A Guide to Obtaining an Iranian Visa for US, UK, and Canadian Citizens
If you're a US, UK, or Canadian citizen planning to visit Iran, you may need a tourist visa. However, obtaining one can be tricky. Unlike other nationalities, citizens of these three countries are required to travel with a local tour guide and arrange their visa in advance through a local travel agency. This guide will provide you with tips to help make your visa application process smoother.
Table of Contents
Iran Visa for American nationals
Location of visa collection:
Iranian interest section in Washington or any other active Iranian consulate in the world
Length of Iran Visa invitation letter issuance and the stamp:
From 20 to 40 days for the visa invitation letter, 3 to 20 days for collecting the Iran visa stamp
Cost of Iran visa stamp:
110 to 180 USD
Ways of collecting the visa:
In Person, by postal service, by visa collection services such Travisa or CIBT visas
Limitations:
1. The American passport holders can get their visa only if they travel within a guided tour through a travel agency.
2. There should be no Israeli stamp in the passport
3. There is no visa on arrival available.
Iran Tourist Visa hacker tips for US passport holders:
1. American citizens may choose the tours with decent but cheaper hotels, as the tour guide must travel with them the whole time and stay in the same hotels, it makes the trip much cheaper.
2. American nationals should decide and book their tour to Iran well in advance so that they don't need to travel to Washington for example to collect their visa in person and won't need to use urgent visa collection services from visa collection companies.
3. Kish island in Persian Gulf is a visa free zone if you fly into and out of it directly.
Iran tourist visa stamp in an American passport
Iran Visa for British nationals
Location of visa collection:
Iranian consulate in London, Dublin or any other active Iranian consulate in the world
Length of Iran Visa invitation letter issuance and the stamp:
From 20 to 40 days for the invitation letter, 3 to 20 days for visa stamp
Cost of Iran visa stamp:
150 to 200 GBP
Ways of collecting the visa:
In Person, by postal service, by visa collection services such Travisa
Limitations:
1. The British passport holders can get their visa only if they travel within a guided tour through a travel agency.
2. There should be no Israeli stamp in the passport 3. There is no visa on arrival available.
Iran Tourist Visa hacker tips for British passport holders:
1. British citizens may choose the tours with decent but cheaper hotels, as the tour guide must travel with them the whole time and stay in the same hotels, it makes the trip much cheaper.
2. British nationals should decide and book their tour to Iran well in advance so that they don't need to travel to London for example to collect their visa in person and won't need to use urgent visa collection services from visa collection companies.
3. Kish island in Persian Gulf is a visa free zone if you fly into and out of it directly.
Iran tourist visa stamp in a British passport
Iran Visa for Canadian nationals
Location of visa collection:
Iranian consulates in Canada are not active at the moment so Iranian interest section in Washington or any other active Iranian consulate in the world.
Length of Iran Visa invitation letter issuance and the stamp:
From 20 to 40 days for the invitation letter, 3 to 20 days for visa stamp
Cost of Iran visa stamp:
120 to 190 CD
Ways of collecting the visa:
In Person, by postal service, by visa collection services such Travisa or CIBT
Limitations:
1. The Canadian passport holders can get their visa only if they travel within a guided tour through a travel agency.
2. There should be no Israeli stamp in the passport 3. There is no visa on arrival available.
Iran Tourist Visa hacker tips for Canadian passport holders:
1. Canadian citizens may choose the tours with decent but cheaper hotels, as the tour guide must travel with them the whole time and stay in the same hotels, it makes the trip much cheaper.
2. Canadian nationals should decide and book their tour to Iran well in advance so that they don't need to travel to the consulate in person if it is far from Canada and won't need to use urgent visa collection services from visa collection companies.
3. Kish island in Persian Gulf is a visa free zone if you fly into and out of it directly.
Iran tourist visa for Canadian citizens
FAQ
Please check the answer with us at the time of planning your trip as the rules change quite often.
Question: How far before the tour departure it is safe to apply for my Iranian visa?
Answer: You should apply for your visa at least three months before your Iran trip starts so plan your trip and book your tour package in a way that leaves you at least three month for the visa process.
Question: Can I Book Iran group tours or I should travel in a private tour so that I can get my Iran tourist visa?
What matters is that you book an escorted tour with an authorized Iranian travel agency that assigns you a licensed tour guide for the whole trip. You may join a group tour or you may book a private tour with a customized travel itinerary.
Question: May I travel with my own vehicle through Iran?
Unfortunately at the moment it is not possible to travel with your truck, car, motorbike or bike in Iran and if you have it with you to the border, the travel agency must help you to put the vehicle on the train and send it to your exit border.
Question: It it possible that I stay with the family of my Iranian friend when I am in Iran?
At the moments you can to stay at the licensed hotels that will be booked by the travel agency. The MFA is very strict about it but you can check with your Iranian travel agent and they can check with the MFA based on your request.
Question: Can I stay with the nomads tent or in my own tent and go camping in Iran?
At the moment you cannot stay in tents even through the tour you book with the Iranian travel agency.
Question: I am a dual citizen with American and Iranian nationalities. Is there a problem?
You can travel to Iran as an Iranian.
Iran Tour Packages Available to British and Canadian and US Citizens
All the tour packages we have offered on our Website are available for the three nationalities in small group tours or private tours and we can also customize or plan a tour package for you based on your interests. You may take a look at Uppersia Travel Iran Tour Packages and get in touch with us if you have further questions. The process is that first you choose a trip or as us to tailor made a trip for you. Then we apply for your Iran visa invitation letter and will email it to you after it is approved by the MFA. Afterwards you collect your visa in your passport or is a separate paper. Then your Iranian local tour guide will me you on your arrival to your planned airport in Iran and you start exploring Iran.
