Is it safe to travel to Iran right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK who choose to travel against FCDO advice. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Iran’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Iran set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Iranian Embassy in the UK.

You are at risk of arrest, detention and a death sentence if you travel to Iran.

British nationals are at increased risk of questioning and detention by the Iranian authorities. See Safety and security.

Passport validity requirements

If you choose to enter Iran against FCDO advice, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It’s not possible to apply for a British passport from Iran.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Previous travel to Israel

If your passport has stamps from Israel or other countries’ border crossing points with Israel, you may be refused entry to Iran.

Overseas British passport applications

You cannot apply for a British passport from Iran.

You can apply in a neighbouring country. Choose from the list of countries and follow the application process for that country.

For help with your passport application, contact HM Passport Office.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

British-Iranian dual nationals

Iran does not recognise dual nationality. If you are a dual national, the Iranian authorities will consider you to be an Iranian national. They are highly unlikely to accept any requests made by the UK government on your behalf.

All Iranian nationals must enter and leave Iran using an Iranian passport.

You may also need to prove to the Iranian authorities that you have the right to enter the UK. You must be able to produce your British passport or a valid UK visa in your Iranian passport on request. You may face increased scrutiny, questioning or detention because of your connection to the UK.

Media reports suggest Iran is willing to detain people who have been visiting relatives inside Iran. Having travelled to and from Iran previously without issue does not guarantee your safety. See Safety and security for more information about the risks British nationals face in Iran.

Being considered an Iranian national

Even if you do not consider yourself Iranian, the Iranian authorities may see you as an Iranian national. For example, if your father is Iranian, or if you’re married to an Iranian man.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Iran unless you hold an Iranian passport.

Check the expiry date of your visa before travelling. If you overstay your visa, you may have to stay in Iran until this is resolved and you may be detained.

If you’re travelling through an Iranian airport, check visa requirements with your airline and the Iranian Embassy in the UK.

Applying for a visa

If you choose to travel to Iran against FCDO advice, apply for a visa well in advance of your travel. The application process for an Iranian visa can be long and unpredictable.

If you want to travel to Iran with a British passport, the Iranian Embassy has told FCDO you must either apply as part of an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran to get a visa. Check with the Iranian Embassy in the UK for more information.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you submit your visa application.

Women and girls aged 10 or over should wear a headscarf in their visa application photos.

Some British nationals have had problems getting visas from private online visa agencies.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Iran, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk

• a polio vaccine if you’re coming from a polio-affected country

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Iran guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into or out of Iran. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Pork products

Importing pork products is illegal.

Children travelling without a male parent

In Iran, a female parent travelling with her children must have the father’s permission, usually verbal, to take them out of Iran. Iranian immigration authorities will usually assume you have permission unless the father has petitioned the court, or the court has ruled to prevent the children travelling. For more information, contact the Iranian Embassy in the UK.

Kish Island

To enter Kish Island, you must arrange your visit through an Iranian travel agency. The agency must:

• inform the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about your visit at least 2 weeks before you travel
• have received confirmation that a visa will be issued on arrival

The nearest Iranian embassy or consulate can give you advice and a list of registered travel agents.

You must also have a hotel reservation before you travel. Your guide must:

• pass a copy of the hotel reservation confirmation to the immigration office at Kish Airport at least 48 hours before you arrive
• meet you at the airport when you arrive

Travellers have occasionally been denied entry to Kish without explanation. If you’re denied entry, follow the advice of your airline or travel agent.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Canadians can verify this information with the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran of the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C.

Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Iran.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
Pilgrimage visa: required
Press visa: required
Transit visa: required

Overstaying your visa period may lead to detention, imprisonment and fines. You will be required to remain in Iran until the situation has been resolved.

Useful links

• E-Visa Portal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Iran
• Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C.

Transit pass

If you enter Iran with a transit pass issued by an Iranian embassy or consulate abroad, you may have to obtain an Iranian passport to exit the country.

Regional travel

Canadians have been denied entry into Iran because their passports bore an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel. Such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).