Last updated: 8 September 2026. This guide is verified against the Iran MFA eVisa portal, UK FCDO travel advice, and WHO health notices.
Standard eVisa processing takes 5 to 10 days via the portal; embassy applications for British travellers typically require 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure travel insurance explicitly covers Iran, as policies without this wording may be rejected at the border. Failing any single requirement risks application rejection or denied boarding.
What Are the Iran eVisa Requirements in 2026?
The Iran eVisa is an electronic visa issued via the MFA portal at evisa.mfa.ir. Each applicant must meet nationality-based eligibility conditions, provide a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended entry date with 2 blank pages, upload a compliant photo (4 × 6 cm, white background, no glasses), and satisfy health/vaccination rules depending on the departure country. Incomplete submissions, non-compliant photographs, or insufficient passport validity lead to rejection or denied boarding.
Who Is Eligible for an Iran eVisa in 2026?
EU citizens, Australians, New Zealanders, and nationals of most European countries can apply directly via evisa.mfa.ir. US, UK, and Canadian passport holders are excluded from both the eVisa portal and Visa on Arrival (VOA); they must use an embassy or authorised tour operator (source: uk.mfa.gov.ir). Israeli passport holders are banned from entry. Kish and Qeshm Islands allow 14-day visa-free entry (island only, no charge).
Under the no-stamp policy (presidential order, June 2019), most nationalities no longer receive passport stamps. UK, US, and Canadian citizens are excluded from this exemption. Dual nationals who hold Iranian citizenship must enter on an Iranian passport. Indian citizens lost visa-free access on 1 December 2025 and must now obtain advance visas through authorised agencies. Per an August 2025 MFA regulation, all foreign visitors must travel in organised tour groups with an authorised guide; individual travel is no longer permitted.
Special Rules for UK, US, and Canadian Citizens
UK citizens must apply through the Embassy of Iran in London or an authorised facilitator such as 1stQuest or FriendlyIran. US citizens face the same restrictions plus a mandatory licensed guide escort and advance travel arrangements. The approval rate for British passport holders is approximately 96% (industry estimate from visa facilitators, not an official MFA statistic). Entry and exit stamps will appear in UK, US, and Canadian passports.
General Document Requirements for Iran eVisa
| Document | Specification |
|---|---|
| Passport | ≥6 months validity from entry date, 2 blank pages (non-consecutive acceptable) |
| Digital photo | 4×6 cm, JPEG/PNG, max 10 MB, white background, no glasses, no smiling |
| Passport bio-data scan | Colour, front page, JPEG/PDF, max 10 MB |
| Flight bookings | Confirmed return or onward flights |
| Accommodation proof | Hotel reservation or host invitation |
| Authorisation code | Reference number issued by MFA after approval |
Business visa (Type A) applicants must additionally submit an invitation letter from an Iranian host organisation. UK embassy applicants need 2 completed forms, a formal contract with a registered Iran travel agency, and a detailed travel itinerary.
Passport Requirements – Validity, Blank Pages & Scans
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry into Iran (not from the application date), per both the MFA eVisa portal (evisa.mfa.ir) and the UK embassy (uk.mfa.gov.ir). At least 2 blank pages are required for stamps; non-consecutive pages are acceptable. The bio-data page scan must be colour, legible, JPEG or PDF, maximum 10 MB. Passports containing Israeli stamps must be renewed before applying, as travellers with evidence of prior Israel visits are denied entry.
Photo Specifications – Dimensions, Format & Dress Code
The photograph must measure 4 × 6 cm, JPEG or PNG, maximum 10 MB, minimum recommended resolution 600 × 600 pixels, on a plain white background. Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, no glasses, no headwear (religious coverings excepted). The eVisa portal does not enforce hijab in digital photos, but the London consulate may request a version with headscarf; female applicants should prepare two 4×6 cm JPEG files to avoid delays.
Iran eVisa Fees and Processing Time in 2026
The base fee is approximately $40-$50 for most nationalities, non-refundable, and varies by nationality and stay duration. UK citizens applying through the embassy typically pay £40-£60. Facilitator services add further cost: 1stQuest charges €27 (€25.65 with promo code “Globetrotting”), while FriendlyIran starts at €29. The Munich consulate accepts EC Card only, not Visa Card.
Standard portal processing takes 5-10 working days; tour operators average 1-3 days; embassy applications require 2-3 weeks. The authorisation code (Visa Grant Notice) remains valid for 1 month. Applicants must collect the visa at the embassy within 60 days of code issuance and enter Iran within 45 days of receiving it. Peak periods (Nowruz in March, summer holidays) can extend waits to 3-4 weeks.
How to Apply for an Iran eVisa – Step-by-Step Process
Visit the portal
Visit evisa.mfa.ir or the evisatraveller.mfa.ir portal.
Register with email
Register with an authenticated email; a verification code is sent within minutes.
Complete the online form
Complete the online form with personal, passport, and travel details (see document checklist above).
Upload documents
Upload a colour passport bio-data page scan (JPEG/PDF, max 10 MB) and a digital photo (4×6 cm, JPEG/PNG, max 10 MB).
Pay the visa fee
Pay the visa fee; the amount varies by nationality and stay duration.
Receive authorisation code
Receive the authorisation code (Visa Grant Notice) via email, typically 5-10 days via the portal or 1-3 days via a tour operator.
Collect the visa
Collect the visa at the designated embassy or consulate with your passport, fee, and printed authorisation code.
UK, US, and Canadian citizens must use the embassy or an authorised facilitator. Apply 3 to 6 weeks before travel.
The Authorisation Code – What It Is and Why You Need It
The authorisation code (Visa Grant Notice / VGN) is an initial approval from the MFA; it is not the visa itself. It remains valid for 1 month from issuance. After receiving it, collect the visa at the embassy within 60 days, then enter Iran within 45 days. If the code expires, the entire application must be restarted. Status checking requires the reference number (or passport number), date of birth, and email address. The eVisa system sends no email notification of rejection; applicants must check status proactively.
Using a Visa Agency or Tour Operator
UK, US, and Canadian citizens must use an authorised tour operator. Known agencies include 1stQuest (€27 / €25.65 with promo “Globetrotting”) and FriendlyIran (from €29, phone +98 9170906506). 1stQuest typically processes authorisation letters in 2-7 business days. Facilitators handle translation, embassy liaison, and MFA code procurement. Avoid iranianvisa(dot)com, flagged as a scam per multiple travel sources.
Health & Vaccination Requirements for Iran eVisa
No routine vaccinations are mandatory for travellers departing from the UK. COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements have been fully lifted as of 2026; no health declaration forms are needed. Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly recommended for all visitors.
| Vaccination / Health Rule | Mandatory for UK Departures? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | No (unless arriving from endemic country) | Certificate issued ≥10 days before arrival; valid for life |
| COVID-19 | No | All testing and vaccination rules lifted as of 2026 |
| Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies | Recommended only | Rabies advised for rural or adventure travel |
| VOA airport health insurance | Yes (VOA holders only) | €14 / $18 per person; must state “Iran” |
Yellow Fever Certificate – When You Need It
A Yellow Fever certificate is required only when arriving from or transiting through a country on the WHO endemic list, for example Kenya, Brazil, Nigeria. The certificate must be issued at least 10 days before arrival and is valid for life. UK travellers on direct flights are not subject to this rule. Vaccination is available at the London School of Tropical Medicine, Fit for Travel clinics, or Boots travel vaccination service.
Iran eVisa Validity, Duration of Stay & Entry Rules
The standard tourist eVisa allows a 30-day stay (single entry), extendable once by 15 days at a Police Department of Foreign Aliens Affairs in any major city. Embassy-issued visas may allow 60 or 90 days depending on approval. The tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Entry points include international airports (IKA Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz) and select land borders. Biometrics, fingerprinting and iris scanning, are conducted at major airports for all nationalities with no opt-out. Overstaying results in fines at departure and potential future entry bans.
Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA) vs eVisa – Key Differences
VOA is available at all Iranian international airports; entry must be by airplane only, but holders may exit via any land or sea border. UK, US, and Canadian citizens are not eligible for VOA. Processing takes 30-90 minutes on site. Mandatory health insurance at the airport: €14 (~$18) per person; the policy must explicitly state “Iran”. VOA no longer requires pre-application on the eVisa site, a photo, or an onward air ticket.
| Feature | Visa on Arrival (VOA) | eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible nationalities | Excludes USA, UK, Canada | Most EU and international travellers |
| Entry points | International airports only (by air) | Airports and select land borders |
| Processing | At airport, 30-90 minutes | Online via evisa.mfa.ir, 5-10 days |
| Cost | $75-$100 + €14/$18 insurance | ~$40-$50 (lower) |
| Authorisation code | Not needed | Required (VGN) |
| Risk of denial | High at airport; no recourse | Resolved before departure |
UK-Specific Iran eVisa Requirements for British Travellers
UK passport holders cannot use the eVisa portal or VOA and must apply through the Embassy of Iran in London or an authorised facilitator. Required documents include a formal contract with a registered Iran travel agency, confirmed hotel bookings, and a complete travel itinerary. Approval rate: approximately 96% (industry estimate). Processing time: 2-3 weeks.
| Section | Address | Telephone | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy | 16 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PT | +44 (20) 72254200 | [email protected] | – |
| Consular Section | 50 Kensington Court, London W8 5DD | +44 (20) 72253000 (ext. 15-17) | [email protected] | – |
| Visa & Legalisation Section | 50 Kensington Court, London W8 5DD | +44 (20) 72253000 | [email protected] | Mon-Wed 09:00-12:00 (email only) |
UK passport holders are excluded from the no-stamp exemption; entry and exit stamps will appear. A third-party visa collection service is available for document submission, collection, and passport return by mail.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Iran eVisa Rejection
- Passport validity under 6 months from the intended entry date.
- Non-compliant photo: wrong dimensions, glasses, smiling, or wrong background.
- Name spelling mismatch between passport and application form.
- Unreadable passport scan: file exceeds 10 MB or low resolution.
- Inconsistent travel dates: flight dates do not match application.
- Evidence of prior Israel travel: stamps, visas, or entry/exit records in passport.
- Dual nationality complications: Iranian dual nationals must enter on an Iranian passport.
- Applying too close to departure: no guarantee of timely processing.
The eVisa system sends no email notification of rejection. Check status proactively using your reference number, date of birth, and email at evisa.mfa.ir. If rejected, correct errors and reapply, or use an authorised facilitator.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iran eVisa Requirements 2026
Can UK citizens apply for an Iran eVisa online?
No. UK citizens cannot use the eVisa portal or VOA. Applications must go through the Iranian Embassy in London or an authorised tour operator/facilitator. Approval rate is approximately 96%.
How long before my trip should I apply for an Iran visa?
Apply 3-6 weeks before travel. Embassy processing takes 2-3 weeks; peak periods (Nowruz, summer) may add delays. The authorisation code is valid for 1 month, so applying too early risks expiry before travel.
Do I need any vaccinations to enter Iran?
No routine vaccinations are mandatory for UK departures. A Yellow Fever certificate is required only if arriving from or transiting through an endemic country. As of 2026, no COVID-19 vaccination or testing is required.
What documents do I need for an Iran eVisa application?
A valid passport (6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages), a digital photo (4×6 cm, JPEG/PNG, max 10 MB, white background, no glasses), completed online form, colour passport bio-data scan (JPEG/PDF, max 10 MB), confirmed flights, and accommodation proof. UK embassy applicants also need a formal contract with a registered Iran travel agency and a detailed itinerary.
How much does an Iran eVisa cost in 2026?
Base eVisa fee: approximately $40-$50. UK embassy: £40-£60. Facilitator services add €27-€29, bringing the total to approximately $70-$120. Fees are non-refundable.
Will Iran stamp my passport?
Yes, for UK citizens. The no-stamp policy (implemented June 2019) applies to most nationalities but explicitly excludes UK, US, and Canadian passport holders. Entry and exit stamps will appear.
Do I need travel insurance for Iran?
Strongly recommended for all travellers. VOA holders must purchase insurance at the airport (€14/$18 per person; policy must state “Iran”). For eVisa/embassy holders, proof of medical insurance may be checked at the border. Ensure coverage includes medical evacuation.
Can I travel to Iran if my passport has an Israeli stamp?
Generally no. Travellers with evidence of prior Israel visits are denied entry. Airlines may also refuse boarding. Recommendation: obtain a new passport before applying.
Is there a maximum time I can stay in Iran on a tourist visa?
Standard tourist visa: 30 days (single entry), extendable once by 15 days in-country. Embassy visas may allow 60 or 90 days. Overstaying results in fines and future entry difficulties.
Do I need a transit visa for a layover in Iran?
Transit passengers who remain in the international transit area and do not pass through immigration do not need a visa. If you leave the airport, you need either a visa or VOA (where eligible).
Sources: Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa portal (evisa.mfa.ir), UK MFA page (uk.mfa.gov.ir), UK FCDO travel advice, WHO International Travel and Health. All external sources accessed 8 September 2026.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa rules change frequently; always confirm current requirements with the Iranian Embassy in London or an authorised travel agent before applying.
