Iran visa requirements for Russians in 2021

General information

In 2021, after negotiations between the Russian and Iranian authorities, changes were made to the rules for crossing the state border. If certain conditions are met, the need for a tourist pass has been waived.

In 2021, a citizen of the Russian Federation traveling as part of an organized group can enter Iran under the rules of visa-free entry.

In other cases, a visa to Iran is required.

Iran on the world map

Cost and processing time for a visa

If you follow all the rules, you will not have to wait longer than 10 days for the document. The cost of an Iran visa for Russians depends on the type of document. Registration of a transit ticket costs 35 €. The cost of a single-entry tourist visa is 40€. If you need to issue a double document, you will have to pay 50 €. The cost of a multiple document is 120€.

Many people are wondering whether the Iran visa for Russians in 2021 has been canceled or not. So far there has been no confirmation of this. A tourist visa is still valid for 14 days after issue.

Obtaining a visa on arrival

A visa to Iran upon arrival is issued under a simplified visa regime. This applies to foreigners planning to stay in the country for no longer than 1 week. The permission is set automatically.

This service is relevant for tourists arriving at the airports of the following cities:

1. Isfahan.
2. Tabriz.
3. Shiraz.
4. Tehran.

Iranian visa on arrival is issued for a period of 1 month. There is a possibility of its extension.

Iranian visa on arrival

Required Documentation

To obtain a pass at the airport you will need a small package of documents.

How not to make a mistake when filling out a migration card

How to obtain a pass upon arrival

Instructions for those arriving in Iran are as follows:

1. Go to the window with the inscription “Insurance”. It is located to the left of the window labeled “Visa”.
2. Buy insurance. Its cost is $15/14 days. If the traveler already has an issued insurance policy, it must be presented to the employee and received a stamp. The policy must contain a specific reference to Iran , and not to “the whole world.”
3. Without waiting in line, go to the visa window and present your policy.
4. Receive the form and fill it out. In the paragraph “Contact person in Iran” you can write no. tel. hotels.
5. Go to the next window and pay the fee. Cost – $80.
6. Return to window No. 1, present your passport, medical certificate, application form and receipt of payment of the fee.
7. Receive a document with a pasted pass.

If the queue is small, the procedure takes 20-30 minutes. Otherwise, it may take 1.5 hours.

Receipt for payment of the fee

Visas to Iran

VISA TO IRAN during a pandemic

Tourist reference codes are still not issued, but it is possible to travel to Iran on a business visa. The cost of a reference code for such a visa is higher - 15,000 rubles. In addition, the time frame for preparing the reference code has changed; it is up to 10 days.

The cost of a business visa upon receipt at the airport is 70 euros. Currently, it is better to apply for a visa at the airport, since the consulate may ask questions about business partners and the purpose of the trip.

We also recommend using our VIP meeting service at the airport, its cost now is 6,000 rubles. In this case, all visa processing at the airport will be handled by a VIP service employee. This will help avoid overlaps.

The requirements for the application form are the same as for the tourist form. The plan indicates dates and hotels. If you have business partners, you can list them where you list your acquaintances in Iran. But this is optional.

An insurance policy is required for the trip; it must indicate Iran. You will need to make it in advance; they may no longer be sold at the airport. An insurance policy can also be issued through us.

You will also now need to take a PCR test for coronavirus 48 hours before travel.

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Iran.

In connection with the transition to an electronic visa system, Iran has changed the appearance of issued documents.

Now the Iranian visa is issued OUTSIDE the passport, on a separate insert, very similar in appearance to the sheet with the reference code, but smaller in size. The visa must still be carried with your passport while you are in Iran. Please note that entry and exit stamps will also be affixed not to the passport, but directly to the visa.

In some cases, upon receipt at the airport, they do not even issue such a visa, but simply ask you to wait ten minutes and then boldly go through passport control.

Applying for a visa on arrival

Visas on arrival are issued at international airports: - TehranImamKhomeini- (IKA) - Mashhad (MHD), - Esfahan (IFN), - Shiraz (SYZ), - Tabriz (TBZ), - GheshmIsland (GSM), - KishIsland (KIH).

There are two ways to obtain a visa on arrival:

— apply for a visa permit in advance (the applicant is sent the 7th reference code) at the Iranian immigration service through a travel agency authorized by the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs or an inviting party (organization or individual). It is impossible to independently obtain a visa permit online on the website of the Iranian Ministry of Internal Affairs for technical reasons.

- obtain a visa directly at the airport without a reference code when crossing the border (the visa application form is filled out on the spot) - in this case, the procedure for crossing the border may take a little longer: as practice shows, immigration officials either interview the tourist or contact Iranian “guarantor” (private person) or with the hotel where the foreigner has booked a room. To obtain a visa, in addition to a foreign passport, you need a 3 x 4 cm color photograph and a return ticket or a ticket to a third country.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry system cannot issue a visa to anyone unless an electronic application form has been previously submitted for this person (also known as a reference code, since each application form is assigned a specific code). Thus, even the Consulates no longer offer to fill out forms by hand. You can fill out the form for free on the website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. However, if something confuses the robots processing requests there, they can easily issue a refusal or suggest applying through a travel agency.

Tourists are sent to travel agencies in order to receive a certain “guarantee of reliability.” After all, the agency is responsible for those to whom it sends profiles. In addition, agency profiles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are processed by live operators, and the load there is much less than in the general robotic system. Therefore, processing occurs faster, within 2-3 days. While in a free system, processing can officially last up to 10 days, and sometimes questionnaires “freeze” even for 2-3 weeks.

Attention! If you have already submitted your details through a free system, there is no point in submitting your details through a travel agency until the system responds. In any case, the Iranian Foreign Ministry system is common to everyone and will not accept data on a person again if he is already “being processed.”

Please note that flying to the Iranian border without a reference is now also quite risky. Iranians often accommodate residents of the Russian Federation halfway: if a person does not have the required document, they themselves send the data to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and receive the required number for issuing a visa. But if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuses (for example, the tourist’s data is found on some “wrong” list), he will be immediately deported. Isn’t it better to undergo such a check in advance and not wait a few extra hours at the border, in not the most comfortable conditions? In addition, border guards do not really like extra work, and sometimes they directly explain that they will give a visa now, but in the future they will be blacklisted, because Appearing at the border without a reference is officially considered a violation of the law.

Registration of reference code

To obtain a reference code, the applicant must provide:

1. a scanned page of your passport with personal data. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip;
2. completed form or survey

The receiving party transmits this data directly to the Iranian Ministry of Internal Affairs, and, in case of a positive decision, the tourist receives a reference number, which must be given when going through passport control. Based on this, after paying the visa fee, a visa is issued. To obtain a visa, you must also provide a 3 x 4 cm color photograph.

Visa fee and visa validity on arrival

The visa fee is paid upon passing through passport control at the international airport directly to the immigration representative and ranges from 30 to 80 euros. As reviews from travelers show, the amount of the fee depends on the “mood” of the immigration representative, and, as a rule, does not exceed 70 euros.

The validity of a tourist visa upon arrival is up to 30 days. You can extend your visa from 15-30 days

Benefits of a reference code and how to obtain it

If a visa to Iran is issued through a consulate, the traveler must first obtain a reference code. It is a permit to issue a visa document, which is issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

RK is a 7-digit number. It is sent to the Consulate of the Republic.

According to the new rules, RK is requested only when booking a hotel room.

Main advantages of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The advantages of a reference code include:

• speeding up the process of issuing a visa on arrival;
• no need to provide contact details of Iranian friends;
• guarantee of unhindered entry into the country.

The cost of an RK request is $40.

Where dreams lead. Iran is a country for those who want to see the real flavor. More details in the next video.

How to fill out the form

An application for a reference code can be submitted online. The form is filled out in Russian, the data entered must be similar to the data from the foreign document.

When filling out the questionnaire, you need to answer the following questions:

1. Email.
2. Date and purpose of travel.
3. Place to obtain an Iranian pass.
4. Job title.
5. Place of official employment.
6. Name of the hiring company.
7. Date and place of birth.
8. Father's name and nationality.
9. Foreign number
10. The date of its issue.
11. Expiration date.
12. Dates of previous trips to Iran.
13. Home address.
14. Home no. tel.

After answering all questions, click on the “Submit” button.

Additionally, upload a photo of 30/60 mm size. The total size of uploaded files should not exceed 2 MB.

Useful video. Online application for Iran visa. Detailed instructions.

Self-application of a visa to Iran through the Embassy in Moscow

The Iranian Embassy issues visas in Moscow in accordance with the established procedure:

1. Applying for permission to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is done through the official website.
2. Filling out the form. It is necessary to enter information electronically, after which the document is printed and signed.
3. Receiving a tracking code, that is, a case number. It will provide an opportunity to monitor the status of the submitted application.
4. Visit to the Consular Section to submit documents. You need to come there after the application has the status of accepted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
5. Payment of the consular fee. This is done through MIR BUSINESS BANK, located on the street. Mashkova, 9/1, or in the Embassy department with a bank card.
6. Waiting for several days. The period depends on the type of visa.
7. Receiving a passport. They go to the Consular Section for him, the visit time is from 12.00 to 13.00.

Iranian Embassy in Moscow

Collection of documents

To obtain a visa you need the following documents:

• printed permission from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• applicant profile;
• 2 color photos measuring 3.5 by 4.5 cm (women should be photographed wearing a headscarf);

• a foreign passport, which must have at least 6 free pages for issuing an annual and six-month visa and at least 2 for all other types of marks;
• receipt of payment of the mandatory fee;
• a medical policy that will be valid for the entire period of stay in Iran;
• travel route around the country, written in Russian;
• hotel room reservation;
• paper confirming the reservation of a return ticket.

Not everyone requires the last two documents.

If a traveler is traveling at the invitation of the Iranian side, he needs a letter containing comprehensive information about the latter. This is the full name, address and passport details of a private person living in the republic, details of a university, company, etc.

For a transit visa, a ticket and a permit stamp for the country of destination are required. If the applicant plans to stay in Iran for at least 3 months, he will be required to provide a bank account statement, a certificate of employment, and documents about real estate owned in Russia. Anyone traveling to the country for work must provide a medical certificate of health.

If a child is traveling with an adult traveler, they must present their birth certificate (for those under 14 years old), as well as a passport, and fill out a separate permit and application form at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photography is necessary even for a newborn; it must be taken against a light background. Teenagers under 18 years old can only enter Iran with their parents.

Filling out the form

A visa application or application form can be filled out on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Information is entered in English or Farsi. In addition, you need to upload your own photo and your passport. Photos must be digital.

After filling out the form, it is saved, sent to its destination and printed by the applicant. It will be checked within 10 days, during which time the visa applicant may be invited for an interview at the Consular Section. The answers to the questions that he may be asked must coincide with what is included in the questionnaire.

Watch this video on how to apply for a visa to Iran:

Fingerprinting and medical examination

Fingerprinting and medical examination are only required for those applying for a work visa. In all other cases, neither one nor the other is done.

Fingerprinting is performed at the Consular Section. The procedure consists of the applicant placing his or her hands on a scanning machine that stores the patterns of the fingertips. He must undergo a medical examination in Moscow and present a certificate. The document must be legalized at the Embassy.

Registration deadlines

The official one states that it varies from 3 days for a single mark and up to 10 days for a multiple one. Urgent is issued on the day of submission of documents, at the latest - on the next day.

But consideration of the application in the usual way may take up to 1 month. The registration deadline should begin from the date of submission of documents, and not from the date of sending the application online.

How to check the readiness of a visa through the official website of the Iranian Embassy in Moscow

You can only find out whether a visa is ready by calling the Embassy in Moscow; they do not provide such information through the official website. The Iranian Foreign Ministry portal allows you to track the status of your submitted application here. This way, the applicant will know whether he has received permission for a visa (but not the visa itself) and whether it is time to bring the documents to the Consular Section.

Reasons for refusal

There are several reasons to refuse a visa used by the Embassy:

• Incorrectly completed application form. It is not for nothing that when entering information online, you are given the opportunity to check the information and correct it before sending the electronic version.
• Incorrectly completed documents. More often these are additional certificates, sometimes an expiring passport.
• Photos that do not meet the standard. You can find out what the pictures should look like here.
• The identity of the visa applicant. Women under 30 years of age will be able to obtain an entry permit only if they travel with their husband, father or brother, and even then not always. Muslim women have more chances in this case.

They do not give a visa to those who have been to Israel and have citizenship of this country. In addition, the applicant is checked for criminal records and involvement in organizations perceived in Iran as hostile. For women, appearance is also important; clothes for photos and visiting the Embassy should be chosen as modest as possible.

Main types of Iranian visas

There are the following types of visas for traveling to Iran:

1. Tourist.
2. Guest room.
3. Student.
4. Transit.
5. Working.

Required documents for tourist visa

This type of visa is issued for 2 weeks. The necessary documentation is presented on the plate.

Hotel booking confirmation example

An additional insurance policy is provided. Persons of retirement age present a pensioner ID.

Features of registration of a guest pass

The package of documents is practically no different from the list of certificates presented for obtaining a tourist pass. No travel voucher will be provided.

The procedure for obtaining this type of visa is as follows:

• a representative of the receiving party draws up a petition and applies to the Iranian Foreign Ministry;
• A photocopy of the foreign passport of the Russian citizen planning to visit Iran is attached to the application;
• the Iranian embassy accepts a 6-digit code from Foreign Ministry employees;
• the Russian fills out the visa application form and collects the package of necessary documents;
• the invitee makes an appointment and arrives at the appointed time;
• an interview is conducted;
• The Russian is given an Iranian pass.

The request is processed within 1.5-2 weeks. The 6-digit code is presented twice - upon boarding and upon arrival.

The validity of the guest pass corresponds to the date specified in the invitation.

Iran visa sample

Obtaining a student pass

Students admitted to any university in the country are allowed to enter Iran. The pass is issued on the basis of an invitation from the University of Iran.

The package of documents is standard. Additionally, you will need to provide evidence of solvency.

Obtaining a transit pass

Issued on the basis of an invitation document from the Iranian authorities. It is sent to the Iranian consulate unit.

The main package of documents must be accompanied by:

1. A photocopy of the pass to the destination country.
2. For car owners driving a personal car - a carnet de passage permit. It is obtained in the RAF. In the absence of permission, the owner of the vehicle is obliged to pay. The amount is equal to the import duty + 50% of the customs assessment.
3. Flights.

The transit pass period is 48 hours.

To find out whether a transit visa is needed in Iran, watch the following video.

Obtaining a work pass

Anyone who plans to work in Iran has the right to obtain a visa. The main package of documents must be accompanied by:

• work permit (original + photocopy);
• official invitation from an Iranian employer;
• a certificate including information about the position, salary and accumulated funds of the applicant;
• health certificate.

The invitation is issued by the Iranian Ministry of Labor.

Types of Iranian visas

Appearance of an Iranian visa.
The country offers several types of entry permits for Russian travelers.

Tourist visa

A common one is a tourist visa to Iran, it is issued for 2 weeks. You need to confirm your solvency: you can present a statement from your bank account.

Visitor visa

Another popular type is the guest room.

To complete it, you must provide a complete package of documents and wait for a request from the consulate. Usually it arrives in 10-20 days.

A visitor visa is issued for the period specified in the invitation notice.

student visa

Prospective students wishing to study in Iran can apply for a student permit.

It is issued strictly with the permission of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if the student has an invitation from an Iranian university.

Transit visa

A transit visa to Iran is another type of document that Russians use. It is issued for a period of up to two days and strictly upon invitation from the country. This invitation is sent to the consular office.

To obtain entry permission, the embassy representative must show air tickets, a copy of the document, indicate the destination and the same documents as for a tourist visa. Additionally, a permit to drive a vehicle may be required (if the tourist travels in his own car).

Work Visa

A work visa to Iran is also relevant among Russians. It is issued to applicants wishing to conduct business or scientific activities in the Republic.

It is issued upon a special invitation received from the Iranian side or with permission from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran.

An Iranian visa can be obtained from embassies, consulates or visa centers.

Refusal to receive

A Russian citizen may be denied an Iranian visa. The main reasons include:

• suspicious behavior associated with alcohol or drug intoxication;
• inappropriate appearance;
• providing incorrect information;
• suspicion of extremist activity;
• presence of a note in the passport about visiting the country over the past 12 months.

Consulate employees refuse without explanation. If the applicant believes that their actions are unlawful, they can appeal to higher authorities.

With a full package of documents, Iran rarely denies visas to Russian citizens

What documents are needed to obtain a visa?

When applying for a visa at the diplomatic mission, the consular officer must provide:

1. International passport. Requirements for the document: validity period of more than six months, presence of at least two blank pages for pasting in a visa permit;
2. An application form legibly completed and signed by the applicant;
3. Photos (2 pcs.). Requirements for the photo: size 3x4 cm, color image, close-up of the face, no smile;
4. Hotel reservation for the entire period of stay in the Iranian state;
5. Receipt for repayment of the visa fee;
6. Reference code;
7. Medical insurance.

Applying for a medical policy for traveling abroad is available on the Cherehapa instant insurance website.

It is desirable that the country listed on the agreement is Iran, and not the category “the whole world.” It is recommended to clarify this point in advance with the insurance company employees before ordering the service.

Visiting Israel

Having an Iranian visa before visiting Israel is not the best factor for a traveler planning to visit the Promised Land.

Formally, there is no reason for refusal, but it is quite difficult to predict the development of events upon arrival in Israel. The reason is the difficult relations that have developed between both countries. There are no diplomatic relations.

The final decision regarding entry permission is made by border officials.

The traveler has 2 options:

• change the foreigner;
• go at your own risk.

In the second case, you should prepare for a long interview. It takes place in 2 options: as an interrogation or as a dialogue with Israeli border guards.

Crossing the border with Israel

The service employees behave correctly. There is a high probability of a detailed inspection of your luggage. In 85% of cases, travelers are asked to undress. Upon entry into Israel, the issue is resolved positively. The inspection may take from 40 to 90 minutes.

The inspection process is much stricter when leaving Israel.

A Russian citizen, whose passport contains an Iranian visa, undertakes to answer in detail the question regarding the reasons for visiting this country. He will also have to highlight the contacts available there. The inspection time varies from 60 to 120 minutes.

Visa-free entry to Iran

You are allowed to visit Kish Island without obtaining an entry permit.

Citizens of the Russian Federation who are holders of special and diplomatic passports have the right to visa-free entry into the Islamic Republic of Iran. This procedure for crossing the border does not apply to other Russians.

But you can still enter Iranian territory without a visa. Kish Island, located in the Persian Gulf and part of Iran, is a free economic zone. Citizens of any country can visit it without obtaining an entry permit.

But Russians will not be able to get to the island without crossing the mainland of the republic. Flights from Moscow operate only to Tehran, from where you cannot fly to the island. You can get to Kish from another airport, but in order to get to the airport, you need a visa.

Obtaining an Iranian visa in other countries

A traveler traveling by land through the Georgian, Armenian or Azerbaijani states can obtain an Iranian pass in Yerevan, Batumi or Baku.

Current information for everyone who will receive a visa in Yerevan is as follows:

1. The visa office is open from 09:29 to 12:59. In order to receive your pass on the same day, documents must be submitted before 09:59. If all documents are in order, the visa is issued within 180 minutes.
2. Consulate staff may ask to see a travel insurance policy.
3. When filling out the form, special attention should be paid to the section with passport data. The remaining points are optional.

The cost of an urgent visa to Iran is $64, and a regular visa is $50. In the second case, the applicant will have to wait 4 working days for a visa.

Iran sightseeing map. What to see for a tourist

Iranian visa for a child

If you want to travel with children, you need to know how to get a visa to Iran for a child.

For this:

1. They take the child’s passport or birth certificate.
2. You also need a passport of either the young traveler or his parent.
3. You need 2 photographs – 3.5-4.5 cm in size.
4. They take a certificate from the place of study (school or university).
5. The student ID is scanned and presented along with other documents.
6. Take out health insurance.
7. If a child is traveling with accompanying persons, the documents must be accompanied by a certificate of employment of one parent, photocopies of adult passports, and evidence that they are solvent.

Important nuances

When departing from Domodedovo Airport, a traveler has a chance to encounter meticulous border guards. Service staff may inquire about the availability of return tickets.

In some cases, a mini-interview is conducted, the main task of which is to find out the exact purpose of visiting Iran. Moscow border guards can also clarify information about cash exported from the country.

How should you dress?

The Iranian authorities are strict about women's wardrobe. Dress requirements must be met upon leaving the aircraft. Otherwise, the traveler may not be allowed into the country.

Wardrobe requirements are specified in the entry rules. They look like this:

1. A woman's head must be covered. It is best to opt for a modest scarf. There is no need to close completely. If there is no scarf, you need to put a hood over your head. Hats are also allowed. A woman without a head covering can be arrested.
2. A woman's clothing should be modest and chaste. You cannot wear a blouse with a deep neckline. Upper and lower limbs must be covered. Pants on women are not acceptable. Shoes must be low heels.
3. The dress code for men is looser. But short shorts are not acceptable.

For information on traveling around Iran, watch the following video.

Country Customs Regulations

Iran customs regulations are as follows:

1. The allowed amount for import and export is 500,000 rials. A larger amount is exported only after receiving permission from the Iranian Central Bank.
2. Foreign currency is imported and exported in unlimited quantities. A mandatory requirement is the declaration of cash.
3. The import of cigarettes for personal use is permitted.
4. The amount of imported gifts and souvenirs should not exceed 80 US dollars.
5. When importing any used equipment, a stamp is affixed to the international passport. It allows you to take the equipment back.
6. There are restrictions on the import of printed materials. Books and magazines carried must not contain erotic photographs. The category of “erotic photographs” may include photographs of women in swimsuits. You cannot transport printed materials in Hebrew.
7. The import of alcohol-containing products into the country is strictly prohibited.
8. It is prohibited to transport video products with extremist and propaganda content.
9. The export of handmade products is allowed. Antiques cannot be exported.
10. You cannot bring into the country products indicating a visit to Israel. It is not advisable to carry Israeli souvenirs and items of clothing with “provocative” inscriptions such as “I love Israel.”

Unwanted items must be disposed of before passing through customs control.

Unusual import bans in different countries

Persons attempting to smuggle drugs are sentenced to death.

Subscribe to the Visaasam.ru channel in Yandex Zen

Some medications may be classified as narcotic substances. If the drug was prescribed by a doctor and is vital, this issue should be clarified with the consul during a personal visit.

Visa to Iran in 2021 for Russians, is it necessary to apply for it? Provizu.ru

Iran, a country in South-West Asia, attracts tourists with a variety of recreational opportunities. Travelers are eager to get acquainted with the ancient culture of Iran, because many ancient cities have been preserved in the country.

The most famous of them is Persepolis. A good beach holiday is organized on the coast of the Caspian Sea and on the island of Kish in the Persian Gulf.

In colorful oriental bazaars, tourists admire the famous handmade Persian carpets and can purchase them.

Do Russians need a visa to Iran in 2021?

At the beginning of 2021, the media reported the possible introduction of a visa-free regime between Iran and the Russian Federation for group tourist trips. However, since then there has been no information about the implementation of the stated intention.

Iranian embassies and consulates

The plaque provides information about Iranian embassies and consulates in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Iranian Embassy in Moscow on the map

The sheikhs are waiting, the shahs are preparing

Iran plans to cancel visas for travelers from 36 countries, including Russia, media reported, citing the country's Vice President for Cultural Heritage and Tourism Zahra Ahmadipour.

The full list of countries has not yet been named, however, as Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), told Rossiyskaya Gazeta, we are talking about states that Iran considers a priority for its tourism market. “The flow of Russian tourists to Iran is still small - about 12-15 thousand people a year. But the abolition of visas will have a positive impact on the dynamics. Besides, there really is something to see in Iran; there is a huge historical and cultural layer associated with ancient civilization,” she noted.

Iran is washed from the north by the Caspian Sea, from the south by the Persian and Oman Gulfs of the Indian Ocean. However, the destination is not yet considered as a beach destination. “Men and women in Iran bathe separately and wear national closed clothes. It is not customary to drink alcohol in the country,” noted Maya Lomidze.

Russia is popular among tourists from Iran. Charters from there will fly to Sochi, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan

At the same time, in recent years the flow of tourists from Iran to Russia has been growing. For the third year in a row, charters with Iranian tourists will fly to us. Moreover, if previously groups flew only to Sochi, then flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg appeared, and from this year, perhaps, Kazan will be added. By the way, the flow of tourists from Iran to Russia is higher than to Iran - about 40 thousand people versus 15 thousand.

Until a decision is made, visa rules remain the same. To visit Iran, Russians are required to obtain an entry permit in advance from the consular section of the country's embassy in Moscow. The deadline for receiving documents is no more than 10 days, the cost of registration is 35 euros. Travelers who plan to spend less than a week in Iran are issued a visa upon arrival in the country, but this is done only when crossing the border at the airports of Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Isfahan and Mashhad.

Previously, the United Arab Emirates also simplified the visa regime for Russians. Now documents for 30 days with the possibility of a one-time extension for the same period can be issued upon arrival in the country. “The flow of Russian tourists to the Emirates is about 300 thousand people, this is a decent figure. The abolition of visas is a big plus, since the UAE can be in some way an alternative to Egypt. The weather there is good all year round, the warm Persian Gulf is suitable for swimming, the hotels are quite comfortable, although without the all-inclusive system that Russian tourists love. But for now the question remains open about the cost of the visa that tourists will receive at the airport upon arrival. If it costs around $20, that's fine. If it’s more, it will be expensive for many tourists,” Lomidze noted. Before this, a tourist visa to the UAE cost about one hundred dollars. The flow of tourists from the UAE to Russia is still low - up to 3 thousand people per year.

Types of visas and a list of documents for their registration

A document permitting entry into Iran can be purchased upon arrival, if the period of stay in the country is less than 7 days, at Tehran Imam Khomein Airport, or it can be issued in advance at one of the diplomatic missions in the Russian Federation.

The required papers for purchasing a visa are submitted to the consulate by the applicant independently (you can submit an application for a visa to Iran online) at least 3 weeks before the planned trip. Standard package of documents:

• international passport with a 6-month validity period after leaving the republic;
• 2 color photos (3x4 cm);
• 2 copies of questionnaires;
• receipt for payment of the administrative fee.

Consideration of the application lasts 7–10 days, but in some cases it increases to 1 month. The visa can be with the right to multiple entries or providing the possibility of a single visit to Iran. The cost is 40 € for adults and 20 € for children.

Once a tourist receives permission, he has 60 days to enter the republic.

Tourist

Such a visa to Iran for Russians in 2021 is issued for a period of 1 month with the right of further extension. To obtain this type of permit, consular officers require the following documents in addition to the standard list:

• travel plan (must indicate Iranian hotels);
• traveler's health insurance policy;
• tourist voucher or hotel room reservation statement or invitation from an eastern tour operator.

Guestbook

If a Russian citizen has relatives and other close people permanently residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran whom he intends to visit, he must purchase a visitor visa (valid for 30 days). The documents must be accompanied by an official invitation from an Iranian citizen, approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To complete it, you will need a scan of the Russian foreign passport, which the receiving party submits along with the papers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The completed invitation is sent to a consular office located on Russian territory. The traveler needs to collect the required documents and bring them to the specialists.

Transit

The right to transfer to another flight at Iranian airports is granted upon receipt of a special entry permit. It is issued for up to 48 hours. During this time, the tourist is obliged to leave the territory of the republic.

The documents must be accompanied by tickets to the destination and a valid visa (if any).

Student

Russian citizens have the opportunity to get an education in Iranian educational institutions. To purchase a visa, the standard package of documents to the consulate must be accompanied by an official letter from the university confirming the applicant’s enrollment as a student and the provision of a place in the dormitory. Permission to stay in the country is issued for the entire study period.

Working

To obtain an entry document for the purpose of employment, you must additionally present a letter of permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work in the country. You will need an employment contract signed with an Iranian company. The visa is issued for the entire duration of the contract.

Applying for a child visa

A child under 14 years of age has the right to come to Iran without obtaining documents. The main condition is that he must be included in the parents’ foreign passports, and his photograph must also be pasted into them.

Children over 14 years of age are required to present foreign passports of Russian citizens and issued visas, which are issued for them in the usual manner.

Minors will not be able to visit the country if they travel unaccompanied by relatives or third parties (in this case, parental permission with notary certification is required).

Getting a reference code

This document guarantees that upon arrival in the Islamic Republic of Iran, border control officers will issue a visa to the tourist on the spot. If you provide it to consulate specialists, they will issue an entry permit in a simplified manner.

To become the owner of a reference code, you need to visit a travel agency, whose employees will act as intermediaries between the traveler and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You can obtain the document yourself. On the website https://goiran.ru/visaform/ you will need to fill out a form about yourself, then pay the fee using a credit card. The application is considered by specialists of the Iranian Foreign Ministry for about 1 week. If the decision is positive, the reference code is sent by email. If it is negative, the money will not be returned.