I'm going to be applying for a visa to Iran, and I just wanted to do an informal survey. Just wondering: if you have ever applied for an Iranian visa before, did you get it, or were u denied? Please mention what type of visa you applied for, and also your nationality, as I am sure this would affect their decision. Thanks, Jer
Posts: 226 | Location: Ithaca, New York, USA. | Registered: 18 October 2005
I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for, but below are the steps for US citizens applying for a visa. If you do go, please write about it, I'd love to know what it's like in Iran. Myself, I guress I'm a bit of a scardy cat. Hell, they have someone in charge that's more insane than Bush.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Should you decide to travel to Iran despite the current Travel Warning, a passport and visa are required. The Iranian Interests Section of the Embassy of Pakistan is located at 2209 Wisconsin Ave. N.W, Washington, DC. 20007; tel 202-965-4990, 91, 92, 93, 94, 99, fax 202-965-1073, 202-965-4990 (Automated Fax-On-Demand after office hours). Their Internet Website is http://www.daftar.org (click on “View in English"). Possession of a valid Iranian visa will not guarantee entry into the country as a few American travelers have been refused entry at the border without explanation. U.S. passports are valid for travel to Iran. However, U.S.-Iranian dual nationals have in the past been denied permission to enter/depart Iran documented as U.S. citizens and have had their U.S. passports confiscated upon arrival, unless they have renounced their Iranian citizenship. Nevertheless, in recent years the Iranian Government has become more lenient with dual nationals and rarely confiscates U.S. passports of U.S. – Iranian dual nationals. As a precaution, however, it is advisable for U.S.-Iranian dual nationals to obtain in their Iranian passports the necessary visas for the country which they will transit upon their return to the U.S., so that if their U.S. passports are confiscated, they may apply for a new U.S. passport in that country.
------------------------------ Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...we won't get fooled again.
Do post here about what happens - I think I saw you had some comments on another thread about the Istanbul-Delhi train and I remember thinking that the lower price of that might be upped a bit by the cost of the Iranian visa. Still, if you're going to travel their I'm sure it's worth it.
I looked into it very briefly this summer when my bf and I considered returning overland from India, but we decided against it pretty quickly for a number of reasons. I'm a little nervous myself to go these days, although I have heard amazing things about the hospitality there regardless of a traveler's nationality. On either vagabonding.net or .com, there was a bizarre but touching story about an American woman who went to an anti-US protest in Iran to observe and was still just adored by the women protesting there.
Make cay, not war - Kesmen
Posts: 1941 | Location: Washington, DC | Registered: 03 August 2005
Thanks for the info. So Im getting the feeling that not too many Americans actually go there. The fact that there is a Travel Warning and Bush calls Iran part of the "axis of evil" just makes me want to go there more. My first step is getting a new US passport, cuz my current one has an Israeli visa on it... I'll definitely post updates. Of course, chances are it will be very difficult for me to actually make this happen. I may have to wait until I get my Canadian passport...
Posts: 226 | Location: Ithaca, New York, USA. | Registered: 18 October 2005
I've never been, but I have some Armenian friends.. a few of them are from Iran..
Apparently to be considered for a visa, you need someone from within the country to petition for your application and say they're inviting you. I think there are tour groups that will do this, but you have to be in said tour group for the duration of your visit.
When I asked my friends if they could get their family to invite me, they all strongly advised against going and said to go to some place like Turkey instead (and they hate Turks). The moment people see your blue American passport, or sense that you're American, they'll be prejudiced against you, because America has long been pretty messed up with them. When they or their friends go back, they don't tell people outside of friends and family that they've been living in the states, and they don't use their American passport..
Posts: 56 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 01 September 2005
Iranian people are well known for their friendliness and hospitality. I haven't been there yet, but heard from those who had that most locals are very friendly to foreigners, including Americans. My friend who used to work for NATO spent a lot of time there and just can't stop talking about how nice Iranian people are. I plan to go next year, but I'm Croatian so for me getting an Iranian visa is easy.
Posts: 91 | Location: Europe | Registered: 06 May 2005
Yeah, Suncana, I've heard similar things. I certainly wouldn't let fear of prejudice stop me from going, to me that only encourages ignorance. I am only concerned whether or not I'll actually be able to get a visa. Well I guess there's only one way to find out...
I still wish I could get a testimony from an American who's actually been there (and doesn't have family there--I have many Iranian friends who hold US passports who have been there...) I refuse to believe that there are no Americans on this site who have been Iran, so please speak up!
Posts: 226 | Location: Ithaca, New York, USA. | Registered: 18 October 2005
The Iranians are cool, I believe it and vouch for it; it's the US that isn't.
Keep in mind, if you get to go, all the more power to you. I'll be glad to know things aren't so bad. This is just how I was reasoned out of it by people who would know what they're talking about, being that they grew up there.
Posts: 56 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 01 September 2005
Do I follow the news? yeah. I think there's a difference between Iranian rhetoric and Iranian action. If they make anti-Israel statements, or have anti-Israel demonstrations, that does not mean they are planning military action against Israel. Likewise, if their government does not have good relations with Uncle Sam (or vice versa,) or even if their citizens are having anti-US demonstrations, that does not mean that Americans in Iran are being kidnapped and decapitated.
From all the travel stories I've read, Iran is a safe and civilized place to visit, even for Americans.
quote:
Originally posted by jong pei: The Iranians are cool, I believe it and vouch for it; it's the US that isn't.
I couldn't have said it better.
However, my purpose with this thread was not to discuss politics or to ask for advice whether or not people think I should go. It was merely to see if any Americans on this board have applied for Iranian visas, and whether they got them or not.
I appreciate your concern though.
Posts: 226 | Location: Ithaca, New York, USA. | Registered: 18 October 2005
Making some progress here, apparently a visa service can really help my chances of getting one. Also, it is easier to get a 10-day transit visa since I will be going by land from Turkey to Pakistan. Then I can extend this visa once I am inside Iran. If all else fails, according to a certain "trusted source," there is a back door to getting in to Iran: Kish Island. Kish Island is apparently a duty free shopping spot, and also a visa-free port. You can fly from Dubai to Kish and get a stamp on arrival that allows you to stay there for up to 14 days. Then you just go over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and get a 30-day tourist visa. Pretty cool, huh?
Posts: 226 | Location: Ithaca, New York, USA. | Registered: 18 October 2005
hey man, i was born in iran and i'm just finished doing visa stuff. honestly, its not that bad, i know MANY foreigners that have travelled to iran and they've never had a problem
though i'm partial since its my birth country but persians are one of the kindest people you'll meet and the country is rich in history.
safe travels
Posts: 29 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 10 October 2005
Originally posted by guided: Apparently the Pakistan / Iran border is dodge? Afghanistan isn't far away.
I'm trying to find a route from Turkey to India. Does the train still operate? I've heard you have to do the last bit by bus.
Seat61 gives a decent overview of the situation: (http://www.seat61.com/India.htm). Scroll (almost all the way) down to the London to India overland section
Posts: 98 | Location: Where the hell have I put the GPS unit? | Registered: 16 May 2005
Well, I sent off my application to the embassy in Ottawa, so we'll see what happens. I decided not to go with a visa service such as Sogol. I'm sure that they do increase your chances of actually getting one, but they charge 70 euros to do so, on top of the $70 visa fee, yikes! I'm banking on the fact that since I am applying as a Canadian, and Canada doesn't piss off NEARLY as many people as the US does, I should have a pretty good chance of getting it.
Hey Supra, I just checked Project Visa and there are some recent news
quote:
Recent news has reported that a 14 day visa is available on arrival at Tehran airport for all nationalities except Israelis. Airlines no nothing about this so trying to get on the plane may be a problem.
quote:
How knows may be it´s true. Any way good luck with your application, and update some news chao
Simon "...la experiencia ajena es ciencia ficción."
I can't imagine that they'll give a visa on arrival to many countries, and definitely not Americans. I wanted (still do) to go there soooo badly, but was denied in Delhi, they took my money and still denied me in Peshawar, Pakistan, and looked at my passport for one second in Afghanistan and told me straight up, NO! I tried www.keytopersia.com and www.iranianvisa.com before I was denied to increase my chances, but they both told me they couldn't help Americans at that time (last year). I can only guess that it's gotten worse for Americans since then, but where you apply has a lot to do with it, so you never know. Good luck, I'm green with envy...
well im in dubai and im going to kish in about a week so ill check at the offices there and see if theyll by chance let me in...im halfway tempted to just fly to tehran from there....maby, ill let you guys know. oh ya im new bla bla...
Posts: 2 | Location: the world | Registered: 02 May 2006
Hmm, yeah the VOA sounds a bit dubious, but that would be cool if that's true. Peter: I am curious about the Kish island thing, let me know what happens.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the guys in Ottawa. They said it will take about a month, so hopefully I'll know in a couple more weeks. Chances are decent that I will get it since I am applying on my Canadian passport, but I don't want to get my hopes up.
Posts: 226 | Location: Ithaca, New York, USA. | Registered: 18 October 2005
well theres another option ....hopping on a dhow (local mechant ship) from here (dubai) to iran. i met a bunch of them tonight actaully and im sure i could hop on one and be in iran (illigally) no problem....but then how to get out lol. well we'll see about kish.
Posts: 2 | Location: the world | Registered: 02 May 2006
