Italian citizens must get a tourist visa since Iran does not allow visa-free entrance. The Iran visa for Italian citizens can be obtained in two main ways: Apply beforehand at any Iranian consulate or embassy worldwide or major Iranian airports like Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) by choosing Visa on Arrival (VOA).
Both approaches need a Visa Authorization Code, which is a pre-approval document given by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is also known as a Visa Grant Notice.
Italian passport holders can apply directly via the MFA’s e-visa website, which may entail longer processing periods and higher rejection risks or via approved Iranian travel companies for expediency. Italian passport holders have a high acceptance rate of about 97%.
The visa needs a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the planned stay and permits a 30-day stay, with extensions allowed in Iran.
Iran Visa Process for Italian Citizens―Step by Step
Using a travel agency streamlines the process of obtaining an Iran Visa for Italian citizens, guaranteeing minimum delays and precise instructions. Here is a brief, step-by-step tutorial:
- Fill out the application for a visa: Fill out the online visa application given by a certified Iranian travel agency or the MFA e-visa website, including personal data, travel itinerary and the desired place to collect your visa, whether the consulate or airport.
- Send in the necessary documents: Provide a current passport-sized photo (women must cover their hair), a scanned copy of the first page of the passport (valid for 6 months) and a simple travel itinerary or hotel reservation, if asked.
- Pay the service fee: You are required to pay €29 to €36 to travel agencies for processing the authorization number, which is payable online. It costs €54 for expedited processing, which usually takes between 3 to 5 days.
- Get the authorization code: The authorization code is sent by email within 4 to 7 business days (1 to 2 days for certain agencies) following MFA approval.
- Collect the visa: To obtain the visa, show the authorization code and any supporting documentation at the selected embassy or airport.
How to Receive Your Iran Visa Authorization Code
The Iran visa for Italian citizens is built around the Visa Authorization Code, which serves as evidence of MFA approval:
- Look for a Trustworthy Agency: Choose a reputable Iranian travel agency for quicker processing and lessen rejection rates compared to the MFA e-visa webpage.
- Submit Documents: Fill out the application form and submit it through online travel agencies along with a scan of your passport and a digital passport photo.
- Choose Collection Location: Choose if you want to pick up the visa at an airport or a consulate.
- Processing Time: The code can be given in 1 to 2 days or 4 to 7 working days with special services. The code is good for either 90 days at the airport or 60 days at the consulate.
- Verification: The travel agency provides you with the code in PDF format, together with the grant information and reference number you will need to collect your visa.
Collecting Your Iran Visa ― At the Consulate or Airport
Italian citizen can obtain their Iran visa through a different process at an Iranian embassy or when they arrive at an international airport:
Collecting at the Consulate
- Bring your passport, authorization code, completed visa application form (available at the consulate), 2 passport-sized photos and €50 visa fee (cash) to the consulate of your choice.
- Processing often takes 2 to 2 days, although certain consulates provide same-day issuance.
- Check the required documents, since each consulate may have different criteria.
Collecting at the Airport (VOA)
- Provide your passport, one passport photo, authorization code, proof of travel insurance and €75 visa fee in cash at the airport visa desk.
- The visa is issued on a separate document (not stamped in the passport) and takes 30-60 minutes.
- Make sure there is a printed hotel reservation ready for the first night.
Tips for a Smooth Visa Process
Take into account these helpful tips to guarantee a hassle-free application for an Iran visa for Italian citizens:
- You need to begin the application process 4 to 8 weeks before departure, particularly during crowded months (March-May, September-October), to avoid any delays.
- Unlike the occasionally buggy MFA e-visa system, agencies provide quicker processing and higher approval rates.
- Verify the validity of your passport by making sure it has 2 blank pages and is valid for 6 months after the date you intend to enter the country.
- A secure travel insurance is required for getting a visa.
- Ask the consulate for precise information on any documents or fees to avoid any issues.
- Since card payments are frequently not accepted, have euros on hand for visa costs.
- You risk having your visa rejected if your passport includes an Israeli stamp during the past 6 months. So, it’s a good idea to renew it.
- Prepare for Airport VOA by bringing printed copies of your authorization code, insurance and hotel reservation to speed up airport processing.
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