Iran Entry Requirements

Iran Entry Requirements specify all the rules that one must follow to ensure hassle-free entry to Iran. These requirements also outline what documents must be obtained prior to the planned trip.

One of the most essential documents required to travel to Iran is a valid passport that will not expire for at least 180 days (6 months) after the planned date of arrival in Iran. Please note that you may be denied entry to Iran if your passport contains an Israeli stamp or stamps from other countries’ border crossing points with Israel.

According to the Iranian visa policy, most international travelers also need a visa to visit Iran. Citizens of all countries in the world can apply for Iran e-Visa, which requires submitting an online application. In the end, an applicant must visit the nearest Iranian Embassy to collect the visa approval.

Nationals of most countries are also eligible for Visa on Arrival, which can be obtained at the airport once a traveler arrives in Iran. This alternative, however, entails the risk of spending long hours waiting at the border, and there is no guarantee of receiving the approved visa.

Certain countries must obtain a visa from the Iranian embassy or consulate regardless of their travel purpose or planned duration of stay.

Additionally, Iran currently allows nationals of 16 different countries to enter Iran without a visa. The permitted visa-free stay period varies between nationalities.

Iran is now open to international tourists who can enter the country by air, sea, or land. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Iranian authorities introduced a number of restrictions. Currently, incoming travelers still need to provide either vaccination proof or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure. In order to board the flight to Iran, travelers also must submit the Covid-19 Self-Declaration Form and Pledge Form.

The security situation in the country remains volatile and could deteriorate at any time. It is not recommended to go to Iran without essential travel purposes.

Following, there are particularly dangerous Iranian regions that one should not travel to:

• the regions bordering Pakistan in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan
• the border with Afghanistan in Khorasan Province
• the border with Iraq in Khuzestan and Ilam provinces

Important: Before planning any international travel, it is necessary to check the latest update on travel restrictions.

Who can enter Iran?

Iran welcomes most international travelers regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status. The only banned country is Israel. Israeli passport holders cannot enter Iran.

Documents check-list for entering Iran

• valid passport
• Iran visa
• vaccination proof
• PCR negative test result (only if unvaccinated)
• Covid-19 Self-Declaration Form and Pledge Form
• travel insurance

Testing, vaccination, and quarantine requirements

Testing Requirements

All non-vaccinated travelers arriving in Iran must show a negative PCR test certificate performed within 72 hours before departure. The test result must be issued in English or approved by the Iranian embassy located in the country of the traveler's departure.

Fully vaccinated travelers who are able to provide a valid vaccination certificate are exempt from Covid-19 testing requirements.

Vaccination Requirements

Covid-19 vaccination is not mandatory to enter Iran. Nevertheless, fully vaccinated arrivals can enjoy fewer restrictions. To be considered fully vaccinated against Covid-19, one needs to hold vaccination proof confirming that the second dose of a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine has been administered at least 14 days prior to the planned trip to Iran.

Quarantine Requirements

There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Iran. However, arriving passengers may be tested against Covid-19 on arrival, and in case of a positive result, they may be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at their own expense.

Traveling from Iran

There are no specific exit requirements for international travelers departing Iran. Nevertheless, the travel regulations are subject to change at short notice.

Contact your airline or travel provider for more detailed information. Depending on your next travel destination, the entry requirements may differ.

Traveling to Iran

Currently, all passengers over the age of 12 should be fully vaccinated to enter Iran. Alternatively, non-vaccinated travelers may submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours before arrival. Travelers under the age of 12 do not need to provide any Covid-19 document.

All travelers are subject to health screening upon arrival in Iran and may be directed to quarantine in case of having some Covid-19 symptoms.

There are several international commercial flight options available. The 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 travelers to Iran should remember to monitor and follow the travel advice of local authorities throughout their entire stay in the country.

Entry Rules for Children

Children below 12

Children aged 12 and younger are exempt from the requirement to provide a negative Covid-19 test or vaccination certificate.

Children over 12

Children over 12 years of age must provide a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before travel.

Transit through Iran

If you plan to transit through Iran on your way to any other country, you must obtain a visa. You can do it online by applying for the transit e-Visa issued for 30 days and allowing a 7-day transit stop in Iran.

Remember that the online application must be followed by an in-person embassy visit in order to collect the approved e-Visa.

Please also contact your airline to find out whether you need to meet some requirements, including providing a negative Covid-19 test or vaccination proof to board your flight.

Iran visa requirements

Iran e-Visa

Iran introduced the online visa system to facilitate the visa application process for travelers around the globe. There are four types of Iran e-Visa, which differ in terms of the permitted number of entries and validity period.

After completing the online application form, an applicant receives the Authorization Code via e-mail. This code is necessary to visit the nearest Iranian Embassy and collect the previously approved e-Visa.

Citizens of every country in the world can submit the Iran e-Visa application online and then visit a diplomatic mission to collect the visa approval.

Visa on Arrival

Most nationalities are also eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival. This method of getting a visa is the most convenient for last-minute travelers. However, there is always a risk of visa rejection, and the VoA application is definitely a more time-consuming procedure.

Holders of the regular passport can obtain a VoA in Iran for tourism purposes, which is issued for a 30-day stay at the following Iranian airports:

• Isfahan International Airport
• Kish International Airport
• Mashhad International Airport
• Qeshm 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: In order to obtain a Visa on Arrival in Iran, a traveler must already have submitted a visa application at least 2 days prior to the planned arrival. It can be done via the Iranian e-Visa website. The confirmation of the submitted application must be presented on arrival.

Embassy or Consular Visa

Passport holders of the following countries must apply for an Iranian visa directly at one of the Iranian embassies or consulates before their arrival 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 UK, and the US must be escorted by a government-approved guide when in Iran. Since the Iranian foreign missions were closed in these countries, Canadians, Brits, and Americans cannot enter Iran as independent travelers.

Visa-exempt countries

Citizens of the following 16 countries can visit Iran visa-free and stay there for different 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
• Macao

UP TO 20 DAYS

• Egypt

UP TO 15 DAYS

• Malaysia
• Venezuela

In February 2022, Iran also signed a visa-waiver agreement with Qatar. This decision was made to facilitate participation in the FIFA World Cup that will be held in Qatar in November 2022.

Passenger Locator Form

Passengers are required to provide the Covid-19 Self Declaration Form during the check-in at the airport. Moreover, the written Pledge Form must be submitted to the health officials.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance covering the entire stay in Iran is mandatory to apply for a tourist visa for Iran. There are no special requirements regarding what insurance policy one must take out.

Consider buying insurance that covers all overseas medical costs, including COVID-19 medical treatment and potential quarantine-related expenses.