World Country Guide

Restricted entry
Nationals of Israel or holders of passports containing a visa for Israel (either valid or expired) will be refused entry under all circumstances. Women judged to be dressed immodestly will be refused entry.

Passports
Passport valid for six months beyond stay required by all.

Visas
Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Turkey for stays of up to three months;
(b) nationals of Malaysia and Singapore may obtain a visa on arrival, free of charge, for stays of up to two weeks;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 12 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Transit passengers continuing their journey within 48 hours (under the above conditions) can obtain a transit visa on arrival against a fee of US$40, or within 72 hours for US$30.

Types of visa and cost
Tourist/Business/Pilgrimage: 61 (single-entry); 68 (double-entry). Business (multiple-entry): 79 (three months); 90 (six months); 90 (one year). Transit: 61. The above prices are for UK nationals; fees vary according to nationality of applicant.

Validity
Tourist, Business and Pilgrimage visas are issued for stays of up to one month and are valid for three months from date of authorisation. Transit visas are valid for five days. Applications for renewal or extension should be made to the Iranian Embassy.

Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section for details.

Application requirements
(a) Valid passport with a minimum of two blank pages to affix visa. (b) Two application forms. (c) Two passport-size photos (women should be photographed wearing the hejab – Islamic head dress). (d) For postal applications, self-addressed registered delivery envelope. (e) Proof of fee payment (payable by postal order or banker’s draft to the ‘Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran’, or by direct payment into the Embassy bank account at Melli Bank plc, 98A Kensington High Street, London W8 4SG, UK, or by credit card, form to be filled in and sent with application). Pilgrimage: (a)-(e) and, (f) Letter of introduction signed by the Head of an Islamic Centre. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) Letter of invitation from the sponsoring company in Iran, authorised and givenm a reference number by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The applicant should allow five working days before contacting the appropriate Embassy/Consulate with this reference number.

Working days required
A minimum of four weeks. A pilgrimage visa may only take two weeks to process.

Temporary residence
All visitors wishing to stay for more than three months must obtain a residence permit. Application must be made within eight days of arrival to Police Headquarters or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.