Do Canada passport holders need a visa to visit IR?
Canadian ordinary passport holders need a tourist visa arranged in advance to visit Iran. Iran's eVisa and visa-on-arrival are explicitly NOT available to Canadians, who must book a pre-arranged guided tour through a licensed Iranian agency and be escorted by a government-approved guide at all times. Note: Canada currently advises "Avoid all travel" to Iran due to high risk of arbitrary arrest and detention of Canadian passport holders. A Canadian ordinary passport holder cannot enter Iran without a pre-arranged visa. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly excludes citizens of Canada (along with the US and UK) from both its eVisa system and visa-on-arrival, so the visa must be obtained in advance. Canadians are additionally subject to special handling: they must travel on a pre-arranged itinerary booked through a licensed Iranian travel agency, which obtains a visa authorization (grant) code from the MFA, and they must be accompanied by a government-approved guide throughout the trip. Because Iran has no embassy or consulate in Canada, applications are processed through the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., which serves applicants in Canada, the US and Mexico. Processing for Canadian nationals is long (commonly 6-8 weeks) due to extra security vetting. The standard tourist visa is single-entry, up to 30 days, with possible 30-day extensions inside Iran. Iran is not part of the Schengen Area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Travelers should also be aware that the Government of Canada maintains an "Avoid all travel" advisory for Iran, warning that Canadian (including dual) nationals face a high risk of arbitrary arrest, interrogation and detention, and that consular help is severely limited.
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.
Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→