Iran Visit Visa - Definitive Guide

The visit permit is an endorsement required for foreign nationals entering Iran to visit their relatives living there. The visa is a sub-type of the ‘Entry’ visa for Iran. Thanks to the developing Indo-Iranian relations, the ‘Entry’ permit including Iran visit visa for Indian citizens can now even be obtained as multiple entries valid for 1 year. The Iran visit visa for Indians is available on arrival or issued before your travel. 

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

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

Visa on arrival 

1. Acquire all the documents necessary for the visitor 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 visit visa on arrival.
6. Provide a valid email address. 
7. Proceed to verify your email. 
8. Upon successful verification, print out the ‘ Iran visit 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 visitor 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 visit 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 be able to apply for the visitor category, you will need to meet the following eligibility criteria - 

• 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 primary purpose of the visit must be to meet your relatives living in the country. 
• You must be invited by your family living in the country. 
• You must possess sufficient funds to support your stay.
• You must apply for the visitor 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

For other modes of transport or other port of entry, you must choose the embassy or consulate during your application.

As per the Iran visit visa requirements from India, the following are the list of documents you will need to get the permit - 

• 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 your relative living in Iran.
• Round trip flight tickets.

As per the Iran visit 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 visit type of the ‘entry’ 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. In order to disrupt your plans, ensure that you apply well in advance. 

The fees for the visitor 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. Ensure that you check the exact amount before starting your application. 

Once you have submitted the application, it will then 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. In case you do not have to attend the interview, you can simply submit your documents and pay the fees at the embassy/consulate (for the visa before travelling). 

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 visitor 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 visitor entry 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 visitor 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 ‘ visitor 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 including the details of your relatives living in the country. Ensure that you answer honestly and without any hesitance. 
• When you enter Iran
  • While you are on a visitor entry permit, you cannot take part in any paid 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.