Iran Business Visa for Indian - Definitive Guide

The business permit is a sub-type of the ‘Entry’ visa for Iran. This is issued for people entering the country on a short term to attend business meetings, negotiations, contract signing, and other similar activities. Owing to the developing Indo-Iranian relations, the ‘Entry’ permit including the Iran business visa for Indian citizens can now even be obtained as multiple entries valid for 1 year. The permit is available on arrival or as an e-visa. 

Note:- Due to political issues with the US, Iran has decided not to stamp the passports of the visitors. As a result, your Iran business e visa and the entry stamp will be on a separate paper instead of your passport.

The application for the Iran business visa from India is done online. However, before you start the application, you must ensure that you are eligible to apply for the business category. After this, you can proceed to make the application as follows -

Visa on arrival 

1. Acquire all the documents necessary for the business category, as well as a digital photograph and scan of the main passport pages. 
2. Visit the e-portal of the visa application for Iran and start an application. 
3. Fill in the required details.
4. Choose the location where you would like to submit the application and obtain the visa. 
5. You can choose from one of the international airports in Iran to obtain your business visa on arrival. 
6. Provide a valid email address. 
7. Proceed to verify your email. 
8. Upon successful verification, print out the ‘ Iran business e visa application submission notice’ you will receive.
9. Wait until the processing is completed and successful, in order to travel.

Visa prior to arrival

1. Acquire all the documents necessary for the business category, as well as a digital photograph and scan of the main passport pages. 
2. Visit the e-portal of the visa application for Iran and start an application. 
3. Fill in the required details. 
4. Choose the location where you would like to submit the application and obtain the visa. 
5. You must choose from one of the diplomatic missions of Iran in India. 
6. Provide a valid email address. 
7. Proceed to verify your email. 
8. Upon successful verification, print out the ‘Iran business e visa application submission notice’ you will receive.
9. Visit the respective embassy/consulate to submit your documents along with the submission notice. You will also have to pay the fees here.

Note: - 

• In certain cases, you may be required to attend an interview at an embassy or consulate regardless of your mode of application.
• Ensure that you provide correct information and submit genuine documents. Providing false information will lead to an automatic visa rejection. 

In order to apply for the permit, there are certain eligibility criteria you must meet. The following are the criteria you must meet - 

• You must be living in India while lodging the application. If you are living on a residence permit in another nation, you will have to apply to the respective authority there.
• You must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry in the country. 
• Your sole purpose of the visit must be to take part in business meetings, conferences, negotiations, etc. 
• You must be invited by an Iranian company to participate in business meetings, negotiations, etc.
• You must possess sufficient funds to support your stay.
• You must apply for the business visa on arrival only if you are travelling via air to the following airports - 

• Bandar Abbas International Airport 
• Isfahan International Airport 
• Kish International Airport 
• Mashhad International Airport
• Qeshm International Airport 
• Shiraz International Airport 
• Tabriz International Airport 
• Imam Khomeini International Airport 
• Mehrabad International Airport 
• Urmia Airport 
• Ahvaz International Airport
• Kerman Airport 
• Larestan International Airport

As per the Iran business visa requirements from India, the following are the list of documents you will need for your application - 

• A passport with at least 2 blank pages, and valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of intended travel.
• A digital copy of the main pages of the passport.
• A digital photograph which meets the required specifications. 
• Bank statements to prove the possession of sufficient funds.
• Medical test certificates for HIV and Hepatitis.
• Travel insurance specifically valid in Iran.
• Invitation letter from an Iranian company, inviting the applicant to attend the business meeting, negotiations, etc. 
• Round trip flight tickets.

As per the Iran business visa photo requirements, the photo you upload must meet the following specifications - 

• Dimensions:  400 X 600 pixels
• Colour: Coloured 
• 10kB <= 500kB in size
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be recently captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: not permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

The time taken to process your business visa application can depend on several factors. These include the volume of applications at the time, the stay duration, the time taken to validate the authenticity of your documents, etc. Normally you should receive a response within 10 working days. 

The fees for the business permit can vary according to the foreign exchange rates. Note that the fees for the must be paid directly to the banking department at the port of entry in Iran. If you are getting it before your travel, you can pay it directly to the embassy/consulate. 

Once you have submitted the application, it will be processed by the ministry. If you have been asked for an interview, you must attend it at the appointed slot along with the documents, e visa submission notice, and the fees in order to get the visa. Alternately, if you have not been asked to give an interview, you will only have to wait the processing time. 

Note that you cannot modify the application once made. As a result, ensure that you fill in the details correctly to avoid visa rejection. Once approved, you can get the business visa on arrival by simply travelling to the port of entry and submitting your submission notice and the fees. Your visa will be issued on a separate paper instead of your passport. 

In order to check the status of your business application, you can visit the tracking portal provided by the Iranian ministry. You will have to enter the application ID or a combination of the passport number and date of birth, or a combination of the passport number and your registered email address.

On successfully receiving the business permit, you must keep in mind the following few points to ensure that you have a pleasant stay -

 Before you travel - 

• • Note the validity and number of entries mentioned on your visa. You must not stay in the country beyond this period. You must also follow the entry type given. 
  • If you are applying for the visa on arrival, ensure that you carry the ‘ business e visa submission notice’. 
  • Carry all your travel documents before you travel to the country. 
• At the border
  • You must show your passport with the visa to the immigration officer. Your entry stamp will only be stamped on the visa papers and not on your passport.
  • You may be asked to show the copy of the other documents submitted as a part of your application. 
  • You may be asked about the basic details of your visit. Ensure that you answer honestly and without any hesitance. 
• When you enter Iran
  • While you are on a business permit, you cannot take part in any work.
  • You are permitted to extend this visa for a duration of up to a total duration of 90 days in a year. 
  • Carry a copy of your passport and visa while you are travelling within the country.
  • You must respect the culture and customs of the country, as well as abide by the immigration laws during your stay. 
  • Iran has a strict rule regarding the dress codes in public for both men and women. Ensure that you strictly follow this from the moment you land. 
  • You must stay away from the prohibited travel zones such as Iran’s borders with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.