Disclaimer: This is an independent, unofficial informational guide for tourists, not affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any government body. The official application portal is evisa.mfa.ir. Fees and processing times were verified on 8 September 2026 against the MFA portal and the FCDO travel advisory for Iran. Rules change frequently – always re-check before applying.
UK and Irish passport holders must obtain an Iran eVisa for UK citizens before travel, as visa on arrival is unavailable. The application costs £150 to £250 and takes 6 to 8 weeks through the MFA portal. UK citizens face mandatory tour-guide escort and extended MFA security vetting.
Do UK and Irish Citizens Need an Iran eVisa in 2026?
UK and Irish citizens cannot use visa-free entry or visa on arrival. Obtaining an Iran eVisa before departure is mandatory.
The Iran eVisa for UK citizens is strictly required because British ordinary passport holders are explicitly excluded from visa-free travel and Visa on Arrival (VOA). British travellers must hold the visa in hand before travel and have a pre-arranged travel itinerary. UK citizens must be escorted by an authorized tour guide at all times. The same restrictions apply to Irish passport holders, who must also obtain an Iran eVisa prior to departure.
Applying for an Iran eVisa for UK citizens involves submitting documents through the Iran MFA portal to receive an authorization code.
Iran eVisa Requirements for UK and Irish Citizens 2026
The Iran eVisa requirements for UK citizens involve submitting a passport valid 6 months beyond travel, a digital photo, and a completed MFA online form. Irish citizens face identical document prerequisites for the Iran eVisa.
- Passport validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned exit date from Iran.
- Passport scan: Upload a complete and readable copy of the passport frontpage. The maximum file size is 10 MB.
- Photo specifications: The digital photograph must measure 35×45 mm with a white background. Maintain a neutral expression and remove spectacles. A headscarf is mandatory for women and girls aged 10 or over.
- Application form data: The MFA online form requires both a UK telephone number of residence and an Iran telephone number of residence.
How to Apply for an Iran eVisa from the UK: Portal and Application
The Iran eVisa for UK citizens application involves three online steps before the in-person consulate visit.
Submit the online application
Provide personal details, passport data, trip dates, and contact information including a UK telephone number and a number for your place of residence in Iran.
Pay the service fee
Per the portal instructions. This payment is separate from the consular stamping fee collected later.
Receive the Visa Grant Notice
A .pdf authorization code issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran and sent by email. This code is valid for 60 days from issuance and is restricted to the specific consulate designated in your application.
Iran eVisa Biometrics and Visa Collection at the London Consulate
First-time UK applicants for the Iran eVisa for UK citizens must submit mandatory biometric information in person at the Iranian Consular Section, 50 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DD, United Kingdom. Opening days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, hours 09:00 – 12:00. Contact by email only: [email protected]. Telephone: +44 (20) 722-53000. Biometric data is stored on file for 1 year.
The Iran eVisa for UK citizens is issued as a paper eVisa slip. No sticker is placed in your passport and no entry or exit stamps are added. Retain this paper copy until you leave Iran. Passport return typically takes 1-2 business days.
Iran eVisa Fees for UK and Irish Applicants 2026
The Iran eVisa for UK citizens costs approximately £150-£250 in total. Fee clarification: the £85/£128 authorization code service fee is charged by third-party visa agencies. If you apply directly through evisa.mfa.ir, the MFA charges its own fee. The €180 consular stamp fee is collected separately at the London consulate.
| Cost Component | Standard | Urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization code service fee (via agency) | £85 / $122 | £128 / $182 |
| Consular stamp fee (paid at collection) | €180 | €270 (+50% surcharge) |
| Airport health insurance (if no proof of coverage) | $18 / €14 | $18 / €14 |
Iran eVisa Processing Time for UK and Irish Applicants 2026
The Iran eVisa for UK citizens takes 6-8 weeks standard or 3-6 weeks urgent, due to mandatory MFA security vetting. Authorization code via the e-visa portal takes 3 days to 3 weeks for UK nationals; via tour operator, 1-3 days. Consulate stamping after authorization takes 1-2 business days.
Apply a minimum of 10 weeks before your intended travel date. According to iranianvisa.com data, UK applicants account for 19.7% of all Iran eVisa applications with a 96% approval rate. Irish applicants represent 9.6% with the same 96% approval rate.
Visa extension inside Iran is possible through the Police Department of Aliens Affairs, with payment in Rial via Melli Bank. Processing takes 2-5 days.
Special Scrutiny Rules for UK Citizens Applying for an Iran eVisa
UK nationals are classified as a “restricted” nationality in the MFA system, alongside US and Canadian applicants. MFA security vetting for the Iran eVisa for UK citizens commonly requests social media handles, CV, employment history, military records, and contacts inside Iran. Even with full documentation, refusal can occur without explanation; processing may exceed 8 weeks.
FCDO advises against all travel to Iran due to risk of arrest and detention. This advisory applies to all British passport holders regardless of visa type.
Travel with a licensed Iranian tour guide is a mandatory visa condition for the Iran eVisa for UK citizens, not a recommendation. British ordinary passport holders are not eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival, and a pre-arranged travel itinerary is required.
British citizens travelling to Kish Island must arrange travel through an Iranian agency, with MFA notification at least 2 weeks before travel and confirmation that a visa will be issued on arrival. Hotel reservation is mandatory, and a copy must be submitted to Kish Airport immigration 48 hours before arrival.
Iran eVisa for Irish Citizens 2026: What You Need to Know
The Iran eVisa for Irish citizens imposes identical restrictions to those applied to British passport holders: no visa-free entry exists for Ireland, and visa on arrival is explicitly withheld. Irish applicants must follow the same five-step process: MFA portal registration, form submission, document upload, authorization code receipt, and consulate collection.
The consular stamping fee of €180 applies to the Iran eVisa for Irish citizens, payable at visa collection. Irish residents in the UK may submit biometrics and collect the visa at the Iranian Consulate in London at 50 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DD.
Ireland maintains no embassy in Tehran. Consular assistance for Irish citizens in Iran is provided through EU partner missions, typically the German or French embassy. Irish travellers should register with the Department of Foreign Affairs (dfat.ie) before departure.
Irish applicants represent 9.6% of all Iran visa applications, with an approval rate of 96% – identical to the British approval rate.
Before You Apply – Critical Warnings for UK and Irish Travellers
The Iran eVisa for UK citizens triggers permanent consequences that no applicant can reverse after entry.
- US ESTA disqualification: Any travel to Iran, including transit, permanently invalidates eligibility for the US Visa Waiver Program. UK and Irish passport holders must apply for a full B1/B2 visa with an in-person interview at a US embassy for all future US travel.
- Travel insurance voidance: The FCDO “advises against all travel” advisory voids standard UK and Irish policies for Iran. Specialist underwriters including Battleface, Campbell Irvine, and Dogtag provide coverage, though some exclude Iran due to sanctions.
- Banking restrictions: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Discover do not function in Iran due to sanctions. Bring EUR or USD in cash for all expenses.
- Dual nationality: Iran does not recognise dual nationality. UK-Iranians are treated solely as Iranian nationals, must enter and exit on an Iranian passport, and cannot request UK consular assistance. Iranian nationality is acquired by father being Iranian or marriage to an Iranian man.
- Children travelling without father: Children travelling without their father require his permission (usually verbal) to exit Iran. Permission is assumed unless the father petitions a court to prevent travel.
Common Reasons for Iran eVisa Rejection and How to Avoid Them
Rejections of the Iran eVisa for UK citizens occur for three preventable reasons:
- Passport validity under 6 months beyond the actual travel date.
- Photo dimensions incorrect or background not white (must be 35×45 mm, white background, no spectacles).
- Name spelling mismatch between the application form and the passport bio-page.
- Incomplete travel dates or an unrealistic itinerary.
- Missing tour operator documentation, which is mandatory for British passport holders applying for the Iran eVisa.
Frequently Asked Questions about Iran eVisa
How long does the Iran eVisa take for UK citizens in 2026?
Standard: 6-8 weeks. Urgent: 3-6 weeks. Apply minimum 10 weeks before travel.
How much does an Iran eVisa cost for British passport holders?
Service fee £85 (standard) or £128 (urgent). Consular stamp fee €180. Total: approximately £150-£250.
Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival for Iran?
No. UK citizens are excluded from Visa on Arrival. An eVisa must be obtained and collected at the Iranian consulate in London before departure.
Do Irish citizens need a separate visa process from UK citizens?
The process is identical: MFA portal, authorization code, consulate collection. Fees are payable in EUR. Ireland has no embassy in Tehran; EU missions provide consular assistance.
Will travelling to Iran affect my US ESTA eligibility?
Yes, permanently. Any Iran travel disqualifies you from the US Visa Waiver Program. A full B1/B2 visa application is required.
What happens if my Iran eVisa application is rejected?
Refusal may be without explanation. You can re-apply with more documents or use CIBTvisas/VisaHQ.
Do UK citizens need a tour guide to visit Iran?
Yes. UK citizens must travel with a licensed Iranian tour operator at all times – this is a mandatory visa condition.
Are international credit cards accepted in Iran?
No. Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Discover do not function in Iran. Bring EUR or USD in cash.
Iran eVisa for UK and Irish citizens 2026: UK and Irish passport holders must obtain an electronic visa before travelling to Iran – visa on arrival is not available. The application involves submitting documents through the Iran MFA portal, receiving an authorization code, and collecting the visa at the Iranian consulate in London (or via the Irish consular path). Processing takes 6-8 weeks standard, costing approximately £150-£250. UK applicants face additional security scrutiny and must travel with a licensed tour guide.
