Iran Visa: UK citizen, US resident = problem?

Hi all,

I know there are a lot of posts about visas, but I couldn't find anything in any of the ones I read that specifically addresses my issue.

Basically, I am a citizen and passport holder of both the US and UK, and It seems like it would be a lot easier to get an Iranian visa on my British passport, so this is what I plan to do.

HOWEVER, I was born in the US, currently live in the US, and would have to pick up my visa at the Iranian embassy in Washington. Does anyone know if this would cause problems? I have relatives in the UK whose address I could use, if you think that would make things easier...

Any insight would be much appreciated!

Yes, it will be a problem. Staff at the Iranian ínterest's section are fully aware of US law. Even if you turn in your British passport, they are unlikely to issue you a tourist visa allowing individual travel, as they will now that as a US resident born in the US you are definately American.

Hi,
...." would have to pick up my visa at the Iranian embassy in Washington." May I ask why? Why can't you apply with your British passport at the Iranian embassy in London or even Washington DC? I tend to disagree with George on that. But I am not sure. So the wise thing to do is to wait see what replies you get here while at the same time to contact numerous online Iran-based travel agencies like 'iranianvisa.com', 'keys2 persia' , etc. to explain your situation and get their input, and yes compare fees they charge. As far as I know Iranian embassies do not need to know you are a US citizen and you can apply for visa with your UK passport anywhere in the world. There are hundreds of UK passport holders who travel to Iran annually, at least some of whom are dual citizens (maybe not necessarily Americans) I am sure. One thing I know however is that you should NOT apply for Iran visa with your America passport. You may have to go to London, Canada or Mexico City for your visa and you may not have to! Meanwhile, post the same ad. on Iran Forum on www.virtualtourist.com. see the link below. Good luck.Bye. PS: Your best best, I think, is to go through a major Iranian travel agencies and pay a fee.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/

Thanks for your reply Amir! I meant Washington DC, by the way (I live in New York, so going to DC isn't a problem, but going to London would be a little out of my price range!).

I'll take your advice and go through a travel agency -- it doesn't seem like they actually need your home address for the visa application anyway (and there are plenty of British citizens who were born in other countries). Once I have the visa authorization number, it doesn't matter where I actually get the stamp, right?

Regarding George's point, would it matter if they suspected (or knew) that I was also an American citizen? It seems like the Iranian government's problems are with the US government, rather than individual US travellers (after all, they do issue some tourist visas to Americans). Do you have any idea of the rationale behind the stricter requirements for US travellers? For example, the only reason we need visas for Brazil is because the Brazilian government was annoyed that the US insisted that Brazilians needed visas to come here. Is it a similar situation with Iran?

dear sumokitty:

as you like to know about the visa situation for iran, to tell you the truth if you apply with your U.S.Passport you will face alot of problem noe of them is that U.S. Citizens are allowed to enter iran just when they are arranged with an organized tour.you know americans are restricted in iran. so i think that is better to apply with your british passport and address.

so if you apply with your british passport and you faced problem i the future i may can apply you an invitation letter,

so i hope that you will apply with your british passport.

good luck!

Why can't you apply with your British passport at the Iranian embassy in London or even Washington DC? I tend to disagree with George on that.

You got me wrong there. I wasn't saying that that isn't possible. I just said that if OP were to apply in Washington, he would most likely not get a visa for individual travel. Whether it would work in London is anyone's guess.

Do you have any idea of the rationale behind the stricter requirements for US travellers?

They are afraid of Amercian spies. However a bit of a tit-for-tat mentality re the US-state-sponsor-of-terrorism list may also play a role.

Hi,
what is your first name? age? I am curious and always ask.

well,... The Iranian Govt is not rational! Nor is the US. Yes, as George has said it, it both a tit for tat policy and fear of potential american spies posing as tourists! Of course it is still far more difficult for Iranian to get tourist visa for US. Over 80% of all Iranian visa applicants are rejected out of hand, I was told 2 years ago, while those who are accepted are often elderlies/middle age couples with kids or close relatives in the US.

WAIT! I think you should avoid picking up your visa or getting the "stamp", as you put it, at Iranian embassy/Interest Section in Washington DC! Contact the travel agencies I told you about ( there are some good ones in UK and Europe too although I would go for one based in Tehran If I were you) and tell them you are a traveling British citizen and would like to pick up your visa in, I do not know, Ottawa or even Mexico City. This is just my opinion. I think Iran 'Interest Section' in DC should be one of the last places on earth a tourist (any tourist, American or not) should consider going to in order to apply for or even pick up visa! Hence I would not recommend it. But first see what you responses you will get from the travel agencies. Good luck.Bye.

With your UK passport you can easily get your authorization number in about 10 days wherever in the world

I was born in the US and applied for a visa with my NZ passport. Had no problems picking up the visa in Washington once I had the authorization code.

I recently have been looking into visiting Iran (well, more like just tonight actually). I found this on the Department of State's website:

Does anyone know how true this is, and what the situation is now in June?

January 03, 2008

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued May 31, 2007.

Some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States. As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in Iran. Recently, Iranian authorities prevented a number of Iranian-American citizen academics, journalists, and others who traveled to Iran for personal reasons from leaving for several months, and in some cases detained and imprisoned them on various charges, including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Americans of Iranian origin should consider the risk of being targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran. Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens.
The Iranian regime continues to repress its minority religious and ethnic groups, including Bahai, Arabs, Kurds, Azeris, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe. Armed attacks on the road between Bam and Kerman in May 2007 also render this area unsafe.

Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several years as a result of a sometimes volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who travel to Iran despite this Travel Warning should exercise caution.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.

Americans who travel or reside in Iran despite this Travel Warning are strongly encouraged to register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. If they are in Tehran, American citizens may also register in person at the U.S. Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy at Africa Avenue, West Farzan Street, no. 59, Tehran. The local telephone numbers are 021-8878-2964 and 021-8879-2364, fax 021-8877-3265, e-mail: tie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch.

Does anyone know how true this is

Well, it is from the US State deparment, part of the Bush administration......

Now seriously : The information is roughly correct. However its selection has a strong anti-Iranian bias.

Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran.

There are special regulations for dual nationals (treated as only Iranian in Iran). If you are a dual national, get a hold of these regulations before departure.

As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in Iran. Recently, Iranian authorities prevented a number of Iranian-American citizen academics, journalists, and others who traveled to Iran for personal reasons from leaving for several months

If you actively engange with the Iranian oposition and publically voice anti-government opinions you will run into problems. However most tourists do not come to Iran for this purpose and thus will not encounter such problems.

The Iranian regime continues to repress its minority religious and ethnic groups, including Bahai, Arabs, Kurds, Azeris, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe. Armed attacks on the road between Bam and Kerman in May 2007 also render this area unsafe.

Generally true. While the Kurish areas have become a bit safer, the areas directly adjacent to the borders with Iraq, Afghanistan & Pakistan are indeed unsafe. All other areas of Iran are very safe on the other hand.

Having said all of that : Iranians are among the most friendly people in the world and it is very unlikely you will encounter any problems whatsoever. Unless you do something really stupid like taking a photgraph of a nuclear site or similar you'll have a memorable, safe and enjoyable trip.

hi,
so I learned something new today. So maybe you 'sumokitty' could also pick up your visa in DC.
'bbpiano1' says, "I was born in the US and applied for a visa with my NZ passport. Had no problems picking up the visa in Washington once I had the authorization code." So what travel agency was it that helped you get the authorization code? when and how much? Thanks.Bye.

OK, took me a long time to get back to this, but glad I did. Thanks especially to 'bbpiano1' -- glad to know that someone else has dealt with the same issue with no problems.

I'm a 30-year-old woman, by the way. Not involved in the media or anything -- shouldn't seem too suspicious! Though I'll be sure to leave my porn at home, of course. ;)

Now I just need to figure out how to get enough time off work!

Hi, I hold a British Passport; would I be able to get an Iranian Visa from Iranian Embassy in Islamabad (Pakistan)? If so what's the fee please? Thanks

hi,
why did you post your question here? to a topic which is almost one year old? anyway, since you are british and..in pakistan now? i think you should go through a good iranian travel agency like 'key2persia' to get your visa. it will cost you 30 euros for their services, i think. i do not work for any travel agency. good luck.amir

Hi Amir, good advice mate and thank you so much for your kind reply. Sorry, I just saw the old thread and posted my question there. I will do so as advised i.e., find the travel agency recommended by you. The price is very reasonable 30 Euros. Many Thanks Ejaz