Visa on arrival and other Qs

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addictedtomango
addictedtomango

Hello people,
It looks like I just might (finally) make it to Iran. I have a few questions that I hope someone can help me with.

  1. Visa on arrival.
    I'm a South African citizen, and I understand that I qualify for visa on arrival at Tehran airport.
    Can I simply land in Tehran and walk up to immigration and get a visa, or do I need to get a visa approval number before I arrive in Tehran?
    For the visa on arrival, do I need to show proof for hotel bookings for my whole stay, or will the reservation for the first one or two nights be enough?
    Is the price of 50 euro the same for all nationalities.
  2. Budget.
    Will $US 100 a day be enough for accomodation, transport, food and sights? Planning on going to Tehran,Yazd, Isfahan, Shiraz. I'm travelling solo and don't need anything fancy.
  3. New year.
    The plan is to be in Iran between March 14-24, which I understand is over the Iranian New year. Will it be problematic to travel during this time.

Sorry for all the questions. Hope to hear what you people say.
Thanks

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emmeff
emmeff

(1) If you are eligible for the VOA then you don't need an authorisation number. However, some travellers prefer to get one anyway in case something happens before they arrive (criticism of Iran by their home countries, for example) that makes the Iranian immigration officials skittish about issuing the VOAs. You need to provide the name of the hotel where you will stay immediately after arrival. There is a chance the immigration official will ring to check.

(2) $100 per day is a good budget, even a very good budget, although if you take any flights then that cost will eat into this budget. VIP buses between cities are extremely cheap.

(3) Oh. Nowruz. Do you have to visit Iran then? The entire country goes on holidays for two to three weeks. Expect to compete with Iranian families for hotel rooms and seats on transport. The cheapest options will probably have gone by the time you need them. You should be fine, but you certainly won't have the choice that's available during most of the rest of the year. On the other hand, you'll be visiting sites with Iranian tourists and they will all be in a holiday mood. Lots of offers of tea and fruit.

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Sinasina
Sinasina

No! That would be not that much problematic except the last two days, coinciding with new year.

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Damavandclimber
Damavandclimber

I suggest consider 120$ per day.
The only problem in Norowz is crowded situation in most of sights and roads.

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Thorn Tree

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