Two ways to obtain a visa
The safest option is to apply at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Iran in Warsaw; the procedure has two stages: first the authorisation code (visa grant notice), then the visa sticker in your passport. An alternative is a visa on arrival (VOA), available at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, among others, but officials may refuse to issue it, so the risk of being sent back home only drops once you have obtained a visa pre-approval at the embassy.
Types and cost of visas
Tourist – single entry; consular fee EUR 65.
Business – single entry; same fee of EUR 65; requires an invitation and a code.
Visa on arrival – EUR 75, payable at the airport cashier; decision is discretionary.
All fees are clearly indicated by the consulate; a service fee charged by an intermediary may apply on top of each of them.
Validity period and length of stay
A standard tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, but the actual stay in the country may not exceed 30 days. This means that you may enter on any day within the 90‑day window, but your length of stay starts running from the first entry stamp in your passport and ends after 30 days. The same scheme applies to a business visa.
Authorisation code – the heart of the whole procedure
Without the so‑called visa grant notice the embassy will not accept your documents, and some airlines will not allow a passenger relying on a VOA to board. The code is ordered via a licensed agency in Iran; from 2024 the fee is EUR 80, and the waiting time is usually 5–20 working days. Once you receive the number, you must either schedule the visa sticker appointment within three months or travel to Tehran with a printout of the code.
Documents required by the consulate
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Iran.
A completed visa application form (embassy version or online form).
One biometric photo.
Travel insurance policy with at least EUR 30,000 medical cover.
Printout of the authorisation code.
For a business visa – an invitation letter from an Iranian company (original or scan).
How long does the procedure take?
With a well‑prepared file, the consulate issues a visa in 5–40 days. In peak season (spring and autumn) officials often request additional clarifications and processing times get longer; you should therefore start the formalities at least six weeks before your flight. There is no express option, but an intermediary may shorten internal processing within the embassy.
Visa at the airport – when is it a good idea and when not?
VOA counters still operate at Imam Khomeini Airport, as well as in Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Tabriz and on the islands of Kish and Qeshm. However, applications are sometimes refused for trivial reasons: lack of insurance, no hotel reservation, insufficient cash or… no authorisation code. If obtaining pre‑approval at the embassy is not an option, bring a printout of the code, insurance and accommodation bookings – you may cut your waiting time by up to an hour.
Extensions and repeat applications
Since 2023, the Ministry of the Interior has practically stopped extending tourist visas. After 30 days you must leave the country, and if you are planning a longer trip, plan a second entry with a new visa. Overstaying your visa results in a financial penalty and makes future applications more difficult.
Israeli entry stamp – is it a problem?
Officially, the consulate declares that an Israeli stamp does not block a visa, and Iran itself has not been placing stamps for years to facilitate travel. Nevertheless, in practice the absence of any signs of previous travel to Israel in your passport ensures a smoother border check – if you frequently travel to the Middle East, consider obtaining a second passport.
Insurance, health and safety
Insurance is a condition laid down in consular regulations; the minimum medical cover is EUR 30,000, but it is prudent to opt for EUR 50,000–60,000, as a private hospital in Tehran can easily issue a four‑digit bill in US dollars. Iran is currently relatively safe for tourists, but foreign ministries advise avoiding the borders with Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as staying away from public demonstrations. Check current travel advisories before each trip.
Address and opening hours of the embassy in Warsaw
The Consular Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is located at Królowej Aldony 22, 03‑928 Warsaw. Documents are accepted from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 12:00, and passports are returned on the same afternoon; no appointment is required, but it is advisable to call ahead and check whether there is an Iranian public holiday.
Step‑by‑step: how to obtain a tourist visa
Order the authorisation code – complete the online form, pay EUR 80 and wait for the number.
Once you receive the number, print it out and within 90 days submit your passport, photo, insurance and form to the embassy.
At the embassy you will fill out a bank deposit slip for EUR 65 and present the payment confirmation to the consular cashier.
After 5–40 days, collect your passport with the visa sticker – check the validity date and number of days of stay.
Print your insurance, tickets and reservations; at Tehran airport present them together with your visa.
A few practical tips to finish
Do not delay paying the consular fee – the embassy does not accept bank transfers, only a physical proof of payment stamped by the bank.
If you are travelling on a visa on arrival, prepare the equivalent of EUR 75 in cash (euro or USD) and allow an extra 15–20 minutes for the queue.
Scan all documents and keep copies in the cloud; in case of a lost passport this will be invaluable.
Since 2018, Iran has blocked most international payment cards – take cash in euro or US dollars and exchange it at authorised exchange offices (street rates can be risky).
Summary
In 2025, the key to a smooth entry into Iran remains an accurate authorisation code, valid insurance, a passport with 180‑day validity and patience with consular officials. Although VOA is tempting, an official visa from the embassy still offers the highest guarantee of being admitted. Complete the form, pay at the bank, and then enjoy Persian bazaars, khanqahs and the warmth of local people without visa stress. Selamat rahi safar – safe travels!