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Iran Visa for France Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

French citizens can get a Visa on Arrival for Iran at major international airports, valid 30 days, with a fee of roughly EUR 75-80 depending on nationality-based pricing, plus mandatory travel insurance purchased on-site.

Guide last updated October 26, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry
  • Pre-registration recommended (though not always mandatory) via e_visa.mfa.ir, generating a reference/authorization code to present at the airport VOA counter
  • One passport-style photo (some airports still require a printed photo despite the digital registration)
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking) often requested
  • Return or onward ticket required
  • Mandatory travel health/medical insurance valid in Iran - sold on the spot at the VOA counter if you do not already have Iran-compliant coverage
  • No biometrics taken for the VOA itself

Visa types

  • Visa on Arrival (tourist): single entry, valid for a 30-day stay, available to French citizens at designated international airports
  • Tourist e-Visa (pre-approved, collected as a sticker/stamp on arrival or at an embassy): similar validity, but applied for and approved before travel, reducing airport delays
  • Group Tourist Visa: for travelers arriving with a licensed Iranian tour operator, sometimes with eased rules

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), and other airports including Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Tabriz (not available at land borders for most nationalities).
  • Present passport, photo, and accommodation/return ticket proof at the VOA desk
  • Pay the fee in euros or an accepted hard currency (Iranian banks are not linked to international card networks due to sanctions, so cash is required)
  • Purchase mandatory travel insurance at the same counter if not already arranged
  • Processing at the airport: typically 30-90 minutes depending on queue and day
  • Pre-registering online via e_visa.mfa.ir beforehand shortens the in-person process significantly

Fees & processing time

  • VOA fee for French citizens: approximately EUR 75-80 (fees are set per nationality and can change; always confirm the current rate before travel)
  • Mandatory insurance purchased on arrival: roughly EUR 10-15 for the stay
  • Total typical cost: around EUR 85-95
  • No VFS/BLS center is used for the VOA route itself
  • No formal express option; pre-registration online is the practical way to speed things up
  • Cash only - bring euros, as foreign cards do not work in Iran

Tips for France travelers

  • Pre-register online before flying; airports can refuse or heavily delay travelers who show up unregistered during busy periods
  • Bring sufficient euro cash, since no international card payments are possible anywhere in Iran
  • Journalists and anyone planning to report professionally must apply for a separate press/media visa in advance, not the tourist VOA
  • Extensions of up to 30 extra days are possible at a local Department of Aliens and Foreign Nationals Affairs office inside Iran
  • Check current French foreign ministry travel advisories before booking, as the security situation and bilateral relations can affect entry conditions

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.