Comments on: Traveling to Iran as Americans: All You Need to Know

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 03:30:20 +0000

Hi !
I am an american citizen living in France since i was a kid, but i still only have an american passport, no french citizenship yet (the french paperwork system takes a loooong time!).
I have a very good friend in Iran that i would love to visit. Do you think if i went with a private guide, they would let me hang out in peace and privacy with my friend? Do you think the guide would let my friend and i travel together? My friend would love to show me different places in his country… Of course i would prefer to travel freely but if it’s the only solution, i might have to compromise my freedom and accept it!
i would love to have your opinion,
thank you
Sophie

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 21:26:13 +0000

In reply to suheil. Suheil, we have no experience or knowledge about traveling to Iran for medical treatment. It's best if you discuss with the Iranian representative in Washington, D.C., what is needed for your visit.

By: suheil

suheil — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 13:56:10 +0000

In reply to Peter.

hello
i am an American citizen and i am trying to visit Iran for a medical treatment and i was asking if i need a permission from US authorities before i go

thanks

By: amir

amir — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 11:07:39 +0000

Thank you for your helpful article about Iran. beside this i suggest all travelers visit Qazvin and its mysterious valley(alamut) that is called valley of assassins

By: Norma Lee Nichol-Mahdavi

Norma Lee Nichol-Mahdavi — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 15:13:34 +0000

In reply to Avak.

Avak,

I suggest you call the Iranian Interests Section in D.C 202 965 4990. Before you call, ask your family if they are ready to go through the process of “sponsoring” you in Iran.
It’s more than having a guide..it’s also being able to stay in a private home.

Currently, Americans get their Visas through the travel agencies, in the US working with Iran partners. However, since we take responsibility for our travelers, no credible agency will apply on your behalf, so please be careful if you are told differently.
Feel free to contact me.

By: Avak

Avak — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 20:36:42 +0000

Hello, I am an American citizen, and am Armenian by blood. My father grew up in Iran, and I was hoping to visit my uncle and cousins there next Summer (all of which are Iranian citizens). I would be entering from Dubai upon completion of a study abroad program.

I am hoping to meet my uncle upon arrival, and stay with him for the entirety of my trip. I speak fluent Armenian and nearly fluent Farsi. I am also completely familiar with the culture.

Please let me know if the is anyway around me bringing a guide given my situation. If so, how should I go about planning my trip.

By: Norma Lee Nichol-Mahdavi

Norma Lee Nichol-Mahdavi — Sun, 28 May 2017 18:50:15 +0000

In reply to Audrey Scott. Potential travelers..take Audrey's advice! Iran is safe, however, don't take a chance that you meet-up with an over-zealous official or citizen, who wants to make points. A certified agency,in the US or Iran, will not process a Visa, without a guide. Plus, you cannot make hotel reservations, safely, on-line nor navigate the country alone. We are organizing tours for the Fall..so feel free to contact me. Happy to help, whether you travel with us or not.

By: Peter E.

Peter E. — Sun, 28 May 2017 16:40:43 +0000

There are still American tours going to Iran. A friend of mine is taking a group for a fifteen-day tour in October-November with Fars Travel. It is more difficult to obtain a visa…thanks to Trump the “Grump”, it is still possible. I was to go last November to give a paper at a conference, but my colleagues did not get my visa into the Ministry in time. However, my paper was still given a the conference and my research on Lake Urmia is making the circuits in Iran. Personally, both my friend and I have walked around the streets of Tehran sans guide. And I have walked the streets of many other cities in Iran sans guide. And despite this, I would suggest to those Iranians who make the rules…that now revolution began as a result of my independent forays without a guide, and Iranian security was not compromised.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sun, 28 May 2017 13:03:13 +0000

In reply to Mona. Mona, although this might be possible it does mean that travelers from the United States, Britian and Canada are taking a risk for not having a tour guide assigned to them during the course of their trip. I'm not sure I'd want to take the risk.

By: Mona

Mona — Mon, 15 May 2017 14:12:01 +0000

As someone who works in an agency and issue visa for foreigners a lot, I know that American travelers can be free in most of their trip and hire guide only for part of their trip, just to get their visa. Same about British and Canadian travelers. They can hire guide for 3 to 4 days and get their visa.