Iran entry requirements for Estonia passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 20, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Estonian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Iran. This is the standard entry for tourism, straightforward with the right documents. As of 2026, the process is well-established at major airports.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival
Get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at major Iranian airports (IKA, MHD, SYZ, KIH, IFN, TBZ). Have a confirmed return ticket, hotel booking, and passport photo ready. Pay the visa fee in euros or USD — around €75–€100 depending on nationality. The process takes 30–60 minutes at the airport.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Valid passport
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date in Iran. Estonia passports are accepted for visa on arrival. Airlines check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Return or onward ticket
Immigration officers at Iranian airports routinely ask for a confirmed return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a digital version on your phone. Without one, you may be refused entry or forced to buy a ticket at the airport.Required
Proof of accommodation
Proof of accommodation
Have a hotel booking confirmation or an invitation letter from a host. Immigration may ask for the address and phone number of where you are staying. A printed booking confirmation works best.Recommended
Proof of funds
Proof of funds
Carry enough cash (USD or euros) for your stay — credit cards issued outside Iran do not work inside the country. Bring at least $500–$1000 for a short trip. ATMs are unreliable for foreign cards.Recommended
Cash is king in Iran
International credit and debit cards don't work. Bring enough euros or US dollars in cash for your entire stay. Exchange at official bureaux or banks — avoid street changers.
Visa on arrival is for tourism only
If you're visiting for business, journalism, or work, you must get a regular visa from an Iranian embassy before you travel. The visa on arrival is strictly for tourism.

What happens at the border

1
Land at a major airport
Visa on arrival is available at Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA), Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Kish Island. Smaller airports may not offer it.
2
Go to the visa-on-arrival desk
After passport control, look for the 'Visa on Arrival' counter. You'll fill out a short form and pay the fee (around €75-€100 depending on nationality). Have your passport, return ticket, and hotel booking ready.
3
Pay and get your visa
Pay in euros or US dollars (cash only). They'll take your photo and fingerprints, then issue a 30-day visa sticker. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes.
4
Proceed to passport control
With the visa sticker in your passport, go to the main passport control queue. Show your passport and boarding pass. You're in.
Download Iran Entry Checklist
PDF · Estonia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 20, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 15 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€50 (approx. $54 USD)

Requires embassy application; allows longer stay than VoA.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity3 months
Cost€100 (approx. $108 USD)

Ideal for travellers entering Iran multiple times.

Long-stay visa (work/student)
Max stayUp to 1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
CostVaries (approx. €200–500 USD)

Requires sponsor in Iran; not for tourism.

work visa
Iran Work Visa
1 year, renewable
~€200–500 USD (employer-sponsored)
For foreign workers with a job offer from an Iranian company. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Iran Student Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
~€100–300 USD (university fees extra)
For international students enrolled at an Iranian university. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Iran Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
Varies (minimum investment ~$50,000 USD)
For individuals investing in Iranian businesses or real estate. Requires proof of investment and business plan.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on Arrival (entry fee)Payable at airport upon arrival for most nationalities.€75 (approx. $80 USD)
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of €300 (approx. $320 USD).€10 (approx. $11 USD) per day
Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)Obtained from Iranian embassy before travel.€50 (approx. $54 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for 3 months, allows multiple entries.€100 (approx. $108 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Iran

No transit visa needed

Estonia passport holders can transit through Iran without a visa if staying airside and not passing immigration. For land or airside transit exceeding 24 hours, a transit visa may be required.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa may transit without visa for up to 48 hours.
Transit hubsImam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), Tehran · Mashhad International Airport (MHD) · Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)

Health & vaccines for Iran

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, malaria)Low risk

Risk is low in urban areas but present in rural regions; use repellent.

Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk

Common due to contaminated food/water; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.

Air pollutionModerate risk

High in major cities like Tehran; those with respiratory issues should take precautions.

Malaria risk: low

Risk exists in rural areas of Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces; prophylaxis recommended for those regions.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Tehran
Iran Immigration Office (Tehran)
No. 1, Shahid Beheshti Ave, Tehran
Sat–Wed 08:00–14:00

Main office for visa extensions; bring passport, photos, and fee.

Shiraz
Shiraz Immigration Office
Fars Province, Shiraz, Imam Khomeini St
Sat–Wed 08:00–14:00

Popular for tourists; process extensions in 1–2 days.

Practical information for EE travellers

Country basics
CapitalTehran
LanguagePersian (Farsi)
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyIranian rial (IRR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1,216,916.45 IRR
updated May 20
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3:30
vs New York+7h30m
vs Los Angeles+10h30m
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police110
Medical115
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The fee is around €75-€100, payable in euros or US dollars cash. Exact amount depends on your nationality and current rates. Bring crisp, new banknotes — old or damaged notes may be refused.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer than 30 days, you must apply for a regular visa from an Iranian embassy before you travel.
Stick to the major airports listed above. If you land at a smaller one, you'll be denied entry and sent back. Always confirm your arrival airport offers visa on arrival before booking.
If you stay airside and don't pass through immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you leave the transit area, you'll need a visa on arrival or a regular visa.
Your passport (valid 6+ months), a printed or digital copy of your return/onward ticket, and a hotel booking confirmation for your first night. They may also ask for a passport photo.
Iran is generally safe for tourists, but check your government's travel advisories before booking. Women must wear a headscarf in public, and dress modestly. Avoid political gatherings and protests.
No, international credit and debit cards don't work in Iran due to sanctions. Bring enough euros or US dollars in cash for your entire trip. Exchange at official bureaux or banks.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 20, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.