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Iran Entry Requirements

Iran Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Last checked April 2025. Confirm with official sources before departure.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-08-18
Iran's entry process runs more formal than most destinations. Know the rules before you land. Your passport needs six months validity past arrival. Immigration stays orderly. Officers ask pointed questions about your plans and local contacts. Print your visa. Bring hotel confirmations. Keep your return ticket handy. Watch your stamps. Israeli passport marks cause problems. Entry denials happen.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa rules shift by nationality. Some enter free. Others, from certain Western nations, face heavier paperwork.

Visa-Free Entry
Typically 15 to 90 days, depending on nationality.

Nationalities that can enter Iran without obtaining a visa in advance.

Includes
Armenia Azerbaijan Bolivia China Georgia Lebanon Malaysia Oman Serbia Syria Turkey Venezuela

Stay limits vary. Turks get 90 days. Chinese visitors receive 21. Check your specific terms.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Typically 30 days, extendable to 45 or 90 days in some cases.

Many nationalities can secure an electronic visa or authorisation code online before flying.

Includes
Australia Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom
How to Apply: Apply through Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. Or use an accredited agency for an authorisation code. Processing spans days to weeks. Your nationality sets the pace.
Cost: Fees hit mid-range for this document type.

UK, US, and Canadian citizens follow similar steps with added layers. Extensive applications. Mandatory interviews at Iranian Interests Sections or embassies. Time adds up. Approval isn't certain.

Visa Required
Typically 30 days.

Some nationalities need traditional visas before arrival. Sponsorship from inside Iran is usually required.

How to Apply: Secure an authorisation code from an Iranian sponsor, typically a travel agency. With code in hand, apply at an embassy or consulate. No diplomatic ties? Use an Iranian Interests Section in a third country.

This covers US, Canadian, and UK citizens. The process is fixed. No on-arrival option exists. Plan well ahead.

Arrival Process

Land at an international airport like Imam Khomeini in Tehran. Immigration and customs follow. Documents ready? The process moves smoothly.

1
Passport Control
Hand over your passport, visa, and completed arrival card. Officers may ask about your purpose, accommodation, and contacts.
2
Visa Verification
With an authorisation code, officers verify it and issue your visa sticker or stamp.
3
Biometrics
Fingerprints and digital photos are standard for all foreign arrivals.
4
Baggage Claim and Customs
Clear immigration. Collect bags. Choose green for nothing to declare, red for goods to declare.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least six months from your entry date into Iran.
Iranian Visa
Bring either a pre-issued sticker or an authorisation code for conversion at entry.
Arrival/Departure Card
Fill out the small form given on the plane or found at the counter. Present it at passport control.
Proof of Onward Travel
Carry a return ticket or onward travel proof. Officers sometimes ask.
Accommodation Details
Write down your first hotel or host address. Helpful if questioned.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Dress modestly immediately. Islamic codes apply inside the airport. Women need headscarves, long sleeves, and loose tops or coats covering hips.
Keep printed copies of all documents, including authorisation codes. Phones alone may not suffice.
Answer politely and directly. Vague responses invite more questions.
Expect luggage scans. Alcohol and satellite phones are prohibited.

Customs & Duty-Free

Customs rules are strict. Declare properly. Penalties follow violations.

Alcohol
The import of any alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
This is the personal allowance for travelers over 18.
Currency
Any amount over 10,000 Euros or equivalent
Declare sums above the threshold. Undeclared cash gets seized.
Gifts/Goods
Up to a reasonable personal use value
Commercial volumes or high-value goods face duty. Expensive electronics may be logged to ensure departure with you.

Prohibited Items

  • Alcohol and any alcohol production equipment
  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Pornographic material
  • Satellite phones and unlicensed communication equipment
  • Political or religious material deemed contrary to state ideology
  • Drones without prior permission

Restricted Items

  • Keep prescriptions in original packaging with doctor's notes. Some Western medicines count as controlled substances.
  • Professional cameras or bulk electronics need declaration to prove personal use.
  • Publications, books, and media may be subject to inspection.

Health Requirements

Few health requirements are mandatory. Some shots are advised.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever certificates are required when arriving from transmission-risk countries.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Routine shots help: MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, influenza.
  • Hepatitis An and Typhoid (through contaminated food or water)
  • Hepatitis B (through bodily fluids)
  • Rabies (for those who might have contact with animals)

Health Insurance

Complete travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly advised. Some visas or tour operators demand proof.

Current Health Requirements: As of 2025, Iran has no COVID-19 entry requirements. Rules shift. Check before flying.

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Read our complete Iran Travel Insurance Guide →

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Verify embassy contacts on your government's advisory site. Diplomatic presence varies. The UK and US lack Tehran embassies. They work through other nations' missions.
Immigration Authority
Official immigration website
Start with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. It handles visa and authorisation code applications. This is your primary source.
Emergency
Emergency services number
Police: 110, Ambulance: 115, Fire: 125

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children need their own passport. No exceptions. If a child travels with one parent or alone, immigration may ask for a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s). This requirement varies. Carry one anyway.

Traveling with Pets

Bringing pets into Iran is possible. The paperwork is heavy. You need an import permit, a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and a veterinary health certificate issued shortly before departure. Quarantine may apply. Start early. Contact an Iranian embassy for complete details.

Extended Stays

Tourist visas can often be extended inside Iran. Visit the Police Passport & Visa Department in Tehran, Shiraz, or Isfahan. Extensions cost less than new visas abroad. File before your current visa expires. Most extensions add 30 to 60 days.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

View Iran Packing List →

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