Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit IR?

UAE ordinary passport holders can visit Iran visa-free for up to 15 days for tourism, once within any 180-day period (non-extendable). No advance visa, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival fee is required for short tourist stays. As of 31 May 2026, holders of an ordinary United Arab Emirates passport do NOT need a visa for short tourist visits to Iran. Under a unilateral visa-waiver Iran introduced on 4 February 2024 covering 28 (later expanded) countries, Emirati ordinary passport holders may enter visa-free and stay up to 15 days for tourism purposes, once within any 180-day window. The 15-day stay is non-extendable. Diplomatic, service and official passports follow separate rules, and the waiver covers tourism only — work, study, journalism, or longer stays still require a visa (eVisa or a visa from an Iranian mission). The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, and travelers should hold proof of onward/return travel and accommodation. Note that this waiver is unilateral (Iran-to-Emirati travelers); it is unrelated to recent UAE-side restrictions on Iranian nationals. Visa-free entry is generally honored at Iran's international airports; travelers using land borders or with unusual itineraries should confirm with the carrier or an Iranian mission before departure. Because Iran is subject to international sanctions and entry policy can shift, confirm the current status with the Iran MFA eVisa portal or IATA shortly before travel.