Welcome to Persia
⚡ Major Update — May 2026: Iran's visa process has fully resumed. Most travelers can obtain visas through registered agencies and travel independently. US, UK & Canadian citizens must still travel with a pre-arranged tour and licensed escort guide per MFA regulations. Heritage Persia handles the full process for all nationalities — applying early is strongly recommended.
✦ How to Apply — Step by Step
1
Submit Application
Fill out Heritage Persia's visa form online — personal details, travel dates, itinerary and accommodation. Pay the agency service fee by card. Takes ~5 minutes.
2
MFA Approval
Heritage Persia submits your application to Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Approval takes 5–7 business days for most nationalities (excl. Thursday & Friday — Iranian weekend). US/UK/CA: allow 4–6 weeks.
3
Receive Authorization Code
You receive a Visa Grant Notice (Authorization Code) by email — the electronic approval from MFA. Print this out. Code is valid 90 days for airport pickup / 60 days for embassy pickup.
4
Collect Visa
Present your Authorization Code at your chosen Iranian embassy or at the Visa on Arrival counter at any of Iran's international airports. Pay the government visa fee in cash (EUR/USD).
💡 Agency vs. MFA Direct: The official MFA e-visa website (evisa.mfa.ir) often results in long waits, technical errors, and rejections. Heritage Persia has a <2% rejection rate. We track your application daily and handle all communication with the MFA in Farsi on your behalf.
✦ Types of Iran Visa
Tourist Visa (Type B)
30 days, extendable to 90 days total. For sightseeing, culture, adventure & photography. The most common type. Single entry.
Business Visa (Type A)
For meetings, conferences, contracts. Requires an invitation letter from an Iranian company or government body. Multiple-entry available. Fees €75–€150.
Student Visa (Type E)
For students enrolled in Iranian universities. Requires Certificate of Eligibility from Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
Medical Visa
For medical procedures, dental work, cosmetic surgery or hair transplants. Iran is among the most affordable destinations for medical tourism.
Transit Visa
For overland travelers passing through Iran (5–7 days). Must be arranged in advance through embassy. Required for cyclists, motorcyclists and car travellers.
Pilgrimage (Ziyarat) Visa
For Muslim visitors to holy sites in Mashhad (Imam Reza shrine) and Qom. Separate visa category with specific processing steps.
Work Visa
For foreign nationals employed by Iranian companies. Requires formal employment contract and coordination between employer and the Ministry of Interior.
Press / Journalist Visa
For accredited journalists and media professionals on official assignment. Additional documentation including press credentials required. Case-by-case MFA review.
⚠️ Important Rules & Warnings
Israeli passport or stamps: Iran does not accept travelers with Israeli passports or evidence of entry to Israel (entry/exit stamps from Israeli border crossings). Jordanian or Egyptian exit stamps from Israeli crossings may also cause problems. If you have visited Israel, use a second passport or contact us.
Iranian dual nationals: If your father is Iranian, you are legally considered an Iranian citizen regardless of your current nationality. You must enter Iran on an Iranian passport. Using a foreign passport will not be accepted.
Registered accommodation only: Since 2025, all travelers are required to stay in officially registered hotels, guesthouses or boutique hotels. Staying with private hosts or Airbnb-style accommodation is prohibited and may invalidate your visa.
VOA risk: Visa on Arrival rejection rates have increased. Some airlines refuse boarding without pre-approved visa documentation. Heritage Persia always recommends obtaining full approval before travel.
Cash only: Visa fees at airports and embassies must be paid in cash (EUR or USD). Cards are not accepted. Bring the exact amount — change is not always available.
No passport stamp: Iran no longer stamps passports for most nationalities. Your visa is a separate paper document. This means your Iran visit will not affect your US visa or travel to the USA, Israel, or other countries that previously restricted Iran visitors.
✦ Required Documents
- ✅ Passport — minimum 6 months validity beyond your departure date, at least 2 empty pages
- ✅ Passport scan — JPEG, color, under 500 KB, 800×600 px (width > height). Full first page clearly visible.
- ✅ Passport photo — JPEG, under 240 KB, 600×400 px (height > width). White background, no glasses, no headscarf required for women, taken within 6 months.
- ✅ Visa application form — completed with personal details, travel plan and contacts. Heritage Persia assists.
- ✅ Travel itinerary — approximate day-by-day plan: cities, dates, accommodation names. Does not have to be perfectly accurate.
- ✅ Travel insurance — must explicitly say "Iran" in the covered countries. Not "Asia" or "Middle East." (Heritage Persia can arrange this.)
- ✅ First night accommodation — name and contact of your first hotel. Heritage Persia can book this for you.
- ✅ Agency service fee — paid online by credit card to Heritage Persia when you submit.
📋 Application Form Tips (avoid rejection):
— Email field: use a generic personal email. Never use a .gov or official institutional address.
— Occupation: provide as much detail as possible. Vague answers like "employee" slow approval.
— Do NOT mention journalism or media — apply as a tourist instead.
— If applying through the MFA website previously, cancel or await rejection before applying through Heritage Persia.
— Email field: use a generic personal email. Never use a .gov or official institutional address.
— Occupation: provide as much detail as possible. Vague answers like "employee" slow approval.
— Do NOT mention journalism or media — apply as a tourist instead.
— If applying through the MFA website previously, cancel or await rejection before applying through Heritage Persia.
🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦 US, UK & Canadian Citizens
Mandatory Tour + Licensed Guide: Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada are required by Iranian law to travel with a pre-arranged itinerary through a registered Iranian travel agency and must be accompanied by a licensed escort guide throughout their entire stay.
- ⏱ Apply at least 60–90 business days in advance (approximately 3 months)
- 🗺 A full, fixed itinerary must be submitted and pre-approved before visa application
- 🏨 All accommodation must be in officially registered hotels — staying with locals is prohibited
- 👤 A licensed English-speaking guide must accompany you at all times
- ✈️ Visa can only be collected at an Iranian embassy abroad — NOT at the airport
- 💳 Agency fee is higher: Heritage Persia will provide a personalised quote
- 🚗 Overland entry requires the same conditions — guide must meet you at the border
- 📋 US citizens with dual nationality may use their other passport where applicable
Heritage Persia specialises in US/UK/CA citizens — we design a complete tour package that satisfies MFA requirements while giving you genuine freedom to explore Iran's greatest highlights.
✦ Visa Fees by Nationality
Fees are paid in cash (EUR or USD) at the airport or embassy — cards are not accepted. This is the government fee only — separate from the agency service fee paid to Heritage Persia.
| Nationality Group | Airport (VOA) | Embassy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇺 Most European (incl. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden…) | €75 | €50–65 | Standard rate |
| 🇦🇺 Australia / 🇳🇿 New Zealand | €150 | €100–120 | Higher tier |
| 🇺🇸 United States | N/A | ~$80 | Embassy only; guided tour mandatory |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | N/A | £90 | Embassy only; guided tour mandatory |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | N/A | ~$75 | Embassy only; guided tour mandatory |
| 🇮🇳 India / South Asia (eligible) | €30–50 | €20–35 | Lower fee bracket |
| 🇷🇺 Russia / CIS Countries | €30–50 | €20–40 | Lower fee bracket |
| 🇯🇵 Japan / South Korea | €40–50 | €30–40 | Standard-lower rate |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil / Latin America | €40–60 | €30–50 | Varies by country |
| African Nationalities | €20–60 | €15–50 | Wide range by country |
Fees updated 2026. Always carry the exact amount in EUR/USD — airport offices may not give change. Fees can change without notice. Contact Heritage Persia for your nationality's exact current fee.
✦ Extending Your Iran Visa
You can extend your 30-day tourist visa up to twice (each extension adds 30 days), giving a maximum stay of 90 days. Extensions must be done in person at the Police Department of Aliens Affairs — also known as "Edareh Gozarnameh" — in the city where you are staying.
- 📍 Visit Passport & Immigration Police in any provincial capital — go early in the morning
- 📄 2–3 passport photos (recent, white background)
- 📄 2 copies of your passport (all pages + visa page)
- 📄 Your current Visa Authorization Code and any previous extensions
- 📄 2 copies of completed extension application form
- 💵 Extension fee: approximately €5–10 equivalent in Iranian Rials (+ ~$1–3 for photocopying on site)
- 🏨 Must provide an accommodation address in the city where you apply
- ⏱ Process takes a few hours if you arrive early; sometimes requires a return visit the next day
📍 Tehran Immigration Office: Shahid Motahari St, Kooh e Noor St — Tel: +9821 7394 8912
📍 Isfahan: Isfahan Province, Rudaki Bypass — Tel: +9831 3218 4547
📍 Shiraz: Modarres Boulevard — Tel: +9871 3725 0028
📍 Mashhad: Pirouzi Blvd — Tel: +9851 3822 5280
Heritage Persia can advise on the nearest office and assist with documents.
📍 Isfahan: Isfahan Province, Rudaki Bypass — Tel: +9831 3218 4547
📍 Shiraz: Modarres Boulevard — Tel: +9871 3725 0028
📍 Mashhad: Pirouzi Blvd — Tel: +9851 3822 5280
Heritage Persia can advise on the nearest office and assist with documents.
✦ Visa-Free Countries
| Duration | Countries |
|---|---|
| 90 days | Turkey, Armenia, Oman, Syria (direct flight) |
| 45 days | Georgia |
| 30 days | Iraq |
| 21 days | China, Hong Kong, Macao |
| 20 days | Egypt |
| 15 days | Malaysia, India (by air, once every 6 months) |
| 15 days | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Serbia, Croatia, Belarus, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius & more |
| 14 days | Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan |
| Free zones (all nationalities) | Kish Island & Qeshm Island — up to 14 days, no visa needed |
⛔ Cannot Get Visa on Arrival — Must Apply in Advance
Citizens of the following countries cannot obtain a Visa on Arrival at Iranian airports and must apply through an embassy or registered travel agency well in advance:
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇨🇦 Canada
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇨🇴 Colombia
🇮🇶 Iraq
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇳🇵 Nepal
🇵🇰 Pakistan
🇸🇴 Somalia
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
For Pakistan and Afghan nationals resident outside US/UK/Canada: standard agency service fee applies. For those residing in US/UK/CA: tour package and licensed guide is mandatory.
✅ Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Most nationalities below can collect their visa at any Iranian international airport — but applying in advance via Heritage Persia is strongly recommended to avoid airport delays and rare rejection cases.
Albania
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia
Brazil
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Luxembourg
Mexico
Mongolia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Palestine
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Thailand
Ukraine
UAE
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
…and more
✦ When to Apply
- Most nationalities: Apply 4–6 weeks before travel — comfortably allows processing time
- Airport pickup: Authorization code valid 90 days — can apply up to 3 months early
- Embassy pickup: 60-day window to collect visa; 45 days to enter once issued
- US / UK / CA: Minimum 60–90 business days in advance — allow 3+ months
- Sensitive nationalities: Some nationalities may require up to 8 weeks — always contact Heritage Persia first
✦ Visa Pickup Airports (13 International)
- 🛬 Tehran — Imam Khomeini (IKA)
- 🛬 Tehran — Mehrabad (THR)
- 🛬 Mashhad (MHD)
- 🛬 Isfahan (IFN)
- 🛬 Shiraz (SYZ)
- 🛬 Kish Island (KIH)
- 🛬 Qeshm Island (GSM)
- 🛬 Tabriz (TBZ)
- 🛬 Bandar Abbas (BND)
- 🛬 Ahvaz (AWZ)
- 🛬 Kerman (KER)
- 🛬 Urmia (OMH)
All airports operate visa offices 24 hours. Cash payment in EUR or USD only.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Iran?
Most nationalities require a visa. A small number of countries have visa-free access (15–90 days). See the Visa-Free Countries table above. Israeli passport holders cannot enter Iran.
What is the Visa Authorization Code?
The Authorization Code (also called Visa Grant Notice or LOI) is the official approval from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's sent by email — you print it and present it at the airport or embassy to collect your actual visa.
Can I get a multiple-entry Iran visa?
Tourist visas are single-entry only. Multiple-entry visas are only available for business visa holders. However, you can extend your tourist visa twice inside Iran (each +30 days).
Will Iran visiting affect my US visa?
Since 2018, Iran no longer stamps passports. Your visa is issued on a separate paper. This means your Iran visit is not visible in your passport and should not affect your US, Israeli or other visa applications.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes — travel insurance is mandatory and must explicitly name "Iran" as a covered country. General terms like "Asia" or "Middle East" are rejected by visa officers. Heritage Persia can arrange Iran-specific insurance.
Can I stay with Iranian friends or family?
As of 2025, all international visitors must stay in registered hotels or guesthouses. Staying in unregistered private accommodation is prohibited under current MFA regulations.
How do I pay for things in Iran?
Foreign cards and credit cards don't work in Iran due to sanctions. Bring cash in EUR or USD. Heritage Persia can provide you with an Iran Tourist Card (prepaid local debit card) — rechargeable in EUR/USD before arrival.
What is the dress code?
Women must wear a headscarf (hijab) in public spaces in Iran. Long sleeves and a long top covering hips are required. Men should wear long trousers. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted for men in public.
🔍 Track Your Visa Status
After submitting your application, Heritage Persia sends you a tracking reference within 24 hours. Use it to check your status any time via WhatsApp.
✓
Application Received
2
Submitted to MFA
3
Under Review
4
Auth Code Issued
5
Visa Collected ✈️
✦ Choose Your Package
Standard
€35
Most nationalities · Tourist visa · Independent travel
- Full MFA application
- Authorization code
- 5–7 business days
- WhatsApp support
MOST POPULAR
Premium
€55
Includes Iran travel insurance + priority processing
- Everything in Standard
- Iran travel insurance
- Priority processing
- 24/7 in-trip support
US / UK / CA
€120
Mandatory guided tour package + visa + full support
- Licensed escort guide
- MFA approval
- Full itinerary planning
- 4–6 week processing
Agency fee is separate from the Iranian government visa fee paid at the airport or embassy (€30–150 depending on nationality).