UK passport holders cannot use Visa on Arrival; the sole routes are the Iran eVisa portal (managed by the Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or the embassy. This guide covers fixes for Iran eVisa system down errors, login failures, upload errors, and photo rejections.
Reviewed by our editorial team on 08 September 2026. Diagnostic steps were last tested from a UK connection on 05 September 2026. This is an independent travel information portal, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Evisa Department of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Government application links are provided as external sources only.
Is the Iran eVisa System Down Right Now?
Four steps confirm a genuine Iran eVisa outage: (1) ask someone in Iran to open evisatraveller.mfa.ir or evisa.mfa.ir; (2) disable your VPN, as Iranian servers block foreign IP ranges; (3) switch networks and use Chrome; (4) check HTTP 502 or 504 codes, which indicate scheduled maintenance in Iran Standard Time (IRST, UTC+3:30).
Ask a contact in Iran
If it loads locally, the problem is your connection, not the Iran eVisa system.
Disable your VPN
Iranian servers block foreign IP ranges and commercial VPN endpoints, producing timeouts or blank pages.
Switch networks
Open the portal in Chrome. Disable ad-blockers for mfa.ir so CAPTCHA scripts load; clear your browser cache.
Check a third-party outage tool
HTTP 502/504 codes typically indicate scheduled maintenance aligned with IRST.
The Iran eVisa system (introduced January 2017, managed by MFA) has known bugs. Distinguish genuine outages from local access issues before escalating.
Login Failures and Session Errors on the Iran eVisa Portal
Five login failures have specific fixes on the Iran eVisa portal. On 05 September 2026, using Chrome from a London IP, we reproduced the “account not found” error after clearing cookies on mfa.ir; reopening in incognito mode resolved it.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Account not found | Application registered with a different email address | Check all inboxes for the original verification email; the registered email is the sole communication channel for all visa-related notifications. |
| Password reset email never arrives | Iranian mail servers deliver to foreign domains (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud) with latency or spam filtering | Whitelist the mfa.ir domain, check spam folder, and wait a minimum of 30 minutes before requesting a new code. |
| Session not recognised | Cookie or cache corruption on the mfa.ir domain | Clear browser cache for mfa.ir or use incognito/private mode to generate a fresh session token. |
| Account locked | The Iran eVisa system blocks repeated login attempts after multiple failed entries | Wait for the lockout period to expire, then retry with the correct credentials. |
| Blank page after login | Server-side session token failure or browser incompatibility | Switch to Chrome or a Chromium-based browser; avoid Safari and Firefox. |
The Iran eVisa portal enforces a silent 15-20 minute session timeout with no visible timer. Complete the form in one sitting and save frequently.
Document and Photo Upload Errors on the Iran eVisa Portal
Required: filenames alphanumeric only (e.g., passport_scan_01.jpg), photos 400×600 pixels, JPEG, under 500 KB, plain light background. The portal’s stated 10 MB limit throws HTTP 413 errors on files >500 KB.
- Photo specifications: 400×600 pixels, 3:4 aspect ratio, JPEG, plain light background, under 500 KB.
- Stated vs. practical limit: The portal lists 10 MB, but the Iran eVisa system throws HTTP 413 errors on files exceeding ~500 KB.
- File naming: No spaces, no Unicode, no special characters (&, @, #, brackets). Use alphanumeric strings only.
- Passport copy: Complete, readable front page; use the portal’s Image Tool to verify compliance before submission.
- Special characters in names: Applicants with apostrophes or hyphens (O’Brien, Al-Khouri) should use standard Latin ASCII equivalents to avoid silent form-validation errors.
On 05 September 2026, we compressed a 1.4 MB JPEG to 480 KB at 400×600 px, which eliminated the HTTP 413 error on the Iran eVisa portal.
Access, Browser, and VPN Issues on the Iran eVisa Portal
The Iran eVisa portal works best on Chrome/Chromium; Safari and Firefox cause JavaScript failures, broken dropdowns, and frozen submit buttons. Disable ad-blockers for the mfa.ir domain so CAPTCHA scripts load; switch DNS to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 if scripts still fail.
Iranian servers systematically block foreign IP ranges and commercial VPN endpoints. Symptoms: connection timeout, blank page, redirect, or “Access Denied.” If someone in Iran can load the same URL, the problem is your IP, not the Iran eVisa system. Workarounds: switch to an Iran-based VPN server, use Iranian mobile roaming, or ask a contact to verify portal status.
Applicants with apostrophes, hyphens, or non-English characters in legal names should use standard Latin ASCII equivalents to avoid silent form-validation errors on the Iran eVisa portal.
Iran eVisa Troubleshooting for UK Applicants in 2026
UK applicants (19.7% of all applications per iranianvisa.com, 96% approval rate) face 6+ weeks processing due to additional security screening. UK, US, and Canadian citizens must travel with a certified guide for the entire visit, arranged through a licensed Iranian travel agency; independent travel is not permitted. Recommended advance contact with a tour operator: at least 2 months ahead.
2026 regulations require a structured day-by-day itinerary with pre-booked hotel reservations for at least the first night, traceable through a recognised platform.
Agency service fees for UK passports: normal service £85 / US$122 (7-10 working days); urgent service £128 / US$182 (3-5 working days). Authorisation code processing via tour operator: 1 to 3 days.
Wait the 10-business-day window
Then check the portal and your email for status updates.
Call support
France (+33) 140 697960, Oman (+968) 24 696944, UAE (+9714) 34 44976 (confirmed 02 September 2026; lines change frequently).
Visit the Iranian Embassy in London
Request an inquiry with Tehran in person.
Engage an authorised travel agency
An authorised Iranian travel agency can submit on your behalf.
UK citizens are not eligible for Visa on Arrival. The Iran eVisa portal, embassy, or an authorised agency remain the only valid routes.
Alternatives When the Iran eVisa Portal Remains Unavailable
When the Iran eVisa portal remains inaccessible, UK applicants should apply through the Iranian Embassy in London or an authorised Iranian travel agency. Visa on Arrival is not available for British passport holders.
| Option | Eligibility | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival | NOT for UK, US, Canada, and 10 other nationalities | Health insurance 14 EUR / 18 USD at airport if no proof of coverage | 30-90 min at airport; 30-day stay |
| Embassy visa | All nationalities | Stamp fee €70-€80 (varies by nationality) | 45-day validity from issue; 30-day stay |
| Travel agency | All nationalities | £85/US$122 normal; £128/US$182 urgent | 1-3 days for authorisation code |
The visa grant notice / authorisation code must be collected within 60 days of issuance. The e-visa document includes a QR code, visa number (IR- prefix + 11 digits), and holder photograph. International credit/debit cards are not accepted in Iran due to sanctions; carry cash in EUR. 28 countries enjoy visa-free entry for 15 days (non-extendable, once every six months). Distinguish Iran eVisa portal downtime (technical, temporary) from policy-based processing delays (geopolitical, ongoing).
Iran eVisa Technical Issues FAQ
Is the Iran eVisa system down right now?
Downtime is usually maintenance in IRST (UTC+3:30). Verify by asking someone in Iran to load the portal, disabling your VPN, or checking HTTP 502/504 codes.
Why is my Iran eVisa photo being rejected?
Most rejections stem from incorrect dimensions, file size, or background. Resize to 400×600 px, JPEG, plain light background, under 500 KB.
What do I do if I cannot log in to my eVisa account?
Open the portal in incognito mode first. If the issue persists, reset your password using the registered email and check spam for mfa.ir messages.
How long does Iran eVisa processing take in 2026?
The baseline is 10 business days. UK, US, and Canadian applicants frequently report 3 to 6 weeks due to security screening and guided tour verification.
Can UK citizens get a Visa on Arrival for Iran?
No. UK citizens must obtain their visa through the eVisa portal, the Iranian Embassy in London, or an authorised travel agency before travelling.
Why is the eVisa website not loading for me?
If the portal loads for others, the issue is likely VPN-related IP blocking, browser incompatibility, or an ISP restriction. Switch to Chrome, disable VPN, or try a different network.
How do I contact Iran eVisa support?
Phone lines: France (+33 140 697960), Oman (+968 24 696944), UAE (+9714 34 44976), plus social media. For in-person assistance, visit the Iranian Embassy in London.
What should I do if my eVisa application has been stuck for weeks?
Wait 10 business days, then check the portal and email. If no change, call support. If unsuccessful, visit the Iranian Embassy in London to request an inquiry with Tehran.
Can I reapply if my Iran eVisa was rejected?
Yes, after a 1-day waiting period. Ensure your photo meets specs, passport has 6 months validity, and details match your passport. You cannot reapply while an existing application is under review.
