Do I Need a Visa to Visit Iran?

If you’re planning a trip to Iran, understanding visa requirements is essential. Iran has expanded its visa exemption policy to include 33 countries, offering travelers easier access without a visa for a set duration. Let’s break it down:

Visa-Free Entry
  • Iran has bilateral agreements with these countries, meaning their nationals can visit without a visa for a specified period:

    – Georgia
    – Armenia
    – Turkey
    – Syria
    – Kazakhstan

  • Additionally, Iran unilaterally grants visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival to these nations:

    – Azerbaijan
    – China
    – Hong Kong & Macau
    – Oman
    – Egypt
    – Bolivia
    – Venezuela
    – Malaysia

New Visa-Free Countries
  • Recently, Iran expanded its policy to cover 30 more countries, across multiple regions:

    – Gulf & Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon
    – Caucasus & Central Asia: Russia (group travel only), Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
    – Africa: Tunisia, Tanzania, Mauritania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Seychelles
    – East Asia: Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei
    – Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Cuba
    – Europe: Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belarus
    – South Asia: India

  • Visa-Free Group Travel for Russians

    Iran has a group visa-free agreement with Russia, allowing groups of 5 to 50 travelers to visit without a visa, provided they book through a registered travel agency.

  • Who Still Needs a Visa?

    If your country isn’t on this list, you’ll need a visa to enter Iran. The easiest option is to apply for an e-visa online via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Some nationalities qualify for visa-on-arrival, but travelers from the U.S., UK, Canada, Jordan, Somalia, Colombia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh must follow additional procedures.

  • Final Tips

    Visa policies can change, so always double-check the latest regulations before booking your trip. If you need a visa, apply in advance to avoid any last-minute hurdles.