Applying online for your authorization number
In order to apply and get a visa you must submit your passport details to a authorized Iranian travel or tour company. After receiving your information we apply online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to get your visa approval number. 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 MFA but it is not the visa itself. Normal processing time by the MFA is 10 working days and longer for passports from USA and UK.
Picking up your visa at an Iranian embassy: 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)
Picking up your visa on arrival at an Iranian Airport
Visas are available for pick up at Tehran International Airport on arrival for about 70 nationalities if this method is more convenient. We will prepare an authorization letter for you to give to the airline counter at check in. Once you arrive at the airport in Iran proceed to the Visa Office to have your visa issued. As of Dec 2014 the following nationalities can NOT get Visa on Arrival anymore: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somolia.(Note: All American/Canadian/UK passport holders must travel on a group or private tour with a registered guide to be allowed a visa to Iran.)
Note for American/Canadian/UK Passport holders
– 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.
