BootsnAll Travel Community

I've heard that obtaining a visa for Iran is getting to be very difficult for U.S. citizens but have also read on this board that they can be merely bought at the airport or upon entering the country for $20 or so? Has anyone been there recently who could speak to this? I'm planning to be there for 2-3 months about a year from now at the end of a 6-8 month trip. Obviously, the situation may likely change by then but I'm curious what people are experiencing currently- wondering if I should apply now or wait. thanks!

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I've heard that obtaining a visa for Iran is getting to be very difficult for U.S. citizens but have also read on this board that they can be merely bought at the airport or upon entering the country for $20 or so?

As I know Iran And USA dont have any diplomatic relations, so it is impossible To get Visa.

WHere to get visa from?

About 20$. I think it is NOT legal probably. Probably people give bribe there to have it.

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it is impossible To get Visa.

Americans definitely visit Iran, so it is possible.

Ok, I haven't visited Iran, but I have been very interested in visiting and know a little about the process.

As a US citizen, you absolutely CANNOT get a visa at the airport. Don't even bother with it. Last I heard is that US citizens must do the following:

1. Plan out an itinerary and submit it to a third party visa processing company like www.iranianvisa.com

2. Must hire a government appointed guide at the cost of $40 USD (with the fall of the US dollar this may now be in Euro's), plus all of the guides cost.

3. The guide has to be paid in advance. You can't wire money through a US bank to Iran, so you have to use a third party source through Canada (http://www.ztransfer.com/ , but there may be others). I think this company charges around 5-10% to wire the money.

Oh, you can also go through an approved touring company like Global Exchange. Global Exchange does a 3 week tour and the cost is around $2500, not including airfare.

I really want to visit Iran, but don't think I want to go with an appointed guide. Granted, the cost of the guide isn't that much, but my itinerary alone would involve lots of time in coffee shops chatting up locals, which would be a bit more difficult with someone watching you. With that being said, I haven't heard anything negative about guides, but I just like traveling alone.

You can contact www.iranianvisa.com for the most up to date info. If you do have a few months, you may want to look into getting a student visa to study Farsi. If you'd like any more info you can post here or PM me.

Mr. Chris D has provided an excellent overview. However, I would like to add that the two main visa agencies(iranianvisa.com and key2persia.com) do arrange tours (with guides I assume) and using one of those would probably give you the best chance of getting a visa.

I am Canadian and just recently got approved for my second visa after two years of trying unsuccessfully (actually, I was not rejected outright each time but the govt just out-waited me so I was forced to follow my alternative travel plans). I originally went through iranianvisa.com but this third time, decided to try key2persia.com and was fortunate enough to get accepted. I am not sure if it was a matter of third time lucky or if key2persia has better government connections.

The payment I had to make in the case of key2persia was through a German bank which ended up costing me double of what the fee actually was. However, the first time when I used iranianvisa.com, I am pretty sure I was able to pay using PayPal which was much cheaper and easier.

For those who are able to travel solo, the process is complicated by the fact that upon acceptance you are only given a reference number which you must quote at the consulate you indicated on your application. There, you will probably be directed to a local bank to make the necessary visa payment (this is separate from the fee you pay the visa company). Once that occurs, it is a fairly simple process.

Iran is awesome but the visa application process is very inconvenient. I hope things improve for Americans because I am sure Mr D would have a great time in a local teahouse smoking a water pipe and drinking tea with locals!

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Mr. Chris D has provided an excellent overview. However, I would like to add that the two main visa agencies(iranianvisa.com and key2persia.com) do arrange tours (with guides I assume) and using one of those would probably give you the best chance of getting a visa.

This may have changed in the last few months, but the last time I checked the tours provided through iranianvisa.com (don't know about key2persia) didn't count.

aopaq, how long were you in Iran the first time, and how long do you plan to stay this time? Does the Iranian stamp in your passport cause any problems with airport security?

Ugh, I"m tempted to go with a group just so I can go!

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This may have changed in the last few months, but the last time I checked the tours provided through iranianvisa.com (don't know about key2persia) didn't count.

Thanks for that info Mr D .... I never actually checked on the tours with the companies but that really sucks if they cannot be used to get a visa for Americans.

Unfortuantely, my visits have not been for very long ...12 days the first time and only a week coming up in March. Due to the difficulty of getting a visa and having to provide detailed itineraries, I always thought I had greater chances with shorter visits.

As for problems with the Iranian visa/stamp, obviously not a concern in the Middle East (never yet been to Israel). I was concerned returning to Canada the first time because I flew into New York for a few days. Perhaps I just lucked out but the US immigration officer didn't even ask me about Iran at all when I entered the States.

I can understand your frustration...I hate that politics play such a big role in the accessibility and cost of visas!

What do you think about a dual Irish/American's chances? Assuming you're applying under the Irish passport would the same guide rules apply? I'm surprised to hear it's the same for Canadians, I thought only Americans were limited to going with a guide only.

Chris D and Apo!

Good information you guys have. I am planning a similar trip in Nov Dec this year for 1 week. I am an American as well and born in India and India does not allow dual citizenship and you cannot travel on a Indian passport cause you have to give it up at the time of obtaining US one. I plan to apply for the visa but collect it from India. If we have a new president may be things may change.

thanks

American citizens can get iranian embassies from the pakistan embassy in washington dc

aopaq and Mr. Chris D Have pretty much nailed it. But i do not agree with every one when they say the process is difficult. I do not know about the process for Americans although I did meet several Americans while I was there including one who did not have a guide. I dont know if he blew his guide off or what. They all reported that getting a visa was simple it just took some time. For me it was easy and really straight forward. I used iranianvisa.com. Fill out their sheet. For your itinerary just make up some bull shit they do not really care nor do they check in country or at the borders. i waited 3 weeks then I was given a code for the embassy I chose (it was Ankara in Turkey) I went to said embassy with my code and they sent me to their bank with an acount #. I went to the bank put the money in the account and then went back to the embassy to collect my visa. Super simple. I was traveling with a friend of mine from the Czech republic. I complained about the process one day and he reminded me that he had to go through similar processes for most of the countries he went to. he figured that as a Canadian i was lucky that i did not normally have to, and maybe even a little bit visa lazy!