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Medical tourism is one of the most important pillars of Iran’s tourism. Attracting tourists to perform medical activities in various ways is called medical tourism, and some countries around the world have paid much attention to this category. In the following, we will have a comprehensive look at medical tourism in Iran, Iran’s position in medical tourism, Iran medical tourism destinations, why medical tourism in Iran, how to get Iran medical visa, and everything you need to know about it.
At first glance, it may seem that medical tourism is only related to medical activities, but the fact is that this branch of tourism is very broad and includes a wide range of activities. Performing medical and therapeutic activities and any kind of activity that improves the physical and mental condition of a person in an environment outside his place of residence is called medical tourism or health tourism. This is the definition provided by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
It’s not only the developed countries that are successful in attracting tourism for medical treatment. Countries that have ideal conditions in terms of natural and mineral springs will also be included in this group. In addition, there are some other countries that are medically acceptable due to the high quality of the services coming along with the reasonable cost of medical and health services.
Iran is among those countries pretty well-known around the world for its super expert doctors and low cost of medical services. To enter Iran for a medical reason, you need to apply for a medical visa. Iran medical visa is a short-term visa that “allows patients to use the health and medical services of the destination country during their stay – requiring specific documents and conditions.”
Growth of Medical Tourism in Iran
Iran has been at a very good level medically from the very distant past until today. In addition to the presence of experienced and specialized doctors, as well as fully standard and up-to-date equipment in Iranian hospitals, Iran’s nature also has good conditions for attracting and treating health tourists.
That is why among other fully developed countries in the world, Iran is ranked 10th in health tourism. In addition to the very famous and well-known mineral water springs in different cities of Iran as well as salt lakes, in Iran you can benefit from the best medical services by paying a low cost. Providing quality and successful medical services at a low cost is the main condition for success in health tourism, and for this reason, Iran medical tourism has been successful.
The most important successful areas of medical tourism in Iran
Among the most important medical categories in which Iran has been very successful, the following can be mentioned:
Heart Surgery
Since Iran is ranked 10th in the world in heart surgery, as a result, it has provided ideal conditions for this type of surgery in the Middle East.
Rhinoplasty
Iran is among the top countries in performing rhinoplasty. As rhinoplasty is very widespread in Iran, as a result, doctors in this field are very skilled and experienced. In addition, the cost of rhinoplasty in Iran is very low compared to European countries and other neighboring countries.
Dental Implants and Dentistry
Iran has a very good position in the field of dental implant science in the world and is the first country in Asia to enter into this discussion because the development of this science was needed to treat war wounded. Iranian specialists and dentists in the field of treatment of gum diseases, tissue engineering, reconstruction of the jaw bone and soft tissue around the teeth, and other dental services have a very high position scientifically in the region.
Infertility Treatment
Cosmetic Surgeries
(hair transplant, nose, jaw, and face cosmetic surgery)
Eye and Keratoconus Surgery
Maxillofacial Surgery
Neurosurgery
Medical Tourism Destinations in Iran
Although most cities in Iran are at a very good level in terms of medicine and treatment, some cities have a better position and have become a destination in Iran medical tourism. For example, Yazd is one of the most successful cities in Iran in medical tourism for infertility treatment. Due to its excellent facilities and equipment in the field of infertility treatment, this city hosts many people from all over the world all year round.
Another very successful city in medical tourism in Iran is Mashhad. Since Mashhad is the most religious tourist city in Iran, many Muslims from the Persian Gulf countries and other parts of the world travel to it. The existence of highly advanced specialized hospitals and the activity of experienced and skilled physicians in various fields such as heart surgery, eye surgery, etc. are the main advantages of Mashhad. In addition, beauty clinics and cosmetic surgery services such as rhinoplasty, hair transplantation, and skin treatment and beauty are other factors that have made Mashhad very successful in the field of medical tourism.
Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz are other successful cities in the field of medical tourism in Iran. Shiraz is the best option for the treatment of liver diseases and their transplantation in the Middle East.
Why Medical Tourism in Iran
- Adhere to medical standards and fight against infectious diseases. Fortunately, Iran copes well with infectious diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid and malaria, and the necessary tests and precautions to prevent them are performed in all hospitals and medical centers.
- Low-cost and convenient treatment and excellent-quality of medical services
- Providing accommodation and welfare facilities for patients and their companions in different cities of Iran at a low cost
- Numerous tourist and natural attractions in different cities such as Sarein hot springs and Salt lakes
How to Get Iran Medical Visa?
To get an Iran Medical visa, tourists must prove that they are able to pay for treatment and accommodation. The validity of the Iranian medical visa is 30 days, which can be extended according to the doctor’s order. getting Iran medical visa may take about 2 to 8 working weeks, depending on your country. With the cooperation of medical tourism facilitation companies in Iran, it has become easy to get Iran medical visa.
The general process for getting Iran medical visa is like any other Iran visa. First, you need to prepare a personal photo and a digital photo of your passport (which should be valid for at least 6 months before departure). Then you need to provide medical documents, previous procedures done in the country of origin, and the patient’s history by your doctor. Then you need to fill out the Iran medical visa application form and send the required documents to us. Our team of travel experts will review your documents and start the process of getting the IPD letter from the hospital according to your needs. After getting the IPD letter, the process of applying for Iran medical visa starts.
In case you have a companion with you, he/she should also apply for an Iran visa but he/she just needs to send us the personal picture, passport picture, and the Iran medical visa application form.
In this article, we talked about Iran medical tourism and how it’s affecting Iran tourism in general. Also, we gave a short summary of how to get an Iran medical visa.
Low Cost of Treatment in Iran: Let’s Compare!
In the end, let’s compare the cost of treatment in Iran with other countries and see the difference!
Health tourism patients visit in different countries:
| No. | Country | Visit Tariff |
| 1 | America | $89 |
| 2 | Canada | $52 |
| 3 | Brazil | $65 |
| 4 | India | $25 |
| 5 | Switzerland | $74 |
| 6 | Germany | $50 |
| 7 | Iran | $4 |
All the above amounts are approximate and for 2019.
The cost of health tourism treatment in Iran:
| No. | Title | Amount |
| 1 | Visit | $4 |
| 2 | Treatment (hospitalization) | $70 to $150 |
| 3 | Medicine | $50 to $70 |
| 4 | Minor Surgery | $500 to $2000 |
| 5 | Major Surgery | $3000 to $8000 |
| 6 | Accommodation | $500 to $700 |
| 7 | Visiting places and tourism | Varies depending on taste and variety |
The cost of health tourism treatment in Iran compared to the top countries of the world
| No. | Name of Disease | Iran / USD | Top Countries of the World / USD |
| 1 | IVF and infertility treatment | $1000 to $2000 | $4000 to $10000 |
| 2 | Dental | $300 to $2000 | $500 to $3000 |
| 3 | Nose surgery and rhinoplasty | $800 to $3000 | $4000 to $12000 |
| 4 | Hair transplant | $1000 to $3000 | $2000 to $12000 |
| 5 | General surgery and organ transplantation | $1000 to $6000 | $5000 to $15000 |
| 6 | Ophthalmology | $500 to $2000 | $1000 to $3000 |
| 7 | Cardiovascular diseases | $2000 to $7000 | $10000 to $15000 |
| 8 | Oncology | $2000 to $5000 | $10000 to $15000 |
| 9 | Spine and neurology | $2000 to $6000 | $3000 to $20000 |
| 10 | Neurosurgery | $2000 to $6000 | $7000 to $15000 |
| 11 | Liposuction | $1500 to $2000 | $4000 to $6000 |
Examining the data in those tables, it becomes evident just how much cheaper medical treatment is in Iran compared to other countries. These tables clearly show the significant difference in healthcare costs, highlighting Iran as an affordable healthcare destination. While many nations struggle with rising medical expenses, Iran stands out as a place where you can receive top-notch medical care without breaking the bank.
FAQs about Iran Medical Visa
Q1: What is medical tourism, and why is it important in Iran?
A1: Medical tourism involves seeking medical or therapeutic activities outside one’s place of residence. Iran values medical tourism due to its expert doctors, affordable services, and natural attractions.
Q2: What is Iran’s ranking in health tourism, and why is it considered successful in this field?
A2: Iran ranks 10th globally in health tourism. Its success is attributed to skilled doctors, modern equipment, affordable costs, and quality medical services.
Q3: What are the significant medical categories in which Iran excels?
A3: Iran excels in heart surgery, rhinoplasty, dental implants, infertility treatment, cosmetic surgeries, eye and keratoconus surgery, maxillofacial surgery, and neurosurgery.
Q4: Which cities in Iran are prominent for medical tourism, and why?
A4: Cities like Yazd and Mashhad excel in medical tourism. Yazd is known for infertility treatment facilities, while Mashhad offers specialized hospitals and religious tourism attractions.
Q5: What are the reasons to consider medical tourism in Iran?
A5: Medical standards, low-cost high-quality treatment, accommodation options, and access to tourist attractions like hot springs and salt lakes make Iran an appealing medical tourism destination.
Q6: How can one obtain an Iran Medical Visa?
A6: To obtain an Iran Medical Visa, you must demonstrate the ability to pay for treatment and accommodation. Provide necessary documents, including medical records, history, and passport information. The process takes 2 to 8 weeks.
Q7: What documents are required for an Iran Medical Visa application?
A7: You need personal and passport photos (a passport with at least 6 months of validity), medical documents, history, and previous procedures. For a companion, personal and passport photos, along with the visa application form, are needed.
Q8: How does the process of getting an Iran Medical Visa work?
A8: Prepare required documents, including medical records. Complete the Iran medical visa application form. Once documents are reviewed, an IPD letter from the hospital is obtained. Apply for the visa with the IPD letter.
Q9: What is the validity of an Iran Medical Visa?
A9: An Iran Medical Visa is initially valid for 30 days, extendable based on doctor’s orders. It is crucial to have a valid passport and necessary documents.
Q10: How does Iran’s success in medical tourism impact its overall tourism industry?
A10: Iran’s success in medical tourism enhances its overall tourism industry by attracting visitors seeking high-quality medical services along with the opportunity to explore the country’s cultural and natural attractions.
Get Your Iran Medical Visa through Customized Tours
If you’re planning to travel to Iran for medical purposes and want to make the most out of your experience, consider opting for a customized and tailored tour. These special tours offer a way to not only focus on your medical needs but also to explore Iran’s diverse culture, history, and scenery.
When you’re going to another country for medical reasons, it’s important to have a well-organized plan that meets your needs. To Iran Tour is here to help. They offer various Iran Tours designed to make your medical trip comfortable and enjoyable.
So, if you’re looking for a special and personalized medical travel experience in Iran, let To Iran Tour guide you. They want to give you an unforgettable journey where you can enjoy medical care and the beauty of Iran at the same time. Let To Iran Tour be your partner in creating wonderful memories as you go on a unique medical travel adventure.
