United Kingdom passport → Iran

Iran visa for British citizens

Visa required

Visa required

British citizens need a visa for Iran, arranged before the trip. Do not travel: the UK advises against all travel to Iran because of the risk of arrest and detention and the volatile regional situation. Everyone without an Iranian passport needs a visa.

Official details are shown in English.

Status
Visa required
Max stay
Not fixed in our data
Last checked
30 October 2026

What it means in practice

Apply well before the trip: visa processing for Iran depends on the embassy or consulate handling your application. The length of stay is the one printed on your visa.

How Iran counts your stay: As granted by your visa; overstaying can lead to detention.

For United Kingdom passports: Visa only through an organised tour or with a sponsor in Iran.

Before you go

Official details are shown in English.

  • Visa required
  • Iranian visa — Well in advance: the process can be long and unpredictable; Set by the Iranian authorities. Passport must be valid at least 6 months from the application date. Women and girls aged 10+ should wear a headscarf in the visa photo. For Kish Island, a registered Iranian travel agency must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 2 weeks ahead so a visa can be issued on arrival.

At the border

Official details are shown in English.

  • Passport valid at least 6 months after arrival
  • Israeli stamps, or stamps from other countries' border crossings with Israel, may lead to refusal of entry
  • Iran does not recognise dual nationality: Iranian dual nationals must enter and leave on an Iranian passport
  • Importing pork products is illegal

How to avoid overstaying

  • Go by your stamp or visa. The date the officer gives you is the one that counts, even if it is shorter than the maximum.
  • Extensions. Our data has no extension route for Iran; plan to leave on time or arrange a different visa in advance.
  • What overstaying costs. As granted by your visa; overstaying can lead to detention.

Good to know

Official details are shown in English.

  • A mother travelling with her children may need the father's permission to take them out of Iran.

Questions

Do British citizens need a visa for Iran?

British citizens need a visa for Iran, arranged before the trip.

What do I need at the border in Iran?

Passport valid at least 6 months after arrival; Israeli stamps, or stamps from other countries' border crossings with Israel, may lead to refusal of entry; Iran does not recognise dual nationality: Iranian dual nationals must enter and leave on an Iranian passport.

When was this checked?

Bordr last checked the entry rules for Iran against official sources on 30 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the official source before you travel.

Sources and last check

Entry rules for this destination were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026. Visa-free days come from the passport matrix in the Bordr app, corrected where the official rules differ.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Entry rules change and border officers have the final say. Check the official government source for your destination before you travel.

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