Hi.
Im looking to get a visa to Iran (preferably in the next two weeks) but I'm very confused about the process. To make things harder, Im British but living in France. According to this :
http://fr.paris.mfa.ir/index.aspx?fkeyid=&siteid=384&pageid=30000 I need to get a <Visa Grant Notice> but I've no idea what that is or how to obtain it- (no information is given on the site). Do I need to fill in the forms provided on the British Iranian website or the French one if I wish to obtain my visa from Paris? Also, I'm visiting friends - do I still need a licensed travel guide for my entire trip?
regards,
Charlotte Butterworth
charlot669
1
emmeff
You will need much more than two weeks for this process.
To get the 'visa grant notice', contact one of the recommended visa agents discussed in the sticky thread at the top of the Iran branch. As a UK passport holder you will need to join a tour or pay for a guide to accompany you to qualify for the authorisation code.
When you have the code, make your submission to the embassy using method 3 described on the embassy website. You can use the link in methods 1 and 2 to generate an application form to submit at the embassy.
2
charlot669
Are you sure? It seems ridiculous that I am unable to visit my friends in Iran without being on a 'tour'....
On the LP info page it states:
"Contrary to popular misconception, US citizens are welcome, but need to pre-arrange a tour or private guide, or be sponsored by a friend or relative in Iran, who will take legal responsibility for them."
This implies that I can be 'sponsored' by my friend (I am assuming that the rules for UK citizens are the same as for US) if so, does anyone know the process?
4
emmeff
Are your friends Iranian? If so, they will need to explore the options for sponsoring your visit. They will need to read the MFA website (in Farsi) to find what the process is. This also means that they will draw the attention of the authorities to themselves and to your visit. It will be up to your friends to make your visit happen.
If your friends are not Iranian, the process described in my earlier post applies.
6
charlot669
It sounds very complicated. Is this just because I am British? Otherwise I would be able to apply for a Visa on Arrival. My friends are Iranian, but I don't want to draw unnecessary attention to them.
7
emmeff
People travelling on UK, US and CA passports are in the same boat. Do you have a second passport from another EU country, such as Ireland?
Ask your Iranian friends to look into what they must do but without taking any action unless they are comfortable with what is involved. Iranians are very hospitable, but if the process is complex or intrusive or expensive you will understand any hesitation they may feel.
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