Islamic Republic of Iran · short term business
Entry Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Iran MFA Entry Visa (A) for invited visits such as business negotiations, academic contacts, sport, official meetings and family visits by relatives of foreign residents.
- Processing time
- The MFA portal tells online applicants to allow 10 business days for the required process, but this is not a guaranteed decision time. Invitation review, an interview, embassy filing or further steps can add time.
- Government fees
- No universal public fee amount is published in the reviewed MFA pages; confirm in the official filing channel.
- Typical duration
- Validity and permitted stay are shown on the issued visa or mission instruction.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 22 July 2026, the Entry Visa for Islamic Republic of Iran is a sponsor-led Iran immigration route. Sources: official Islamic Republic of Iran government pages, reviewed 22 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/iran/entry-visa#answer
What is the Entry Visa in Islamic Republic of Iran?
Entry Visa is a sponsor-led Iran route. Indicative government fees are No universal public fee amount is published in the reviewed MFA pages; confirm in the official filing channel; indicative processing time is The MFA portal tells online applicants to allow 10 business days for the required process, but this is not a guaranteed decision time. Invitation review, an interview, embassy filing or further steps can add time; typical duration is Validity and permitted stay are shown on the issued visa or mission instruction. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran on 22 July 2026.
Overview
The MFA visa-types page describes Entry Visa (A) for invited foreign visitors. Its listed groups include educational and cultural faculty or researchers; common carriers; officials and political or economic members; art and sports teams; international organisations and specialists; internationally recognised merchants and experts; UN employees and affiliates; and relatives of foreign citizens residing in Iran. The category-specific documents are a valid invitation and visa application, with a possible interview; passport and photo evidence comes from the separate general application guidance.
Additional sources
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa portal - home ↗ · Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Link last verified:
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa - how to apply ↗ · Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Link last verified:
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa - online application ↗ · Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Link last verified:
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa - application status ↗ · Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Link last verified:
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa - digital image requirements ↗ · Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Link last verified:
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa - passport copy requirements ↗ · Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant confirms the correct filing channel for the category and nationality; the MFA says some cases require in-person filing through the relevant Iranian embassy.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ✓The passport has at least six months validity remaining, matching the MFA how-to-apply guidance.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ✓The applicant waits for the issued visa, approval notice or mission instruction before travelling.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ✓The applicant has a valid invitation from an Iranian ministry, government organisation, public or private sector body, or other accepted host.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ✓The visit purpose matches one of the invited Entry Visa (A) purposes described by the MFA.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
Common blockers
- !Using one Iran visa category for another purpose, such as working on tourist, pilgrimage, transit or medical permission.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- !Submitting passport, photo or identity details that do not match the current passport or MFA digital-image rules.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- !Assuming online submission guarantees issuance; the MFA workflow includes verification and may require mission follow-up or interview.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- !The host cannot provide a valid invitation for the stated purpose.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- !The applicant plans paid employment or long-stay residence rather than an invited short visit.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport copy and passport details.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Digital personal photo that meets the MFA image requirements.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Completed visa application through the channel confirmed for the category.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Email address, tracking code and application reference when the online workflow is used.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Valid invitation letter or host evidence.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Purpose evidence such as meeting, contract, installation, academic, cultural, sport, international-organisation, UN or family-visit details.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Match the trip purpose to the MFA visa-type list and confirm whether the public form or an Iranian mission handles the category.
Build the evidence pack
Prepare the passport copy, personal photo and route-specific evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Submit through the official channel confirmed for the category and nationality.
After approval
If filed online, track the application status; follow any interview or correction request and check the issued visa conditions before travel.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantRead the MFA visa-type guidance ↗
Open this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before acting.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
- ApplyApplicantCheck the official Iran eVisa application form ↗
Open this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before acting.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
- Official portalApplicantCheck Iran eVisa application status ↗
Open this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before acting.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
- ChecklistApplicantReview MFA photo rules ↗
Open this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before acting.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
- ChecklistApplicantReview MFA passport-copy rules ↗
Open this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before acting.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Iran entry visa need an invitation?+
Yes. The MFA Entry Visa (A) description is built around a valid invitation from an Iranian ministry, governmental organisation, private or public sector body, or similar host.
Is this the same as a tourist visa?+
No. The entry visa is for invited purposes such as business, official, academic, cultural, sport or certain family visits; ordinary tourism fits the Tourist Visa (B).
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in IranHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Last checked: 22 July 2026