Iran operates a multi-tier visa system that varies significantly by passport holder nationality and creates some of the most complex entry requirements globally. Citizens of approximately 190 countries can obtain visa on arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, Mashhad International Airport, Shiraz International Airport, Tabriz International Airport, and Isfahan International Airport, with the process requiring a completed application form, passport valid for six months beyond entry date, one passport photograph, and payment of fees ranging from 75 to 150 EUR depending on nationality and visa duration. United States passport holders cannot apply for visa on arrival and must obtain authorization through the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance, a process that requires sponsorship by an Iranian entity or individual and typically takes between four and twelve weeks to complete. United Kingdom passport holders face similar restrictions and must obtain visas through the Iranian embassy or consulate in their country of residence before travel. Canadian passport holders encounter the same requirement for pre-approved visa applications submitted through Iranian diplomatic missions.
The electronic visa authorization system launched in 2016 allows citizens of most eligible countries to apply online at evisa.mfa.ir between fourteen and ninety days before intended travel, receiving an authorization code typically within three to seven business days that must be presented at the airport upon arrival to receive the physical visa stamp. This e-visa authorization does not guarantee entry and serves only as pre-approval for the visa on arrival process. The system requires uploading a passport bio page scan, travel insurance certificate showing minimum coverage of 50,000 USD, confirmed hotel reservations for the entire stay, and round-trip flight bookings. Applicants receive a reference number that must be presented to immigration officials upon arrival along with payment of the visa fee in EUR only at designated airport counters before proceeding to passport control.
Tourist visas issued on arrival or through e-visa authorization allow stays of fifteen to thirty days depending on the fee paid and cannot be extended domestically except in documented medical emergencies requiring hospitalization. Extension applications must be submitted to the Department of Aliens Affairs of the provincial police headquarters at least five days before the current visa expires, requiring submission of passport, visa copy, hotel registration forms for the entire stay, proof of sufficient funds, and extension fees of approximately 50 EUR per additional week. Extension approval is discretionary and processing takes between three and ten business days with no guarantee of approval even for medical cases.
Multiple-entry tourist visas are not available through visa on arrival or e-visa systems and require application through Iranian embassies or consulates abroad with supporting documentation including detailed itinerary, financial statements showing minimum balance of 5,000 USD, and employer letter confirming return to work. Business visas require invitation letters from registered Iranian companies approved by the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a process that typically takes three to six weeks from initial company application. Student visas require admission letters from Iranian universities approved by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and cannot be obtained on arrival under any circumstances.
Iran does not recognize dual nationality for Iranian citizens regardless of birthplace or whether they hold citizenship of another country. Any individual born to an Iranian father is considered an Iranian national under Iranian law and must enter Iran on an Iranian passport even if they possess citizenship and passport of another country including the United States, Canada, or European nations. Iranian-born individuals who have obtained citizenship elsewhere and never obtained Iranian passports face significant complications at Iranian immigration points and may be denied boarding by airlines or detained at Iranian airports for traveling on non-Iranian documents. Those with Iranian heritage planning to visit Iran should consult with the nearest Iranian consulate regarding required documentation at least three months before intended travel.
Israeli passport holders are not permitted entry to Iran under any circumstances. Passports containing Israeli entry or exit stamps result in automatic entry denial regardless of the visa type or authorization obtained. Travelers who have visited Israel must obtain a new passport without Israeli stamps before applying for Iranian visas. Iran does not accept the U.S. policy of allowing travelers to request a new page or second passport for this purpose. Journalists must obtain special permits through the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance before applying for visas, a process requiring submission of past work samples, detailed reporting plans, and letters from media organizations, typically taking eight to sixteen weeks with frequent rejections.
Travelers arriving at land borders face different procedures than airport arrivals. The borders at Bazargan with Turkey, Mirjaveh with Pakistan, and Dogharoun with Afghanistan issue visas on arrival for most eligible nationalities but require the same e-visa authorization code obtained online before travel. The border crossing at Astara with Azerbaijan issues thirty-day tourist visas on arrival to most nationalities without pre-authorization but only during daylight hours between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM local time. Land borders do not accept credit card payments and require exact visa fee amounts in EUR or USD cash with no change provided. Several land crossings including those with Iraq at Shalamcheh and Chazzabeh operate for visa-free religious pilgrims only and do not process tourist visas under any circumstances.
Maritime entry through the ports at Bandar Abbas and Kish Island follows separate protocols. Kish Island operates as a free trade zone permitting visa-free entry for up to fourteen days for citizens of most countries arriving by air or sea ferry from Dubai or other Persian Gulf ports. This Kish visa-free status does not permit onward travel to mainland Iran without obtaining a standard tourist visa from the Kish visa office, a process requiring two business days and the same documentation as e-visa applications. Travelers arriving by private yacht at Bandar Abbas must notify maritime authorities seventy-two hours before arrival and obtain clearance through the Ports and Maritime Organization, which coordinates with immigration authorities to issue arrival permits valid for the vessel's documented stay period not exceeding thirty days.
Travel insurance showing minimum coverage of 50,000 USD for medical treatment and repatriation is mandatory for all visa applications including visa on arrival and e-visa authorizations. Iranian immigration officials verify insurance certificates at passport control and deny entry to travelers without valid coverage regardless of visa type. Insurance must be purchased from companies operating in Iran or from international providers that specifically state coverage validity in Iran, as many Western insurance policies exclude Iran from covered territories. Several Iranian insurance companies including Parsian Insurance and Iran Insurance Company offer policies specifically for foreign travelers purchasable online or at airport counters before immigration, with seven-day coverage costing approximately 16 EUR and thirty-day coverage approximately 45 EUR.
Hotel registration is compulsory for all foreign nationals staying in Iran beyond seventy-two hours. Upon check-in at any licensed accommodation, travelers must surrender their passport for registration with local police through the Foreign Nationals Accommodation Monitoring System, a process completed electronically by the hotel within twenty-four hours. Police may conduct random accommodation checks and travelers found staying in unregistered properties or with friends without proper notification face fines starting at 500 EUR and potential deportation. The system tracks all movements between cities and immigration authorities verify registration records when processing visa extensions or investigating overstays.
Overstaying a visa in Iran incurs fines of approximately 20 EUR per day for the first ten days, increasing to 40 EUR per day thereafter, payable only in EUR or USD cash at the airport departure hall before boarding. Overstays exceeding thirty days result in entry bans ranging from six months to five years depending on the overstay duration and circumstances. Immigration authorities have full discretion to waive overstay penalties for documented medical emergencies requiring hospitalization with supporting letters from Iranian medical facilities. Departure from Iran with unpaid overstay fines results in automatic entry bans and potential detention until payment is arranged through family members or embassies.
Photography restrictions affect visa applications for specific regions. Travel to border provinces including Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Hormozgan requires additional permits from the Ministry of Interior submitted through travel agencies at least fourteen days before arrival. These permits specify approved routes and accommodation locations and require travelers to report to local police stations within twenty-four hours of arrival in the designated province. Independent travelers without agency sponsorship face significant difficulty obtaining these regional permits and frequent denials. Photography of military installations, government buildings, bridges, airports, and border areas is prohibited throughout Iran and violations can result in detention, equipment confiscation, and visa cancellation regardless of the photographer's stated intent.
Exit visa requirements were abolished for foreign tourists in 2015 but remain in effect for foreign nationals employed in Iran or married to Iranian citizens. These individuals must obtain exit permits from the Ministry of Interior before departure, a process requiring employer consent letters or spousal approval documented through notarized statements. Processing takes between five and fifteen business days and denials are common in cases involving disputed contracts or family law matters. Foreign nationals who entered Iran on tourist visas but subsequently married Iranian citizens face complex legal situations and should contact their embassies before attempting to exit the country.