1

I just returned from a trip to Iran and the visa (tourist) was acquired from the special interests section of the Pakistani embassy in Washington DC.

Once the authorization code was sent to the embassy the final visa was added about three business days later, although they did mention up to five business days might be required depending on how busy they are. The final stamped visas were sent by overnight FedEx delivery (to Canada). I called the embassy to ask a few questions and the rep I talked to mentioned they were receiving "boxes" of visa applications each day. I was a little worried our approvals would be delayed, but in the end the process went smooth.

We sent our passports (via overnight FedEx) to the embassy as soon as we were notified our authorization code was issued.

They also have a nice handy phone number for checking the status of your visa through an automated system.

Overall, the experience was really good.

Hope this helps.

2

Thank you. I'm still waiting for the authorization code from the travel agency but I am hopeful it will still come! Good to know that the process went smoothly.

3

i joey,
Your name sounds familiar.
U should keep in constant touch with your travel agency ....and by constant.... I meant twice a week ...on Sundays and Tuesdays...until your visa authorization number is confirmed one way or another. I was once told that decisions on American visa applications are made on Sundays and Tuesdays only! Because of the time difference though, you should email your Iran travel agency? On Saturday night and Monday night your local time to see if you're visa number has been issued/approved or not! Do not wait for the travel agency to contact u.... u must take the initiative...another Italian-American like u? Took my advice and finally got his visa in late December. I think that is what u should do as well. Good luck, amir in tehran.

4

In my last reply, by 'i joey' I actually meant to type hi joey!
Anyway, LP archive is closed but u may find me and more Iran travel information in iran forum on 'tripadvisor.com'.
also,let us know about your tour and fees your travel agency is charging. Wish to compare. Thanks. Amir.

5

I am a Canadian Citizen and applied for visit visa for Iran online at www.iranianvisa.com and sent me authorization code and then I sent my passport to Interest Section of Iran Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC, US. They sent my passport back with visa stamped on it by FedEx within two weeks. I am satisfied with the services provided by www.iranianvisa.com and Washington DC visa office. I am trvaining in March 2013.

6

Hi Joey,
Did your visa authorization ever arrive? We have not had an update from u in almost a month. Amir.

7

Amir,

sorry about that. Unfortunately it never arrived. :( Tour agency emailed me a week before I was scheduled to arrive telling my my visa application was rejected. This was after following up as suggested.

My flights were booked already but I was able to change the destination to Bishkek instead and visited Almaty/Bishkek, silk road stuff instead.

Yes I was bummed but from reading other blogs, it looks like I can still apply but use a different agency instead. I used key2persia since my friend used it two years ago with no issues (but he picked up his visa in Istanbul, not DC.) I also think next time I'll simply pick up the visa in Dubai or in Istanbul versus Washington DC.

I hope that helped!

8

hi joey,
thanks for the update. sorry for your iran visa rejection.
i think there was perhaps something you put on your visa application that got it rejected, like your current job.
now if u decide to apply for iran visa again, i would recommend Touranzamin, which is based in tehran, and seem are able to get visa for americans and canadians, among others, faster than most travel agencies i know of. keep in touch. amir.