IranSouth Korea: Visa required

IranSouth Korea

Do Iran passport holders need a visa for South Korea?

Visa required

Yes. Iran passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to South Korea.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: overseas.mofa.go.kr (checked July 20, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance6,549 km, straight line (~8h 12m nonstop)

Visa-free access to South Korea154 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? South Korea passport holders visiting Iran: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near South Korea

Iran passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Hong Kong

Other visa-free destinations for Iran passport holders

See all Iran destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Iran passport holders need a visa for South Korea?

Yes. Iran passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to South Korea.

How far is South Korea from Iran?

About 6,549 km in a straight line, roughly ~8h 12m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in South Korea?

South Korean won (KRW).

What is the emergency number in South Korea?

112 / 113 / 119.

What time zone is South Korea in?

Seoul (UTC+9).

What is the nearest airport to Seoul?

Seoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP), about 15 km away.

How many countries can enter South Korea without a visa?

154 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter South Korea visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Iran passport holders visit without a visa instead of South Korea?

Hong Kong.

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.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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

Full source list on About.

About South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It extends over the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and includes the adjacent islands. It borders North Korea to its north along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.. It has a population of about 52 million, of which half live in the Seoul metropolitan area, the world's ninth most populous metropolitan area; its other major cities are Busan, Daegu, and Incheon.

CapitalSeoul

RegionEastern Asia

Population51.7M

Area100,210 km²

CurrencySouth Korean won (1 USD ≈ 1332.10 KRW)

LanguagesKorean

Calling code+82

Drives on theright

TimezoneSeoul (UTC+9)

Nearest airportSeoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP), 15 km

Emergency number112 / 113 / 119

UNESCO sites18

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$36,227 (2025)

Tourist arrivals2.5M (2020)

Climate in Seoul

Warmest August, coolest December, driest December, sunniest April.

Monthly climate normals for Seoul, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	4.9°C	-4°C	64mm	218h
February	6°C	-3.4°C	60mm	224h
March	11.3°C	-0.2°C	18mm	304h
April	15.6°C	4.1°C	24mm	319h
May	22°C	12°C	114mm	261h
June	27.4°C	18.1°C	140mm	275h
July	26.3°C	19.5°C	330mm	214h
August	28.4°C	23.1°C	548mm	218h
September	23.5°C	16.1°C	216mm	252h
October	17.9°C	7.6°C	12mm	279h
November	11.2°C	1.6°C	66mm	219h
December	2.5°C	-6°C	3mm	244h

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

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. In the 2nd half of the 20th century, South Korea emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and achieved impressive economic growth, making it one of the world's most affluent countries today. South Korean pop culture, especially K-pop, is incredibly popular worldwide, driving higher levels of tourism to this nation. Despite their modernity and love for high technology, Koreans also take great pride in their history and traditions, and there many well-preserved historical sites that can give history buffs a glimpse into the ancient past.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Baekje Historic Areas
Changdeokgung
Gaya Tumuli
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
Gyeongju Historic Areas
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
Hwaseong Fortress
Janggyeon Panjeon of Haeinsa
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026크리스마스

January 1, 2027새해

February 6, 2027설날

Full source list on About.