Published: 8 September 2026 | Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. This is an independent travel information portal, not affiliated with any government entity. Data verified against evisa.mfa.ir, 1stquest.com, getiranvisa.com, iranianvisa.com, and caravanistan.com as of September 2026.
Iran eVisa payment methods in 2026 include PayPal, credit/debit cards via authorised agencies, Western Union, and bank transfers. International banking sanctions block direct card payments on the evisa.mfa.ir portal, requiring UK applicants to use alternative routes.
Government consular fees are strictly non-refundable regardless of outcome, while agency service fees starting at 19 EUR may be partially refunded if your application is rejected or cancelled before processing begins. Understanding the full fee structure before you pay prevents costly surprises.
How the Iran eVisa Payment Process Works and Sanctions
Iran eVisa payment is Step 4 of the 5-step MFA application process. International banking sanctions block all Visa/Mastercard transactions on the evisa.mfa.ir portal. UK applicants must therefore use an agency, embassy, or follow the step-by-step eVisa application guide to understand the full process.
Form submission & confirmation email
After form submission, a confirmation email with a verification link is sent, valid for a 12-hour window.
Payment confirmation
Without payment confirmation, the system does not issue a visa authorization code.
Visa authorization code issued
Once payment is processed, the MFA in Tehran issues a visa authorization code valid for 1 month from the date of issue.
Collect from embassy
The authorisation code must be collected from the specified embassy within 60 days from issuance.
Visa grant notice delivered
After approval, a visa grant notice (.pdf) is delivered by email.
Entry validity window
The tourist visa entry validity window is 45 days from date of receipt.
Accepted Payment Methods for Iran eVisa
Iran eVisa payment methods available through authorised agencies include:
- PayPal: Agencies process this as a PayPal verified business transaction, delivering the invoice by email.
- Visa/Mastercard: Agencies accept any debit or credit card, typically processed via the PayPal payment gateway.
- Western Union: Transfers go directly to a company agent, with the service fee covered by the sender.
- Bank transfer: Agencies maintain accounts in Poland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran; processing takes 2 to 7 days.
The 1stQuest Iran visa service applies a service price of 19 EUR with delivery in 2 business days. For a full breakdown of all visa costs, see our complete Iran eVisa fee guide for 2026.
Transaction Fees, Surcharges, and Hidden Costs
Iran eVisa payment methods carry transaction fees that range from 2-3% on card payments to €0-35 on bank transfers, with additional currency conversion markups for UK applicants paying in GBP. The base service fee starts at 19 EUR (1stQuest), and payment currencies are EUR or USD, not GBP.
| Payment Method | Base Fee | FX Markup (est.) | Total Cost on €80 | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | ~2.9% + €0.35 | ~1.5% | ~€83.87 | Instant |
| Credit/Debit Card | 2-3% | 0-2% | ~€81.60-€84.00 | 1-2 days |
| Western Union | Included in transfer | 3-5% | ~€83-€84 | Same day |
| Bank Transfer (EU/UK) | €0-15 | 0% | ~€80-€95 | 2-5 days |
| Bank Transfer (intl.) | €15-35 | 1-3% | ~€96-€128 | 3-7 days |
Currency Conversion and GBP Fees for UK Applicants
Iran eVisa transaction fees do not include the 0-5% FX markup that UK card issuers apply when converting GBP to EUR or USD. A multi-currency card such as Wise or Revolut minimises this hidden cost by offering near-interbank exchange rates. Bank transfers to accounts in Poland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Iran avoid card-network surcharges entirely but may incur correspondent-bank fees. For UK applicants in 2026, PayPal via an authorised agency remains the fastest and most traceable option, while bank transfer saves money if you are not in a rush.
Refund Policy: Rejected Applications and Cancellations
MFA consular fees are strictly non-refundable regardless of whether the Iran eVisa application is rejected or voluntarily cancelled. If your application has been denied, read our guide on what to do when your Iran eVisa is rejected for next steps. Agency service fees may be partially refunded depending on the provider’s specific policy.
| Provider | Service Fee | Refund on Rejection | Refund on Cancellation | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFA Consular Fee | Varies by nationality | Non-refundable | Non-refundable | N/A |
| 1stQuest | 19 EUR | Conditional (review required) | Pre-processing: possible | 2 business days delivery |
| GetIranVisa (TravelToPersia) | Invoice-based | Contact support | Contact support | 2 days approval |
| IranianVisa.com (IranianTours) | Invoice-based | Unverified (flagged by community reports) | Unverified | Not specified |
Voluntary cancellation before processing begins may yield a partial refund from the agency, but MFA consular fees are never returned. Cancellation requests must be submitted directly at an embassy. Refund processing takes 5-14 business days via agency channels, plus 2-5 additional days for bank transfer refunds. PayPal refunds process faster: instant to 3 days.
Alternative Payment Channels: VoA and Embassy Payments
Iran eVisa applicants who cannot pay online have two offline options: Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Iranian international airports and in-person consular payment at embassies. Visa on Arrival requires exact cash in EUR or USD, plus mandatory health insurance (~$18/€14) payable at the first airport counter. Processing takes 30 to 90 minutes; the insurance policy must explicitly state “Iran” as the covered destination. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Iran eVisa vs Visa on Arrival for UK travellers.
Airport immigration counters reject creased, torn, or pre-2013 banknotes. Travellers should bring crisp, newer-series EUR or USD notes. Airport exchange desks apply unofficial rates with an estimated spread of 5 to 15% over the mid-market rate.
UK citizens are explicitly excluded from Visa on Arrival alongside nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, Israel, and the United States. British applicants must instead apply for a Type B tourist visa at the Iranian Embassy in London, where the consular fee is payable at Step 4 (passport stamping and collection). The consular fee is calculated based on the applicant’s nationality. Contact the consular section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London directly to confirm accepted payment methods and the current fee schedule before attending in person. UK and Irish citizens can find full application details in our Iran eVisa guide for UK and Irish citizens.
Payment Troubleshooting and Spending Inside Iran
If an Iran eVisa payment fails, check your email inbox and spam folder within the 12-hour validity window of the confirmation message. If no verification link arrives, contact your agency’s support team for manual resolution. For more specific troubleshooting, see our guide on fixing Iran eVisa payment errors and failures.
Common issues include PayPal payments not reflecting immediately, bank transfer delays of 2-5 days for EU transfers and 3-7 days for international transfers, and MFA portal timeouts after payment submission. UK cardholders may exercise chargeback rights under Section 75 for failed card transactions. GetIranVisa customers can reach 24/7 WhatsApp support at +989027787900. GetIranVisa (TravelToPersia Sp. z o.o.) is based at Ul. Lindleya 16, 02-013 Warsaw, Poland.
International Visa/Mastercard do not work inside Iran. Bring sufficient EUR/USD cash or pre-load a local prepaid card (MahCard, DaricPay) before departure.
Sources & Methodology: Transaction fees and refund policies were verified against evisa.mfa.ir, 1stquest.com, getiranvisa.com, iranianvisa.com (UK phone +44 7598 644177, email [email protected]), and caravanistan.com community reports as of September 2026. IranianVisa.com has been flagged as unreliable by caravanistan.com community reports.
FAQ: Iran eVisa Payment Methods, Fees, and Refunds
What payment methods are accepted for Iran eVisa in 2026?
PayPal, Visa/Mastercard (via agencies), Western Union, and bank transfers (Poland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran). Direct payment on evisa.mfa.ir is blocked by sanctions.
Can I pay for my Iran eVisa directly on the government portal?
No. Banking sanctions block international Visa/Mastercard on evisa.mfa.ir. UK applicants must use an authorised agency, embassy, or apply for a visa prior to travel.
How much are the transaction fees for Iran eVisa payment?
PayPal ~2.9% + €0.35, cards 2-3%, Western Union included in transfer, bank transfer €0-35. Agency service fees start at 19 EUR (1stQuest, 2 business days).
Will I get a refund if my Iran eVisa application is rejected?
MFA consular fees are non-refundable. Agency service fees may be partially refunded depending on the provider. 1stQuest offers conditional refunds on rejection with review required.
Can I cancel my Iran eVisa application and get a refund?
Before processing begins, partial or full refund of agency fee is possible. Once processing starts, no refund. Cancellation requests must be made at an embassy.
How long does it take to get a refund for Iran eVisa?
Agency refunds take 5-14 business days. PayPal refunds: instant to 3 days. Bank transfer refunds: additional 2-5 days. Contact your agency for status updates.
What hidden costs should I expect when paying for Iran eVisa?
GBP to EUR/USD conversion markups (0-5%), UK card issuer foreign transaction surcharges, and 5-15% exchange rate spreads at Visa on Arrival desks.
Do I need to pay for health insurance at the airport when collecting my VoA?
Yes. Approximately $18 or €14 per person, cash at the first airport counter. Policy must explicitly state “Iran.”
What happens if my Iran eVisa payment fails or is not processed?
Check email/spam within the 12-hour confirmation window. If no confirmation, contact agency support. GetIranVisa: WhatsApp +989027787900 (24/7). UK cardholders can pursue chargeback.
Is it safe to pay for Iran eVisa online?
Yes, via authorised agencies using SSL and 3D Secure gateways. Avoid unknown sites claiming to be government portals. Caravanistan.com community reports flag iranianvisa.com as unreliable.
