Iran Visa Requirements & Fees from Dubai
What are the Iran visa requirements from Dubai?
For Iran visa on arrival: a valid passport (6+ months validity), one passport photograph (with hijab for women), hotel booking, return flight ticket, travel insurance valid in Iran, and EUR 50-75 in cash. For the e-Visa: the same documents uploaded digitally plus online payment. Embassy visa requires additional documents including bank statements and employment letter.
Key Takeaway
- For Iran visa on arrival: a valid passport (6+ months validity), one passport photograph (with hijab for women), hotel b...
- VOA Fee: EUR 50-75
- e-Visa Fee: EUR 40-80
- Passport Validity: 6 months minimum
- Travel Insurance: Mandatory
Knowing the exact documents and fees required for an Iran visa from Dubai prevents delays and ensures a smooth entry. Whether you plan to use the visa on arrival facility at Tehran airport, apply for an e-Visa online, or visit the Iranian Consulate in Dubai, each route has specific requirements that must be met.
Iran visa fees are generally affordable compared to many other destinations — starting from approximately EUR 50 for a visa on arrival. However, the document requirements differ between the VOA, e-Visa, and embassy routes, and there are strict rules around passport photographs, travel insurance, and passport validity that catch unprepared travellers.
This guide provides the complete requirements checklist and fee breakdown for every Iran visa route available to UAE residents in 2026, with practical preparation tips from OraVisa.
Iran Visa Requirements: Complete Document Checklist
The documents required for an Iran visa from Dubai depend on which visa route you are using. The table below consolidates all requirements across the three main visa routes so you can see exactly what is needed for your situation.
Iran Visa Requirements by Route for UAE Residents
| Document | Visa on Arrival | e-Visa | Embassy Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport (6+ months validity) | Required | Required (scan uploaded) | Required (original submitted) |
| Passport photograph | Required (printed, hijab for women) | Required (digital upload) | Required (2 printed copies) |
| Hotel booking in Iran | Required (printed) | Required (details entered) | Required (confirmation letter) |
| Return flight ticket | Required (printed) | Recommended | Required |
| Travel insurance (Iran-valid) | Required | Required | Required |
| Iran visa application form | Completed at airport counter | Completed online | Completed at consulate / online |
| UAE residence visa copy | Recommended | Not required | Required |
| Emirates ID copy | Recommended | Not required | Required |
| Bank statements (3 months) | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Employment letter | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Covering letter / purpose of visit | Not required | Not required | Recommended |
| Tour operator confirmation (US/UK/CA only) | N/A (VOA not available) | N/A (e-Visa not available) | Required + authorization code |
Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Visa on Arrival
- Required
- e-Visa
- Required (scan uploaded)
- Embassy Visa
- Required (original submitted)
Passport photograph
- Visa on Arrival
- Required (printed, hijab for women)
- e-Visa
- Required (digital upload)
- Embassy Visa
- Required (2 printed copies)
Hotel booking in Iran
- Visa on Arrival
- Required (printed)
- e-Visa
- Required (details entered)
- Embassy Visa
- Required (confirmation letter)
Return flight ticket
- Visa on Arrival
- Required (printed)
- e-Visa
- Recommended
- Embassy Visa
- Required
Travel insurance (Iran-valid)
- Visa on Arrival
- Required
- e-Visa
- Required
- Embassy Visa
- Required
Iran visa application form
- Visa on Arrival
- Completed at airport counter
- e-Visa
- Completed online
- Embassy Visa
- Completed at consulate / online
UAE residence visa copy
- Visa on Arrival
- Recommended
- e-Visa
- Not required
- Embassy Visa
- Required
Emirates ID copy
- Visa on Arrival
- Recommended
- e-Visa
- Not required
- Embassy Visa
- Required
Bank statements (3 months)
- Visa on Arrival
- Not required
- e-Visa
- Not required
- Embassy Visa
- Required
Employment letter
- Visa on Arrival
- Not required
- e-Visa
- Not required
- Embassy Visa
- Required
Covering letter / purpose of visit
- Visa on Arrival
- Not required
- e-Visa
- Not required
- Embassy Visa
- Recommended
Tour operator confirmation (US/UK/CA only)
- Visa on Arrival
- N/A (VOA not available)
- e-Visa
- N/A (e-Visa not available)
- Embassy Visa
- Required + authorization code
Requirements are for tourist visa applications. Business, student, and other visa categories may have additional requirements. Contact OraVisa for specific guidance.
Document Preparation Key Points
- Travel insurance must specifically cover Iran — many standard policies exclude Iran, so verify before purchasing
- Women must wear hijab in their passport photograph for Iran visa applications
- Your passport must have at least 6 months validity from your planned entry date and at least two blank pages
- For VOA, carry all documents in printed form — digital versions on your phone may not be accepted at the airport counter
Iran Visa Fees: Full Breakdown 2026
Iran visa fees differ by nationality, visa route, and entry type. The visa on arrival and e-Visa fees are the most straightforward, while embassy visa fees vary more widely. Below is a comprehensive fee breakdown for UAE residents.
Iran Visa Fees for Dubai Residents (2026)
| Fee Category | Amount | Payment Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOA — Most nationalities | EUR 50 (~AED 200) | Cash at airport (EUR/USD) | Single entry, 30 days |
| VOA — UAE nationals | EUR 50 (~AED 200) | Cash at airport (EUR/USD) | Single entry, 30 days |
| VOA — Indian passport holders | EUR 50-75 (~AED 200-300) | Cash at airport (EUR/USD) | Varies; verify before travel |
| e-Visa — Standard | EUR 40-80 (~AED 160-320) | Credit/debit card online | Varies by nationality |
| Embassy Visa — Standard | AED 200-400 | Cash or bank transfer | Varies by nationality and visa type |
| Travel Insurance (mandatory) | AED 50-150 per trip | Various providers | Must cover Iran specifically |
| Airport photo service (if needed) | EUR 5-10 | Cash | Available at VOA counters if you forget your photo |
VOA — Most nationalities
- Amount
- EUR 50 (~AED 200)
- Payment Method
- Cash at airport (EUR/USD)
- Notes
- Single entry, 30 days
VOA — UAE nationals
- Amount
- EUR 50 (~AED 200)
- Payment Method
- Cash at airport (EUR/USD)
- Notes
- Single entry, 30 days
VOA — Indian passport holders
- Amount
- EUR 50-75 (~AED 200-300)
- Payment Method
- Cash at airport (EUR/USD)
- Notes
- Varies; verify before travel
e-Visa — Standard
- Amount
- EUR 40-80 (~AED 160-320)
- Payment Method
- Credit/debit card online
- Notes
- Varies by nationality
Embassy Visa — Standard
- Amount
- AED 200-400
- Payment Method
- Cash or bank transfer
- Notes
- Varies by nationality and visa type
Travel Insurance (mandatory)
- Amount
- AED 50-150 per trip
- Payment Method
- Various providers
- Notes
- Must cover Iran specifically
Airport photo service (if needed)
- Amount
- EUR 5-10
- Payment Method
- Cash
- Notes
- Available at VOA counters if you forget your photo
EUR/AED conversion at February 2026 rates (EUR 1 = ~AED 4.00). Fees are subject to change. VOA fees must be paid in EUR or USD cash — AED is generally not accepted at Iranian airport counters.
Fee Tips from OraVisa
- Always carry the exact VOA fee in EUR or USD — airport counters may not have change available
- The e-Visa fee is typically slightly lower than the VOA fee for most nationalities
- Embassy visa fees are non-refundable if your application is refused
- Budget for travel insurance separately — it is mandatory and adds approximately AED 50 to 150 to your total cost
Iran Visa Photograph Requirements
Iran has specific photograph requirements that differ from standard international passport photo norms. The most notable requirement is that women must wear a hijab (headscarf) in their Iran visa photograph, regardless of their nationality or religion. This applies to all female applicants.
Iran Visa Photo Specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 x 4 cm (printed) or minimum 600 x 400 pixels (digital) |
| Background | White or light-coloured |
| Face | Full face visible, looking directly at the camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not recommended (remove if possible) |
| Head covering (women) | Hijab required — hair must be covered |
| Head covering (men) | Not required |
| Photo age | Taken within last 6 months |
| File format (e-Visa) | JPEG, maximum 500KB |
Size
- Specification
- 3 x 4 cm (printed) or minimum 600 x 400 pixels (digital)
Background
- Specification
- White or light-coloured
Face
- Specification
- Full face visible, looking directly at the camera
Expression
- Specification
- Neutral, mouth closed
Glasses
- Specification
- Not recommended (remove if possible)
Head covering (women)
- Specification
- Hijab required — hair must be covered
Head covering (men)
- Specification
- Not required
Photo age
- Specification
- Taken within last 6 months
File format (e-Visa)
- Specification
- JPEG, maximum 500KB
Many photo studios in Dubai are familiar with Iran visa photograph requirements. If you need a photograph taken specifically for an Iran visa, inform the studio that you need the hijab version. OraVisa can recommend studio locations in Dubai that routinely handle Iran visa photographs.
Travel Insurance Requirements for Iran
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Iran visa applications — including visa on arrival. Your insurance policy must specifically state that it provides coverage in Iran. Due to international sanctions, many standard travel insurance providers exclude Iran from their coverage area, so you must verify this before purchasing.
- Your policy must explicitly cover the Islamic Republic of Iran — check the country coverage list carefully
- Minimum medical coverage of USD 30,000 is recommended, though no specific minimum is formally mandated
- The policy must cover your full duration of stay in Iran, from entry to exit
- Emergency medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended given the limited availability of specialised medical care in some regions
- Some Iran-specific insurance providers operate directly from Iranian airports for last-minute purchase — but this is more expensive and less reliable than arranging coverage in advance from Dubai
Several travel insurance providers accessible from the UAE offer Iran-inclusive policies. Contact OraVisa for current recommendations on Iran-compliant travel insurance available to Dubai residents.
Common Iran Visa Mistakes to Avoid from Dubai
Based on our experience assisting travellers to Iran from Dubai, these are the most frequent mistakes that cause delays, extra costs, or entry issues at Iranian airports.
- Arriving without Iran-specific travel insurance — this will be checked at the VOA counter and you may be required to purchase expensive airport insurance
- Women not wearing hijab in their visa photograph — the photo will be rejected
- Carrying only AED cash for the VOA fee — Iranian airport counters require EUR or USD
- Not carrying a printed hotel booking — digital-only copies may not be accepted at the VOA counter
- US/UK/Canadian passport holders attempting VOA — these nationalities are not eligible and will be turned away
- Passport with Israeli stamps or evidence of travel to Israel — entry to Iran will be denied
- Not checking passport validity — passports must have at least 6 months validity from entry date
Need Help with Iran Visa Requirements?
OraVisa provides expert Iran visa guidance for all nationalities in Dubai. From document preparation to insurance advice and restricted passport holder support, our team ensures your Iran visa application is complete and correct.
Get Free Iran Visa AdviceFrequently Asked Questions
Do women need to wear hijab in Iran visa photos?
Yes. All female applicants for an Iran visa must wear a hijab (headscarf covering the hair) in their visa photograph, regardless of nationality or religion. This applies to visa on arrival photos, e-Visa uploads, and embassy visa applications. Many photo studios in Dubai can take Iran-compliant photographs with hijab.
Is travel insurance mandatory for an Iran visa?
Yes. Travel insurance valid in Iran is mandatory for all Iran visa types, including visa on arrival. Your policy must specifically cover Iran — many standard international travel insurance policies exclude Iran from their coverage. If you arrive at an Iranian airport without valid insurance, you may be required to purchase a policy at the airport at a higher cost.
Can I pay the Iran VOA fee in AED?
No. The Iran visa on arrival fee must be paid in EUR or USD cash. AED is generally not accepted at Iranian airport visa counters. Carry the exact amount in EUR (approximately EUR 50 to 75 depending on nationality) or the equivalent in USD. Change may not be available at the counter.
What happens if I have Israeli stamps in my passport?
Iran does not permit entry for holders of Israeli passports or passports containing Israeli entry or exit stamps. If you have previously visited Israel and have stamps in your passport, entry to Iran will be denied. If you plan to visit Iran in the future, consider requesting that Israeli immigration stamp a separate card rather than your passport.
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Written by
Sarah Khan
Content Manager & Visa Research Specialist
Content Manager creating accurate visa guides based on daily research across 100+ country policies. Former travel editor with a journalism background.
Expert reviewed by Ahmed Al Rashid
Senior Visa Consultant
Last updated: · 12+ years of visa consultancy experience
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