Iran entry requirements for Ireland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 18, 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
Irish passport holders can get a visa on arrival at most major airports and land borders in Iran. It's valid for 30 days and costs €75–€100, depending on your nationality. You'll need a confirmed hotel booking and travel insurance before you travel.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Iran eVisa | Apply for an Iranian eVisa at e-visa.ir/en/ before you travel. Processing takes 3–7 working days, and you must select 'Visa on Arrival' as the method — the eVisa approval letter is then presented at the airport to get the actual visa sticker. Print the approval letter and carry two passport photos.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport 6 months validity | Your Irish passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Iran. Airlines check this at check-in, and Iranian immigration enforces it strictly. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Outbound flight required | Immigration officers at Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports routinely ask for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they may also check the date matches your visa validity. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your Iranian host. Immigration may ask for the address and phone number of where you are staying on arrival. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Cash or card | Have at least €500 or equivalent in cash (USD or EUR preferred) to show you can cover your stay. Credit cards issued outside Iran do not work inside the country — bring enough cash for your entire trip. | Recommended |
Cash is king
You must pay the visa fee in cash (euros or US dollars). No cards, no ATMs at the visa counter. Bring enough cash to cover the fee plus a little extra for incidentals.
Women: dress code applies from the moment you land
You must have your headscarf and modest clothing ready before you go through passport control. Airports have prayer rooms where you can adjust your clothing if needed.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the airport or land border
You can get the visa on arrival at Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA), Mashhad (MHD), Shiraz (SYZ), Isfahan (IFN), Tabriz (TBZ), and several other airports. Also available at land borders like Bazargan (from Turkey) and Mirjaveh (from Pakistan).
2
Go to the visa-on-arrival counter
After passport control, look for the 'Visa on Arrival' counter. You'll fill out a short form and pay the fee in euros or US dollars (cash only — no cards). Have your hotel booking and return ticket ready.
3
Get your visa sticker and enter
The officer will issue a 30-day visa sticker in your passport. You can then proceed to passport control, get stamped, and enter Iran. The whole process usually takes 20–40 minutes.
Download Iran Entry Checklist
PDF · Ireland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 15 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€50 (approx. $54 USD)
Apply at Iranian embassy; allows one entry.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 15 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost€100 (approx. $108 USD)
For frequent travelers; requires justification.
Long-stay visa (business/cultural)
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost€150 (approx. $162 USD)
Requires sponsor in Iran; for work or study.
student visa
Iran Student Visa
1 year, renewable annually
€50 (approx. $54 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at Iranian universities. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work.
work visa
Iran Work Visa
1 year, renewable
€150 (approx. $162 USD) plus employer sponsorship
For foreign workers with a job offer from an Iranian company. Requires labor ministry approval and contract.
investor visa
Iran Investor Visa
3 years, renewable
€500 (approx. $540 USD) plus investment
For investors committing at least $50,000 USD in an Iranian business. Includes residency rights.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival entry feePayable at major airports; valid for 30 days. | €75 (approx. $80 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)Obtained from Iranian embassy before travel. | €50 (approx. $54 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Available for certain nationalities; check with embassy. | €100 (approx. $108 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of €300 (approx. $325 USD). | €10 (approx. $11 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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
Irish passport holders can transit through Iranian airports without a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For land or sea transit, a visa is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Iranian visa may exit the airport during transit.
Transit hubsImam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), Tehran · Mashhad International Airport (MHD) · Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)
Health & vaccines for Iran
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Common due to contaminated food/water; practice good hygiene.
Mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., West Nile virus)Low risk
Low risk for tourists, but present in some rural areas.
Air pollutionModerate risk
High in major cities like Tehran; may affect those with respiratory conditions.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural areas of Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces; prophylaxis not routinely recommended for standard tourist itineraries.
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 (General Department of Aliens Affairs)
No. 1, Shahid Beheshti Ave., Tehran
Sat–Wed 08:00–14:00
For visa extensions and re-entry permits; bring passport, photos, and fee.
Mashhad
Mashhad Immigration Office
Khorasan Blvd., Mashhad
Sat–Wed 08:00–14:00
Handles extensions for tourists visiting holy sites.
Practical information for IE 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 = 1,219,377.01 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
The fee is around €75–€100 (or equivalent in US dollars). You must pay in cash — no credit or debit cards accepted. The exact amount depends on your nationality and the current exchange rate.
Yes, you can extend your 30-day visa once for an additional 30 days. Go to the Aliens Police office in any major city (Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, etc.). The extension costs about €15–€20 and takes a few hours to process.
If you're transiting through an Iranian airport and staying airside (not passing through immigration), you don't need a visa. If you want to leave the airport, you'll need the visa on arrival or a pre-arranged visa.
Yes, all women (including tourists) must cover their hair with a headscarf in public. Loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs is also required. This is strictly enforced at airports and in public spaces.
Not all land borders offer visa on arrival. The main ones that do are Bazargan (from Turkey), Mirjaveh (from Pakistan), and the Armenia-Iran border at Nakhchivan. The Turkmenistan and Iraq borders generally do not offer visa on arrival.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined approximately €10–€15 per day overstayed, and you may be questioned by immigration. In extreme cases, you could be banned from re-entering Iran. Always extend before your visa expires.
All foreign visitors must register with the local police within 8 days of arrival. Your hotel will usually do this for you automatically. If you're staying with friends or family, you need to go to the nearest police station yourself.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.