Iran is a country with rich history, culture, and so many wonders to see and enjoy in the Middle East. From the Achaemenid Empire to Islamic Period and their architecture, worldwide famous poets like Saadi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi, to natural wonders, it’s worth a visit. You just need an Iran visa to enjoy this amazing country.
Do you need an Iran visa?
Whether you need an Iran visa or not is up to your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Like many other countries, Iran has provided a visa waiver program. A few countries are exempt from Iran short visa:
- Azerbaijan
- Bolivia
- Turkey
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Georgia
- Armenia
- Venezuela
- Egypt
- Malaysia
- China
The nationals of the above countries can enter Iran with their passport and stay for a limited time. But they need a visa if they want to stay longer, study, or work in the country.
If your nationality is not on the above list, you need a visa to enter Iran and visit its tourist attractions.
The country also provides an arrival visa, but it has been stopped after the Covid-19 pandemic. It is unclear when will it be started.
If you want to work or study in Iran, you are likely to need a visa before moving to the country.
Iran visa requirements
The list of requirements for an Iran visa is up to your country and the type of visa you apply for. Also, the officials could require further documents, and nothing is clear.
Also, it is up to the time you apply for an Iran visa as the rules might change with a new government. The two major political parties of the country are reformists and hardliners.
However, a general list of requirements is as follows:
- Passport
- Cover letter
- Insurance
- Photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Invitation letter
- Proof to have enough funds
- Proof of relationship
- Marriage certificate
The above list is not complete. There is a requirement for each visa type, and the embassy could require further documents.
Iran visa application process
The application process for an Iran visa is up to the visa you apply for and the country you reside in.
Step 1. Find the visa type that is appropriate for you
There are different types of Iran visas. You need to find out which one is appropriate for you. If you apply for the wrong visa, you are likely to get rejected.
So do research and find out what the visa is for your visit. You can find a list of them in the below section. Also, you can learn more about them by going through the left sidebar.
Step 2. Are you eligible to apply for it?
Each Iran visa has its eligibility principles. You need to fulfill them to apply and receive your visa. If you are not, you need to work on your conditions and achieve the factors.
Iranian officials are a bit strict with foreign visitors. You would better work on your eligibility principles and improve them to increase the chance of receiving your visa.
Step 3. Gather the requirements
Each Iran visa has a list of requirements or supporting documents. You need to gather all of them and submit them to the embassy.
You can find a common list of Iran visa requirements below. But each visa type has its own requirements. You need to know and prepare them according to the details.
Step 4. Apply to the Iranian embassy or consulate
Now you need to schedule a meeting with the Iranian embassy and get there to submit the requirements. Do not forget anything and pick every piece of the document plus a copy.
There is a fee with the visa application you need to pay. Also, an interview with questions about the purpose of your visit. Give true and honest answers.
The embassy will guide you on the following steps to make.
Iran visa types
The types of Iran visas are as follows:
Iran e-Visa
Iran has provided an electronic visa or e-Visa to foreign visitors. You can apply for it online through the MFA website and receive your visa through the Iranian embassy in your home country.
You need to submit the scanned form of your documents and visit the embassy in person to get your visa. The application process for an e-Visa is fast, and you can get much quicker than other visitor visas. So you would better try this one if you are in a hurry and want to visit Iran’s attractions.
Iran visa on arrival
One Iran visa type is an arrival visa. You can move to the country and ask the authorities to enter the country. Visitors have permission to visit the attractions or stay with a friend for about a month.
The nationals of Canada, the US, and the UK would better apply for an e-Visa or a tourist visa. It could be unlikely that get an e-Visa without the definite purpose of the visit.
After the covid-19 pandemic, the issuance of an arrival visa was stopped. It is unclear where will it start.
Iran tourist visa
If your e-Visa application gets rejected or you are unable to apply for it, you need to apply for an Iran tourist visa.
Applicants need to complete the application form and visit the embassy to receive their visas. It permits you to stay in the country for about a month, and you can extend it.
In case you have a relative or friend in Iran, ask them to write you an invitation letter.
Iran student visa
The quality of education service in Iran is good, and some of the country’s universities have good rankings. Tehran and Sharif University of Technology are popular among Asian and Middle East countries.
Foreign nationals need an Iran student visa to study in the country. First, they need to receive admission from an Iranian university and then apply for a student visa to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via an embassy or consulate.
Iran pilgrimage visa
Iran is an Islamic country, and there are a few holy cities for Muslims. Thousands of tourists travel to Iran to visit these holy places, and they can apply for an Iran pilgrimage visa for this purpose. It allows tourists to stay in the country for 30 and extend it.
Applicants need to provide a few documents and proof of the genuine purpose of the trip. Otherwise, they need to apply for a tourist visa.
Iran work visa
Foreign nationals who want to work in Iran need a work visa to work legally in the country. However, the following groups do not need a work visa;
- Employed by the Ministries
- United Nations staff
- News agencies staff
If you do not come in the above groups, then you need a work visa to work in Iran. The first step is to get a job offer from an Iranian employer who is willing to hire you. Also, applicants need to be eligible. Farsi or Persian language proficiency is one of them. There should not be an Iranian person who can do the work.
Iran investment visa
Iran provides residents through investment which gets called an Iran investment visa. You can move to the country, live, and stay for five years if invest $250.000 in the country.
You can purchase real estate, deposit the money in the bank or invest in other sections.
The good point is that you can sell your real estate or withdraw the money whenever you want.
Iran medical visa
Iran is often called the Medical Hub of Asia. The quality of medical services is great in the region, and many foreign people prefer to get services. Iranian doctors are among the best in the world, and Majid Samii is an example.
He has been the president of the International Society for Neurosurgery, also elected as the founding president of MASCIN.
If people want to get medical services in Iran, they need a medical visa. They need to apply to the Iranian embassy or consulate. The first step is to gather the supporting documents that the patient is going to receive medical services in Iran.
Iran marriage visa
When you marry an Iranian woman and want to move to the country, you need to apply for an Iran marriage visa.
Iran is an Islamic country whose rules and regulations apply in the country. The marriage must be registered in the Islamic system and recognized by the officials. If not, the applicants need to provide proof of relationship. The applicant can apply for a visitor visa, and the marriage can occur inside the country.
Bear in mind that same-sex partnership is forbidden and is not recognized inside the country.
Let’s sum up…
This article guides Iran visa types, requirements, and the application process. You can find the appropriate visa for your visit. Then you can find out more about it from the link in the left sidebar.
If you have questions regarding Iran visas, write them down in the comment section.
Go through the top menu to find out about other counties’ visa types.