Yes, UK citizens need a visa to enter Iran. Unlike many nationalities, British passport holders cannot obtain a visa on arrival and must apply for one in advance through an authorized Iranian travel agency. Travel must be organized with a certified guide, and solo travel is not permitted. The visa approval process can take 6 to 12 weeks. Iran does not stamp UK passports; instead, travelers receive a separate entry slip. Additionally, UK citizens can visit Iranian free trade zones like Kish Island visa-free for up to 14 days, but still require a licensed guide.
Highly recommended work with a reputable tour operator, and monitor UK Foreign Office advisories given the security concerns.
Key Points About Getting an Iran Visa for British Citizens
British citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Iran, and the process differs significantly from that of many other nationalities. The key points are as follows:
- No Visa on Arrival: UK passport holders are not eligible for visa-on-arrival at Iranian airports. All visas must be obtained in advance.
- Travel Must Be Organized: British citizens must travel with an authorized Iranian tour guide or agency. Solo and independent travel is not permitted. You’ll need to have a detailed itinerary and use a licensed operator to apply for your visa.
- Longer Approval Time: The visa process for UK nationals typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, and sometimes even longer. Early application is essential.
- Application Process: To start the visa process, you must submit your passport details, a recent photograph (with hijab for women), a travel itinerary, and a short CV or resume to your tour operator. The agency then applies for a visa authorization code from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Visa Fee: Expect to pay around €100 to €150, depending on how and where you apply.
- No Passport Stamp: Iran no longer stamps the passports of UK tourists. Instead, you’ll receive a separate visa slip to avoid complications with other countries later.
- Free Trade Zones: Areas like Kish Island or Qeshm Island allow short visits (up to 14 days) without a visa—but even here, UK citizens need a certified guide.
- Security Considerations: The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran due to potential detention risks. Caution and full compliance with Iranian regulations are essential.
Iran visa requirements for UK citizens
UK citizens generally require a visa to enter Iran, even for tourism. However, British passport holders are required to have a pre-arranged tour with a certified local travel agency, and must be accompanied by a licensed guide during their visit.
No Visa‑on‑Arrival for UK passports
British citizens cannot obtain a visa on arrival at Iranian airports. They must apply in advance and be fully approved before departure.
Must travel with a certified guide or organized tour
All UK travellers need:
- A visa approval code from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, typically requiring a detailed itinerary and resume submitted by a certified Iranian travel agency
- To enter and stay only within the framework of a trip with a licensed Iranian guide (either part of a group or individually contracted guide). Independent travel is not allowed.
Timeline & fees
The visa process often takes 5–8 weeks, sometimes up to 3 months. Fees vary; expect costs similar to tourist visas—around €75–€150, depending on nationality.
Passport Stamping Procedure
Iran no longer stamps passports for most tourists, including UK nationals. Instead, officials issue a separate paper slip showing entry/exit details to avoid visa restrictions being triggered by passport stamps.
If you do want a stamp, you can politely request it at immigration, though this is optional.
Visa‑Free Travel to Free Trade Zones
UK passport holders can visit Kish, Qeshm, and other Iranian free trade zones visa‑free for up to 14 days, but even here you must:
- Have a certified guide arranged in advance
- Have your itinerary and hotel reservation pre‑approved.
Risks & Consular Advice
- The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, citing risks of detention, increased scrutiny, especially for dual nationals.
- Recent cases of British citizens being detained for alleged espionage reiterate these risks.
- Dual nationals (UK and Iranian) are treated solely as Iranian citizens and must use an Iranian passport, with limited British consular access.
Summary Table
Requirement | UK Citizens |
Visa on Arrival | Not allowed |
Advance Visa | Required via Iranian agency |
Guide Requirement | Must travel with certified guide |
Processing Time | 5–12 weeks |
Passport Stamp | No stamp by default (paper slip) |
Travel to Free Zones | Allowed (14 days), with guide |
Consider Before You Go
- Contact an authorized Iranian travel agency (e.g., via London embassy listings) to arrange itinerary and guide.
- Apply for a visa approval code at least 8 weeks prior.
- Provide documents: passport (6‑month validity), head‑scarf photo, resume, itinerary.
- Book accommodation and guide for free‑zone visits.
- Stay informed of FCDO travel advice and potential diplomatic risks.
How to Travel to Iran as a British
You may wonder if as a British you can visit Iran. The answer is a big Yes. Traveling to Iran is easy but at the same time needs some requirements. Don’t let these requirements prevent you from visiting this beautiful country!
Traveling to Iran needs a few months’ time for all preparations such as visa. So, it is suggested to start about 6-5 months before.
As a British, you’ll need to be accompanied by a tour guide at all times and submit your information for pre-screening. The first step is to choose a licensed tour operator who provides you with a tour package, help you with your visa paperwork and work out the logistics of your travel such as hotel bookings, transfers, tour guide etc within the country. We (Irun2Iran) with a satisfactory experience in operating tours for the Canadians is willing to be your tour operator. Check previous travelers testimonials.
Iran visa fees for UK citizens
Brits are considered part of (the restricted nationalities) by Iran—typically grouped with US and Canada—which means standard visa-on-arrival options do not apply, and additional charges often apply at various stages of the process. Depending on whether you need a single- or multiple-entry visa, collect it at the embassy or through an agency, and whether you opt for expedited service, fees vary significantly.
Standard Tourist Visa Fee – Via Iranian Consulate
- Approx. €180 (or £180 equivalent) for a single-entry tourist visa when collected at the Iranian consulate (e.g. in London).
- Double-entry visas may cost more (often around £220+).
Cost via E‑Visa / Agency
- Online or through international Iranian missions (e‑visa route): €180–€200 (~£160–£180) for a 30-day visa.
- Some agencies quote €200 flat.
Additional Service & Urgency Fees
- Agency handling/authorization code fee (for UK/US/Canadian passports): £85 (€100), plus urgency charges (~50% extra).
- Consulate urgent same‑day stamp surcharge: typically, +50%, turning a £180 fee into ~£270.
Visa‑On‑Arrival Ineligible
As we mentioned earlier UK citizens are not eligible for visa‑on‑arrival; must apply in advance.
How can UK passport holders get Iran Visa?
As a British citizen, you need to take part in a guided tour through a licensed tour operator like Irun2Iran. We provide you with a tour package, apply for your visa and book the travel services.
How is the Process Iran Visa for British Citizens?
- Consult your travel itinerary: We help you with designing your travel itinerary based on the cities you want to visit and the activities you like to do in Iran. However, you can find some itinerary suggestions.
- Send 3 needed documents: Iran visa form, your passport scan, your passport-size photo
- Visa investigation process: Wait 4-6 weeks for Iran Visa authorization letter.
- Iran Visa collection: Prepare your documents and refer to the Iranian embassy in London. The consulate is located at 50 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DB, United Kingdom. As an option, you can post your documents to the embassy and get all with your visa back in a week.
also read : Iran Visa Rejection Reasons
Iranian Visa Process for The British
1. Consult your travel itinerary
As the first step, you need to finalize your travel itinerary including all the cities you like to visit and the activities you like to do in Iran. Iran is famous as the country of four seasons, it means that you can travel to this country several times and each time experience something new.
You can find some itinerary suggestions or ask for a tailor-made one.
2. Send your needed documents
All the documents your operator later asks you to send comes below:
- Filled out Iran visa form
- Your passport scan (first page with the information is enough)
- Your passport-size photo
- A professional CV (resume) explaining your education, job experiences and places you’ve visited
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Make sure not to have Israeli visa stamp in your passport, otherwise your visa will be rejected.
Then you will be asked to pay some percent of your tour price as deposit and the process starts.
The process from sending your documents to receiving your visa grant notice, can take 4-6 weeks including all paperwork and translations the operator will do. During this time, we will be happy to answer all the questions you may have about your itinerary and places you will visit.
As soon as Iran visa is granted, the related document will be sent to you to go into another step.
Get your visa in Iran Visa Application
3. Iranian Visa collection
There are two ways to pick up your visa either by direct referral or through mailing services. The first option takes 1-2 days time and the second option takes one weeks time. All you need to do is to prepare the documents and send to the Iranian Interests Section in London. The consulate is located at 50 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DB, United Kingdom.
To obtain the visa, you’ll need to provide the following items and send to the interest section:
- Visa application forms
- Visa grant notice (coming from the tour operator)
- 2 Passport-size photos
- Passport
- Visa fee 165GBP
How can I renew my Iran visa as a British citizens while I am in Iran?
Iran visa for UK passport holders cannot be renewed or extended for the British passport holders. The day-to-day plan of your visit is discussed before you get the visa and you have to stick to the plan. However, in the urgent cases, we will help you to extend your visa through the Foreign Affairs Police Section.
Do UK passport holders can apply for Iran visa on arrival?
UK passport holders are not eligible to get Iran visa on arrival instead they have to refer to an Iran embassy/consulate to pick up visa. Also, Iran e-Visa for British passport holders is not applicable.
also read : Iran visa on arrival for foreign nationals
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FAQs about Iran visa for British citizens
Do British citizens need a visa for Iran?
Yes, British citizens need to get Iran visa and take part in a guide tour. Getting Iran visa for UK passport holders is not a complicated process.
How much is a visa for Iran from the UK?
Iran visa fee for the UK citizens is about GBP100 that will be paid to the embassy when collecting Iran visa.
