🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

🇮🇷IranSA-IR

Saudi Arabia to Iran visa requirements

Q: How long can a Saudi passport holder stay in Iran without a visa?

Up to 15 days. The stay is non-extendable and can be used only once in any six-month period.

Q: Can I use the visa-free entry for business or pilgrimage?

No. The exemption is strictly for tourism. For business, study, medical treatment, pilgrimage, or work you must obtain the appropriate Iranian visa via evisa.mfa.ir.

Q: What if I want to stay longer than 15 days?

Apply for an Iranian tourist eVisa (Type B/T) through the official MFA portal at evisa.mfa.ir before travel; the standard tourist visa allows up to 30 days and is extendable in Iran.

Q: Is Iran part of the Schengen area or ETIAS?

No. Iran is not a Schengen or EU country, so the Schengen 90/180-day rule and ETIAS travel authorization do not apply.

Q: Are there any warnings I should know about?

Yes. The Saudi government maintains a travel advisory against travel to Iran, and international bank/credit cards do not work there, so bring sufficient cash and check current conditions before departure.

Yes. Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders can enter Iran visa-free for tourism for up to 15 days, once every six months, following the December 2023 visa-waiver decree that added Saudi Arabia to Iran's exemption list after diplomatic ties were restored. As of mid-2026, holders of an ordinary Saudi Arabian passport do NOT need a visa for a short tourist visit to Iran. Iran added Saudi Arabia to its unilateral visa-exemption list (a decree covering 33+ countries) following the China-brokered restoration of Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations in March 2023. The exemption grants a non-extendable stay of up to 15 days, usable once per rolling six-month period, and is strictly for tourism (not business, study, work, medical, or pilgrimage). Entry should generally be made by air. Travelers needing a longer stay, a second entry within six months, or a non-tourism purpose must instead obtain an Iranian eVisa / Tourist Visa (Type B/T) via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (evisa.mfa.ir). Passport must be valid at least six months beyond entry. Iran is NOT part of the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules are irrelevant. Note a practical caveat: the Saudi government maintains a travel advisory against travel to Iran, so travelers should weigh that and check current bilateral conditions before departure.

VISA-FREETOURISMSINGLE 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

Visa-free entry (unilateral exemption, tourism only)

Maximum stay

Up to 15 days, non-extendable

per entry

Entries

Single entry; once per rolling 6-month period

from issue date

Visa fee

0 (no visa fee for visa-free entry)

consular fee only

Processing time

None - granted on arrival at the border

standard track

Validity

Use within the trip; passport valid 6+ months beyond entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your eligibility

Verify you hold an ordinary (non-official) Saudi Arabian passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Iran, with at least one blank page.

· Ordinary passport· 6-month validity

/02

Confirm purpose and duration fit the exemption

The visa-free channel covers tourism only and a maximum non-extendable stay of 15 days, usable once per six months. If you need longer, a second entry within six months, or a non-tourism purpose, apply for an eVisa instead.

· Tourism only· Max 15 days

/03

Book onward/return travel and arrive by air

Visa-free entry is generally granted at international airports. Hold a confirmed onward or return ticket and proof of accommodation to show at immigration.

· Air entry· Onward ticket

/04

Prepare supporting documents

Carry proof of accommodation (hotel booking), sufficient funds, and ideally travel/medical insurance valid for Iran, as immigration officers may request these.

· Hotel booking· Travel insurance

/05

Pass immigration on arrival

Present your passport at the Iranian immigration counter; the 15-day visa-free entry stamp is issued there at no charge. Keep the stamp and do not overstay.

· No fee· Entry stamp

/06

If you need a visa instead, apply online

For longer/repeat/non-tourist trips, complete the eVisa application at evisa.mfa.ir, upload a photo and passport scan, pay the fee, then collect the visa grant or have it issued at the airport.

· evisa.mfa.ir· Type B/T

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Saudi Arabia -> Iran · Visa-free entry (unilateral exemption, tourism only)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredOrdinary Saudi passport valid 6+ months beyond entry

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredTrip purpose is tourism only