Iran Entry and Travel Requirements
Iran entry requirements specify all the rules one must follow to ensure a hassle-free entry into Iran. These requirements also specify which documents must be obtained before the planned trip.
One of the most necessary documents to travel to Iran is a valid passport and will expire at least 180 days (6 months) after the expected date of arrival in Iran. Please note that you may be denied entry to Iran if your passport contains Israeli stamps or stamps from border crossings of countries other than Israel.
According to Iran's visa policy, most international visitors also need a visa to visit Iran. Citizens of any country in the world can apply for Iran e-Visa, which requires online application. Finally, the applicant must go to the nearest Iranian embassy to get a visa.
Citizens of most countries are also eligible for a visa on arrival, which can be issued at the airport once the traveler arrives in Iran. However, this alternative carries the risk of waiting hours at the border and there is no guarantee of a visa being issued.
Some nationalities must obtain a visa from an Iranian embassy or consulate, regardless of the reason for the trip or the expected length of stay. Additionally, Iran currently allows citizens of 16 different countries to enter Iran without a visa. The length of stay allowed without a visa varies depending on nationality.
Iran is now open to international tourists who can enter the country by air, sea or land. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, Iranian authorities have introduced a number of restrictions. Currently, arriving travelers must still provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure. To board a flight to Iran, travelers must also submit a Self-Declaration and Covid-19 Commitment Form.
The security situation in the country is still unstable and could worsen at any time. It is not recommended to travel to Iran without an essential travel reason.
Here are some particularly dangerous areas of Iran that you should not visit:
Pakistan's border areas in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan
border with Afghanistan in Khorasan province
border with Iraq in Khuzestan and Ilam provinces
Important:
Before planning an international trip, it's worth checking for the latest updates on travel restrictions.
Who can enter Iran?
Iran welcomes most international visitors regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status. The only country banned is Israel. Israeli passport holders cannot enter Iran.
Document checklist for entering Iran
- valid passport
- Iran visa
- proof of vaccination
- Negative PCR test result (only if not vaccinated)
- Self-declaration and commitment to prevent Covid-19 epidemic
- travel insurance
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
All unvaccinated travelers arriving in Iran must present a negative PCR test certificate taken within 72 hours before departure. Test results must be issued in English or approved by the Iranian embassy in the traveler's country of departure.
Travelers who are fully vaccinated and can provide a valid vaccination certificate will be exempt from the Covid-19 testing requirement.
Vaccination required
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory when entering Iran. However, those arriving fully vaccinated may benefit from fewer restrictions. To be considered fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a person must have proof of vaccination confirming that the second dose of the two-dose Covid-19 vaccine was administered at least 14 days before intended travel Iran.
Quarantine required
There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Iran. However, arriving passengers can be tested for Covid-19 on arrival and if they test positive they may be subject to the cost of a 14-day quarantine.
Traveling from Iran
There are no specific exit requirements for international travelers leaving Iran. However, travel regulations may change at short notice.
Contact your airline or travel provider for more details. Depending on your next travel destination, entry requirements may vary.
Traveling to Iran
Currently, all passengers over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated to enter Iran. Additionally, unvaccinated travelers can submit a negative PCR test result issued within 72 hours of arrival. Visitors under 12 years old do not need to provide documents related to Covid-19.
All travelers must undergo medical screening upon arrival in Iran and may be quarantined if they develop symptoms of Covid-19.
There are several international commercial flight options available. Current flights to major Iranian airports are operated by:
Aeroflot (Moscow), Lufthansa (Frankfurt), Emirates (Dubai), Iran Air (Istanbul, Milan, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Vienna, London), Qatar Airways (Doha), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Mahan Air (Dubai, Istanbul).
All visitors to Iran should remember to monitor and follow travel advice from local authorities throughout their stay in the country.
Entry Rules for Children
- Children under 12 years old: Children aged 12 and under are exempt from the requirement to provide a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test.
- Children over 12 years old: Children over 12 years old must provide a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel.
Transit through Iran
If you plan to transit through Iran to another country, you must apply for a visa. You can do this online by applying for a Transit e-Visa that is issued for 30 days and allows a 7-day transit stop in Iran.
Remember that after submitting your application online, you must go directly to the embassy to receive your approved e-Visa.
Please also contact your airline to see if you need to meet any requirements, including providing a negative Covid-19 test result or proof of vaccination to board flight.
Visa requirements
Electronic visa for Iran
Iran has introduced an online visa system to facilitate the visa application process for travelers around the world. There are four types of Iran e-Visas, differing in the number of entries allowed and the validity period.
After completing the online application form, the applicant will receive an authorization code via email. This code is needed to go to the nearest Iranian embassy and obtain a previously approved e-Visa.
Citizens of any country in the world can apply for an Iran e-visa online and then go to a diplomatic mission to have the visa issued.
Visa on arrival
Most nationalities can also apply for a visa on arrival. This visa application method is most convenient for last-minute travelers. However, there is always the risk of visa refusal and applying for a VoA is definitely a longer procedure.
Ordinary passport holders can obtain a VoA in Iran for travel purposes, issued for a 30-day stay at the following Iran airports:
- Isfahan International Airport
- Kish International Airport
- Mashhad International Airport
- Qechm International Airport
- Shiraz International Airport
- Tabriz International Airport
- Imam Khomeini International Airport
- Mehrabad International Airport
- Urmia Airport
- Ahvaz International Airport
- Kerman Airport
- Larestan International Airport
Please note:
To obtain a visa upon arrival in Iran, travelers must apply for a visa at least 2 days before their intended arrival. This can be done through the Iran e-Visa website. Confirmation of submitted request must be presented upon arrival.
Embassy or Consular Visa
Passport holders from the following countries must apply for an Iran visa directly from one of the Iranian embassies or consulates before arriving in Iran:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- Colombia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Libya
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Yemen
Important:
Additionally, citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States must be accompanied by a government-approved guide when traveling to Iran. Because Iran's foreign missions are closed in these countries, Canadians, British and Americans cannot enter Iran as independent visitors.
Visa-free countries
Citizens of the following 16 countries can visit Iran without a visa and stay there for varying periods of time:
up to 90 days
Armenia
Oman
Syria
Turkey
up to 45 days
Georgia
up to 30 days
Azerbaijan
Lebanon
Bolivia
up to 21 days
China
Hong Kong
Macau
UP TO 20 DAYS
Egypt
UP TO 15 DAYS
Malaysia
Venezuela
In February 2022, Iran also signed a visa exemption agreement with Qatar. This decision was taken to facilitate participation in the FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar in November 2022.
Passenger Locator Form
Passengers are required to provide a Covid-19 self-declaration form when checking in at the airport. In addition, a written commitment form must be submitted to the health authority.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance covering the entire period of stay in Iran is required to apply for a tourist visa to Iran. There are no specific requirements regarding insurance policies to make.
Consider purchasing insurance that covers all overseas medical expenses, including medical treatment costs related to COVID-19 and costs that may be related to quarantine.