242 destinations shown · Natural Earth boundaries · small states appear as dots. Boundaries are illustrative and do not imply a position on any territorial dispute.

Visa requirements for Iran

Who can enter Iran, by nationality. Tourism. Data as of October 19, 2026.

Passport holders from 214 countries can enter Iran without a visa in advance. 29 have full visa-free access; 185 more can get a visa on arrival or use an electronic travel authorisation. Everyone else needs a visa, or an e-visa where one is offered, before travelling.

29 visa-free
185 on arrival
0 eTA
0 e-visa
28 visa required

242 nationalities

Visa-free entry

29 nationalities

Visa on arrival

185 nationalities

Visa required in advance

28 nationalities

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran

Iran has 38 sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Alamūt Castle and Related Fortifications
Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran
Bam
Bam Citadel
Behistun
Chogha Zanbil
Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat
Dasht-e Lut
Ecbatana
Golestan Palace
Gonbad-e Qabus
Heritage district of Yazd
Hyrcanian Forests
Iwan-e Mosaic
Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
Maymand
Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Pasargadae
Persepolis
Persian Caravanserai
Persian Qanat
Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
Shahr-e Sukhteh
Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Soltaniyeh
Susa
Susa I
Susa II
Susa III
Tabriz Bazaar
Takht-e Soleyman
The Persian Garden
Trans-Iranian railway
Valerian Palace
Zendan-e Soleyman
Zendan-e Soleyman Lake

Source: Wikidata, community-maintained and not the official UNESCO count.

Nearby destinations

Azerbaijan Turkmenistan Iraq Kuwait Armenia Georgia

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Iran?

It depends on your passport. 214 nationalities can enter Iran without arranging a visa in advance (visa-free, on arrival, or eTA); everyone else needs a visa or e-visa. Use the tables below to check a specific passport.

What is the best time to visit Iran?

May, September, October, based on Tehran's climate normals: mild temperatures and below-average rainfall for the year.

What currency is used in Iran?

Iranian rial (IRR). 1 USD is approximately 1656702.66 IRR.

What side of the road does Iran drive on?

Iran drives on the right.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does Iran have?

38: Alamūt Castle and Related Fortifications, Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, Bam, Bam Citadel, Behistun, Chogha Zanbil, Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat, Dasht-e Lut, and more.

What is the emergency number in Iran?

110 / 115 / 125.

What time zone is Iran in?

Tehran (UTC+3:30).

What is the nearest airport to Tehran?

Mehrabad International Airport (THR), about 12 km away.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Iran

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west; Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest; the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the northeast; Afghanistan to the east; Pakistan to the southeast; and the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south. With a population of over 92 million, Iran ranks 17th globally in both geographic size and population. It is divided into five regions with 31 provinces. Tehran is the nation's capital and largest city and serves as its primary economic center.

CapitalTehran

RegionSouthern Asia

Population92.4M

Area1,648,195 km²

CurrencyIranian rial (1 USD ≈ 1656702.66 IRR)

LanguagesPersian (Farsi)

Calling code+98

Drives on theright

TimezoneTehran (UTC+3:30)

Nearest airportMehrabad International Airport (THR), 12 km

Emergency number110 / 115 / 125

UNESCO sites38

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$3,924 (2025)

Tourist arrivals1.6M (2020)

Climate in Tehran

Warmest July, coolest January, driest June, sunniest July. Best time to visit: May, September, October.

Monthly climate normals for Tehran, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	8°C	-0.8°C	32mm	255h
February	11.6°C	1.5°C	98mm	243h
March	16.9°C	6.3°C	50mm	278h
April	19°C	9.2°C	103mm	298h
May	29.5°C	16.9°C	16mm	379h
June	35.6°C	22.5°C	0mm	392h
July	36.6°C	25.4°C	1mm	396h
August	35.1°C	23.4°C	0mm	393h
September	31.1°C	19.8°C	2mm	335h
October	23.6°C	12°C	18mm	324h
November	15.1°C	7.8°C	90mm	212h
December	8.4°C	1.3°C	42mm	242h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Iran, formerly Persia, can be considered part of the Middle East or Central Asia; indeed the Persian Empire was the dominant Central Asian power for many centuries. The wellspring of one of the world's great civilizations, Iran is a country of striking natural beauty and gorgeous tiled mosques. Once the centre of a pro-Western monarchy, it became an Islamic Republic in 1979, a modern Islamic theocracy whose laws are based on Ja'fari Shia Islam, and since then, its history has been tumultuous.

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