United KingdomIran: Visa required

United KingdomIran

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for Iran?

Visa required

Yes. United Kingdom passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Iran.

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

Source: gov.uk (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance4,400 km, straight line (~5h 41m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Iran214 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Iran passport holders visiting United Kingdom: Visa required.

Iran drives on the right, the opposite side to United Kingdom. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near Iran

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

Other visa-free destinations for United Kingdom passport holders

See all United Kingdom destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for Iran?

Yes. United Kingdom passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Iran.

How far is Iran from United Kingdom?

About 4,400 km in a straight line, roughly ~5h 41m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Iran?

Iranian rial (IRR).

What is the emergency number in Iran?

110 / 115 / 125.

Does Iran drive on the same side of the road as United Kingdom?

Iran drives on the right, the opposite side to United Kingdom. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

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.

How many countries can enter Iran without a visa?

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

What nearby countries can United Kingdom passport holders visit without a visa instead of Iran?

Kuwait, Armenia, Georgia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon.

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 United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2025. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, while maintaining sovereignty over the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. The capital and largest city of England and the UK is London; Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the national capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

CapitalLondon

RegionNorthern Europe

Population69.5M

Area242,900 km²

CurrencyBritish pound (1 USD ≈ 0.75 GBP)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+44

Drives on theleft

TimezoneLondon (UTC+1)

Nearest airportLondon City Airport (LCY), 13 km

Emergency number112 / 999

UNESCO sites37

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$57,602 (2025)

Tourist arrivals11.1M (2020)

Climate in London

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

Monthly climate normals for London, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	9.4°C	3.8°C	59mm	127h
February	10.2°C	3.6°C	103mm	157h
March	10.8°C	3.1°C	45mm	229h
April	16.6°C	5.6°C	34mm	323h
May	19.1°C	7.8°C	5mm	397h
June	20.5°C	11.5°C	80mm	324h
July	21.7°C	12.9°C	47mm	320h
August	23.5°C	15.3°C	74mm	313h
September	20°C	11°C	25mm	266h
October	14.1°C	8.2°C	159mm	169h
November	12.4°C	5.9°C	48mm	141h
December	8.1°C	3°C	85mm	117h

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

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy comprising most of the British Isles. It is a union of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, each of which has something unique and exciting for visitors.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Blenheim Palace
Buildings and architecture of Bath
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church
Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
Derwent Valley Mills
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Flow Country
Forth Bridge

Upcoming public holidays

November 30, 2026Saint Andrew's Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 28, 2026Boxing Day

Full source list on About.

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.