Iran has recently announced a new policy for their tourist visa requirements for most nationalities in July 2025. Here's what you need to know about the new Iran Visitors Visa Rules.
Without a doubt, Iran is one of the most fascinating countries in the Middle East to visit.
However, it also has one of the most complex visa policies with strict requirements, depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.
In July 2025, following the Twelve-Day Iran-Israel War, Iran updated its visa rules, especially its visitor's visa requirements.
These changes affect most nationalities, even those who previously benefited from more relaxed regulations, such as EU Passport Holders and Australia.
Here’s what you need to know about the new Iranian visitor and tourist visa requirements, updated in July 2025.
What Has Changed in the Iranian Tourist Visa Requirements?
For years, American, British, and Canadian passport holders have faced more stringent Iranian visa rules than the rest of the world.
Their travel to Iran must be arranged through a registered travel agency, and their visitor visa must be approved in advance by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A visa sticker must be obtained prior in the Iranian Embassies or Consulates in the home country (for the US, the Iranian Interest Section is located within the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C.)
Once in Iran, these travellers must also be accompanied by an approved tour guide at all times.
Other nationalities, however, have enjoyed far more flexibility with their itineraries, and many could apply for an e-Visa online or obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Iran’s major airports.
For these nationalities, independent travel without a guide was also permitted.
But that has now changed.
In July 2025, following its brief conflict with Israel, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced new visitor visa rules.
These rules now apply to most nationalities, including passport holders from the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and others.
After a one month suspension of tourism visas post-conflict, the Ministry now requires most travellers to enter Iran as part of a pre-arranged tour package organised through a registered travel agency, pretty much the same rule that already applied to American, British, and Canadian visitors.
This change takes effect immediately.
Read more - Can Americans Travel to Iran? A Comprehensive Guide for U.S. Passport Holders to Iran
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa Under the New Rules
To apply for an Iranian tourist visa, all trip details must be pre-arranged with an approved travel agency, which includes travel dates, entry and exit points, full itinerary and proposed accommodation details.
Once confirmed, these details are submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval.
And the visa extension service, which used to be allowed to process once a visitor is in Iran, is now not allowed.
Are There Any Exceptions to these new rules?
Yes, but they are very limited.
Overland travellers using recreational vehicle RV or campers, motorbikes, or bicycles are exempt from joining a group tour.
However, they must still be accompanied by a registered tour guide for the entire duration of their journey through Iran.
While campers may sleep in their own vehicle unit, they must still use registered accommodations when possible, and the guide is required to stay in a hotel.
There are a handful of passport holders from certain countries from mostly Asian countries (Turkiye, Malaysia, China, Japan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore), Africa (Tanzania, Seychelles and Mauritania) and the Americas (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Cuba) and some others who can visit Iran with visa free, with limited days of stay, with no requirements to book a mandatory tour packages.
How to apply for Iran Tourist Visa?
If you are visiting Iran and affected by the new rules due to your nationality, you must apply for the Iran Visitors Visa through registered companies in Iran.
You will have to either join in an organized tour group by these companies, or plan an itinerary to accommodate your needs, but still need to be arranged by them.
After the tour and itinerary is finalised, only registered tour agency can submit your Iran tourist visa to the Ministry for approval.
What’s Next?
At the time of writing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still finalising the implementation of these new visa regulations. Further changes or adjustments should be expected as the system evolves.
But for now, this is what we know.
Stay tuned for updates as they’re confirmed, and always check with your travel agency for the latest requirements before booking your trip.
Koryo Tours
Iran Travel Guide
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