Apply for Iran Visa through Step to Iran
In order to apply and get a visa you need to submit your passport details to an authorized Iranian travel company. After receiving your information we apply online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get your visa approval number. Then, your visa will be processed and if approved an authorization number will be faxed to the Iranian embassy you nominated to have it picked up at. Our office will then email you the authorization number so you can then pick up your visa. The authorization number means that your visa has been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but it is not the visa itself. Normal processing time by the MFA is 10-14 days and longer for passports from USA and UK.
Please see this page to learn about the visa application process, understand current requirements, and get informed on very important details. According to the regulations of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Tourist visa is issued for foreign nationals who are interested to travel to Iran individually or with a group for the purpose of visiting Iran, or their friends and relatives. This visa is issued for a maximum stay of 30 days with option of Extensions in Iran. The visa remains valid for a period of 3 months from the date of issue.
Depending to your nationality and the consulate which you refer, it is possible to submit your documents and receive a visa after some days without any reference from Iran. But it can be a time-consuming or even fruitless attempt, especially when you are applying out of your country. Most consulates need an authorization letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Getting this authorization is the most important step in visa application.
Iran Visa Information:
For tourist purposes there are 2 kinds of Iran visa:
- Iran tourist visa
- Upon arrival Iran visa
Iran Tourist Visa:
Iran tourist visa is issued for almost all nationalities. All who are interested in traveling to Iran as groups or individuals can apply for this visa. The duration of this visa can vary from 14 to 30 days based on application. You can apply for a maximum 90 days extension easily in major cities once in Iran.
After we receive your application form and the first page of your passport scan, the formal application will be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will go under the official procedure. The output will be an authorization letter which will be faxed to the Iranian Consulate which you have indicated in the form. We will give you this letter’s reference code with which you will be able to collect your visa. This code is only valid to the mentioned consulate and only for 3 months from the date of issue.
After you receive your authorization number you can apply in person or by mail at the nominated embassy or consulate. The actual processing time depends on the embassy and can be from 1-5 days. The visa is valid for 3 months from the date it is processed into your passport so don’t pick it up too early before you plan to travel to Iran.
Requirements:
- 1 Passport (must have more than 6 months of validity left)
- 1 Application form (sometimes available online)
- 2-4 visa/passport size photos (not smaller than 1”x1.5” or 2.5cm x 3.8cm)
- Proof of medical travel insurance (including evacuation and repatriation coverage)
- MFA Authorization Number
- Visa fee
- Some embassies ask for 1 or 2 photocopies of your passport photo page
Iran visa on arrival:
The Iranian ministry of foreign affairs introduces the operational procedures from 14 t0 30 days Tourist Visa upon Arrival. Nationals of the following countries holding ordinary passports and wishing to visit Iran mainland, can obtain a two-weeks Tourist Visa upon Arrival at the airports of:
IKA : Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport
THR : Tehran Mehrabad Airport
MHD : Mashad Airport
SYZ : Shiraz Airport
TBZ : Tabriz Airport
ISF : Isfahan Airport
1. The applicant(s) should have a confirmed return ticket and a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a photo to be attached to the application form.
2. Visa fee is EUR50.00 for the holder of the passport and EUR10.00 for each one of the companions (if any).
3. This type of visa is only for tourist purposes and the followings are not entitled to this visa facilitation.
3.1. Journalists and reporters on mission.
3.2. Applicants whose applications for Iran Visa have been rejected before.
3.3. Iranians holding foreign passports but still maintaining their Iranian nationality.
Iran Tourist Visa for U.S., Canadian and British Citizens:
The clearance process for these nationalities may take longer than 14 days. We would advise you to consider receiving your Authorization number between 30-45 days after application when planning for your trip to Iran.
- Processing for an Authorization number from the Ministry of Foreign affairs takes longer than other nationalities due to extra security processing that needs to take place
- USA/CAN/UK Passport holders MUST be on a group or individually booked tour of Iran as it requires a registered guide to be present at all times during the tour.
- Visas for American & Canadians can be issued at the Iranian Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, DC.
Iran Visa Fee:
For receiving your Iran visa you will have to pay the embassy fee and Iran travel agency service fee.
The embassy fee is based on your nationality also on the embassy you will receive your visa from. Some embassies may charge for their services which is also due to change at any time. There for the best way of being informed of the exact embassy visa fee is contacting the embassy close to when you need it.
Step to Iran visa service fees per passport is 40 USD; this is apart from the visa fee which will be collected when your visa is stamped in your passport. We will arrange the method of payment with you after you have applied. This fee is subject to discount if you apply for further travel services. If you choose one of our tour packages, your visa fee will be processed free of our service charge. Our tour packages are either tailored to your choices or popular predetermined packages. Check Iran tours for more information.
Depending to your nationality and the consulate which you refer, it is possible to submit your documents and receive a visa after some days without any reference from Iran. But it can be a time-consuming or even fruitless attempt, especially when you are applying out of your country. Most consulates need an authorization letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Getting this authorization is the most important step in visa application.