Iran entry requirements for Chile passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed July 3, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Chilean passport holders can get a visa on arrival at most major airports and land borders in Iran. It's valid for up to 30 days and costs €50–€75, depending on your nationality. As of 2026, the process is straightforward but requires a few documents ready before you queue.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrivalYou can get a visa when you land at certain airports instead of applying beforehand. Available at designated airports | Chilean passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival at major Iranian airports (e.g., Tehran Imam Khomeini, Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz). The visa is valid for up to 30 days and costs approximately €75–€100 (payable in euros or other major currencies). You must have a confirmed hotel booking and travel insurance. Note: Visa on arrival is not available at land borders. | Required |
| Passport validityYour passport needs to be valid for half a year after you arrive. At least 6 months remaining | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry into Iran. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesYou need an empty page in your passport for the visa stamp. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must contain at least 1 blank visa page for the visa on arrival sticker. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketShow a ticket that proves you will leave Iran before your visa expires. Proof of departure | You must have a confirmed return or onward flight ticket showing your departure from Iran within the visa validity period. | Required |
| Proof of fundsCarry evidence you can support yourself financially during your trip. Sufficient for stay | You may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds for your stay in Iran. While no specific amount is officially published, having access to at least €500 or equivalent is advisable. | Recommended |
| Travel insuranceYou need insurance that covers you in Iran; you can buy it at the airport if needed. Mandatory for visa on arrival | Travel insurance valid in Iran is required to obtain a visa on arrival. This can often be purchased at the airport upon arrival if you do not have it beforehand. | Required |
| Accommodation bookingHave a hotel reservation ready to show at the airport. Confirmed hotel reservation | You must have a confirmed hotel booking for your entire stay in Iran. This is checked when applying for the visa on arrival. | Required |
| Visa application formYou fill out a form when you land; pre-registering online can save time. Completed on arrival | You will need to fill out a visa application form at the airport. Some travelers choose to pre-register online via the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to speed up the process, but this is optional. | Required |
| Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out any special arrival form. Not required | No specific arrival declaration form is required for Chile passport holders entering Iran. | Not required |
Cash only for visa fee
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash — euros, US dollars, or British pounds. No credit cards, no local currency. Bring small denominations (€10, €20, $20) to avoid problems with change.
Women: dress code starts at the plane
As soon as you land, women must have a headscarf on and wear clothing that covers arms and legs. Pack a scarf in your carry-on. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
For Chileans, the process is routine and rarely denied if you have the right documents. Just be patient — queues can be long during peak hours. Allow 30–60 minutes after landing.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the visa-on-arrival counter
After landing at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) or other major airports, follow signs for 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Visa Issuance'. You'll find a small office before passport control. Join the queue — it can take 20–60 minutes depending on flight volume.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a short form asking for your name, passport details, address in Iran, and purpose of visit. Fill it in English or Persian. If you don't have a pen, borrow one from another traveller — the counter rarely provides them.
3
Submit documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, completed form, passport photo (if they ask — sometimes they take your photo on the spot), and your return ticket and hotel booking. Pay the visa fee in cash (euros, dollars, or pounds). They'll give you a receipt.
4
Wait for visa processing
They'll process your application and print the visa sticker. This usually takes 10–30 minutes. You can sit in the waiting area. They may call your name when it's ready.
5
Collect passport with visa and proceed to immigration
Once your visa is ready, collect your passport with the sticker inside. Then go to the main passport control queue. The officer will stamp you in. Keep the visa sticker safe — you'll need it when you leave.
Download Iran Entry Checklist
PDF · Chile Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated July 3, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Business visa
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months
Cost€80–€120
Requires invitation from Iranian company; apply at embassy.
Student visa
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€50–€100
Requires acceptance letter from Iranian university.
Transit visa (5 days)
Max stay5 days
Validity15 days
Cost€30–€50
For overland transit; must show onward travel.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (30 days)Payable in euros or USD at airport bank counter. | €50–€75 |
| Visa extension (up to 30 days)Apply at local police office; fee varies by nationality. | €15–€30 |
| Exit feeIncluded in airline ticket for most flights; land exit may require cash. | €5–€10 |
Common reasons for entry denial
Incomplete or incorrect documentation40%
Previous visa violations in Iran25%
Passport validity less than 6 months15%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Iran
No transit visa needed
Chilean passport holders can transit airside without a visa for up to 24 hours at Imam Khomeini International Airport.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a transit visa is required.
Transit hubsImam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) · Mashhad International Airport (MHD)
Health & vaccines for Iran
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if traveling from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, polio)Essential
Health risks
Air pollutionModerate risk
Common in Tehran and large cities; avoid outdoor exertion on high-pollution days.
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Drink bottled water; avoid street food.
RabiesLow risk
Avoid contact with stray animals.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas of Sistan and Baluchestan province; prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Tehran
Tehran Immigration Office (Police +11)
Valiasr Street, near Vanak Square
Sat–Wed 8:00–14:00
Practical information for CL travellers
Country basics
CapitalTehran
LanguagePersian (Farsi)
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyIranian rial (IRR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1,279,924.33 IRR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3:30
vs New York+7h30m
vs Los Angeles+10h30m
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
Yes, at all major international airports: Imam Khomeini (Tehran), Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kish, and Qeshm. Land borders also offer visa on arrival, but the process can be slower and less predictable.
The fee is typically €50–€75, depending on your nationality and the current exchange rate. Pay in cash — euros, US dollars, or British pounds. No cards accepted. Bring small denominations to avoid issues with change.
It's valid for 30 days from the date of issue. You can extend it once for another 30 days at a local police station or immigration office in Iran. The extension fee is around €10–€15.
If you're staying airside and not passing through immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you leave the transit area (e.g., to catch a connecting flight from a different terminal), you'll need a transit visa. Check with your airline.
You'll likely be denied the visa on arrival. Immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Book a refundable ticket or a cheap onward flight just in case.
Yes, it's now allowed. Iran no longer denies entry to travellers with Israeli stamps or visas. However, you may face additional questioning. Be honest and polite.
Yes, all women (including tourists) must cover their hair with a headscarf and wear loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs from the moment they step off the plane. Airport immigration will expect this. Bring a scarf in your carry-on.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on July 3, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.