During the Obama administration and in the wake of the Nuclear Deal, Iran was turning into a popular holiday destination. Even Britain removed their travel warning for Iran subject to what they announced as “decreasing hostility under President Rohani’s Government”. During this time, everything changed for travelers and Iranians alike. Improving international relations meant Iranians themselves could travel more freely and foreign tourists felt safe visiting Iran.
However, as we all know, the days of the Obama administration are behind us. The US government has issued a regulation restricting visa-free entry to the US for travelers who have visited several countries, including Iran. This policy decision has put travelers who want to visit Iran and the US, in a tight corner.
Visa waiver program
Also check out: Iran e visa
If you are here, reading this article, you are probably interested in visiting Iran, but not sure of the long term consequences of your Iranian trip. The article examines the new regulation and suggests ways to circumnavigate potential roadblocks.
The US regulation states that citizens of 38 countries (America’s closest allies) do not need to apply for a visa before entering the US. Citizens from these countries qualify for the US’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP). VWP passport holders only need to get a pre-travel authorization through ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system. The authorization, valid mostly for two years, let’s passport holders from these countries enter America without a visa. However, a new eligibility requirement for travel to the US has been added to the program.
Also check out: Iran visa on arrival
Now, VWP nationals cannot travel to the United States without a visa; if they:
- have traveled to or been present in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen at any time on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions); or
- are dual citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, or Sudan.
Rigorous, isn’t it? But you don’t need to worry. It isn’t as bad as it sounds. For more info, read on.
VWP nationals cannot travel to the United States without a visa; if they: have traveled to or been present in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen
Although these regulations prohibit VWP nationals who have visited Iran from applying for an ESTA, these travelers are not totally banned from traveling to the United States. They can apply for a visa in any US Embassy or Consulate. We understand that the process involves and interview and, in most cases, they get their visa. David from Australia wrote in a travel forum about getting his visa one year after his trip to Iran. He mentions that the process is simple and straightforward, you need to apply for the visa online and then do an interview in the nearest US Embassy.
Also check out: Iran visa fee
Also if you have a valid US visa (valid for 5 to 10 years) or you have already applied through the ESTA system and your request has been approved (valid for 2 years), you may not have to apply for one again after your visit to Iran.
Some people worry that an Iranian visa or airport stamp in their passport will cause problems for future travel to countries, other than the US. In 2018 Iran tourism authorities announced that they will no longer stamp passports of tourists visiting Iran. Piloted in Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad’s International airports, the decision has been made to encourage travelers to come to Iran. The decision, together with the Iran currency’s low value, would encourage tourists to visit the country even more than before.
Travelers just need to have a copy of their authorization number confirming that they have got their visa and the entry and exit stamps would be put on this document rather than their passports. However, note that you need to have the document with you wherever you travel in Iran.
Do you want to get your visa in 2 days without any hassle? 1stQuest will take care of all the process with best support. It`s cheap, easy and the chance of rejection is almost 0%.
If you would like any additional information, contact us or leave a comment below.
*Updated by Alison Lovell
Thanks for sharing this useful information
Hi Li, I hope you enjoyed it
But I like to have Iran stamp on my passport 🙁
Thanks for sharing these valuable information, it’s been keeping me and my family from traveling to Iran, although with this article we can easily arrange our fist trip.
Hi Amina, Very glad to hear that. have a nice trip to Iran.
Thanks, we were worried about this issue, thanks for sharing.
Hi Eachan, don’t worry anymore! 🙂
Great, thank you 1stQuest.
Hi Anja, you’re welcome 🙂
Wow thanks, so there is no worry.
I have just received a visa grant notice from the e-visa system, with my photo on it. Is this the visa or do I need to go to the London Embassy to get a visa stamp in my passport? I am a UK national, traveling on an organised tour (hence why I have the grant notice!) entering Ian overland from Armenia.
You need to go to the embassy to collect your visa. please contact the embassy to ask about their working hours and visa requirements before you go there
With Visa On Arrival can I exit the country via a land border, ie. to Armenia or Turkmenistan?
Hi Tom, yes, you can exit the country from any border, it doesn’t matter.
I like to thank the author for this masterpiece. I am loving this article.
Hi, glad you liked the article.
Have been worry ing about this for months as I am booked on a trip passing through Iran,t I am Australian, but have a son who’s become a US citizen and I absolutely do not want to run any risk of jeopardising my ability to visit him often. You’ve precisely answered my question. Thank you.
Hi Alison, very glad to hear that, if you have any other questions, please contact our customer support team: [email protected]