Tour Guide, Tehran, Iran
| 4 mins read
Getting an #Iran tourist visa might sound a bit complicated, especially to some travellers from #Canada, #UnitedKingdom and also #America, as there are many variables and a couple of exceptions to take into account. However, the Government is also trying to make the Iran visa policy easier and facilitate the process for many nationalities. And they've been successful. In order to get your Iran #touristvisa in advance, you will have to first get a code which, basically, is a letter of invitation from a #touroperator. Once you have this code, you will be able to collect your visa on arrival. But for #US, #UK and #Canadian passport holders, the process is a little different.
Iran Tourist Visa Application for American, British and Canadian
Many American citizens are interested in travelling to Iran. They are curious about Iranian history, culture, and nature. They've also heard about Iranian hospitality and their way of life. Iranians are also keen to have more cultural interactions with citizens of other countries, in order to eliminate assumptions that they might have.
Unfortunately, the political relationship between these countries has made the process of getting a visa in need of more time. But it IS legal for US, UK, and Canadian passport holders to enter Iran.
Travellers usually wonder: "IS it possible for American, British or Canadian citizens to get Iran Visa?" and "How Americans, British and Canadian can get the Iran Visa?"
The answer as Oaksland Travel tour operator is a big YES. It is possible to apply and get the visa, but it takes more time. In the following, we have explained the documents, requirements, and process required for US, UK, and Canadian passport holders to apply for Iran visa.
Iran Visa Application Requirements
To begin the process of Iran visa application by Oaksland Travel, we first need the required documents including:
1. Digital file of the applicant's personal photo.
2. Applicant's resume (CV); You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history.
3. Personal information form; Read more
4. A copy of the applicant's passport image
Note: The passport should be valid for 6 months.
5. Tour Itinerary (Oaksland Travel will do it in coordination with you). (link to tours)
Note: The process of applying for Iran visa takes 45-60 days. So, apply for the visa at least 60 days before arrival or your departure.
Iran Visa Application Notes
1. It is common knowledge that in the absence of private hosting, all these 3 nationalities who wish to visit Iran as a tourist are required to book their tours via a travel agency. Please be mindful that your tour must be an organized tour, meaning, a qualified local guide must accompany your tours.
2. You must adhere to the itinerary that you agree prior to your visa application be submitted to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. No changes will be allowed once the visa is issued. However, you may wish to omit some places mentioned in your approved itinerary but cannot materially alter and add new places.
3. Your accommodation throughout your stay in Iran must be public and approved accommodation. Therefore, staying overnight in private accommodation such as your friend’s house is not permitted.
Iran Visa Application Process
The process of receiving Iran visa for US, UK, and Canada passport holders will be a bit longer due to security checks. In usual it takes 30-45 days according to Low/High seasons. In the following, the process of getting Iran visa is detailed step by step:
Step 1: Sending the documents required by the applicant to Oaksland Travel, based on what was already mentioned.
Step 2: The application will be sent to Iran foreign ministry, after translating the applicant's resume (CV) by Oaksland Travel and completing the required forms and preparing documents. This process will take between 2-4 working days, assuming the applicant's documentation is complete.
Step 3: Iran's Foreign Ministry REJECT or ACCEPT the applicant's visa requests based on the results of the security checks. If the application REJECTS, at this stage, the visa process will be terminated. While the applicant visa ACCEPT, they will notify Oaksland Travel and provide a special reference code (Visa Grant Notice). This step will take 21-45 working days.
Step 4: If and when the Visa Grant Notice issued, the applicant needs to follow the instruction in the attached Form 101 of the Interest Section of I.R. Iran in Washington DC to do the visa endorsement. For UK passport holders, if and when the Visa Grant Notice issued and providing the applicant resides in the UK, he/she would then need to follow the Visa Grant Notice instructions in order to endorse his/her passport with the visa in Iran Embassy in London, UK.
Step 5: Welcome to Iran from Oaksland Travel.