Current DossierSubject · United States passportFile · IRAN

Does Iran require a visa for US citizens?

Straight answer, official source, and how long it takes.

Last checked 22 Jul 2026Source · US State Department — Iran travel advisoryHow we source this →
Visa Panic answer
Visa requiredHigh paperwork

Do US citizens need a visa for Iran?

Do not travel. Iran does not have diplomatic relations with the US and the State Department advises against travel.

Apply on the official siteUS State Department — Iran travel advisory — last checked 22 July 2026
Always confirm with the official source before you travel.
Health FileSubject · IranChecked · 22 Jul 2026

Vaccinations for Iran

Book a travel clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before you fly.

Conditional

Only if arriving from a risk area

Required only if you're travelling from — or transiting through — a country with active transmission.

  • Yellow Fever

    Certificate required if arriving from (or transiting) a country with yellow fever transmission risk.

Recommended on health grounds

Not required for entry — advised by NHS / CDC for most travellers.

  • Hepatitis A

    Recommended — food & water borne.

  • Typhoid

    Recommended, especially for longer stays or rural travel.

  • Rabies

    Consider for rural travel, cyclists, and long trips.

→ Read the Yellow Fever briefing

Which countries require the certificate, timing, cost, and the 10-day validity rule.

Not medical advice. Always confirm with your GP, travel nurse, or a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre — requirements change and can vary based on where you're arriving from.

Colour KeyCalm— no visaMedium— ETA / eVisaPanic— full visa

Deep breath. Here's the answer.

There is no US embassy in Iran and no direct visa route for US citizens. The State Department places Iran at Level 4: Do Not Travel because of the very high risk of arbitrary arrest and detention of US nationals. Dual nationals are at particular risk.

Key facts

For United States passport holders, tourism or short business trips.

PassportUS passport
PurposeTourism / short business trip
Visa requiredYes — visa required
Maximum stayTourist visa (when granted) typically 30 days
Passport validityAt least 6 months beyond entry
Return/onward ticketYes
Arrival formVisa must be arranged before travel via an Iranian interests section or third-country embassy
Last checked22 July 2026

You may need a visa if…

  • You are a dual US-Iranian national
  • You are a journalist, researcher, aid worker or activist
  • You are working, studying or on a paid assignment
  • You do not hold a standard ordinary passport
  • You are transiting through another country

Before you travel

  • Read the full State Department Level 4 advisory
  • Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
  • Confirm travel insurance covers 'against advice' travel
  • Check passport validity and visa lead time
  • Save official source links offline
  • Recheck advisory the day before departure

Common questions

The State Department places Iran at Level 4: Do Not Travel. US citizens have been arbitrarily arrested and detained.

Related destinations

Field Report Provenance

Human-checked

Every dossier is written from official government sources, then re-checked on 22 Jul 2026.

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An hourly job re-scans official sources for changes. Anything fishy triggers a manual review.

Not legal advice

Always cross-check with the linked official source before you book. Read our methodology and disclaimer.