Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)
- Most nationalities can now collect their visa on arrival at selected Iranian airports:
- Visa on arrival is NOT available to passport holders of the following countries:
- Visa on Arrival (VOA) is only available at selected airports and not at land or sea border crossings. If you don’t plan to enter via the mentioned airports, you need to get a visa before travel.Â
- This type of visa is only available to ordinary passports. People travelling with Refugee Travel Documents, Diplomatic and Service passports, Laissez-Passer and other types of travel documents shall obtain their visas before travelling to Iran.
- This visa can’t be used for press (journalism, broadcasting, etc.) trips.
- If you have been ever refused an Iranian visa, you can’t use this option.
- Having a Visa Grant Notice is strongly recommended to avoid any problems when planning to use this visa option.
If you’re thinking about visiting Iran and can get a visa when you arrive, here’s something to keep in mind:
When you arrive in Iran, you might have to wait at the airport while they process your visa. But there’s a catch – there’s a chance they might say no and send you back. That’s why most airlines won’t let you on the plane to Iran without a visa or a trackable visa approval.
But there’s a way to make this process smoother. You can pay a small fee to a trusted travel agency like IranianVisa.com. We will take care of all the visa paperwork for you and make sure it meets the rules set by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If they approve it, you’ll get an official document called a Visa Grant Notice. This document has a special barcode that proves your visa’s been approved, and the airlines will use it to make sure you’re good to go when you board your flight to Iran.
Requirements :
- Passport with minimum 6-month validity
- Visa Grant Notice (recommended)
- Valid Travel Insurance
- Visa stamp fee in EUR (cash)
Here’s a breakdown of the differences between visa-free entry and Iran visa on arrival:
Visa-free Entry
- No pre-approval needed: You don’t need to apply for a visa beforehand.
- Passport and basic requirements: Typically, you just need a valid passport.
- Streamlined entry: The process at the border is usually faster and simpler.
- Cost: There is no entry or visa fee.
Visa on Arrival
- Visa obtained at the border: You receive your visa upon entering the country, usually at an airport.
- Application on-site or beforehand: You’ll likely need to fill out an application form, provide documents (passport, photos, etc.), and pay a fee.
- Some pre-planning might be needed: You may need to get an electronic visa approval (Visa Grant Notice) before travelling.
- More complicated entry: Some waiting time as you first need to collect the visa and then pass through passport control.
- Cost: Depending our your nationality you pay a visa stamp fee and a service for getting the Visa Grant Notice.
Key Points
- Time: Visa-free entry is generally the fastest and most convenient option.
- Eligibility: Not all nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry . A small number of nationalities are also not eligible for Iran visa on arrival.
- Restrictions: Visa-free entry and visa on arrival (VOA) often have limitations on the length of stay.
- Extension: Visa-free stay can’t be extended and you can’t return within 6 months without a visa.
Example:
- Visa-free: Chinese citizens can enter Iran without a visa for 21 days, non-extendable.
- Visa on arrival:Â Most EU citizens can get an Iran visa on arrival for up to 30 days, extendable to max. 90 days.
Application Process
As per the regulations outlined by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourist visa is designed for foreign nationals intending to travel to Iran either independently or as part of a group for the purpose of visiting the country or meeting friends and relatives.
This visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days, with the option to extend while in Iran, and remains valid for a period of 3 months from the date of issue. Depending on your nationality and the consulate you choose, you can submit your documents and obtain a visa after a few days without requiring a reference from Iran or opt for the new e-visa system. However, applying outside your home country can be time-consuming and challenging.
In most cases, consulates usually mandate an authorization letter or Visa Grant Notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran, which is a pivotal requirement during the visa application process. Once you secure this authorization code, the subsequent steps are generally uncomplicated, and you can expect to receive your visa within a span of 1 or 2 days.
You may also apply for an Entry (Business) visa, which needs an invitation letter from your Iranian host, but keep in mind that most business trips are fine with a tourist visa as well.
Step 1 : Apply
Fill out the application form with accurate details, ensuring they match your passport information. This formal application will be sent to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorizing the consulate for visa issuance.
Step 2 : Payment
After submitting the application, you’ll receive a service bill and payment instructions. This charge is separate from the visa fee payable to the consulate during the stamping process (Step 4).
Step 3 : Receive
Once processed, you will receive an authorization letter, transmitted to the specified consulate. The letter includes the visa code and a visa grant notice valid for a month. You can request forwarding to another consulate for an additional charge.
Step 4 : Collect
With the reference code, visit the consulate with your passport (valid for the next 6 months), completed visa application form, 2 passport size photos, visa fee, and the authorization reference code. Confirm document requirements with the consulate, as they may vary. Mailing options may be available; contact the consulate for details.
VISA APPLICATION FORM (.pdf format)
Download and complete when collecting the visa from the consulate
Step 5 : Enter
Congratulations! You can now enter Iran. Share your feedback with us regarding the visa collection process. If you encounter any issues, we are here to assist until you receive your visa. We value client feedback to enhance our service. Contact us for questions, assistance, or additional services. For visa extensions, inquire with the Police Department of Foreign Aliens Affairs in any major Iranian city.
| Nat. | % of Applcns. | Apprvl. % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
United Kingdom* | 19.7% | 96% |
 |
Germany | 11.8% | 98% |
 |
Australia | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Netherland | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Canada* | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
France | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Spain | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Italy | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
India | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
South Korea | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
China | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Slovenia | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Ireland | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
New Zealand | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Switzerland | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Sweden | 9.6% | 96% |
 |
Belgium | 1.2% | 97% |
 |
Russia | 0.8% | 98% |
 |
United States | 3.4% | 95% |
 |
Austria | 0.8% | 98% |
| Rest of the countries | 12.9% | 97% |
New Service
Visa Collection from the Iranian Consulate in London
Don’t stress if traveling to the Iranian Consulate in London is challenging for you.
We are pleased to offer assistance in collecting visas from the Iranian consulate in London. Entrust the entire process to us. Simply send the required documents to our address, and we will efficiently handle the visa collection on your behalf. Once completed, we’ll return the visa along with your passport directly to you.
For further assistance, please reach out to us via email.
Visa Application Form :
"*" indicates required fields
IMPORTANT:
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Please be advised that the application processing is currently slower due to the Iranian New Year holidays (18 March – 5 April).
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The following consulates are presently closed: Ottawa, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich. However, alternative options are available at other Iranian consulates or airports for visa collection.
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Passport holders from the USA, UK, and Canada may be required to furnish additional information concerning their work, study, and travel history.
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Kindly note that the application time is longer for USA, UK, and Canada passport holders, and a surcharge fee is applicable for these nationalities. We appreciate your understanding during this period.
NOTICE:
Submission of the application implies acceptance of our terms and conditions.
While the majority of cases adhere to the specified processing times, delays may occur due to additional investigations mandated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Please note that Thursdays and Fridays are considered weekend days in Iran and are not counted as working days in the processing timeline. Additionally, public holidays are included in non-working days. Refer to the list of public holidays for more information.
If you have a personal host in Iran, kindly complete and email the hosting form to us.
All decisions regarding visa approval rest with the government authority. IranianVisa.com operates independently and is not affiliated with the government. Our service incurs a professional fee, providing you with a range of value-added services.
NOTICE: If you encounter any issues submitting the form on your computer, you can download a blank form by clicking here. Kindly complete the form and send it to info@iranianvisa.com.
IMPORTANT! If you do not receive our messages promptly, kindly check your email account’s Bulk or Spam folder. It’s possible that some messages have been unintentionally filtered there. To ensure you receive all vital communications from us, we recommend adding our email address to your safe senders list. This precaution will help avoid any oversight of important messages.
Alternatively, you can send the following details and documents by email to info@iranianvisa.com or by WhatsApp at +98-912-1902843.
Personal Details
Name:
Marital status:
Father’s full name:
Former nationality (if you had):
Occupation (job):
Trip details
Visa collection point:
Estimated visa collection date:
Point of entry:
Planned date of entry:
Duration of stay (days):
Year of last trip to Iran:
Itinerary:
Contact details
Email:
Telephone:
Home address:
Processing type: (Normal / Urgent)
Comments:
Documents
– Passport or Travel Document copy (first page)
– Face Photo (against a plain light-coloured background)
– Copy of Passport extension page, if it’s extended
– Copy of Residence Permit for Pakistani/Afghan passport holders applying in other countries
