How to apply for Iran Visa On Arrival

The process to apply for Iran Visa On Arrival in Tehran airport

• Once you get off the flight you will walk down the hallway and come across the visa section directly in front of you in the main hall.
• Walk up to the officer (there was one standing outside the window) and wait behind the ropes. You will be asked where you are from, whether you already have your visa or if you have an e-visa. Answer his or or her questions with a smile. For us we had none of these, and said we wanted a visa on arrival.
• You will be handed a small form to complete basic information (names, passport number, address in Iran, occupation etc) and another piece of paper with your visa cost. For us it was only necessary to complete one person’s details on the form for both travellers.
• Once you have this walk to the next window with the sign saying ‘bank’ on it. Wait in line and when it comes to your turn hand over the form and piece of paper with the price on it.
• Pay your visa fee in cash (Euros or USD only, but the fees were quoted in Euro) then collect your receipt from the cashier.
• Walk back to the original visa window and get in line with all your paperwork. Once you reach the front hand it over along with your passport and the officer will put it on a pile with many other passports before handing it through to the officers behind the window. Now you wait.
• When your passport is ready your name will be called out. Head back to the officer and collect your passport, freshly decorated with a shiny Iranian visa.

Notice: Check the visa carefully for details and dates. If there is an issue (such as only being granted 15 days instead of 30 days) this is the only place you can fix it.
It took us about an hour of waiting to get our passports back, although we saw another person who had been waiting over three hours to get theirs. All you can do is be patient.
With your Iran visa on arrival now secured go through customs (where you will probably be greeted with a very warm “welcome to Iran”), then carry through to collect your bags.

Iran VOA requirements

• Confirmed itinerary, or at the very least your first few nights booked at a licensed hotel.
• Onwards transport.
• Medical/Iran travel insurance.
• Passport photos.
• Proof of funds to support your trip.

Can the USA or CANADA and UK citizens apply for Iran VOA?

At the moment all passport holders from the USA, Canada and the UK must be accompanied by a licensed guide for all travels in Iran.
This essentially means that unless you hire your own private guide for your entire duration of your visit, you must join an organised tour.?
Citizens from these countries may be able to apply for a visa on arrival, as long as they have an authorised letter saying they will be on tour, and their guide is waiting for them in the airport.
However we strongly suggest you have your visa already before travelling to Iran. The man who was waiting over three hours for his visa on arrival when we were in the airport was from the USA, and we can only imagine his delay was due to the officers calling a tour company to confirm he was actually booked on a trip.
If you are from the USA, Canada or the UK you must be on an organised, licensed tour to visit Iran, and they will assist with your visa application.

How much does the Iran VOA cost?

in Iran, the cost is currently 75 Euros. The only exception is for Australians. The cost for an Iran visa on arrival for Australian citizens is currently 145 Euros.

How many days does the Iran VOA last?

Your visa on arrival for Iran now lasts for 30 days, and can be extended for another 30 days Extending your visa is actually easier in smaller cities, so avoid Tehran, Esfahan and Mashad and instead look for immigration offices in other destinations.