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Netherlands to Iran visa requirements

Netherlands ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Iran. The standard route is the Iran eVisa (electronic visa) issued by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applied for online before travel via evisa.mfa.ir, then collected at an Iranian consulate or at the airport on arrival. Iran is not visa-free for Dutch citizens, nor is it part of the Schengen area, so no 90/180 or ETIAS rule applies. Dutch ordinary passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling. The practical and officially supported channel is the Iran eVisa: applicants submit an online application through Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (evisa.mfa.ir or evisatraveller.mfa.ir), receive a reference/grant notice, and then have the visa stamped at an Iranian embassy/consulate or, in many cases, collected on arrival at major airports (Imam Khomeini IKA, Mashhad, Shiraz, etc.) after the eVisa is approved. While Iran technically offers a visa-on-arrival for some nationalities, it is unreliable and not recommended for Dutch travelers, who should secure the eVisa approval in advance. The eVisa is normally single-entry, allows a maximum stay of 30 days (extendable inside Iran up to 90 days total), and the visa grant is valid for entry within roughly 90 days of issue. A passport valid at least six months beyond entry is required. Iran no longer stamps passports - entry/exit is recorded electronically and a separate visa document is issued, which avoids future US/UK/Schengen entry complications. Note recent policy turbulence: a temporary August-September 2025 rule required some European nationals to travel only via registered guided tours; this was rolled back from October 2025 for most Europeans (Dutch included), though US, UK and Canadian citizens still require a pre-arranged guided tour. Dutch travelers can again travel relatively independently but must apply through/with a registered Iranian travel agency in practice, provide an itinerary, and stay in registered accommodation. Fees, exchange-rate and political conditions change quickly, so verify on the official MFA portal and the Dutch government travel advisory before booking.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Electronic visa (Iran eVisa, tourist), applied online and collected at consulate or airport
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (extendable inside Iran to a maximum of 90 days)
per entry
Entries
Single entry (standard tourist eVisa)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 75 consular fee + approx. EUR 20-30 processing/service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
Around 3 to 10 working days (allow 2-3 weeks to be safe)
standard track
Validity
Visa grant valid for entry within approx. 90 days of issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eligibility and passport validity
Ensure your Dutch ordinary passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date and has blank pages. Confirm your trip purpose is tourism or visiting family/friends.
· Passport 6+ months valid· Tourism purpose
/02
Submit the online eVisa application
Apply through Iran's official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal at evisa.mfa.ir (evisatraveller.mfa.ir). Enter personal and travel details, upload a passport photo and passport scan, and receive a reference/tracking number.
· evisa.mfa.ir· Reference number issued
/03
Apply via or with a registered Iranian travel agency
In practice Dutch travelers should apply through a licensed Iranian agency, which sponsors the application, provides an itinerary and registered accommodation bookings, and improves approval odds. Independent travel is allowed again for Dutch citizens since October 2025 (guided tour no longer mandatory).
· Licensed agency· Itinerary + hotels
/04
Wait for the visa grant notice
Track your application online. Once approved you receive a visa grant notice / authorization code. Processing is typically 3-10 working days but can take longer; do not buy non-refundable tickets before approval.
· Grant notice· Track online
/05
Pay the fee and collect the visa
Pay the consular fee and collect/stamp the visa at the chosen Iranian embassy/consulate or at the designated airport visa desk on arrival. Fees are commonly paid in euros.
· EUR consular fee· Consulate or airport
/06
Arrange mandatory travel insurance and enter Iran
Buy Iran-valid travel medical insurance (often required and sold at the airport if not pre-purchased), keep your accommodation and itinerary documents, then enter Iran. Entry is recorded electronically; your passport is not stamped.
· Iran-valid insurance· No passport stamp
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Netherlands -> Iran · Electronic visa (Iran eVisa, tourist), applied online and collected at consulate or airport
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredDutch ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond entry, with blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted online eVisa application with reference number
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photo (white background, meeting Iran specs)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredColor scan of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed accommodation in registered hotels / itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredIran-valid travel medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedApplication via a licensed Iranian travel agency (improves approval)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds (cash in EUR/USD; foreign cards do not work in Iran)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
OptionalResume/CV detail (some applicants are asked for employment and travel history)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
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 sourcesIran Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Official eVisa PortalVisa policy of Iran - WikipediaConsular fees in Iran - NetherlandsWorldwide (Dutch Government)
Application link included: Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Official eVisa Portal
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Iran consular visa fee (Dutch nationals)EUR 75Standard tourist eVisa fee for Netherlands passport holders; usually paid in euros at consulate or airport
Processing / agency service feeEUR 20-30Approximate; varies by agency or VFS-type service provider
Mandatory Iran travel insuranceEUR 15-30Required for entry; can be bought in advance or at the airport on arrival
Visa extension (if needed, inside Iran)IRR varies (approx. EUR 10-15 equivalent)Paid at a Police/immigration office for 30-day extensions, up to 90 days total
Total estimateEUR 95 — EUR 135incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa via licensed agency
3-10 working days
Recommended route: apply through a registered Iranian travel agency that sponsors the application; higher approval rate and itinerary support.
Direct application via MFA portal
5-14 working days
Self-application at evisa.mfa.ir without an agency; possible but higher rejection rate and no itinerary support.
Allow buffer before travel
2-3 weeks
Recommended planning buffer because processing can slow during peak periods or due to additional checks.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement
The Netherlands and Iran have no visa-free or visa-waiver arrangement, so Dutch tourists always need a visa.
High
/02
Iran is not in the Schengen area
Schengen 90/180 short-stay rules and ETIAS do not apply; Iran sets its own entry requirements independently.
High
/03
eVisa is the standard pre-arrival channel
Iran requires an approved electronic visa before boarding; reliable visa-on-arrival is not assured for Dutch citizens.
High
/04
Registered accommodation and itinerary checks
Applicants must show registered hotel bookings and an itinerary; staying with private hosts is prohibited.
Medium
/05
Recent policy volatility
Rules changed in 2025 (temporary guided-tour mandate, then rollback for Europeans); requirements can shift quickly.
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
2026-05-30 · major
Netherlands to Iran route verified
Confirmed eVisa requirement for Dutch ordinary passport holders against Iran MFA portal, Wikipedia visa policy, and Dutch government consular fee page. Noted October 2025 rollback of mandatory guided-tour rule for European citizens; verified 30-day single-entry stay, EUR 75 consular fee, no Schengen/ETIAS relevance.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a Dutch citizen get an Iran visa on arrival?—
Iran offers visa-on-arrival for some nationalities, but it is unreliable and not recommended for Dutch travelers. The safe route is to obtain an approved eVisa online before departure, then collect it at a consulate or designated airport desk.
Do I have to join a guided tour to visit Iran?+
Will an Iran visa stamp cause problems entering the US under ESTA?+
How long can I stay in Iran on a tourist eVisa?+
Can I use my Dutch bank or credit cards in Iran?+
Is travel insurance required?+
/11 — Passport tools

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