canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/cn/to/ir
🇨🇳CHINA
🏳IRCN-IR

Do China passport holders need a visa to visit IR?

Visa-free 21 days for Chinese tourists since 23 Mar 2024 under bilateral agreement. Chinese ordinary passport holders can enter Iran visa-free for up to 21 days per stay (maximum 21 days within any 180-day window) for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. The China-Iran mutual visa-free agreement entered into force on 23 March 2024 as a permanent bilateral arrangement. Iranian citizens reciprocally enjoy 21-day visa-free entry to China. The agreement reflects strategic China-Iran cooperation under the 25-year comprehensive partnership signed in 2021. Mahan Air, Iran Air, and China Southern operate direct flights from Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou to Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA). Travel must be for short-term purposes — work, study, journalism, and stays exceeding 21 days still require a regular Iranian visa. Standard tourist visas are available via the Iranian eVisa portal at evisatraveller.mfa.ir for EUR 50 (single entry) or via the Iranian embassy in Beijing.
VISA-FREETOURISMMAXIMUM 21 DAYS WITHIN 180-DAY WINDOWLast verified 2026-05-27
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.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Bilateral visa-free entry (no application)
Maximum stay
Up to 21 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Maximum 21 days within 180-day window
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
None - entry on arrival
standard track
Validity
Permanent bilateral agreement since 23 Mar 2024
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Chinese ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond intended departure with at least 2 blank pages.
· 6 months validity
/02
Book travel & accommodation
Confirmed flights and hotel/host details. Iran Immigration may ask at the border.
· flight + hotel proof
/03
Prepare return/onward ticket
Confirmed return or onward ticket within 21 days is recommended.
· return ticket
/04
Arrive in Iran
Present passport at immigration at IKA Tehran or other entry point. Officers may ask purpose and itinerary.
· no application needed
/05
Carry travel insurance proof
Iran requires travel insurance valid in Iran (purchase at IKA for EUR 14 if not pre-arranged).
· insurance required
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

6 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 6 complete
Chinese ordinary passport
Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages
Return/onward ticket
Confirmed flight within 21 days
Hotel booking or host contact
Accommodation for first night minimum
Travel insurance valid in Iran
Required - purchase at IKA EUR 14 if needed
Sufficient cash
Iran is largely cash-only for tourists due to sanctions; bring EUR/USD
Purpose of visit clarity
Tourism, business, family, transit only - not work/study
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeBilateral mutual visa-free; no application, no fee
Iran eVisa (single entry)EUR 50Only needed for stays over 21 days or non-eligible purposes
Travel insurance (at airport)EUR 14Required for entry if not pre-arranged
Overstay penaltyUSD 50/dayPlus possible detention and re-entry ban
Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
None
Enter directly; immigration check on arrival at IKA Tehran or other ports.
Iran eVisa
2-7 business days
Via evisatraveller.mfa.ir if needing >21 days.
Iran embassy visa
5-10 business days
Via Iranian embassy Beijing for work, study, or extended stays.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Stay exceeded 21 days
Visa-free is strict 21 days per entry. Exceed and you face penalties.
Low
/02
Wrong purpose declared
Working or journalism on visa-free is not allowed - declare correctly.
Low
/03
No travel insurance
Iran requires insurance valid in Iran; without it you must buy at IKA EUR 14.
Medium
/04
Sanctions-related travel issues
US/EU sanctions complicate card usage; bring cash EUR or USD.
Medium
/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
2026-05-27
China to Iran route verified
Confirmed bilateral visa-free 21 days remains in force.
2024-03-23 · major
China-Iran mutual visa-free agreement enters into force
Permanent bilateral arrangement allowing 21-day visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Iran?—
No — visa-free 21 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit under the bilateral mutual agreement since 23 March 2024.
Is this a trial or permanent?+
Do I need travel insurance?+
Can I use my Chinese bank card?+
Can I work on visa-free entry?+
Are direct flights from China available?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the China passport

🇨🇳⇄
Compare the China passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇨🇳◐
China visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇨🇳▤
China passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.