VISA
Apart from the Iranian consulate in your country, it is possible to obtain visas on arrival at international airports of Iran. Based on mutual agreement within the framework of international rules and regulations, this option is not for Canadian, British and US citizens. Canadians and Americans can whether go to Interests Section of Islamic Republic of Iran in Washington or one of the Iranian Consulates around the world. Also British citizens can go to the Iranian Consulates in London, Dublin among others in other parts of the world. Citizens of these countries need to obtain a travel authorization number (Grant Notice) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, otherwise getting the visa will not be guaranteed.
Normally between 2 or 3 weeks. At times, even less.
You have to apply for your visa at least 2 months before departure. Normally, the Embassy issues single-entry visas for stays up to 30 days.
Having the documents mentioned above, you can apply for your visa at any international airports of Iran:
Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport
Tehran Mehrabad Airport
Isfahan Shahid Beheshti Airport
Mashhad Hashemi Nejad Airport
Kerman Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani Airport
Tabriz Shahid Madani Airport
Urmia Shahid Bakeri Airport
Kermanshah Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani Airport
Bandar Mahshahr Shohaday-e Parvaz 655 Airport
Qeshm International Airport
In your country or through SITO TRAVEL. It is important to contract an insurance which covers medical expenses with the name of Iran on it.
Visa fee is payable at Iran Visa and Passport Office at the airport, open 24 hours a day, preferably in euro or American dollar. Visa fee costs 75 euros per person. Up to four persons, it is possible to pay at the airport, while from five persons it should be paid before your arrival by Iranian travel agencies to Iran’s MFA, sending the receipt to the Visa Office at the airport to issue it. For those who prefer to obtain their visa by going to Iranian consulate in their country it will cost 50 euros. However, it may differ due to currency exchange in Iran.
Once you arrived at the airport, you have to go to the visa counter, indicated at the exit, and identify yourself by showing your passport and Reference Letter.
The photo is required to complete the application, hence there is no need to take it with you. However, you need to have a hardcopy of your Reference Letter and travel assistance insurance.
Yes, this letter received from SITO TRAVEL is an official one issued by Iran, considered as such by all airlines.
As soon as receiving your application, we will be in charge of requesting your visa. We upload the data in the official website accessible. After having it confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will receive the first visa confirmation letter. This Letter of Reference will be the only official reference through which the visa is obtained. That is, the letter is not equivalent to the visa which will be issued later.
No. No page of your passport will be stamped. You will receive an e-Visa.
Yes, the Iranian government has abolished this law. Therefore, you can travel to Iran despite having been to the countries mentioned above and vice versa.
There is absolutely no need to have any headwear in the photos.
Get your visa for Iran with SITO TRAVEL
To travel to Iran, get a tourist visa before your departure is a matter of high importance. Down below, we are going to explain how SITO TRAVEL helps you in the procedure of getting your visa by providing all the necessary information in order to accomplish it.
As a local tour operator, SITO TRAVEL is permitted to access to official channels to follow the procedure and visa issuance. In addition, SITO TRAVEL makes available the appropriate form and updates the application receipt within a few hours. In a week or two, you will receive a reference letter by which you can get the visa at the airport of Iran or the Iranian consulate in your country.
You only have to prepare your documents, fill out the form on our website and wait to receive the confirmation email and the official letter of visa for Iran after that.
Do not hesitate to contact us by filling out the form on the top right.
Yes, when you are asked to fill in the application form and send us the documents, you can choose whether one of the international airports of Iran or the Iranian Consulate in your country as your visa place of issue. SITO TRAVEL must know and verbalize this option when loading your application. In any case, you will receive the Reference Letter from the agency. Regarding the place of issue, it is all up to you.
Obtain a visa for your trip to Iran with SITO Travel
Obtaining a visa before leaving is a very decisive point for traveling to Iran. Below we will find out how SITO Travel makes obtaining a visa easy by providing you with all the necessary information that will make the issuance of the visa more practical. SITO Travel, being a Local Tour Operator, has authorized access to the official channels through which it follows the procedure and the issuance of the Reference Letter to issue the visa for travel to Iran. In addition, SITO Travel puts the appropriate form at your disposal and in a few hours updates the receipt of the application made. In a few weeks you will also receive E-VISA with which you can obtain a visa both in Iran and in your country.
Prepare the documents (Scan of the first page of the passport and passport photo 6*4), fill out the Application Form you find on our website and all that remains is to wait to receive the confirmation e-mail and then E-Visa for Iran.
- A scanned copy in color of your passport.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months to its expiry date.
- A visa photo with brightly colored background (same as passport).
- Travel assistance Insurance.
- Confirmed round trip tickets.
- Filled out visa application form.
Telecommunications
Yes, a SIM card will cost you approximately $10, including some gigabytes. During the trip, you can purchase extra internet packages and recharge the card. Once the SIM card is inserted, it will take a few hours to activate. Having been activated, you can log in to WhatsApp and make your calls.
Yes, most of them are equipped with free Wi-Fi. Additionally, you can reach internet in cafes, especially in big cities.
Before leaving, remember to check with your operator to make sure that you will not be out of range and pay the fee.
The other option is to purchase a local SIM card to avoid roaming charges.
Due to government policies, some websites and social networks are not available. However, apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram are accessible.
The international dialing code for Iran is (0098) or (+98). To call a number in Iran you need to dial this code followed by the city code.
Reservation
Yes, reservations are required to ensure that the tour will run smoothly. Besides, they allow us to check the availability of guides, hotels and drivers and to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
Preparation
Here, there some tips to considerate for choosing the most suitable attire for your trip: comfortable clothes and items according to the season. Hence, it is highly advisable to wear sport clothes, making movements easier without obstructing circulation system by elastic bands or tight ties. You had better discard garments of synthetic fibers that avoid sweating, especially on hot days. Do not forget the technique of getting dressed in layers which adapts the body temperature better to climatic variations and protects it against wind and temperature changes.
For women, a light cotton scarf is sufficient, especially in summer, and loose shirts that cover the body shape. The best outfit for women can be loose long-sleeved blouses and not very tight or transparent pants, regardless of the color. Makeup, nail polish or sandals without sock are allowed.
Except shorts and sleeveless shirts, men can wear every outfit.
Since the trip includes almost everything, there is no need to take lots of things. It is advisable to take seasonal clothing, a hardcopy of your passport and visa. Besides, it is very important to have cash with you (euro or US dollar), as credit and debit cards cannot be used in Iran.
Practical Information About Iran
Iranians celebrate “Nowruz” (new day) on the first day of spring, which usually occurs on March 21. Although, it might change one or two days.
In big cities, you can find people who speak English.
The official language of the country is Persian, an Indo-European language and different from Semitic languages such as Hebrew and Arabic. There is a great variety of accents among Iranians speaking Persian. Also, other indigenous languages such as Kurdish and Azeri are spoken in some regions.
The Iranian cuisine is a cultural element of the country and the diet base constitutes rice along with vegetables, spices (not very spicy), meat and condiments.
In general, Iranian people eat salad as appetizer, and then the main course, sometimes accompanied by a dessert with tea.
The most preferable meal is Kebab, served with rice and roasted tomato.
The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Iran.
The traditional Iranian drink is Dugh (melted yogurt) along with other soft drinks such as Coca Cola, water and beer (non-alcoholic).
In Iran, you will find a great variety of both fresh and dry fruits and jams.
As Islam is the official religion of the country, the majority of Iranians are Muslims (mostly Shiites). There are other religious minorities representing 1% of the population such as Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism, etc.
As Iran is a very vast country, it has a very varied climate depending where you are at any given time. During winter (December to February) it is cold, especially in the northwest. The coldest regions are in the north and west of the country. In the west, the snow often remains until early spring. During summer (June to August), the temperature reaches 50° on the coast of the Persian Gulf and in the cities of the south, although in the cities it is normally between 30 to 38 centigrade, quite bearable due to the dry climate.
In April and May, the average temperature in the cities varies between 20 to 30°C, depending on the city. It may be raining, therefore, we usually recommend wearing light clothing without forgetting a warm top.
No, it is totally prohibited and the consumers will get severely punished.
Payment
No, we will not charge additional fees or fuel surcharges. The price we give you also includes taxes.
As it might be difficult to get access to a printer on your trip, there is no need to have a hardcopy. However, it is necessary to present your ID card in order to match it with the reservation number mailed to you.
Contact us for the latest information on your desired trip. Once you have the dates established, out team will take care of a tailor-made trip that suits your desires.
You have to inform us at least 60 days before the date of your scheduled trip for a full refund. Within 60 days, we will apply the cancellation fees and there will be no refund for cancellations within the last 24 hours.
To guarantee the price, we receive a deposit of 30% of the total amount owned within 2 weeks for bookings along with the total cost of visa fees (not refundable). 30 days prior arrival, you have to make the full payment.
Transfer charges applied by bank are on passengers and you have to keep its scanned copy for our reference.
Cancellation fees:
| 60 days prior to arrival | No Charge |
| 60-45 days prior to arrival | 15 % of the due amount |
| 45-30 days prior to arrival | 30 % of the due amount |
| 30-15 days prior to arrival | 50 % of the due amount |
| 14-03 days prior to arrival | 75 % of the due amount |
| 01 days or no show | 100 % of the due amount |
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Carry-on baggage
Generally, passengers are allowed to bring on-board the airplane a piece of cabin baggage free of charge beside a personal item following the restrictions below:
Economy class: maximum weight of 7 kilos.
In the case of having a backpack, the weight should not exceed 8 kilos.
The size of hang baggage should not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm including handles and wheels. For flights operated by partner airlines, the limits of that airline will be applied. Hand baggage is not allowed for children sitting on their parents lap.
Checked baggage
The maximum weight of checked-in baggage is 20 kilos. In case of exceeding this limit, service charges in local currency will be applied.
Since the holidays in Iran are based on the lunar calendar, the dates may vary a few days each year. On the other hand, national holidays are based on the solar calendar (Persian calendar) that compared to the Gregorian calendar have fixed dates. In Iran, as any other Muslim country, Friday is the weekend.
: See more.
In the case of lost or stolen documents you should go to one of the police stations as soon as possible to report it. After that, you need to contact the Immigration Office in the city regarding the issue.
The address of the Immigration Office in Tehran:
Valiasr Street, across from Zartosht Sreet (closed on Fridays).
In Iran, the standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
The power plugs and sockets are type of C / F .
Our guide or driver will wait for you at the arrival terminal of your flight carrying a sign with your name on or a SITO TRAVEL board.
Yes, if you take them regularly. Having a greater amount than the daily consumption requires legal authorization from the Ministry of Health, in addition to pay taxes and additional charges. In any case, it is allowed to have a first aid kit, for which it is advisable to have painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, pills for dizziness, anti-diarrhea and stomach protectors.
Yes, having a valid assistance insurance in an essential (preferably in English). Also, there is the possibility of getting one upon arrival at the airport in Tehran.
Officially adopted time zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +3: 30 hours
Daylight saving time starts on March 21st at 00:00 (local time) and ends on September 21st at 00:00.
Yes, except the case that one of them has Iranian nationality. If so, it is necessary to show a marriage certificate.
The risks that could arise and the precautions to be taken are the same all over the world. Therefore, Iran is a destination no more or less safe than others for women.
Each passport holder is allowed to have up to 10 kg of nuts and 100g of saffron. Regarding caviar, each passenger can have 125g in a package well stamped by the authorities and provided with the invoice.
Each passport holder is allowed to have hand-woven carpets up to 20 m2 regardless of number or size. It is worth mentioning that the ban on carrying historical carpets or ones with national value. It is advisable to keep the invoices of all your purchases to be credited to customs.
It is possible that some passengers’ baggage and cargo may be lost of left in the terminal upon arrival or departure or during the inspection procedure, as well as the possibility of taking the wrong baggage. In that case, as soon as becoming aware of what has happened, you should report it immediately to the baggage handler. If the owner is unknown, the item must be delivered to the airport police station where other passengers, who have lost their items, can go and retrieve them.
It also can be done by following the rules below once you arrive at your home country or a few days later.
In order to be recognized as the owner of the lost cargo by the police you should take:
- Your original passport or any identification document such as birth certificate or ID card.
- Original power of attorney, in case of emergency.
- Original title, product packaging or purchase invoice (for products such as cell phone, laptop and camera)
- Original purchase invoice, if the missing item is gold or jewelry.
Currency Exchange
Rial is the official currency of Iran and the figures of coins and bills minted by the government are expressed in rial. Due to the inflation and uselessness of zero in rial, Iranians normally use another currency, toman, which is equivalent to ten rials. The use of toman, not officially recognized, makes momentary calculations easier, despite the fact that the prices are written in rial. For instance: if a piece of bread costs 30000 rials, the baker tells the customers 3000 tomans.
It is up to you. You can change them both at exchange offices, but having euros is preferable.
You can change money at the exchange offices or the bank at the airport.
In order to find today’s official exchange rate, click on the link to the Central Bank of Iran.
Due to sanctions, there is no possibility to withdraw money from your bank account by using Master Card, debit card, credit card or American Express. Every passenger is allowed to have up to 9,999 euros. However, some high-quality craft stores use new methods that let you use your credit card, etc. Just in case, it is advisable to consider the lack of probability of withdrawing money from your account and paying by card in stores, hotels and restaurants.
Clothing
Despite Iran’s rules that stipulate certain types of clothing for men, choosing attire for men is not a complicated matter. Shorts are forbidden in public places, but short-sleeved shirts are acceptable. It is important to avoid wearing clothes with offensive signs.
Foreign tourists have to wear clothes that respect country’s rules, although they are not very strict for tourists. Women should wear a scarf to cover their hair and not very tight or short-sleeved clothes. It is advisable to wear sunglasses and caps in summer, and there is no limit in wearing shoes without socks such as sandals… Although, it is preferable to put on resistant sneakers.
Since swimming pool schedules for men and women are made in a way that they do not coincide and there are exclusive beaches for women, you can wear any kind of swimsuit that you want.
There are no restrictions on that regard. Contrary to this belief, we recommend wearing light colors, especially in summer.
CLIMATE
As we live exciting adventures, any weather condition is in our favor. Is the weather is not pleasant for any reason, the trip will be postponed and we will inform you of changes.
Iran weather
Due to climate changes, forecasts are not always accurate. You can consult the World Weather Information Service (WWIS) website of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for climate forecasts based on the data provided by meteorological institutions in 135 countries.
Also, you can install the weather application on IOS and Android on your cellphone by consulting the following website:
: Atmospheric conditions in Iran
Being a vast country, it has a variable climate. During winter (December to February) it is cold, especially in the northwest. The coldest regions are in the north and west of the country. In the west, the snow often remains until early spring. During summer (June to August), the temperature reaches 50° on the coast of the Persian Gulf and in the cities of the south, although in the cities it is normally between 30 to 38 centigrade, quite bearable due to the dry climate.