Iran
IRNIran is a large republic in Western Asia bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Persian Gulf states. Iran operates under comprehensive multilateral sanctions regimes imposed by the United States (OFAC), the European Union, and the United Nations Security Council, primarily relating to its nuclear programme and ballistic missile activities. These sanctions severely restrict access to the SWIFT banking network, international wire transfers, and most Western financial services for Iranian nationals. The Iranian passport currently provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 31 destinations. Iranian law does not formally recognise dual citizenship, and Iranian-born dual nationals have in practice been subject to exit bans and detention. Foreign nationals wishing to visit Iran generally require a visa obtained in advance; US, UK, and Canadian passport holders face additional restrictions and currently cannot obtain tourist visas without an approved tour operator.
→ If you hold a Iran passport, see the Iran nationality guidePassport Rank
#101
Visa-Free
31
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Tehran
- Currency
- Iranian Rial (IRR)
- Languages
- Persian (Farsi), Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Arabic
- Population
- 87,923,432
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Mostly arid and semi-arid; subtropical along the Caspian coast; cold winters in the northwest and mountainous regions
Indices
Cost of Living
22
Safety
38
Healthcare
45
Quality of Life
30
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tehran | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mashhad | — | — | — | — | — |
| Isfahan | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Tehran
Rainfall range: 2–40 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Mashhad
Rainfall range: 2–34 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Isfahan
Rainfall range: 1–25 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Business
- Work
- Investor (Pickup)
- Student
- Family
- Religious Pilgrimage
- Medical
- Authority
- Police Immigration & Passport Bureau
- Official Portal
- www.police.ir
- Phone
- +98-21-8707
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- Yes (Persian (Farsi))
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $150
- Processing
- ~24 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#143
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Carpet shop overpricing where tourists are guided to shops by 'friendly' locals receiving commissions
- ⚠Currency exchange fraud involving unofficial money changers offering misleading rates then shortchanging
- ⚠Fake tour guides charging inflated fees for unsolicited assistance at major historical sites
Examples of areas to avoid: Shush district (south Tehran) — higher crime and social deprivation indicators, Border regions near Afghanistan and Pakistan (Sistan-Baluchestan province) — armed smuggling activity and occasional militant incidents, Khuzestan province border areas near Iraq — periodic civil unrest and security incidents
Related Guides
Sources & last verified
- Last verified 2026-06-15