Please note that under the new regulations, travelers can only obtain an Iran visa by booking through an authorized Iranian travel agency as part of an organized tour package.
Independent visa applications without an accompanying tour are no longer permitted. o avoid any delays or complications, please contact us (+98 935 122 0038) directly to choose the tour package that suits your preferences and budget before applying for your visa.
Please note that refunds cannot be issued if a visa application is submitted before finalizing a tour package. The average processing time for visas is approximately two weeks. For full details, please refer to the information provided BELLOW.

Kindly Take Note of the Following Important Points:

1. Iran Visa Processing Time: Visa applications must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We typically obtain your authorization code within 2–3 weeks, excluding Iranian weekends (Thursday and Friday). Processing may take longer in some cases, depending on nationality or peak travel periods.
2. If You Previously Applied (E-Visa or Another Agency): If you’ve applied for an Iran visa before—either online or through another agency—you must wait for a rejection or cancel that application before applying through Tours of Iran.
3. The Fees: Visa fees depend on your nationality and the location where you will collect your visa (airport or embassy) and are paid directly to the Iranian government. When you pay the application fee to Tours of Iran, it covers visa processing and daily follow-ups with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help speed up approval.
4. Travel Safety in Iran: Despite what political headlines may suggest, Iran remains a safe and rewarding destination for travelers. For real-time updates, personal experiences, and interviews, visit our Instagram. Detailed travel safety guidelines can also be found in our blog.

Iran’s tourism industry was heavily impacted by the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, as many airlines canceled or limited flights, leading to a significant drop in visitor numbers.

Consequently, thousands of tourism professionals, including travel agents, tour guides, and hotel owners, had to close their businesses or find new employment. To enhance traveler safety and help revive tourism, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a new visa rule following recent instability. If you plan to visit Iran, here’s what you need to know about the updated regulations and how Tours of Iran can assist you throughout the process.

Updates on Iran Visa: What Are the Latest Changes?

Before the conflict, citizens of most countries—excluding a few such as the US, UK, and Canada—could obtain a tourist visa within 3–5 business days. Travelers enjoyed the flexibility to plan their own itineraries, stay in hotels, hostels, or with local families, and move freely throughout the country without requiring a tour guide.

Following a one-month suspension of visa processing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now mandates that all tourists enter Iran through a pre-arranged tour package, whether traveling alone or with family or friends. These tours must be organized by a licensed travel agency. Tours of Iran, a top-rated agency in Iran with over 120 five-star TripAdvisor reviews, is fully licensed and ready to assist you with the entire visa process.

What’s New in Iran’s Visa Rules – August 2025

1. Compulsory Tour Arrangements

One of the most notable changes is that travelers can no longer enter Iran independently; visas are now only issued when booking a pre-arranged tour package through a licensed Iranian travel agency. You can choose from a variety of tour packages offered by Tours of Iran, designed to suit different budgets and travel preferences. Some of the available options include:

• Guided Tours with Personal Escort (Perfect for Couples and Families) – A professional guide will accompany you throughout your journey, providing a personalized experience. We will also recommend and arrange stays at the finest boutique and traditional hotels to offer an authentic taste of Iran.
• Local-Guided Tours (Ideal for Solo and Budget-Conscious Travelers) – In this format, a local guide will accompany you in each city, providing a more authentic experience. Local guides possess in-depth knowledge of their regions, and since they operate from their own homes, this type of tour is more cost-effective. We will also include budget-friendly hotel options to help keep your expenses low.
• Shared Group Tours (Perfect for Families or Friends Traveling Together) – These tours run on fixed dates with a predetermined itinerary. Participants share the costs of the guide, transportation, and accommodations, making this option ideal for those who want to reduce expenses while enjoying the trip together.
• Find Your Travel Companion – If you wish to join a tour with other like-minded travelers, you can complete our customized tour form. We will then connect you with potential travel companions, allowing you to share costs while still enjoying a personalized itinerary.

Tours of Iran provide flexible options, enabling you to choose the tour that best suits your needs and adjust your plans if necessary.

2. Fixed Travel Details

Before applying for an Iranian visa, you must finalize all trip details—including travel dates, entry and exit points, and your itinerary—with the travel agency. However, Tours of Iran allows you to modify these details later, ensuring your plans can adapt to unforeseen changes without any additional charges.

3. Accommodation Requirements

Under the new regulations, staying with local hosts or using couch-surfing options is no longer permitted. Overland travelers using campers, motorcycles, or bicycles must stay in registered accommodations, except when entering Iran with their own camper. In such cases, travelers may stay in their camper, but their guide is still required to stay in a hotel.

All accommodations must now be arranged by travel agencies. Once your visa is approved, your travel agency is required to submit your accommodation details to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With Tours of Iran, you can choose from a variety of lodging options to ensure your stay fits both your preferences and budget.

4. Compulsory Guide Accompaniment

Under the new regulations, travelers are required to have a licensed escort or local guide with them for the entire trip. For those choosing the local guide option, a guide will assist you in each city during your stay and then transfer your care to the next city’s guide to continue your trip.

All Tours of Iran guides are professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to delivering an exceptional travel experience. You can read reviews from previous travelers on TAP Persia’s TripAdvisor page to learn more about the high quality of our guides.

5. Independent Driving Travelers

Overland travelers using their own car, motorbike, or bicycle can still visit Iran, but they must be accompanied by a licensed guide for the entire journey to comply with the new regulations. Vehicle documentation, including registration, insurance, photos, and any required international permits (e.g., CDP), must be provided. Since the cost of a full-time guide and registered accommodations can be relatively high for solo travelers, we recommend sharing your trip with friends or fellow travelers who plan to visit Iran at the same time and along a similar route. This allows you to split the costs for the guide, transportation, and accommodations, making your overland journey both more affordable and enjoyable.

With Tours of Iran, you retain the freedom to select your stops, while we handle all paperwork, route planning, and accommodation arrangements according to your preferences and travel style.

6. Restrictions on Visa Extensions

Visa extensions are no longer straightforward and now require prior approval. Should you want to extend your trip, Tours of Iran can handle the visa extension request for you, coordinating directly with your tour guide to ensure a smooth process. We will also help you locate the nearest Passport and Immigration Police Office to complete the process.

7. Requirement to Submit a Resume

Travelers are now required to provide more detailed personal information, including travel history, social media accounts, educational background, and professional records. This information helps expedite visa processing and assures the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the traveler’s intentions are strictly for tourism.

8. Requirement for a Tour Contract

Travelers are required to sign a formal agreement with the agency, specifying all aspects of the tour package, such as the itinerary, pricing, included services, and exclusions. The contract should also detail relevant political and safety regulations to ensure travelers are fully informed before their trip.

9. Visa Processing Duration: 2–3 Weeks

With all required documentation submitted, visa processing typically takes approximately 2–3 weeks, excluding weekends and national holidays. It is important to plan your trip in advance and apply for your visa early to avoid any delays.

Why the New Iran Visa Regulations Are Positive for Travelers?

Although the new Iran visa regulations may initially appear restrictive, they offer several benefits:

• Enhanced traveler safety
• Improved coordination of tours and accommodations
• Peace of mind through expert support

• Helping to revive and strengthen Iran’s local tourism sector.

These measures provide a more organized and secure experience for travelers while simultaneously empowering local businesses and tour operators.

Comprehensive Guide to Applying for an Iran Visa

To streamline your Iran visa application, we provide a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you complete the process efficiently and with ease.

1. New Iran Visa Regulations: Traveling with an Organized Tour

Begin by reviewing the updated Iran visa policy. Comprehensive details about the new regulations are available on our website.

2. Complete Your Custom Tour Arrangements

Complete the tailor-made tour form, and we will prepare a detailed itinerary based on your preferences. We will then refine it to perfectly align with your interests. Alternatively, you can contact us directly via WhatsApp (+989351220038) with any questions, and we will design a tailored tour package to suit your preferences and budget. Once your tour is finalized, you may proceed with your visa application.

3. Complete Your Application via Our Website

You can complete your Iran visa application by visiting our website. Once your application is submitted, you can safely pay the Tours of Iran visa processing fee by credit card to complete the process.

4. Waiting for Your Visa Confirmation

After receiving approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will inform you to finalize payment for your tour package. You may then obtain your visa either at the selected embassy or consulate, or upon arrival at the airport, when the government visa fee will be payable.

5. Confident Travel Experience

Once your visa is approved, you can explore Iran following the itinerary we have prepared, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

Completing these steps ensures your Iran visa application is managed smoothly and with expert guidance from start to finish.

Deposit Not Needed Before Visa Confirmation

No deposit is required for your tour package until your visa has been approved. The only payment due before approval is the visa processing fee. Once your visa is granted, the full tour package cost must be paid to confirm your booking.

This simplified process allows you to apply for your Iran visa and confirm your tour with confidence, knowing that every step is managed by experienced professionals.

Countries Not Affected by the New Iran Visa Rules

Travelers from certain countries can still enter Iran without a visa, just as in the past. Travelers from these nations do not need to apply for a visa or book a tour package. However, they must respect the permitted length of stay, as extensions are not available.

Extending your stay now requires applying for a visa under the updated rules, which means arranging a pre-booked tour package through a licensed travel agency. Also, please remember that travelers entering visa-free must stay in registered accommodations—staying with locals or hosts is not allowed.

If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed below, you can visit Iran without applying for a visa. Just make sure to check the length of stay and conditions that apply to your nationality. The following is the latest list of visa-free countries under the 2024 regulations:

Visa-Free Entry to Iran (Based on 2024 Regulations):

• 90 days: Travelers from Turkey, Armenia, Syria (only on direct flights from Damascus), and Oman can stay in Iran for up to 90 days.
• 45 days: Georgia
• 30 days: Iraq
• 29 days: Lebanon
• 21 days: China, Hong Kong, Macao
• 20 days: Egypt
• 14 days: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan
• 15 days (every 6 months, not extendable, only by air): India
• 15 days (every 6 months, not extendable): Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Croatia, Cuba, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia,  Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, , Indonesia, Seychelles, Singapore, Tanzania, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

Our team is here to support you with every aspect of your trip—from daily tours and hotel reservations to flight, train, and bus tickets. All services can be booked online with the convenience of credit card payment.

Note: Since these new regulations are still in the early phase, the Ministry may introduce additional changes. To make sure you have the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting Tours of Iran experts via WhatsApp (+98 935 122 0038) before finalizing your travel plans.