Visa extension in Iran is just as easy as getting it in the first place. For obvious reasons, this might sound like a daunting task to do while traveling in a different country. The thought of complicated rules and regulations and many steps to follow might be holding you back. But, no worries, it could be done in less than a day! Just make sure to read this guide completely, learn about all the steps as well as the rules, and prepare the documents you need to present.
This guide aims to answer your most important questions. But in case we’ve missed out on anything, feel free to contact us.

Is It Possible to Extend your Iran Tourist Visa?

Absolutely yes. If you have already obtained an Iran tourist visa and you are only a couple of days short of the date it expires, visa extension is possible. Please note that an Iran visa is originally issued for a maximum of 30 days. Tourists are allowed to extend their visas for 60 more days in tow times; 30 days in each time.

Is It Possible to Extend Your Iran Visa on Arrival?

The answer is Yes again. Iran Visa On Arrival and Iran E-visa are basically the same kind of tourist visa issued by Iran embassies. Therefore, the process and steps to be taken for visa extension are basically the same.
Although Visa On Arrival and E-visa are both Iran visas, there are some differences; have a look at The difference between Visa On Arrival and e-visa.

When Should You Extend Your Iran Visa?

Tourists are usually required to apply for a visa extension no sooner than three or two days left to the date their first visa expires. If you apply sooner, you might be asked to come back later, when it is closer to the date of visa expiration. But if you apply later than the expiration date, the process might get complicated or you will be fined.
Please remember that immigration offices usually work from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Also, they tend to get crowded. So, it is better to allow 2 days before applying for the preparation of your documents. Then visit the office as early as possible.

Documents for Iran Visa Extension

In addition to your passport, you will need to present some other documents. Check the items below and make sure you have them a couple of days before referring to an Immigration and Passport Office.
• Passport
• 2 photocopies of your passport1
• 2 passport size photos2
• The payment receipt3
• 2 photocopies of the payment receipt
• The completed visa extension application form4
• 2 photocopies of the completed visa extension application form
Notes

1. You can copy your documents at special offices offering printing and photocopying services. You might also find a machine in the immigration office where you wish to apply for visa extension. But we’d recommend you to just find an office outside and have your documents photocopied and ready before visiting the immigration office.
2. If you don’t have your passport size photos, you can have them taken for a really good price at a professional photography studio. Just tell them you want it for visa extension, they know what to do. Again, please make sure to prepare this at least two days before visiting an immigration office. This is because studios usually require time to process your photos, especially if they have many orders. Female applicants will need to wear a headscarf for the photo.
3. In the immigration office, you need to pay for the extension fees using a debit card. As you might not have one or don’t wish to have one, we recommend you to visit a branch of the Melli Bank in the city where you apply. Once in the bank, just point out that you need to extend your visa and follow their instructions. Make sure to carry along personal your passport. The extension fee is around 350,000 rials (35000 tomans).
4. The visa extension form will be handed to you by the officer in charge of collecting your documents.

What Are the Visa Extension Steps?

1. Prepare all the required documents.
2. Visit an Immigration and Passport Office in the city where you want to apply. Once here, find the tourist visa extension counter. You might be asked some questions before receiving more instructions.
3. Submit all of the documents to the officer in charge.
4. The officer will give you the visa extension forms. He/She might also ask some questions. Here are some of the common questions:

• Why do you wish to extend your visa?1
• Are you visiting Iran for work or you are just traveling?
• What is your job?
• Where will you be staying during this time? Where have you stayed so far?3
• How many more days will you be staying?

Possible answers:

1. Iran is a beautiful country and I love it. My itinerary was limited to only some cities, but now I want to visit other cities too.
2. Please try to say the names of hotels or traditional accommodations. Staying at a local’s house or using services offered by Couch Surfing or Airbnb are illegal for tourists in Iran.

5. After answering the questions and approving your visa extension, you will be asked to submit your documents. Then the officer will collect your passport to issue a barcode on it.

6. Last, you will be asked to wait a little more so that your visa extension is stamped on your passport.

How Long Does the Visa Extension Take in Iran?

In case you provide the right documents and your answers are sufficient for the officer, your visa will be extended in less than a day. Also, take into consideration that sometimes offices might be quite busy. So, it’s better to start the process as early in the day as possible and prepare all the documents in advance.

How Much is the Iran Visa Extension Fee?

As of the time this article’s composition (2020), the extension fee is around 350,000 Rials, 35,000 tomans. Unfortunately, because of constant exchange rate fluctuations, we cannot include the amount in foreign currencies.

Where Should You Extend Your Visa?

Tourist visa extension is usually taken care of in Immigration and Passport Offices in different cities. It is better to apply for a visa extension in major cities, such as Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, and Mashhad.
Here are the addresses and phone numbers for Immigration and Passport Offices in different cities.

Iran Visa Extension in Tehran

Address: Shahr Ara Street, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Telephone: 021 6693 5058
Working days: Saturday – Thursday
Working hours: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Sat. – Wed.)
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Thus.)

Iran Visa Extension in Isfahan

Address: Rudaki Street, Isfahan, Esfahan Province, Iran
Telephone: 031 2182 5840
Working days: Saturday – Thursday
Working hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Sat. – Wed.)
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Thurs.)

Iran Visa Extension in Shiraz

Address: Modarres Boulevard, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran
Telephone: 021 83661
Working days: Saturday – Thursday
Working hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (Sat. – Wed.)
8:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (Thurs.)

Iran Visa Extension in Mashhad

Address: Pirouzi Boulevard, District 9, Mahshad, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran
Working days: Saturday – Thursday
Working hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Sat. – Wed.)
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Thurs.) 12:30 p.m. (Mon.)

Iran Visa Extension in Yazd

Address: Ghasem Abad Avenue, Yazd, Yazd Province, Iran
Telephone: 021 80003

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to extend a visa?

You can extend Iran visa for 35,000 Tomans. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say the equal amount in a foreign currency because of the instability of exchange rates.

How many times can a visa be extended?

An Iran tourist visa can be extended twice, each time 30 days.
How long does visa extension take?
Visa extension in Iran takes only a day, provided that you carry along the required documents.

What happens when your visa expires?

If your visa expires, it will complicate your visa extension process and limit the chances of visa extension. Also, a fine will be applied. You might need to visit an immigration office with your host (the person who invited you or helped you get your authorization code).

Can I travel back to my home country with an expired visa?

Visa expiry cannot prevent your flight back home. You may just need to pay a specific amount of fine before your flight.
Where to apply for visa extension
You should apply for a visa extension at an immigration and passport office, in one of the major cities, such as: Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Mashhad.

If we travel to free zones, can we extend our Iran visa?

Foreign nationals can extend their tourist visas in free trading zones, with the request of their host. But please keep in mind that the issued visa will let the foreign nationals enter and stay in the same zone only.
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Iran visa extension for Americans, British and Canadian?

Iran visa extension for US, UK and Canada citizens is possible, although, may get a bit tricky, the same as visa issuance.