Iran with Canadian passport or NZ passport (having visited Israel)?

I would like to backpack in Iran and was waiting until I became a Canadian citizen, which happened recently. I visited Israel with my previous NZ passport, so although there is no Israeli stamp in my current passport, I am weary of using it to enter Iran. I just discovered, however, that a Canadian passport is one of the worst to travel with as you are required to be on a tour or with a guide! I always travel independently and don't want this restriction. So my question is which passport should I use??
Is there any way to get around the guide requirement with a Canadian passport and travel freely within Iran?
Is it likely to cause problems applying for a visa or entering Iran with my current NZ passport which has no Israeli stamp, or are they able to find this out somehow?
Thanks in advance for any advice or insight you can offer!

Canadian = guide.

As long as there's no Israeli stamp, or equally as important a border stamp for Jordan or Egypt, then the Kiwi passport will be fine.

I have a follow-up question. I understand it can't be answered definitively, but was wondering if any of us fellow travellers had a similar experience.

I am currently a long-term resident in the UK (I have an Indian passport), and am hoping to travel to Iran soon. I intend to pick up my Iranian visa in Istanbul, and cross overland from Dogubeyazit. I now have a new passport (my old passport ran out of pages) - however, my old passport (which also contains my long-term UK visa) has an Israeli stamp. I was wondering how likely is it that the Iranian authorities would demand to check my old passport either at Istanbul or at the border (perhaps to check my UK resident status?) - would an Israeli stamp in that passport be a red flag?

Many thanks!

The border immigration officials won't ask to see an outdated passport. They won't care about your UK residency, either. It's the nationality on your current passport and the contents within it that matter.

But yes, if somehow they do discover that you have visited Israel then you will have a problem. Have you made any posts about that visit anywhere online that an official at MFA might find using Google? It's not impossible that someone may do a quick online search of your name when MFA is assessing your application for a visa authorisation number.

Thanks, emmeff. I ran a quick google-search on my name, so far so good!

Great tip regarding Googling - I have an Israeli stamp on my old passport so thought I'd be ok but I've actually written a blog on my Israel trip so I guess I gotta take it off.

Pionious, did you apply for your visa, and did the Israeli stamp create any issues? My husband has one on his passport and we're wondering whether to get him a new passport.

Thanks!

Sorry, I haven't applied yet - but plan to do so in the coming month. Will post here re: experiences. I have an Israeli stamp in my old passport - from what I'm told / have read, they don't really bother with old passports (unlike Schengen countries, for example, who ask all old passports to be submitted with the application.)

In case you do end up applying before me, kalikalooti, please do let us know how you got along! Thanks!

Ok, thanks a lot for getting back!

We plan to go in September / October so might only apply after you do. I'll share my experience if we apply sooner.

I've actually written to the Embassy to check if an Israeli stamp is a problem. Lets see what they come back with.

The question that the MFA will ask when you apply is whether you gave ever visited Israel. The stamp is simply evidence of that visit.

Actually, on your application you need to list every country you have visited.

I think you have made a grave mistake to draw attention to the stamp, and to the fact that you have visited Israel. Better to avoid the issue and to get a new passport, or use a different one if you are eligible for it. If the embassy puts your enquiry on record, you can forget about getting a visa -- perhaps indefinitely.

But please let us know how things work out.

Thanks emmeff! I decided to be 'clever' and wrote from a made up email address, though I suspect they will probably choose to ignore the question.

You are right - the visa form does indeed say list all countries you have visited. Do you have a recommendation on this - should we just omit Israel? I've visited almost 50 countries - surely they don't expect me to list all?

Why do you think the the request is for 'all'? You could always attach the list.

You will have to use your own judgment in this matter.

Thanks! Of course I'll use my judgment. Was only wondering if you have any experience or have heard of anyone else's... that's why I asked.

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