Middle East and North Africa

British nationals require a visa to travel to Iran.  Please note that British nationals are not eligible to obtain visas on arrival at airports in Iran. The Iranian Consulate in London is at 50 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DB; tel: 020 7937 5225; fax:  020 7938 1615; (website http://www.iran-embassy.org.uk).  Visa applications should be lodged well in advance of your date of travel.  The application process for an Iranian visa can be protracted and unpredictable.  Travellers are therefore advised not to purchase flight tickets or pay for hotels and other travel arrangements before they have secured a visa. Women, and girls over the age of nine, should wear a headscarf in their visa application photos.

You should make sure that your travel documentation is in order and check the expiry date of your visa before travelling.  If you overstay your visa you may be required to remain in Iran until the situation has been resolved.

Some British travellers have experienced considerable difficulties in trying to obtain visas from private online visa agencies.

Passports

All passports must be valid for a minimum period of six months after arrival. 

Dual nationality

Iran does not recognise dual nationality. If you are regarded as an Iranian national under Iranian law, you will be required to enter and depart Iran using Iranian travel documents.  This may apply if your father is Iranian, or if you are married to an Iranian man, even if you do not consider yourself Iranian.  If you travel on your Iranian travel documents you should ensure that you have the appropriate UK Immigration re-entry/residence endorsement or alternatively your British passport with you when you enter and leave Iran.   For more information on Iranian dual nationality issues contact the Consular Section at the British Embassy, Tehran – email – tehran.consular@fco.gov.uk.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Iranian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.