Iran visa options for United States passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Iran

Rules are written for foreign nationals generally; note that citizens of the US, UK and Canada face extra restrictions (must travel on a guided tour via a registered agency and cannot use visa-on-arrival), and a handful of nationalities (e.g. Turkey, Oman, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Malaysia) enjoy visa-free or insurance-exempt entry.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist e-Visa / Tourist Visa (Type B)

  Approx. 30 days for the standard e-visa (extendable inside Iran, reportedly up to ~90 days total); consular tourist visas can allow up to ~90 days. Validity window approx. 90 days from issue. Verify.

  Insurance

  Requiredmandatory travel medical insurance specifically covering Iran is checked at entry and during the visa process; a compliant policy can be bought at airport/border counters. A small list of nationalities (e.g. Turkey, Oman, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Malaysia, Syria, Bolivia, Venezuela) is legally exempt but coverage is still recommended.

  Good for

  Independent and group leisure travellers and people visiting friends/relatives; note US, UK and Canadian citizens must instead travel on a pre-arranged guided tour.

  Requirement

  Apply online at evisa.mfa.ir (fee approx. US$75, varies by nationality) or at a consulate; passport valid 6+ months, photo, confirmed registered accommodation. Most travellers get a visa grant notice in ~2-3 weeks; many nationalities are excluded from visa-on-arrival.

• Tourist

  Pilgrimage Visa (Type C)

  Approx. 30 days. Verify.

  Insurance

  Requiredsame mandatory travel-insurance rule as for tourist entry applies to most nationalities.

  Good for

  Travellers (typically Muslim pilgrims) visiting religious sites such as the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad or the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Qom.

  Requirement

  Consular/e-visa application with passport, photo and pilgrimage purpose; often arranged via a registered agency or pilgrimage organiser.

• Business

  Business / Entry Visa (Type A)

  Short-stay, typically tied to the invitation period; commonly issued for stays in the range of weeks (verify exact term).

  Insurance

  Recommendedtravel medical insurance covering Iran is expected at entry like other short-stay visas; confirm current rule for your nationality.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals invited by an Iranian ministry, organisation or company for meetings, contract negotiations, investment, equipment installation or expert short-term activity.

  Requirement

  Invitation letter / sponsorship from an Iranian host entity, which is the basis for the MFA-issued visa authorisation code, plus passport and photo. Applied for at a consulate.

• Work

  Work / Temporary Employment Visa (Type F) + Work Permit

  Tied to the work permit, which is issued for a defined period and renewable; durations vary by contract. Verify.

  Insurance

  Requiredno clearly documented standalone insurance mandate found; medical examination is required and health/social-insurance enrolment may apply once employed. Verify with the employer/Ministry of Labour.

  Good for

  Skilled foreign workers, specialists and experts (e.g. engineering, medical, industrial) taking up employment with an Iranian employer.

  Requirement

  Iranian employer must obtain a work permit from the Department General for Employment of Foreign Nationals (Ministry of Labour) before the visa is granted; a position can only be filled by a foreigner if no qualified Iranian is available. Requires passport, qualifications/degrees, medical exam and police clearance. Individuals cannot self-apply unless they register an enterprise.

• Study

  Student / Education Visa (Type E)

  Length of the study programme (residence permit renewed for the duration of enrolment). Verify.

  Insurance

  Recommendedno clearly documented standalone insurance mandate found for the student visa itself; students should arrange health coverage and verify whether the institution requires it.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals admitted to an Iranian university, school, religious seminary or research institution for study of more than 30 days.

  Requirement

  Prior admission/acceptance from a recognised Iranian institution and an MFA visa authorisation code; financial-means evidence (bank statements/scholarship). Authorisation code can take 2-8 weeks. Most instruction is in Persian.

• Residence

  Residence by Investment (Investment Residence Permit)

  Five-year residence permit (renewable per reports). Verify.

  Insurance

  Recommendedno specific insurance mandate documented for this route; private health cover advised. Verify.

  Good for

  Foreign investors who place capital in Iran and want a renewable long-term residence permit allowing them to live and do business in the country.

  Requirement

  Qualifying investment in Iran - one source cites approx. US$90,000 for a 5-year permit (another widely cited figure is a US$100,000 deposit in an authorised Iranian bank); figures vary, verify with Iranian authorities. Grants the right to live and conduct business in Iran.

• Transit

  Transit Visa (Type G)

  Approx. 5-7 days. Verify.

  Insurance

  Recommendedtravel medical insurance covering Iran is generally expected at entry for non-exempt nationalities.

  Good for

  Travellers (often drivers/merchants moving with vehicles) passing through Iran en route to a third country, entering and exiting via different borders.

  Requirement

  Onward visa/documentation for the destination country and proof of transit route; consular application with passport and photo.

Iran's visa rules change frequently and many nationalities face guided-tour or sanctions-related restrictions; verify with an Iranian embassy or evisa.mfa.ir before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United States → Iran: frequently asked

Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit Iran?

Visa required. Arrange a visa at a consulate or embassy before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United States passport holder live or work long-term in Iran?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Iran has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Iran?

Entry to Iran never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Iran visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.