Islamic Republic of Iran · short term business
Visa-Waiver Tourism Entry
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Visa-free tourism entry note for nationalities covered by Iran MFA waiver arrangements, including the listed 15-day ordinary-passport tourism waiver.
- Processing time
- No visa filing if the traveller is covered by the relevant waiver; verify eligibility before travel.
- Government fees
- No visa fee for the waiver itself in the reviewed MFA text; normal travel, insurance or carrier costs still apply.
- Typical duration
- Up to 15 days for the MFA-listed ordinary-passport tourism waiver; other bilateral waivers depend on the nationality-specific rule.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Iran MFA eVisa home page says foreign citizens should obtain a visa unless they are nationals of countries that can enter under visa-waiver rules. It also says ordinary passport holders from a listed group of 27 countries may enter Iran without a visa for a stay of 15 days once every six months, and that this stay is not extendable. This is a visitor-only entry route: travellers should check nationality coverage, entry purpose and any carrier or border instructions before relying on the waiver.
Additional sources
Primary source
Iran MFA eVisa - visa types ↗ · 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:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The traveller nationality is covered by an Iran MFA visa-waiver rule or the listed ordinary-passport 15-day tourism waiver.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ✓The trip is tourism or another purpose accepted under the waiver, not work, study, media activity or residence.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ✓The stay fits the published limit, including the 15-day, once-every-six-months and non-extendable terms where that ordinary-passport waiver applies.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
Common blockers
- !The traveller nationality is not covered by an Iran visa waiver.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- !The traveller intends to work, study, report as media, receive medical treatment or stay beyond the waiver conditions.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- !The traveller needs an extendable stay; the MFA note says the 15-day ordinary-passport waiver is not extendable.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport from a nationality covered by the relevant waiver.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Outbound travel plans showing the stay remains within the waiver limit.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
- ·Trip-purpose evidence consistent with tourism or the accepted waiver purpose.Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Check the MFA eVisa home page and confirm the nationality is covered by a waiver.
Build the evidence pack
Confirm the stay length, entry frequency and purpose conditions before booking.
Submit through the official channel
Carry passport, itinerary and proof of onward travel for airline and border checks.
After approval
Apply for the relevant MFA visa instead if the trip purpose or stay length falls outside the waiver.
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 Iran visa-waiver guidance ↗
Use this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before relying on read iran visa-waiver guidance.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
- ApplyApplicantUse the MFA visa application if a waiver does not fit ↗
Use this official Iranian MFA source to confirm the current filing channel, evidence and status before relying on use the mfa visa application if a waiver does not fit.
Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran · verified
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Related routes
Tourist Visa
Iran MFA tourist visa category for foreign citizens travelling to Iran for tourism, including ordinary eVisa and place-of-issue workflows shown by the portal.
Entry Visa
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.
Medical Visa
Iran MFA Medical Visa (T) for foreign citizens travelling for treatment with approval from an authorised Iranian medical centre.
Frequently asked questions
Does Iran have a short visa-free tourism waiver?+
The MFA eVisa home page says ordinary passport holders from a listed group of 27 countries may enter Iran without a visa for up to 15 days once every six months, and that this stay is not extendable.
Can the waiver be used for work or study?+
No. Treat it as a visitor waiver only; work, study, media, investment, medical and family cases should use the relevant MFA category.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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