Travel To The Us: Iranian Citizens' Guide

Iranian citizens need a visa to enter the United States. The U.S. Department of State advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. Due to the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to its citizens in Iran.

What type of visa do Iranian citizens need to travel to the US?

Iranian citizens need a nonimmigrant visa to travel to the US. They can apply for this at any nonimmigrant visa-issuing post, but the US Embassy in Ankara, the US Embassy in Yerevan, and the US Consulate General in Dubai are preferable as they have Farsi-speaking consular officers who are most familiar with Iranian applicants and country conditions.

Iranian citizens will need to make an appointment, pay the application fee, and attend an interview with a consular officer who will ask questions and review documentation to determine whether the applicant qualifies for a visa.

The type of visa an Iranian citizen will need depends on the purpose and duration of their trip to the US. For short-term visits (tourism, business, education, etc.), they can fill out the online application form (DS-160). For immigrant visas, they will need to visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services site. If they are unsure of the type of visa they need, they can use the Visa Wizard.

Where can Iranian citizens apply for a US visa?

Iranian citizens can apply for a US visa at any nonimmigrant visa-issuing post. However, if they do not speak English, they may find it easier to apply at a location with Farsi-speaking consular officers, such as in Dubai, Yerevan, or Ankara. These officers are most familiar with Iranian applicants and country conditions.

Iranian citizens living outside of Iran should apply for nonimmigrant visas in their country of residence. Applicants residing in Iran may travel to and apply at any US embassy or consulate that processes nonimmigrant visas.

US visas for Iranians can also be processed through US embassies in Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Naples, and Vienna.

What is the validity of a US visa for Iranian citizens?

The validity of a US visa for Iranian citizens depends on the type of visa and the purpose of travel.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Iranian citizens living outside of Iran should apply for nonimmigrant visas in their country of residence. Iranian citizens may travel to and apply at any US embassy or consulate that processes nonimmigrant visas. However, the US Embassy Ankara, US Embassy Yerevan, and US Consulate General Dubai are commonly chosen as they have Farsi-speaking consular officers who are most familiar with Iranian applicants and country conditions.

The validity of a nonimmigrant visa for Iranian citizens is based on the principle of reciprocity, meaning that an Iranian's visa validity for the US is the same as an American's visa validity for Iran. Currently, an Iranian citizen's visa validity for the US is three months for a single entry.

Immigrant Visas

For Iranian citizens wishing to reside permanently in the US, they must first be the beneficiary of a petition filed with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Petitions are most commonly based on family relationships or employment but can also be self-generated by investors. Once the petition is approved, the applicant must schedule an interview with a consular officer at an embassy or consulate. If the consular officer determines that the applicant is qualified and there are no security concerns, the US embassy or consulate will issue an immigrant visa.

Student Visas

As of May 20, 2011, qualified Iranian applicants for non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study and research in the F, J, and M categories, as well as their dependents, are eligible for two-year, multiple-entry visas. This is an increase from the previous validity of three months for a single entry. It's important to note that the validity of a visa refers to the time period the visa holder has to enter the US and does not impact the length of stay permitted by US Customs and Border Protection officials.

What is the recommended stay duration for Iranian citizens in the US?

Iranian citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter the United States. The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.

Iranian citizens with a valid visa can stay in the U.S. for up to 3 months (90 days) on a single-entry visa. This is the standard validity period for visas issued to Iranian citizens by the U.S. However, the duration of stay in the U.S. for Iranian citizens depends on the type of visa they hold and the purpose of their visit.

For short-term visits to the U.S. for tourism, business, or education, Iranian citizens can apply for a nonimmigrant visa. The validity period of this visa generally covers the duration of the intended stay in the U.S. For example, students on a student visa are usually admitted for the duration of their student status, allowing them to stay as long as they are full-time students.

For Iranian citizens seeking to reside and work permanently in the U.S., an immigrant visa is required. This type of visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work indefinitely in the country. The validity period of an immigrant visa may differ based on the specific circumstances of the applicant.

It is important to note that Iranian-American dual citizens must enter and exit Iran using their Iranian passports. Additionally, Iranian citizens residing in Iran on permanent resident visas must obtain an exit permit each time they leave the country, regardless of the duration of their stay abroad.

What is the recommended preparation for Iranian citizens travelling to the US?

Iranian citizens need a visa to enter the United States. The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Iran for any reason, due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.

Iranian citizens living outside of Iran should apply for nonimmigrant visas. The visa is typically a stamp or sticker added to the passport, and travellers must obtain this from a local embassy, consulate, or visa centre before travelling. Iranians may make appointments and apply for non-immigrant visas at any nonimmigrant visa-issuing post, but Farsi-speaking consular officers are available in Dubai, Yerevan, and Ankara, and many Iranian nonimmigrant visa applicants choose to apply at those posts.

Iranian citizens with an Iranian passport need an embassy visa for the United States. Iranian citizens usually provide documents from their bank showing their total account holdings. It is important to check carefully whether the total is listed in Iranian rials or tomans (one toman is ten rials), and to check the conversion rate as the total in dollars is often incorrect. Many applicants also submit titles and deeds to apartments and property. However, it is important to keep in mind that the parcels and apartments are frequently divided into shares, and so the applicant may only actually own a fraction of the property that the documents state is wholly owned by them.

Iranian men in active military service are generally unable to obtain their passport until they have completed their service or received an exemption to allow their departure from Iran.

Iranian citizens who also possess Iranian citizenship are subject to laws that impose special obligations on citizens of Iran, such as military service or taxes. Iranian-citizen males aged 18-34 are required to perform military service, unless exempt. Young men who have turned 17 will not be allowed to leave Iran without completing their military service.

Frequently asked questions