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United Arab Emirates to Iran visa requirements

Do not travel while the UAE MoFA ban remains in force. Iran itself lists UAE ordinary passports as visa-free for tourism for 15 non-extendable days once every six months, but UAE MoFA currently bans UAE citizens from traveling to Iran. There are two separate facts for United Arab Emirates citizens traveling to Iran. On the Iran entry-rule side, ordinary UAE passport holders are listed by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as visa-exempt for tourism: a non-extendable stay of 15 days once every six months. This is visa-free, with no Iran visa or eVisa fee for the covered short tourist stay. However, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently has a higher-priority outbound restriction: its Iran destination page, last modified 1 May 2026, says UAE citizens are banned from traveling to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the 30 April 2026 MoFA news release announced the ban on UAE nationals traveling to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq in light of regional developments. The practical guidance is therefore not to travel while the UAE ban remains in force, even though Iran's own immigration rule is visa-free for eligible UAE ordinary passports. If the UAE restriction is lifted, the Iran-side tourist waiver remains limited to tourism, ordinary passports, 15 non-extendable days, and one use every six months. Work, study, journalism, medical or longer stays require the appropriate Iranian visa through the MFA eVisa system or an Iranian mission.
VISA-FREETOURISMONE VISA-FREE ADMISSION EVERY SIX MONTHS IF TRAVEL IS OTHERWISE PERMITTEDLast verified 2026-06-18
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-18
Visa type
UAE outbound travel ban currently in force; Iran-side visa-free tourism waiver
Maximum stay
Iran-side waiver: up to 15 days
per entry
Entries
One visa-free admission every six months if travel is otherwise permitted
from issue date
Visa fee
0 for the Iran-side visa-free tourism waiver
consular fee only
Processing time
Do not travel while UAE MoFA ban remains in force; no Iran visa processing for eligible short tourist waiver once permitted
standard track
Validity
15 days once every six months; non-extendable
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check the UAE MoFA travel ban first
Before booking, verify the UAE MoFA Iran travel update. As verified on 18 June 2026, UAE citizens are banned from traveling to Iran.
· UAE MoFA· Travel ban
/02
Do not travel while the ban is active
Treat the UAE outbound ban as controlling. The Iran-side visa waiver does not remove the UAE citizen travel restriction.
· Do not travel· Outbound restriction
/03
If the ban is lifted, confirm passport category
The Iran-side visa-free tourist waiver applies to ordinary UAE passports. Diplomatic, service, official or special-passport arrangements may differ.
· Ordinary passport· Tourism
/04
Plan within the Iran-side waiver
If travel becomes permitted, keep the trip to tourism, 15 non-extendable days, and one visa-free entry every six months.
· 15 days· Once every six months
/05
Prepare supporting documents
Carry a passport valid at least six months, return or onward ticket, accommodation details, sufficient funds, and Iran-valid travel insurance.
· 6 months· Return ticket
/06
Use eVisa for non-waiver trips
For work, study, journalism, medical, longer stays, repeat visits inside six months, or any trip not covered by the waiver, use Iran's MFA eVisa system or an Iranian mission after confirming UAE travel permission.
· eVisa· Non-tourist
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
United Arab Emirates -> Iran · UAE outbound travel ban currently in force; Iran-side visa-free tourism waiver
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUAE MoFA travel ban lifted before departure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredOrdinary UAE passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredPassport valid 6+ months beyond intended stay
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
ConditionalTourism-only trip if using visa-free entry
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredStay limited to 15 non-extendable days
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredNo prior use of the Iran 15-day waiver within the last six months
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedConfirmed return or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation or host address
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance valid for Iran
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredRe-check UAE MoFA and Iran MFA eVisa portal shortly before travel
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesUAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Iran travel requirements by destination (last modified 2026-05-01)UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Travel ban on UAE nationals traveling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq (published 2026-04-30)Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Electronic Visa portal, visa-exempt countries
Application link included: Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Electronic Visa portal, visa-exempt countries
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Iran tourist visa-free waiver0No Iran visa fee for eligible UAE ordinary passport holders if travel is otherwise permitted and the trip fits the 15-day tourism waiver
Iran eVisa or mission visaVariesRequired for longer stays, non-tourist purposes, or trips not covered by the visa-free waiver
Travel insuranceVariesRecommended for visa-free travel and commonly required for visa applications
Total estimate0 — 0 for the covered Iran-side waiver; other visa categories varyincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

UAE travel-ban check
Before booking and again before departure
UAE MoFA currently bans UAE citizens from traveling to Iran. Do not proceed while this remains active.
Iran-side visa-free tourist entry
Immediate at border once travel is permitted
No Iran visa application for eligible ordinary UAE passport holders using the 15-day tourism waiver.
Iran eVisa
Varies
Use Iran's MFA eVisa portal only when a regular visa is needed and UAE outbound travel is permitted.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
UAE MoFA travel ban controls current travel
The UAE MoFA destination page says UAE citizens are banned from traveling to Iran, and the 30 April 2026 MoFA notice announced the ban in light of regional developments.
High
/02
Iran still lists UAE ordinary passports as visa-free
Iran's MFA eVisa portal lists United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holders among nationalities allowed 15 non-extendable tourist days once every six months.
High
/03
Tourism-only and non-extendable
The Iran-side waiver covers tourism only, caps the stay at 15 days, and may not be extended.
High
/04
Other purposes still need a visa
Work, study, journalism, medical travel, and longer stays require an appropriate Iranian visa or permit.
Medium
/05
Regional policy is volatile
Both UAE outbound restrictions and Iran entry rules can change quickly, so re-check official sources immediately before any future trip.
High
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-18 · major
Iran guidance updated for UAE travel ban
Added UAE MoFA's current ban on UAE citizens traveling to Iran (destination page last modified 2026-05-01 and MoFA notice published 2026-04-30), replaced weak overview/media sources with official UAE and Iran MFA sources, and clarified that Iran's 15-day visa-free tourism waiver does not override the UAE outbound restriction.
2026-05-30
United Arab Emirates to Iran route verified
Confirmed Iran-side 15-day visa-free tourism waiver for UAE ordinary passport holders.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can UAE citizens travel to Iran right now?—
No, not while the UAE MoFA ban remains in force. UAE MoFA currently says UAE citizens are banned from traveling to Iran.
Do UAE citizens need an Iranian visa for tourism if the UAE ban is lifted?+
Is the Iran visa-free stay extendable?+
Can I use the Iran waiver more than once?+
Does the waiver cover work, study, journalism or medical travel?+
Which source should I check before travel?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Arab Emirates passport

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