Iran Visa on Arrival Guide
Iran Visa on Arrival Guide
These days Iran has become a popular tourist destination. So, the first concern for all visitors to Iran is how to get an Iran visa. On the other hand, waiting for getting an Iran visa stamped through an Iranian embassy or consulate can be challenging. Especially, when you have a short time or there is no Iran embassy in the city where you live.
To solve this critical problem, you can choose a short-term Iran tourist visa called “Iran visa on arrival (VOA)” which can be got at some of Iran’s gates of entry. Here is the Iran visa on arrival guide including its terms and the obtaining process.
So stay with us and contact us if you have any questions.
What is Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA)?
To get a standard Iran tourist visa, you should apply for the visa before entering the country. If the application is accepted, you can collect the visa from an Iranian embassy or consulate or one of Iran’s gates of entry. But, as mentioned there is another kind of Iran visa called Iran visa on arrival that the process of getting this visa takes a shorter time and is easier. In other words, citizens of 180 countries can fulfill the Iran visa stamping process upon arrival at one of the Iran international airports. Usually, Iran VOA is valid for 30 days.
Please note that, if you want to get a VOA stamp, you need to determine Iran’s gate of entry in your visa application form in advance. However, on the internet, Some former visitors to Iran shared their experiences about entering Iran without the visa code and collecting their visa stamps at the airport. But, we suggest not doing that. Because, without a visa code, you may have to stay in long visa lines and answer many questions about the reasons for your Iran visit or even you might be deported.
Notably, since Feb 2018, for travelers’ peace of mind who might want to travel to the US in the future, the Iran visa stamp would be put on a separate piece of paper.
Where Can You Get Iran VOA?
Based on Iran MFA announcement, you can get your Iran on arrival visa from all Iranian International Airports and some international harbors. Here is the most updated list of Iran’s gates of entry where you can collect Iran visa on arrival:
- IKA: Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport
- SYZ: Shiraz Shahid Dastgheyb International Airport
- ISF: Isfahan International Airport
- GSM: International Airport of Qeshm
- KIH: Kish international Airport
- TBZ: Tabriz International Airport
- MHD: Mashhad International Airport
- BND: Bandare Abbas International Airport.
- Shahid Bahonar Harbor, Bandar Abbas
- AZD: Shahid Sadooghi Airport, Yazd
- AWZ: Ahvaz International Airport
Note: You can not get Iran on arrival visa stamp at the Iran’s land borders.
How to Get Iran on Arrival visa
If you are permitted to get Iran on arrival visa, you need to get visa code at the first step. So, to get Iran airport visa, please read the following process.
Getting Iran Visa on Arrival Process and Required Documents
The process of obtaining Iran VOA is almost the same as the standard visa, and the only difference is in getting the visa stamp. Please note that the process of getting a stamp is not hard, but you have to wait in line for a while.
1- Apply for an Iran e-visa through an official travel agency and specify the international airport from which you will enter Iran in the visa application form.
2- Receive your visa tracking code within 2-7 working days.
3- When you arrive at Iran airport, you should hand over the below documents to the Visa-On-Arrival counter:
- The printout of the visa grant notice containing the visa tracking code
- Passport (with at least six months validity and two blank pages)
- Visa stamp fee in euros
- Travel Insurance
- Return ticket and a brief itinerary based on request
4- Write down your accommodation contact information in Iran, and pay the visa stamp fee.
5- Get your visa stamped (with the on-arrival Iran visa stamp you can stay in Iran for 30 days and this time could not be extended).
Who Cannot Get Iran Visa On Arrival (VOA)?
For getting an Iran airport visa, the initial thing to check is to make sure you are eligible to apply for this kind of visa. Hence, we have prepared the list of travelers who can not apply for Iran VOA, as per below:
- The US, England, Canada, Somalia, Colombia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Jordan passport holders (updated Jan 2023).
- Reporters and journalists on a mission
- Diplomatic or official passport holders (Iran visa on arrival is only issued for tourist purposes)
- Travelers who have Israeli stamp (visa, entry, or exit) in their passport
- Dual-national Iranians applying with their non-Iranian passports
- Tourists who want to enter Iran through the land borders
How Much Does Iran Visa on Arrival Cost?
Iran airport visa consists of two costs:
- visa code service fee that you give to the travel agency.
- Stamp fee that you should pay to the Visa-On-Arrival counter at the Iran airport. This fee varies depending on your nationality as per the below table.
- Note: The fees have been increased slightly in 2022.
Finally, please ask your questions or share your comments regarding the Iran visa on arrival (VOA). We appreciate your valuable comments, and they will also be useful to others.
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