Apply for an Iran Visa

Professional visa assistance for tourism, business, study and family visits.

Start your applicationExplore visa types

Country overview

Practical context for travellers planning a visit to Iran — from entry basics to local travel rhythm.

Iran rewards cultural travellers with turquoise mosques, Persian gardens, and ruins from Persepolis to Pasargadae. Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Shiraz poets' tombs, and Yazd's mud-brick alleys headline most itineraries. British passport holders generally require a visa obtained through an authorisation code and consular interview—start early and avoid booking non-refundable tours until the visa is stamped.

The rial (IRR) faces dual exchange rates; budget in cash exchanged at banks or licensed offices. Farsi is the main language—phrasebooks help outside tourist hotels. Tea and shared meals build rapport; observe hijab and modest dress nationwide. Alcohol is prohibited, and social media platforms may be filtered—install VPNs only if compliant with local law and your visa conditions.

Spring and autumn balance pleasant city walking with desert day trips. Ramadan shortens restaurant hours for Muslims; plan accordingly. Domestic flights save time on the Tehran–Shiraz–Isfahan triangle; overnight trains offer an alternative. Driving in Tehran is stressful—use metro and ride-hail where available.

Journalism, missionary activity, and certain dual-national cases face extra scrutiny. Declare antiques and carpets at customs with receipts. This guide is informational; embassy decisions are final. Prince Visa can help organise authorisation paperwork and appointment packs aligned with current MOFA rules.

Interesting facts

  • Most UK travellers need a visa authorisation number before a consular visa is issued—plan several weeks ahead.
  • Passports must often be valid for six months; some routes require no Israeli stamps or travel history—check current policy.
  • The Iranian rial (IRR) trades with informal exchange rates—use licensed sarafi or bank channels and carry cash.
  • Women must wear a headscarf and modest clothing in public; men avoid shorts in government buildings.
  • Alcohol is illegal; penalties for import or use are severe.
  • International debit cards rarely work—bring sufficient euros or dollars to exchange.

At a glance

Capital
Tehran
Currency
Iranian rial (IRR)
Language
Persian (Farsi)
Time zone
Asia/Tehran
Continent
Asia

Climate

Central Iran sees hot, dry summers above 35°C and cold winters; Caspian coasts are humid, while deserts around Yazd swing between scorching days and chilly nights.

Visa types

Choose the route that matches your purpose of travel to Iran.

Tourist visa

A tourist visa for Iran is intended for leisure travel, sightseeing, and short cultural visits without employment. Most applicants explain their itinerary—often including Naqsh-e Jahan Square—and show return plans plus sufficient funds in Iranian rial (IRR). Iran uses visa authorisation code plus consular stamp or eligible airport visa routes; rules differ by nationality, so confirm whether you need a visa before departure or can obtain an e-visa online. Keep hotel confirmations and travel insurance aligned with embassy guidance, especially during peak seasons when consulates receive higher volumes. Mention cultural plans clearly on the form—Shia Islam shapes public holidays and dress codes; Persian poetry, tea house culture, and Nowruz New Year traditions welcome respectful guests in historic bazaars.

Tourist visa details

Visa requirements

  • Valid passport

    Passport valid at least six months beyond your intended stay in Iran, with two or more blank pages for entry stamps. Some routes require machine-readable passports with chip data matching your application exactly.

  • Passport photographs

    Recent colour photos on a plain background, sized to embassy specifications (often 35×45 mm). Glasses and headwear rules vary; provide digital copies if applying through an online portal.

  • Travel medical insurance

    Policy covering emergency treatment, hospitalisation, and medical evacuation for the full trip duration in Iran. Keep a printable certificate showing coverage dates and policy number in English or with translation.

  • Accommodation proof

    Confirmed hotel bookings, rental agreement, or host invitation showing address and dates. Immigration officers may verify reservations on arrival, especially for tourist visas.

  • Financial evidence

    Bank statements or payslips demonstrating you can fund travel and daily expenses in Iranian rial (IRR). Sudden large deposits shortly before applying may prompt additional questions—use consistent account history where possible.

  • Invitation or sponsor letter

    Required for many business and family routes: letter on company or sponsor letterhead with contact details, purpose of visit, and responsibility for your stay. Private invitations may need notarisation depending on consulate policy.

  • Flight itinerary

    Return or onward ticket showing entry and exit from Iran. Hold bookings that match visa validity dates; open tickets are rarely accepted unless explicitly permitted.

  • Supporting documents

    Employment letter, student ID, marriage certificates, or prior visas as relevant. Organise copies in the order listed on the official checklist to reduce processing delays at the visa centre.

Embassy information

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 16 Prince's Gate, London SW7 1PT

+44 20 7225 3000

Monday–Friday 09:00–12:30; consular services by appointment

Official travel advice

Full embassy page · Requirements

Processing times

Service levelTypical durationNotes
standard8 to 10 working daysPrince Visa Standard service timeline for Iran applications (UK passport holders). Confirm current availability on princevisa.com before travel. Listed total fee from GBP 240.00 at last sync.

Why choose Prince Visa

Years of experience

Specialists who understand consular expectations for complex routes.

Fast support

Responsive guidance on forms, appointments, and document checks.

Secure processing

Your data is handled with care and clear privacy practices.

Visa specialists

Country-focused advice tailored to your travel purpose.

High approval guidance

Structured checklists that reduce common refusal reasons.

Travel highlights

Top attractions

  • Naqsh-e Jahan Square
  • Persepolis
  • Golestan Palace Tehran
  • Yazd old city wind towers
  • Tabriz historic bazaar

Best cities

  • Tehran
  • Isfahan
  • Shiraz
  • Yazd
  • Tabriz

UNESCO sites

  • Meidan Emam, Esfahan
  • Persepolis
  • Golestan Palace
  • Historic City of Yazd
  • Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex

Local food

  • chelo kebab
  • fesenjan
  • tahchin
  • ash reshteh

Transportation

VIP buses and domestic flights connect Tehran with Isfahan and Shiraz; metro lines ease Tehran traffic; hire licensed guides for Persepolis day trips from Shiraz.

Safety tips

Follow FCDO advice on border regions; avoid political demonstrations, respect photography bans at security sites, and register hotel stays as required.

Weather

Central Iran sees hot, dry summers above 35°C and cold winters; Caspian coasts are humid, while deserts around Yazd swing between scorching days and chilly nights.

Best time to visit

March to May and September to November for Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tehran sightseeing; avoid midday heat in deserts.

Popular destinations

Naqsh-e Jahan Square · Persepolis · Golestan Palace Tehran · Yazd old city wind towers · Tabriz historic bazaar

Frequently asked questions

Requirements depend on your passport nationality, length of stay, and purpose of travel. Iran maintains visa authorisation code plus consular stamp or eligible airport visa routes, and some travellers qualify for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival while others must apply in advance. Always verify the latest list published by the embassy serving your country of residence before departure, because bilateral agreements change without wide notice.

Typical tourist stays range from a few days to several months depending on the visa sticker or e-visa validity. Overstaying can lead to fines, future entry bans, or detention at departure. Your permitted duration is printed on the visa or entry stamp—plan extensions through immigration offices in Tehran only if officially allowed, never by simply remaining past the date.

Tourist visas generally prohibit local employment and often restrict paid activity within Iran. Remote work for a foreign employer exists in a legal grey area in many countries and may still violate visa conditions if you are performing ongoing professional duties from Tehran. If your trip includes client meetings or contract work, apply for a business or work route instead.

A valid passport, photographs, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, financial statements, and flight reservations form the core bundle for most categories. Business and family routes add invitation letters and relationship evidence. Each consulate publishes a checklist—missing one item can delay processing by weeks even when other papers are perfect.

There is rarely a single published figure; officers assess whether your balance matches hotel costs, daily spending in Iranian rial (IRR), and trip length. Provide several months of bank statements with consistent income rather than a one-time deposit. Sponsors may submit their finances when they cover your expenses, accompanied by a signed support letter.

Many visa categories require insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation for the entire stay. Policies should list Iran as a covered territory and meet minimum coverage amounts if specified by the embassy. Keep a printout in English at border control; some airlines deny boarding without proof when visa rules mandate insurance.

Applications are usually lodged at the visa application centre designated for Iran in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, or through an online e-visa portal when available. Appointments may be required for biometrics. The embassy in Tehran does not typically accept walk-in applications from UK residents unless explicitly stated.

Standard processing often takes two to four weeks once biometrics and documents are complete, while express services shorten that window when offered. Security checks for certain nationalities or travel histories add time. Apply at least six weeks before travel during summer, religious holidays, or major events in Iran.

Extensions are category-specific: some tourist visas cannot be extended and require exit and re-application, while student or work permits may renew through immigration departments in Tehran. Overstaying while waiting for an extension decision is risky. Consult official immigration guidance before your current visa expires.

Major hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia offer direct or one-stop routes to Tehran, though schedules vary seasonally. Your visa validity should cover the entire itinerary, including layovers in third countries. If you transit through nations that require transit visas, arrange those before flying to Iran.

The official currency is Iranian rial (IRR). International cards work in many urban hotels and restaurants, but markets and rural areas may prefer cash. Notify your bank of travel dates to prevent fraud blocks, and declare large cash amounts if customs rules in Iran require it.

Refusal letters usually cite insufficient funds, unclear purpose, or incomplete documentation. You may reapply with stronger evidence or appeal only if local law provides that right—many consular decisions are final. Address each stated reason, avoid identical submissions, and consider professional review of your file before paying another fee.

Customer reviews

“Prince Visa helped me organise documents for Iran quickly. The checklist matched what the visa centre asked for, and I received my visa without a second interview.”

— Sarah Mitchell, United Kingdom

“I was unsure about financial proof for Iran, but the team explained exactly what statements to include. Processing took longer during the holiday season, yet my application was accepted first time.”

— James Okonkwo, Nigeria

“Clear guidance on insurance and hotel bookings for Iran saved me from a rejection. I recommend starting at least a month before travel if you need an appointment for biometrics.”

— Elena Vasquez, Spain

Need help applying for your Iran visa?

Prince Visa supports UK applicants with document review and application guidance.

Start application
Start application