Iran Visa Validity – How Long Can You Stay in 2026?
Most Iran visas allow a 30-day stay from the date of entry, extendable up to 90 days through two successive renewals at local Foreigners Affairs offices. Visa-free travellers enjoy stays ranging from 14 to 90 days depending on their nationality. This guide explains the exact validity periods, extension rules, and entry limits for every type of Iran visa and visa exemption in 2026.
Standard Iran Visa Validity Periods
The standard Iran tourist visa (Type B) and e-Visa are issued for a stay of 30 days. This is the default duration that applies to most nationalities arriving with a tourist, business, or transit visa.
| Visa Type | Initial Validity | Maximum Stay (with Extensions) | Entry Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa (Type B) | 30 days | 90 days | Single or multiple |
| e-Visa | 30 days | 90 days | Single entry |
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | 30 days | 90 days | Single entry |
| Business visa | 30 days | 90 days | Single or multiple |
| Transit visa | 7 days | 7 days (not extendable) | Single entry |
| Medical visa | 30 days | 90 days | Single entry |
| Pilgrimage visa (Ziarat) | 30 days | 90 days | Single entry |
The 30-day countdown begins on the date you pass through passport control and enter Iran, not the date the visa was issued or stamped. If your visa was approved weeks before arrival, your stay is still calculated from the entry date.
For details on applying, see our Iran visa application guide.
How to Extend Your Iran Visa
Extending your visa inside Iran is straightforward and commonly done by tourists who want more time to explore the country. Here is how the extension process works:
Where to extend: Visit the Foreigners Affairs Office (known as the Police Office of Foreign Aliens) in major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz, and Yazd. These offices handle visa extensions for all foreign nationals.
Extension limits: You can extend your visa twice, each time for an additional 30 days. This means:
- First extension: 30 days added (total 60 days)
- Second extension: 30 more days added (total 90 days)
Requirements for extension:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Current visa still valid (apply before expiry)
- Passport-size photographs
- Extension fee (typically IRR 500,000 to IRR 1,000,000 depending on nationality)
- Completed application form (available at the office)
Processing time: Extensions are usually processed same-day or within 1-3 business days. It is recommended to apply at least one week before your current visa expires to avoid any complications.
For a complete walkthrough, see our Iran visa extension guide.
Visa-Free Stays by Country
Citizens of certain countries do not need a visa to enter Iran at all. The allowed stay duration varies by nationality:
| Country or Region | Allowed Stay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 90 days | Within any 180-day period |
| Armenia | 90 days | Within any 180-day period |
| Oman | 90 days | Within any 180-day period |
| Syria | 90 days | Must enter by air |
| Georgia | 30 days | Tourism or business |
| Iraq | 90 days | Within any 180-day period |
| Tajikistan | 21 days | Specific airport requirements |
| China, Hong Kong, Macau | 21 days | Tourism or business |
| Egypt | 15 days | Tourism or business |
| Venezuela | 15 days | Within any 180-day period, tourism only |
| Azerbaijan | 14 days | Tourism or business |
| Kazakhstan | 14 days | Tourism or business |
| Malaysia | 14 days | Tourism or business |
| GCC member states (except Oman) | 15 days within any 180 days | Tourism or business |
| Serbia, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, others | 15 days within any 180 days | Tourism or business |
Visa-free stays cannot typically be extended beyond the stated period. If you plan to stay longer than the visa-free allowance, you must apply for a visa before or upon arrival.
For the full list of exempt nationalities, see our Iran visa-free countries guide.
Free Trade Zone Stays (No Visa Required)
All tourists, regardless of nationality, can visit Iran’s free trade zones for up to 14 days without any visa. This is a useful option for short visits or cruise ship passengers.
The main free trade zones are:
- Kish Island
- Qeshm Island
- Arvand Free Zone
- Aras Free Zone
- Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone
- Maku Free Zone
Important restrictions: US, Canadian, and British citizens visiting free trade zones must have a certified escort guide and hotel reservations before arrival. The 14-day stay in free trade zones is not extendable, and you cannot travel to mainland Iran from these zones without a valid visa.
Entry Validity vs. Stay Validity
There is an important distinction between two types of validity on an Iran visa:
Entry validity (visa validity): This is the window during which you must enter Iran. For most Iran visas, you must enter within 90 days of the visa issuance date. If you do not enter Iran within this window, the visa expires and you must reapply.
Stay validity (duration of stay): This is how long you can remain in Iran once you have entered. As noted above, the standard stay is 30 days, extendable to 90 days.
| Validity Type | Typical Period | What Happens If Expired |
|---|---|---|
| Entry validity | 90 days from issuance | Must reapply for a new visa |
| Stay validity | 30 days (extendable to 90) | Overstay results in fines and possible detention |
Do not confuse the two. A visa issued on January 1 with 90-day entry validity means you must enter Iran by March 31. Once you enter on, say, March 15, your 30-day stay runs from March 15.
Overstaying Your Iran Visa: Consequences
Overstaying your visa in Iran is taken seriously. The consequences include:
- Daily fines that accumulate from the first day of overstay
- Potential detention at the airport on departure
- A possible entry ban for future visits
- Difficulty obtaining future Iran visas
If you realize you are close to your visa expiry date, visit the Foreigners Affairs Office immediately to apply for an extension. It is far better to extend legally than to overstay, even by a single day.
For help with visa issues, see our Iran visa rejection reasons guide.
Validity Rules for Special Visa Types
Transit Visa
The Iran transit visa is issued for a maximum of 7 days and cannot be extended. You must leave Iran before the 7-day period ends. This visa is designed for travellers passing through Iran to a third country.
Business Visa
Business visas follow the same 30-day initial validity as tourist visas and can be extended to 90 days. Multiple-entry business visas are available for frequent travellers, allowing repeated entries within the visa validity period.
Medical Visa
Medical visas are issued for 30 days and can be extended to 90 days if ongoing treatment requires a longer stay. Supporting documentation from an Iranian medical facility is needed for extensions.
Iran Visa Validity Tips
- Apply for your visa 4-6 weeks before travel to allow for processing time
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Iran
- Carry your passport and visa copy at all times while in Iran
- Start the extension process at least one week before your visa expires
- The e-Visa and VOA both give 30 days – applying for e-Visa in advance does not grant a longer stay
- US, UK, and Canadian citizens must apply through an embassy and cannot use VOA; see our guide for US citizens
- Travel insurance valid in Iran is mandatory for all visa types; read our Iran travel insurance guide
FAQs About Iran Visa Validity
How long is an Iran tourist visa valid for?
An Iran tourist visa allows a 30-day stay from the date of entry. You can extend it twice for 30 days each, reaching a maximum total stay of 90 days.
Can I extend my Iran visa while in the country?
Yes. You can extend your visa at any Foreigners Affairs Office in major Iranian cities. Each extension adds 30 days, and you can extend twice for a maximum of 90 days total.
What is the difference between visa validity and duration of stay?
Visa validity is the window during which you must enter Iran (usually 90 days from issuance). Duration of stay is how long you can remain once inside (30 days, extendable to 90).
How long can Turkish citizens stay in Iran without a visa?
Turkish citizens can stay in Iran for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
Can I stay longer than 90 days in Iran?
The maximum stay for most visa types is 90 days. Staying beyond 90 days requires special permission from Iranian immigration authorities and is rarely granted for tourist purposes.
Does the e-Visa give a longer validity than a regular visa?
No. Both the e-Visa and regular tourist visa grant the same 30-day initial stay, extendable to 90 days. The e-Visa simply offers a more convenient application process.
What happens if I overstay my Iran visa?
Overstaying results in daily fines, potential detention at the airport, and possible future entry bans. Always apply for an extension before your visa expires.
How long can I stay on Kish Island without a visa?
All tourists can stay on Kish Island and other Iranian free trade zones for up to 14 days without any visa. This applies to all nationalities.
Is the Iran transit visa extendable?
No. The Iran transit visa is strictly limited to 7 days and cannot be extended. You must leave Iran before it expires.
When does my 30-day stay start counting?
Your 30-day stay begins on the date you pass through passport control and officially enter Iran, not the date your visa was issued or approved.
