United States to Iran visa requirements

US ordinary passport holders need a visa arranged in advance to visit Iran for tourism. They are NOT eligible for Iran's eVisa or visa-on-arrival, must book a pre-arranged guided tour with a government-approved escort guide at all times, and collect the visa through the Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, DC. The US State Department also maintains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Iran. A US ordinary passport holder cannot travel to Iran visa-free and is specifically barred from the eVisa and visa-on-arrival channels that other nationalities use. Under Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rules (reaffirmed and tightened in July 2025), US, UK and Canadian citizens must travel as part of a pre-arranged tour and be accompanied by a government-approved guide for the entire stay; independent travel is banned. The process begins with an authorized Iranian travel agency, which submits a day-by-day itinerary and applicant "resume file" (travel history, employer, social-media handles) to the MFA. After 2-8 weeks the MFA issues a visa authorization (grant notice / reference number), and the traveler then collects the actual visa from the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC (Iran has no embassy in the US). A tourist visa is normally valid for 90 days from issue, allows a 30-day stay (extendable up to a total of 90 days inside Iran), and is typically single-entry. Separately, the US Department of State rates Iran Level 4 - Do Not Travel, warning that merely holding a US passport can be grounds for detention, and that there is no US diplomatic or consular presence in Iran (Switzerland is the protecting power). Travelers should weigh this serious safety guidance independently of the visa mechanics.