Despite the terrorism that is being done on the web regarding the difficulties in obtaining the visa for Iran, I must admit that at the end of the day, having that piece of paper stuck on the passport was much easier than I thought.
In our case we had no more difficulties than apply for India Visa or for China, the process was more or less the same.
Visa tourist (attention non-working tourist visa or other types) for Iran it is possible to obtain it in 3 different ways.
Apply for a visa on arrival (VOA)
The first is that of do it directly upon arrival at the airport, of course with no guarantee that you will be allowed entry into the country. No guarantee means that if something does not "borderline" to those in charge of immigration, they can decide to take you back on the first available plane that returns: a nice nuisance, but it is also true that I have never heard anyone who once arrived there has been kicked back in the butt.
Indeed I would very much like to have direct testimonies so if someone has happened and wants to leave it written in the comments it will serve as a warning to other travelers.
Visa on arrival can be issued at major international airports in Iran. You cannot get this visa at the land borders.
Below you will find thelist of airports where you can get Iran visa on arrival:
- IKA: Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport (the one where most flights arrive)
- SYZ: Shiraz International Airport
- MHD: Mashhad International Airport
- TBZ: Tabriz International Airport
- ISF: Isfahan International Airport
- KIH: Kish International Airport
IMPORTANT: the VOA does not mean that Iran is a visa-free country. The Iranian visa is not just a stamp in the passport, such as in other countries (such as Argentina). To obtain the VOA it is necessary to have i necessary documents.
I personally do not recommend it also because the procedures to obtain it could make you waste a lot of time. If you already have your visa, instead, go straight to the control and then to the exit.
Documents Required to bring with you to obtain the VOA:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months of residual validity
- return flight ticket
- hotel booking: it is finally possible to book hotels in Iran online. You can book your hotel here or to know more you can read my guide on how to book hotels in Iran
- health insurance
Please note:: health insurance can be done directly at the airport, but this often leads to unnecessary and long lines. Better to do it online first, but not all insurances are good.
My advice is to apply for this insurance.
Il cost you will pay to apply for the VOA is 75 euros.
get the VOARegardless of your nationality, it is not possible to have an Israeli stamp in your passport. Even if Israel no longer stamps passports, you don't need to have any proof of entry into Israel. For example, the egyptian stamp on your passport in the border town of Taba it could be proof of entry into Israel and you may be denied entry to Iran.
Apply for a visa from an agency (also online)
Second way to obtain the visa: through an Iranian agency who takes care of it.
The agency will carry out the paperwork for you and in a few days you will receive the authorization code with which to present you at the airport in Tehran.
With the authorization code, when you arrive at the airport go immediately to the visa office: here you will first have to take out insurance if you do not have it (18 euros) then pay the visa (75 euros) and you will be given a receipt on a piece of paper light blue.
Don't miss it because you will also be asked for proof of the electronic visa upon return. therefore essential that you keep it throughout your trip.
Surely it is the most comfortable way ever, also because from 2018 a sheet is issued at the airport and nothing is stuck on the passport anymore.
This is particularly interesting for the new immigration laws in the USA according to which if you have previously been in Iran, you cannot do the ESTA, but you must apply for a visa at the American embassy in your country.
You can request yours visa for Iran online directly through my partner 1St Quest only for 29 euros by clicking on the link below:
Apply for your visa here for only 29 euros!
The good news is that readers of this blog can use mine 5% discount code in all their services with the code PMT-1stQuest at the time of purchase.
1St Quest they are the best and the fastest when it comes to applying for a visa!
Apply for a visa at the Consulate
Updated: As of 4 October 2018, the consular section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan have adopted the Electronic Visa (e-Visa).
necessary therefore, before going to the consulate, fill in the form you find here.
Once completed you will be given a registration code which you will have to bring with you along with the rest of the documents to the consulate.
The third way is to apply for a visa for Iran going to apply directly to the consulate: we went to that of Milan. The documents required to obtain the release are:
- 2 photo examiners, of those for documents that are made everywhere even in the machines on the street.
- 1 reservation with a confirmation letter from a hotel in Iran. The reservation can also be for one night only, the important thing is that there is.
- Passport in order with at least 6 months of validity, two consecutive free pages e no Israel stamp.
- Health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay in Iran.
- Forms for the completed application (you can request and fill in directly at the consulate)
With all these documents in hand, we go to the consulate. We went as I said to the one in Milan but we can also contact the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Rome.
It is absolutely essential that all those applying for a visa report personally to the consulate on the day of the application. This is because as soon as you arrive, in addition to filling in the forms (which is also possible to download via the internet and fill in previously) you have to leave your fingerprints on one of them.
Don't panic, it's actually much simpler than you might imagine.
You arrive at the consulate, take the number and wait for your turn. In Milan there is a dedicated counter dedicated to requesting and issuing a visa so there is not much time to wait, you can just use it by filling in the forms.
When you are called, you give your passport photos, insurance, the hotel letter and with the ink pad you leave your fingerprints, both those of the right hand and those of the left hand.
Once you leave your fingerprints, hopefully, you pay the consular fee of 50 euros each and a slip is given for the collection of passports: attention that slip is like the Holy Grail, with which anyone can collect passports, even those who are not the owner. Really needs to be kept in custody.
Once finished, go to the bathroom where there is a special sponge on the sinks to remove the blue ink.
Less than a week later, with the sacred leaflet, you can go to collect your passport with your own visa for Iran valid for a stay of up to one month e valid for 3 months from the issuing of the visa.
Easy, right?
2018 update: the consulate is no longer issued with the classic visa to be attached to the passport, but a sheet whose validity can be ascertained by the competent authorities.
