What is travel visa?
A visa is a conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner, allowing them to enter and temporarily remain within, or to travel without that country. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner’s stay, territory within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits or an individual’s right to work in the country in question. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a country and thus are, in some countries, distinct from actual formal permission for an alien to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to entry permission by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time.
The following citizens need no visa:
• Armenia: 90 days within 180 days.
• Azerbaijan: 30 days.
• Bolivia: 30 days.
• Georgia: 45 days.
• Malaysia: 15 days.
• Syria: 90 days.
• Turkey: 3 months.
• Venezuela: 15 days.
“Visa on arrival” Vs “visa free entry”
The difference is that “visa free entry” means that you can enter Iran without a visa for a specified period of a ‘landing permission’, where a ‘visa-on-arrival’ means that you need a visa to enter, but can apply for and receive the Iran visa when you show up.
There’s not a huge difference between these two regarding what happens when you get to the airport, but regarding diplomacy and time/role-based restrictions, there’s a big difference.
“visa free entry” exists because two countries sat down and said, “Hey, it’s in our mutual interest to allow each other’s citizens into the other country…it’s good for business and tourism,…”
Note however that there are still restrictions placed on visa free entry by various countries.
Visas in general, including “visa on arrival,” means that there hasn’t been an explicit agreement between two countries for whatever reason allowing visa-free entry.
Iran’s tourism industry looks set to grow rapidly, that’s why Iran’s adding more countries into the Iran Visa on Arrival list and recently extend the 15 days validation to 30 days.
Where to get the Visa on Arrival?
At the moment you can get Iran Visa on Arrival in nine airports, and you must know Iran has no offer for land borders visa. You can also apply for your Iran Visa before your trip, go to the airport with the Iran Visa reference number and pick up your visa. This way is safer, and you can be sure you will get your 30 days visa, plus applying for your Iran visa reference number. Here is the list of nine Airports you can get on arrival visa in Iran in 2018:
• IKA: Imam Khomeini Airport
• TEH: Tehran Mehrabad Airport
• SYZ: Shiraz International Airport
• MHD: Mashhad International Airport
• TBZ: Tabriz International Airport
• ISF: Isfahan International Airport
• KIH: Kish International Airport
Visa on Arrival Needed Documents
Iran visa on arrival is usually issued for 30 days, and can only be extended if Iranian Foreign Affair Office finds it necessary. In that case, usually maximum 14 days extension is possible. If your itinerary is longer, we recommend choosing the Tourist Visa.
In the case of your visa on arrival been rejected you will be held the responsibility for the return flight and any other costs.
Here’s the needed documents:
• A valid passport with at least six months validity
• A confirmed return ticket
• A photo to be attached to the Iran visa application form
• Visa stamp fee, which is payable to the Iran Visa & Passport Office at the airport. Iran airport visa fee depends on the applicant’s nationality.
• An invitation letter or hotel reservation voucher.
Who can get Iran Visa on Arrival?
Citizen and Passport holders of eligible countries can get Iran Visa on Arrival; The eligible countries are Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak (Rep.), Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Iran Visa on Arrival Tips
• Travelers who have been rejected for Iran visa previously will not receive Iran visa on arrival.
• Journalists and reporters on mission cannot get Iran visa on arrival.
• Iranian nationals holding other nationalities passport are not allowed to get Iran visa on arrival.
• Iran visa on arrival is issued for tourist purposes only (ordinary passport). Diplomatic passport, official passports, etc. cannot apply for this type of Iran visa.
• Iran Visa on Arrival is not issued for USA, UK, Canada, Colombia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India nationalities.
• Applying through the Iranian Travel Agencies and having Iran Visa reference number before the trip still the safer way.
• Valid Travel Insurance is often asked at the Airports, be sure you have adequate travel insurance for Iran. Here is some useful information about travel insurance for Iran
• Have you been in Israel and still have a stamp on your passport? Do not risk your trip with VOA visa and apply for a new passport through travel agency and embassy.
• Are you holding the passport of US, UK, Canada, Iraq, Colombia, Jordan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan? Do not go for Iran Visa on Arrival.
How to get Free Iran Tourist Visa?
Three group can use Free Iran Tourist Visa; Citizens of eight countries with free visa agreement, Kish, and Qeshm Islands visitors and Revealing Persia tour customers.
Citizens of the following eight countries can visit Iran without a visa:
• Armenia: 90 days within 180 days
• Azerbaijan: 30 days
• Bolivia: 30 days
• Georgia: 45 days
• Malaysia: 15 days
• Syria: 90 days
• Turkey: 3 months
• Venezuela: 15 days
Kish and Qeshm Islands Visitors
All tourists, except citizens All tourists, except of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, and Somalia, may stay in Kish and Qeshm Islands for 14 days or less without obtaining any visa.