Iran Visa & Entry FAQ: Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Yes, most international travelers require a visa or prior authorization to enter Iran. Depending on your citizenship, you may enter visa-free, obtain a Tourist Visa on Arrival (VOA) at IKA Terminal 1, apply for an eVisa, or travel on a pre-approved guided tour.
A standard tourist visa on arrival or eVisa issued at Tehran IKA allows a maximum stay of up to 30 days.
No. Iran issues tourist visas as a separate paper document or electronic visa. It is not affixed as a sticker inside your passport book, and Iranian border officers do not stamp physical passport pages upon entry or departure.
Foreign travelers fall into four main categories:
- Visa-Free: Available to citizens of designated countries with bilateral agreements.
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Available at IKA Terminal 1 for many eligible nationalities.
- eVisa: Applied for online in advance via an authorization reference code.
- Pre-Approved Guided Tour: Mandatory for citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Yes. You can apply for an eVisa through the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal before flying. Receiving an eVisa reference code speeds up your immigration processing time upon arrival at IKA.
Citizens of many European, Asian, and Latin American countries can obtain a 30-day Tourist Visa on Arrival at the dedicated visa desk inside IKA Terminal 1.
The visa processing facility is located inside the arrivals area of Terminal 1, immediately before passport control.
The VOA clearance process follows five sequential counters:
- Insurance Counter: Show proof of Iranian travel insurance or buy a local policy on the spot.
- Visa Desk: Submit your passport, completed form, insurance proof, and hotel details.
- Bank Counter: Pay the visa fee in physical cash and receive an official payment receipt.
- Visa Collection: Hand the bank receipt to the officer to receive your printed visa paper.
- Passport Control: Proceed through immigration with your passport and separate visa paper.
During busy flight arrival windows, the process can take an hour or more. You can expedite the process by having clean cash banknotes, printed hotel details, and insurance proof ready upon arrival.
Yes. You must provide the exact name, full address, and telephone number of your first hotel in Iran. Immigration officers routinely call the hotel to verify bookings before approving visas.
Passport holders from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada cannot obtain a Visa on Arrival or travel independently. They must apply for an entry visa well in advance through a licensed Iranian travel agency and travel on a pre-approved, guided tour itinerary with a licensed guide.
No. For these nationalities, visa approvals are tied strictly to an authorized, agency-arranged tour itinerary accompanied by an official guide.
Due to background checks and agency pre-approvals, the process can take several weeks. It is recommended to begin the application months in advance before booking flights to IKA.
Before boarding your flight, ensure you carry:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date with blank pages.
- Printed hotel booking details (address and contact phone number).
- Valid travel insurance specifically covering Iran.
- Physical cash (Euros or US Dollars) to pay visa and insurance fees.
- Proof of a return or onward flight ticket.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into Iran.
All incoming passengers must observe Iranian public dress codes immediately upon exiting the aircraft:
- Women: Must wear a headscarf (hijab) covering hair and loose clothing covering arms and legs before stepping off the plane.
- Men: Must wear long trousers; tank tops and shorts are not permitted in public terminal areas.
Yes. Border officers may ask for proof of a confirmed onward or return flight ticket demonstrating that you will leave Iran before your visa expires.
Yes. Travel insurance covering medical expenses within Iran is strictly mandatory for all foreign travelers clearing border control at IKA.
Many international insurance policies exclude coverage in Iran or do not explicitly state "Iran" on the certificate. If your insurance document does not explicitly list Iran by name, immigration officers will reject it, and you must purchase a local Iranian insurance policy at the airport counter.
All fees must be paid in physical cash (preferably clean Euro banknotes or US Dollars) at the airport bank counter. International credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) do not work in Iran due to banking restrictions.
No. To facilitate travel, Iran issues visas on a separate paper document and does not stamp physical passport pages upon entry or departure. Keep your separate visa paper safe throughout your stay, as you must present it when leaving the country.
Israeli passport holders are strictly refused entry to Iran. Furthermore, travelers whose passports contain physical stamps, visas, or entry records indicating prior travel to Israel will be denied entry at IKA border control.
Yes. Tourist visas can usually be extended for additional time inside Iran.
Extensions are processed at the Police Offices for Foreign Nationals located in major cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, and Tabriz. You should submit your extension request a few days before your current visa expires.
Overstaying your authorized visa duration leads to mandatory fines at border exit control, administrative delays, and potential restrictions on future travel to Iran. Always keep track of your visa expiration date.