Steps On How To Apply For An Iran Pilgrimage Visa
Do you wish to visit Iran for pilgrimage? Do you want to pray and fast in any religious site and holy shrine in Iran? Then, you will need an Iran Pilgrimage Visa.
Iran is a core Islamic state. Thus, it attracts a lot of pilgrims every year, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. Most visitors visit Iran to pay homage to the holy prophet in one of the sacred shrines in the country. You can visit Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Fatima Masoumeh Shrine in Qom, Imamzadeh Saleh, and Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine in Tehran.
This guide will enlighten you about all you need to know about obtaining a pilgrim visa to visit Iran. The application process, requirements, validity, fees, time to process, and where you can apply.
Iran Pilgrimage Visa
Iran Pilgrimage Visa allows Muslim foreigners to visit the country for pilgrimages. In other words, it permits visitors to enter Iran for religious tours and prayers, especially during Ramadan.
Eligibility for an Iran Pilgrimage Visa
You must meet the following conditions to apply for a pilgrimage visa to visit any holy shrine in Iran. They include:
- You must be a foreign Muslim
- You must have all the documents you need for the permit
- You must have a valid visa
- You must show proof of financial means to stay in the country
Documents for Iran Pilgrimage Visa
In addition to the eligibility criteria above, you will need the following documents to obtain an Iran Pilgrimage Visa. They include:
#1. Original passport
You will need your original passport to apply for a visa to visit Iran as a pilgrimage. The travel document must be at least six months valid.
#2. E-visa application form
You also need an e-visa application form to apply for your permit. The application must contain the correct information about you and your travel. The details you must provide in the application include your name, place of birth, nationality, the reason for visiting Iran and the duration of your stay in the country.
#3. Proof of accommodation in Iran
You will need a hotel booking as your proof of accommodation in Iran. However, you can use any other valid document as evidence of a place to stay in Iran.
#4. Swedish Residence Card
All applicants who don’t have a Swedish passport or Främlingspass asylum passport and Resedokument travel document must provide a copy on the back of the Swedish Residence Card.
#5. Travel Insurance
You will also need travel insurance from an insurer with a branch in Iran. It must cover the duration of your stay in Iran. Thus, it must contain the following information. They include the name and surname of the passenger, date of issue, validity period, duration of travel and the possibility of visiting Iran.
#6. Personbevis
It is a document that contains the full details of the applicant and the name and place of birth of the father for boys.
For girls, it will contain their husband’s name and place of birth. Then, for applicants who are under 18 years, it must bear full details about their guardians.
#7. Approval from a guardian
In addition to the documents listed above, you also need approval from your legal guardian or parents. You will submit it to the Notarius Publicus with other documents.
#8. Payment for Iran Pilgrimage Visa
You must pay your fee for the pilgrimage visa. Then, present the receipt of payment to the Iranian officers.
#9. Photos
You also need three photos of the same size and colour. The pictures must be recent and must meet the requirements for Iran visas.
#10. Bank statement
You will need a bank statement as proof of your financial means. Thus, it shows that you can cater to yourself during your stay in Iran.
Tips on applying for Iran Pilgrimage Visa
You must bear the following in mind when you apply for your visa to Iran for pilgrimage. They include:
- You must have the complete documents. Otherwise, you will receive your application back.
- Submitting any false document will result in visa denial and a ban from entering Iran.
- The Iranian embassy in your country of origin will notify you if you need a visa interview.
- Applicants with Iranian passports must travel to Iran with them. However, they must provide an Iranian citizenship document if they have renounced their citizenship.
- Foreign women with Iranian spouses must use their passports too. However, they can use any document showing proof of Iranian citizenship if they are no longer citizens in the country.
How to apply for Iran Pilgrimage Visa
You can apply for an Iran Pilgrimage Visa in two ways. You can apply online or through an Iran visa application accredited agency.
Steps to apply for Iran Pilgrimage Visa online
Applicants for a visa to visit Iran for pilgrimage must follow the steps below. They include:
#Step 1. You have to first go to the website
The first step is to visit the website for a visa to Iran. Then, select the section for a pilgrimage visa.
#Step 2. Fill out the form
Then, you have to complete an application form for the visa. You will enter your full name, place of birth, country of origin and reason for your travel.
#Step 3. Upload the documents
It is time to upload your passport, photos and other documents. They must be complete. Otherwise, you will not receive your visa.
#Step 4. Enter the trip details
The next step is to enter your trip details. Thus, you will provide every information about your travel to Iran. Any false information will lead to visa denial and a ban from visiting Iran in the future.
#Step 5. Submit the visa application form for pilgrimage
Then, you can now submit your application. You must crosscheck the information to make sure they are correct. You must also upload evidence of payment for your pilgrimage permit. Otherwise, you will not collect your visa.
#Step 6. Wait for the results
Now, you can wait for the processing time of your visa. Once it is ready, the Iranian embassy in your country of origin will notify you. Then, you can visit the embassy or consulate to receive your visa.
Steps to apply for an Iran Pilgrimage Visa through a travel agency
Alternatively, you can apply for an Iran Pilgrimage Visa through a representative in Iran using the steps below. They include:
#Step 1. Visit a visa representative approved by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Firstly, visit the nearest Iranian visa representative. You use an agency that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved. Once you contact them, ask them about the requirements for your permit.
#Step 2. Gather all the documents for the Iran Pilgrimage visa
Secondly, gather all the documents you need for the permit. The information in the papers must be correct because if you present any false details in your application, you will not receive your entry permit from the Iranian authorities
#Step 3. Send the documents to the representative
Thirdly, send your documents to the travel agency. They will apply for your visa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Iran.
#Step 4. Wait for a reply from the agency
Fourthly, wait for a response from the agency. They will contact you once your visa is ready. Then, you will get your visa code.
#Step 5. Get a visa code through the Iranian consulate in your country
Fifthly, collect your visa code from the Iranian embassy or consulate in your country of origin. Then, wait for your visa to be ready.
#Step 6. Collect your Iran Pilgrimage Visa from the Iranian embassy or consulate in your country of origin
Sixthly, you have 30 days to collect your visa from the embassy once it is ready. You will need the following documents to collect your permit. They include your photos, passport copy, the application form, and the visa fee.
However, be ready to end more documents as demanded by the embassy close to you.
See also: Visit Iran – Top 15 most go-to places and must-see exhibitions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the processing fee for a visa to visit Iran for pilgrimage?
The cost of applying for a visa depends on where you make your application. Online applicants will pay a fee of 20 euros for their entry permit. On the other hand, if you apply through a consulate or embassy, you will pay $150.
In addition, you must also pay the agency fee for your application.
What is the validity period of an Iran Pilgrimage Visa?
The validity of a pilgrimage visa for foreign Muslims in Iran is 30 days. However, you can extend it to three months once you are in the country.
How long does it take to process a visa to Iran?
Usually, you can process a visa to Iran been three and five days. However, if there is a delay in the process, it can take up to seven days or more.
When is the best time to visit Iran for pilgrimage?
Most pilgrims visit Iran during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Hijri calendar. Thus, it is the month of “the feast of heaven”. For this reason, Muslims visit holy shrines and religious sites for prayers.
Another popular date to visit Iran for pilgrimage is the birth date of Imam Reza.
Conclusion
Iran is a popular place for Muslims to visit, especially to see the holy shrines and religious sites. Therefore, you need the guidelines in this article to apply for your Iran Pilgrimage Visa to experience them. You can also follow the steps we provided above to obtain your permit.
For further inquiries about visas, contact us at workstudyvisa.com.