Iran Reopening for Fully Vaccinated International Tourists
Since the COVID-19 situation in Iran has been improving, the authorities of the country finally decided to reopen the Iranian borders to foreign tourists who have taken full vaccination against the coronavirus. The borders have remained closed for 20 months since the beginning of the pandemic. Recently, Iran has observed a significant decrease in the COVID-19 cases. This was the primary reason for making the final decision to reopen the country for tourism after a long-lasting lockdown. The borders were officially reopened on 23rd October 2021.
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Iranian tourism sector stricken by COVID-19
The pandemic has severely hit the Iranian tourism industry, with a USD 1.2 bn deficit recorded since 2020. Many tourism-related businesses faced bankruptcy, unemployment, and debt problems. Before the coronavirus outbreak, the tourism sector in Iran was second most developing worldwide. The revenues from the tourism sector constituted 2.8% of the GDP in Iran in 2019, while the average tourism share in the world GDP was 3.2% then.
COVID-19 situation in Iran
As of 4 Nov. 2021, 89.3 mln of the Iranian population have been vaccinated, while 36.1 mln have received the full dose. It accounts for 42.9% of the entire Iranian population (83,99 mln) being fully vaccinated. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the country has recorded nearly 6 mln confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 126,000 deaths.
Current rules to enter Iran
- To have a negative result of the COVID-19 RT-PCR test that must be taken within 96 hours prior to the departure from the start point of the journey (the test certificate needs to be issued in English/approved by the consulate of Iran)
- To have received a full vaccination against the COVID-19 at least 2 weeks preceding the planned arrival in Iran (the vaccination certificate is required)
- Travelers from high-risk countries can be subject to testing upon arrival in Iran and undergo quarantine at their own cost (more information on high-risk countries can be found on the governmental website of Iran)
- To complete the self-declaration form before arriving in Iran
- To have a valid visa to Iran
*Travelers aged 12 or younger are exempt from test and vaccination requirements.
COVID-19 vaccines approved in Iran
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac
- Janssen
- Covishield
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzeyria)
- AstraZeneca (SK Bioscience)
- Moderna (Spikevax)
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
