Last updated: 8 September 2026. This guide reflects current MFA eVisa rules as of this date. We review and update this guide every 3 months. If you notice outdated information, please contact our editorial team.
If your Iran eVisa is rejected in 2026, the cause is typically an invalid photo, incorrect personal data, or missing documents. You can appeal by emailing the MFA eVisa department or reapply after a 24-hour wait with corrected information.
UK citizens face specific restrictions: you cannot apply individually and must use an authorised Iranian travel agency to obtain a Visa Grant Notice. Direct applications from the UK are routinely rejected, with an estimated rejection rate of 50% or more for self-applicants (source: TripAdvisor forum reports).
The visa issuance fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, even if your application is refused. Before reapplying, ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity from your planned return date and that your photograph meets the 3×4 cm specification.
Why Your Iran eVisa Was Rejected
Iran eVisa rejections most commonly stem from photo specification failures, personal data mismatches, Israeli passport stamps, or incomplete travel documentation. Refusal triggers fall into four diagnostic groups, each traceable to a correctable cause.
- Technical and document errors: Photographs must measure 3 × 4 cm in passport-size format. Low-quality passport scans and incorrect file formats trigger automated rejection. Passport validity must reach 6 months from the planned return date. Selecting the wrong embassy location causes processing delays (source: MFA New Zealand embassy guidance).
- Personal data violations: Providing false, inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information causes immediate rejection. Entering a third-party phone number, residential address, or email address also results in rejection. Submitting fraudulent documents may lead to a ban on entering Iran.
- Eligibility blocks: Israeli citizens are not permitted under any circumstances. Non-Israeli travellers with an Israeli passport stamp face a minimum 6-month wait before applying. Journalists, press photographers, and government workers are banned. Police officers and athletes risk tourist visa rejection. Iranian dual nationals cannot apply as foreigners and must enter using an Iranian passport.
- Capacity and security: When a chosen mission’s capacity is completed, the system automatically removes the application from the eVisa portal. The Iranian Intelligence Service conducts complete clearance to verify the foreigner is not a spy. Discretionary factors include the political climate and individual case handler judgement (source: TripAdvisor forum reports).
The eVisa system provides no rejection reason disclosure. The only guidance message typically instructs the applicant to apply through a travel agency. Cross-reference your submission against the checklist above to infer the cause of your Iran eVisa rejection.
Decoding Your eVisa Status
The eVisa portal at evisa.mfa.ir displays six possible statuses, each requiring a different next step to resolve your Iran eVisa rejection. Distinguish a genuine refusal from a routine delay – expected processing is 5 to 10 days, but actual timeframes range from 3 days to 3 weeks or longer (source: Caravanistan travel forum). Understanding these codes is essential to diagnosing an Iran eVisa rejection accurately.
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | Application submitted; awaiting initial review | Wait. Check daily. Do not reapply. |
| Under Review | MFA is processing your application | Wait up to 3 weeks before escalating. |
| Approved | Visa granted; approval letter emailed | Check inbox and spam folder. Download letter. |
| Rejected | Application refused; no reason provided | Wait 24 hours, then reapply with corrections or use an agency. |
| Apply in Person | Embassy requires in-person attendance | Visit the embassy listed in your application with all documents. |
| Withdrawn | Application cancelled by applicant or system | You may reapply immediately. |
Clear browser cache or use incognito mode if the portal shows no status. If your notification email is lost, check spam – some embassies process applications after one day of in-person visit without an email notification. For stuck applications, ask embassy staff to inquire with the MFA in Tehran to expedite, or visit the embassy in person without waiting for a notification email.
Can You Appeal an Iran eVisa Rejection?
A formal appeal exists via email to the MFA eVisa department with supporting documents attached, but approval is not guaranteed. The complete appeal pathway allows you to challenge a negative Iran eVisa rejection decision rather than abandoning your travel plans.
Identify the relevant MFA department or embassy
handling your case. No dedicated online appeal form exists; communication happens by email or in person.
Prepare an appeal letter
explaining your case and requesting reconsideration of the refused application.
Attach supplementary documents
such as a corrected photo, updated itinerary, hotel booking confirmation, and proof of funds.
Send your appeal by email
or deliver it in person to the embassy listed in your application.
Wait for a response
No guaranteed timeline applies to appeal processing.
For escalation, contact MFA support directly: France (+33) 140 697960, Oman (+968) 24 696944, UAE (+9714) 34 44976. For border-related issues, contact Border Consul Mr Amiri: mobile 00989102004795, office 00984142086225 (border and Tabriz airport).
An in-person embassy visit can help, as embassy staff can inquire with the MFA in Tehran to expedite your case. The stronger path for most applicants, however, is reapplication through an Iranian travel agency with a Letter of Invitation (LOI).
Case study: A UK applicant was rejected twice due to an incorrect photo. After switching to a 3×4 cm photo with a white background and reapplying through an agency, the visa was granted in 3 days.
UK Citizens: Your Specific Path After a Rejection
UK passport holders cannot apply for an Iran eVisa individually. The MFA requires UK citizens to obtain a Visa Grant Notice from a travel agency; direct applications are refused (source: MFA New Zealand embassy guidance). This Iran eVisa rejection rule also applies to US and Canadian citizens, all of whom must be accompanied by a tour guide from arrival.
The self-application rejection rate is estimated at 50% or more, whereas agency-mediated applications carry a very high approval likelihood.
| Method | Cost | Processing | Approval Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-application via portal | eVisa fee only | 5-10 days (actual: up to 3 weeks or never) | ~50% for UK citizens |
| Via Iranian travel agency | eVisa fee + €30-40 agency fee | 3-4 working days | Very high |
Three vetted agencies, cross-checked against the Iran Touring and Tourism Organisation and verified through recent positive reviews from UK travellers:
| Agency | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Visit Our Iran | +98 92 00 98 00 92 / +98 21 88 55 34 94 | [email protected] |
| TAP Persia | +98 910 300 48 75 / WhatsApp: +98 913 316 0903 | [email protected] |
| EavarTravel | (+98) 21-9100 9100 | [email protected] |
Avoid iranianvisa.com – it is a confirmed scam (source: Caravanistan).
How to Reapply for an Iran eVisa After Rejection
You can reapply after a 24-hour waiting period, provided all application errors are corrected and passport validity exceeds six months. Reapplication guesswork is eliminated by pre-screening your corrected documents against the specifications that caused the initial Iran eVisa rejection.
- Passport validity: minimum 6 months from planned return date
- Photo dimensions: 3 × 4 cm, passport-size, recent
- Personal data: all fields accurate, matching supporting documents, no third-party phone, address, or email
- Hotel reservation: booked in advance
- Flight information: included
- Embassy selection: correct location for your jurisdiction
- Travel insurance: mandatory
Follow this decision tree to choose your next step after an Iran eVisa rejection:
Technical or document errors?
Correct and reapply directly.
Rejection without clear reason?
Reapply through an Iranian travel agency with a Letter of Invitation.
Are you a UK, US, or CA citizen?
You must use a travel agency regardless.
Rejection due to eligibility?
No reapplication will succeed.
There is no hard cap on reapplication attempts, but submitting identical applications 3 or more times may trigger additional security screening.
Switching Visa Categories Post-Rejection
If your tourist visa (Type B, up to 30 days) was rejected, consider switching categories. A transit visa (Type C, up to 7 days) has different requirements and may succeed where a tourist application failed. A medical visa (Type T) requires medical records. Business visas (Type A) require different supporting documentation. Each category is processed independently, so a rejection in one does not automatically block another.
Social Media and Digital Footprint Screening
The Iranian Intelligence Service reviews foreigner trip intentions as part of visa clearance (source: TripAdvisor forum reports). While the eVisa application form does not explicitly request social media handles, the security screening process may review publicly available digital footprints. Applicants with extensive media or government affiliations face higher scrutiny. Keep travel purpose statements consistent across all documentation.
Refund Policy and Chargeback Risks
Iran eVisa fees are non-refundable after rejection, and initiating a credit-card chargeback may result in automatic blacklisting on the MFA consular database. The visa issuance fee is non-refundable under any circumstances and non-transferable to another person, applying to all applicants including children. The Iranian travel insurance fee carries the same non-refundable, non-transferable status. Accepted payment is limited to online banking; personal cheques are not accepted (source: MFA New Zealand embassy guidance).
Two narrow exceptions exist. If rejection resulted from a system-side error such as mission capacity being reached, which automatically removes your application from the eVisa system, contact the MFA directly to request reimbursement. Similarly, if your application was deleted because email verification exceeded the 12-hour window, reach out to the MFA with your reference number and proof of payment.
Do NOT initiate a credit-card chargeback. The MFA treats chargebacks as financial disputes, not consumer claims, and may flag your profile on the consular database, permanently jeopardising future Iran eVisa applications. If you applied through an Iranian travel agency, request recourse directly from the agency; some refund their own service fee (typically €30-40) if the visa is not approved.
Treat the non-refundable fee as a sunk cost and redirect resources toward a corrected reapplication or agency-mediated submission.
FAQ: Iran eVisa Rejected
Why does my Iran eVisa keep getting rejected?
Common causes: invalid photo (must be 3×4 cm), incorrect personal data, third-party contact details, missing hotel or flight info, Israeli passport stamp (requires 6-month wait), or mission capacity limits triggering automatic deletion. The system provides no rejection reason.
Can UK citizens get a visa for Iran in 2026?
Yes, but only through an authorised Iranian travel agency to obtain a Visa Grant Notice. UK citizens must also be accompanied by a tour guide from arrival. Agency fee is typically €30-40, processing takes 3-4 working days.
Is the Iran eVisa fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No. The visa issuance fee is non-refundable under any circumstances and non-transferable. This applies to all applicants including children. Do not initiate a credit-card chargeback, as this may result in automatic blacklisting on the MFA consular database.
How long does it take to get an Iran eVisa after reapplying?
Via the portal: 5-10 days expected, though actual processing can take 3 days to 3 weeks or longer. Via an Iranian travel agency: authorisation code turnaround is 1-3 days, overall processing usually 3-4 working days.
Can I apply for an Iran visa on arrival instead of reapplying online?
Visa on Arrival is available at all Iranian airports for eligible nationalities, processing in 30-90 minutes. UK citizens are excluded from VOA eligibility. VOA is not available at land borders. If eligible, you need 2 free passport pages and must purchase mandatory health insurance (18 USD or 14 EUR). Two VOAs are permitted on the same passport.
Do I need to visit the Iranian embassy in London after a rejection?
An in-person visit is not mandatory for an appeal, but embassy staff can inquire with the MFA in Tehran to expedite stuck applications. If your portal status shows “Apply in Person” or you need to pick up a visa using an authorisation code, visiting the embassy listed in your application is required.
How many times can I reapply for an Iran eVisa?
There is no hard cap on reapplication attempts. You must wait 24 hours after a rejection before reapplying. Repeated identical submissions may trigger additional security screening. If rejected 3 or more times with the same data, switch to an agency route or a different visa category.
Will a rejected Iran eVisa affect future visa applications to other countries?
No. Iran’s rejection is not shared internationally with other countries’ immigration systems. However, it may affect future Iran visa applications. Each subsequent Iran application is reviewed independently by the MFA.
Can I use a different passport to reapply for my Iran eVisa?
Technically yes if you hold dual nationality and a different passport. However, submitting under different identity data may trigger fraud detection. Submitting fraudulent documents or false information may result in a ban on entering Iran (source: MFA New Zealand embassy guidance).
What documents do I need to reapply for an Iran eVisa?
Passport with at least 6 months validity from planned return date, recent 3×4 cm passport-size photograph, flight information, hotel reservation, and mandatory travel insurance. Applicants under 18 need a copy of their Shenasnameh and father’s passport.
