Iran eVisa for Saudi Citizens: 2026 Guide for Middle Eastern Nationals

Saudi citizens can enter Iran visa-free for up to 15 days for tourism. For longer stays, an Iran eVisa for Saudi travellers costs a EUR 30 stamp fee, processes in 7 to 10 working days, and requires a passport valid for 6 months. Visa on arrival is available at Iranian airports.

Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Fees, processing times, and 2026 accommodation and itinerary rules were re-verified via evisa.mfa.ir and by phone with the Iranian consulates in Dubai (+9714 34 44976) and Muscat (+968 24 696944). Disclosure: Some agency links are affiliate links; the fee table is independently re-verified monthly. Editor’s note: I applied for an Iran eVisa from Dubai in March 2026. My first photo was rejected for visible shadowing; a re-upload on a pure white background passed, and the Visa Grant Notice arrived after 9 working days. If the payment step times out, wait 24 hours before reapplying to avoid duplicate reference numbers.

Do Saudi Citizens Need an Iran eVisa in 2026?

Saudi ordinary passport holders enter Iran visa-free for 15 days, once per 180-day period, tourism only, non-extendable, since 4 February 2024. An Iran eVisa for Saudi citizens is required for stays exceeding 15 days or for non-tourist purposes such as business or study. Saudi passports receive no entry or exit stamps, leaving no evidence of Iran travel in the passport.

According to Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (evisa.mfa.ir, accessed 1 September 2026), 27 countries benefit from unilateral visa-free entry to Iran. Saudi nationals whose planned stay exceeds the 15-day limit, or whose travel purpose is business or education, must apply for an Iran eVisa through the online portal before departure.

Iran eVisa vs Visa-Free Entry vs Visa on Arrival: Entry Routes Compared for Saudi Citizens

Saudi citizens have four Iran entry routes. The table below compares cost, processing time, stay duration, extension possibility, and entry points for each option.

For short tourism trips under 15 days, visa-free entry is the simplest option. For longer stays, the Iran eVisa offers pre-approval and 30-day validity. VOA suits last-minute travellers but carries same-day refusal risk. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Iran eVisa vs Visa on Arrival. Consular collection is necessary when no Iranian consulate operates in Saudi Arabia.

Iran eVisa Requirements for Saudi and Middle Eastern Citizens

Saudi and Middle Eastern eVisa applicants need a passport valid 6+ months beyond the travel date, a white-background digital photo, confirmed first-night accommodation, and a day-by-day itinerary. For a full breakdown of every document you need, consult our Iran eVisa required documents checklist.

• Passport: minimum 6 months validity beyond the actual travel date; application blocked if shorter. Minimum 2 blank pages required.
• Photo: recent colour photograph, plain white background, face not covered, JPEG or PNG, max 10 MB. Photo Standard Guide on the eVisa portal.
• 2026 accommodation rule: confirmed first-night booking at a licensed hotel or traditional house. Unregistered private hosts and couchsurfing are not accepted.
• 2026 itinerary rule: a day-by-day travel route must be submitted with the application.
• Hosting form: required if staying with personal contacts; must be completed and emailed.
• Email address: mandatory and authenticated throughout the process.
• Travel insurance: strongly recommended but not mandatory.
• Dual nationality: applicants must declare the nationality matching the passport carried; a mismatch renders the visa null and void.

Passport Validity Rules

The Iran eVisa is automatically rejected if the passport expires within 6 months of the intended entry date. Dual nationals must carry the passport matching their declared nationality; any mismatch voids the visa.

Photo Specifications

Applicants must upload a digital passport-style photo: 3.5×4.5 cm, colour, plain white background, face fully visible, max 10 MB. Blurred images or photos with the face covered are rejected. See our complete Iran eVisa photo requirements guide for dimensions, file format, and common rejection reasons.

Step-by-Step Iran eVisa Application Process

Saudi citizens apply for an Iran eVisa at evisa.mfa.ir or evisatraveller.mfa.ir in ten steps, with standard processing of 7-10 working days.

Application status can be checked using the visa application reference number plus date of birth plus email, or passport number plus date of birth plus email. Keep the printed Visa Grant Notice until exit from Iran. If you do not travel within the visa validity period, you are prevented from entering and must re-apply.

Iran eVisa Fees and Costs – Complete Breakdown

The Iran eVisa stamp fee is EUR 30 for Saudi and Middle Eastern nationals, paid at the consulate or airport. Third-party agencies charge EUR 27 to EUR 54 in service fees. For a full breakdown of all costs in EUR, USD, and GBP, see our Iran eVisa cost guide.

An agency helps when the government portal fails, when time is short, or because no Iranian consulate exists in Saudi Arabia. Iranian consulates may apply a surcharge of up to 50% extra for urgent issuance. UK, US, and Canada passport holders face processing exceeding 6 weeks and higher agency fees: GBP 85 standard or GBP 128 urgent via IranianVisa.com.

Alternative Entry Routes – Visa on Arrival and Visa-Free Islands

Saudi citizens can obtain visa on arrival at Iranian international airports for EUR 30 with a prior authorization code, or visit Kish and Qeshm Islands visa-free for 14 days at no cost.

VOA is available at all Iranian international airports (Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qeshm). The EUR 30 stamp fee is paid in cash at the airport visa desk. An authorization code must be obtained at least two days before travel. The VOA is issued as a paper copy with no sticker in the passport; keep it until exit.

Saudi citizens can also visit Kish and Qeshm Islands visa-free for 14 days, free of charge, with direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Qeshm. Since there is no active Iranian consulate in Saudi Arabia, citizens can collect their Iran eVisa at the consulate in Dubai (+9714 34 44976) or Muscat (+968 24 696944), or use VOA at the airport.

Troubleshooting the Iran eVisa Portal and Special Rules

The government portal at evisa.mfa.ir often has technical issues, and MFA support rarely responds to rejection inquiries. Saudi citizens can contact the nearest Iranian consulates: Dubai at (+9714) 34 44976 or Muscat at (+968) 24 696944. An additional support line is available through MFA France at (+33) 140 697960.

Rejection notifications appear only via online status tracking, with no email sent. Re-application is permitted after a refusal. If your application has been refused, read our guide on what to do when your Iran eVisa is rejected. Grounds for refusal often cite political and diplomatic considerations, with no detailed explanation. Regional travel agents surveyed in March 2026 reported processing delays of up to 4 weeks during January-February 2026, although the MFA portal has not published statistics.

Israeli passport holders are banned from entering Iran; travellers with an Israeli stamp should obtain a new passport before applying. Dual citizens of Iran and another country are counted as Iranian citizens upon entry and must hold an Iranian passport. US, UK, and Canada passport holders face mandatory guided tours with a certified guide, no independent travel, no vehicle entry, and processing exceeding 6 weeks. UK-based travellers should cross-check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for Iran (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran, last updated August 2026) before booking.

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