a US citizen or resident I suggest contacting HQ Visa service. They’re the best and quickest when it comes to arranging visas online, not only to Iran.

Regardless of the nationality, you cannot have an Israeli stamp in your passport. And while Israel doesn’t stamp passports anymore, you also can’t have any evidence of entry in Israel. For example, an Egyptian stamp at the border city of Taba could result in denied entry.

Iran visa

Requirements for Iran Visa on Arrival

Official documents required to obtain an Iran visa on arrival are:

  1.  A valid passport with at least 6 months validity
  2.  A confirmed return ticket within a 30-day timeframe
  3.  A photo to be attached to the Iran visa application form
  4.  Visa stamp fee, which is payable to the Iran Visa & Passport Office at the airport. Iran airport visa fee depends on the applicant’s nationality.
  5.  An invitation letter or hotel reservation voucher. The invitation letter has to be sent from the Iranian travel agency to Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 48 hours before your arrival to Iran airport.
  6. Not officially listed, but mandatory: travel insurance valid for Iran. Printed.
  7. (OPTIONAL) Online visa application form with an authorization number.
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Let me explain these points to you in detail:

1 & 2 – pretty self-explanatory.

3 – When I went to Iran I read that you’re required to have a photo with you. Women should follow Iran’s official Islamic dress code and wear a headscarf in their picture. While I had a photo with me, no one asked me about it at any point and instead, they used a photo from my passport.

4 – It’s a fee that you need to pay at the cashier upon arrival. I read that it should be paid in USD, but since Trump’s travel ban no one wants dollars in Iran anymore. While it’s still acceptable, it’s better to bring Euros. My visa was 75 euros, but it costs double – 145 for Australians.

5 – Regardless whether you have an itinerary and pre-booked every hotel or not, you must have confirmation at least your first night. I booked accommodation for the first 2 nights online and received an email from them stating that I’m staying with them (below):

iran hotel confirmation

However, I was just required to put the address of my accommodation. No one has asked me to show this email, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

6 – You won’t be granted a visa without valid travel insurance. And in case you’re wondering EU insurance cards won’t work in this case, as they do check whether your policy is actually valid for Iran. While I normally recommend World Nomads or First Allied, they no longer cover Iran.

The only insurance that’s valid for Iran is 1st Quest

UPDATE ABOUT E-Visa Application (7):

Filling an e-visa application online is NOT necessary, but it might speed up your process upon arrival. How to apply for an Iranian visa is completely up to you.

If you are a planner type then definitely go with E-Visa procedure. It’s fairly simple and time-saving and lots of different agencies in Iran and also Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs offer this service on their websites.

The procedure is simple, this is what you need to do :

  1. Fill out the online application form
  2. Wait for the application receipt confirmation and application fee payment instructions.
  3. Pay the service fee.
  4. You will receive the visa authorization code after the application is processed.
  5. Refer to the Iranian consulate you have selected and collect your visa.

Pro-Tip: You can get 1st Quest to get it done for you, together with travel insurance as well. My readers have reported that if they randomly get rejected for the E-Visa they reapplied through 1st Quest and got their code within 2 days.

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READ MORE: What to Know Before Visiting Iran


Now, how to actually get Iran visa on arrival once you get off the plane?

Once you get off the plane, with your scarf on if you’re a woman, you’ll see a sign that says visa on arrival. If you don’t see the sign, staff will direct you.

You’ll need to fill a simple piece of paper with all your information, get your travel insurance validated and stamped in another window, pay the fee in another window, and leave your passport at the counter.

I was not asked a single question and had to show anything. But remember, they might ask you some questions regarding your trip and documents.

Then you’ll have to sit and wait for about 15-20 minutes. Once your name is called you’ll pick up your passport and proceed to the immigration.

urmia lake
Lake Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province

Other Important Info

Journalists and reporters on a mission cannot get Iran visa on arrival. If you’re a blogger, it’s a gray area. I put ‘online marketing’ as a job and didn’t have any problems.

While you can enter the US with an Iranian stamp in your passport, but you won’t be eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program. 

How to Get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)

This means that you’ll have to apply in person for a tourist visa next time you want to visit the States. But fear not, before I became a US resident I had a tourist visa for the US. Thanks to that, I was actually allowed to stay in the country up to 180 days, unlike people on visa waiver only 90 days.

Voila! Now you’re ready to go to Iran. Read up on safety in Iran and enjoy it, as it’s a beautiful country. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to post your comment below!

Want to read more about Iran? Check out my ultimate guide to Iran page.

Praveen

Sunday 26th of April 2020

Great info, useful content. I have an Indian passport. Are we allowed to travel inside Iran on our own or is guided tour must?

Bis

Monday 22nd of August 2022

Also Anna. I wanted to know if immigration officers will require a particular sum of money in cash for a visitor as credit cards never work in Iran before issuing VOA.

Thanks

Bis

Monday 22nd of August 2022

Hello Anna. I'm writing this in 2022 don't know if you still there.

I sow the list if countries who can get a visa on arrival. So I wanted to know if citizens of Cameroon can get a visa on arrival as well. And do you have any updates if there is any changes in the visa on Arrival requirements. Especially as regard to COVID.

Thanks

Anna Karsten

Wednesday 29th of April 2020

It depends on your citizenship.

voopi

Friday 21st of February 2020

hey there i want to know can i send the invitation letter to my wife so she can come easily?iam iranian and she is hungarian

Michael Glisson

Thursday 19th of December 2019

Great blog.... very useful information. Thank you!

Miranda

Sunday 10th of November 2019

Hi, I rejected once when I applied through MFA website without any reason, what can I do now? do you have any recommendations? Thanks for your great post.

Bruno

Wednesday 13th of November 2019

Hi Miranda, I had the same problem as you, rejection without any reason. So one of my friends told me to apply again through an agency which name is 1stQuest. finally, they told me to cancel my application on the MFA website and then they applied for me again through 1stQuest and in 2 days I received my Iran visa authorization code.

Ron Cogan

Monday 11th of November 2019

Miranda - I think this happens often. It happened to me and then I went and got a Grant Notice from an Iranian based agency. (https://en.key2persia.com/home) It doesn't cost much. The Grant Notice seemed vital for both the airline in JFK and visa office in IKA. They didn't ask for any other documents in IKA and it took two minutes. They issue an electronic visa which is then visible to the passport control people later on. Very welcoming. Then there was a currency exchange and SIM card place. I went in end of August 2019.

Piet van Dalen

Monday 27th of May 2019

Hello,

I was wondering if something changed regarding the E-visa application for the Visa on Arrival? Is it still possible in May 2019 to fly to Iran without having the E-visa form?

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