What is the first thing that comes to your mind by hearing “Iran”?!
Definitely, for most of the people around the world, Iran is what they see in the news. Simply, behind all these propagandas, Iran is a beautiful country with a rich culture, breathtaking nature and nice people. This is why the New York Times put Iran in its Top Places to Travel in 2019 list. Keep in mind that this is despite all political issues and negative propagandas that the USA made against Iran.
With no doubt, direct information gained from those who visited Iran is much trustworthy than what you watch on news. Give it a try and read people’s comments and reviews on Tripadvisor. Also, on our website, you can find books and blogs about Iran. Yet, there are still some questions that people have in their minds before they go to Iran. For example: Why Iran? What to see and what to do in Iran? Is it difficult to obtain an Iran visa? Would it be a problem to travel to other countries with an Iran visa and stamp in passport?! How can I have a stamp-free passport? Here are some brief answers to these questions:
Why Travel to Iran?
Iran is a country with a magnificent history and a glorious culture. In addition, Iran is a four-season country with a variety of geological and geographical attractions.
In the north of Iran, there is a narrow land between the Caspian Sea and Alborz Mountains covered by forest.
Further to the south, is Tehran, the capital of Iran. You can enjoy touring the museums, galleries, historical palaces, parks, ski resorts, modern and traditional cafes, and restaurants and recreational centers in the capital.
On the east of the country, we have the Holy Shrine of Hazrat- Reza, the 8th Imam of Shias. Each year it attracts millions of pilgrims. in 2017, it was named the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. The architecture of the shrine is known as one of the most magnificent structures in the Muslim world.
In the center of Iran, there is Isfahan, the city of blue domes. Isfahan was named the Cultural Capital of the Muslim World in 2006. People call Isfahan “Half of the World” (Nesf-e- Jahan) because of its numerous attractions and monuments.
Shiraz, the city of poets, is approximately 500 km away from Isfahan to the southwest. Nearby Shiraz, there are the ancient remains of Persepolis.
And finally, there is a long coastline, about 2000 km, along the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in the south of Iran with geological attractions and watersport centers.
Plus to the natural and cultural attractions of this ancient country, Iranian hospitality, and kindness of people impress any tourist and visitor. Furthermore, Iran is relatively cheap and can be a good destination for your vacation.
What about Iran Visa and Passport Stamp?
Unfortunately, because of today’s United States’ one-sided sanctions against Iran, one might be worried about the Iran stamp in her/ his passport. The good news is that for entering Iran, you need no stamp/ label in your passport!
The first thing you need to do is to fill out the Iran Visa Request Form at least two days prior to your arrival in Iran. Once you arrive at one of the international airports of Iran, you should tell the immigration officer that you do not want an Iran stamp on the passport. It is THAT easy; Now you have your stamp-free passport!
Also, it is possible for most of the nations (except USA, UK, Canada, Colombia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India) to apply for a visa at the airport with no need to pre-application or filling out the Visa Request Forms prior to their arrival. But it is a time-taking process. So, it is highly recommended to apply for a visa before you come to Iran and collect your visa at the airport or even at an Iranian consulate.
12 Types of Iran Visa
Please notice, before applying for an Iran visa, you should choose your visa type. In doing so, you should do it according to the reason that you are planning your trip to Iran for. There are twelve types of Iran visa:
- Entry Visa (Type A): Entry Visa is for those who willing to travel to Iran with an invitation.
- Tourist Visa (Type B): Tourist Visa is for those who want to travel around Iran for recreational reasons.
- Pilgrimage Visa (Type C): Pilgrimage Visa is for Muslims who intend to visit holy places in Iran.
- Diplomatic Visa (Type D) and Service Visa (Type S): Diplomatic (Type D) and Service (Type S) Visa are for diplomatic and official passport holders.
- Educational Visa (Type E): Educational Visa is for foreign students and religious scholars.
- Contemporary Work Visa (Type F): Contemporary Work Visa is for specialists, engineers and skilled workers having the intention to work in Iran.
- Transit Visa (Type G): Transit Visa is for those who only cross through Iran such as drivers.
- Media Visa (Type H): Media Visa is for members of foreign media.
- Investment Visa (Type I): Investment Visa is for foreign investors. But their investment in Iran should be approved by the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran.
- Marriage Visa (Type M): Marriage Visa is for foreign husbands and children of an Iranian woman.
- Medical Visa (Type T): Medical visa is for foreign patients with physical illness who already have received an approval letter from one of the authorized medical centers.
Obtaining Iran Visa for different countries in a nutshell
Also, it is worth mentioning that if you hold a passport from the following countries, you can travel to Iran visa-free. These countries are Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia, China, Venezuela, Bolivia, Georgia, Egypt, Malaysia, Syria, and Lebanon. On the other hand, citizens of some specific countries like Israel can’t ever obtain an Iran visa. In addition, citizens of some other countries including the USA, UK, and Canada should apply for a visa at least two months before their trip’s schedule to Iran.
It is highly recommended to apply for your visa through an agency in Iran to ease the process and reduce its risk. It is noteworthy that the only possible way for Americans, the British and Canadians to apply for an Iran visa is to do it through an agency. For more information about Iran visa, check the link below, or leave us a comment.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Iran!
