COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Iran (22 June Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Passengers are not allowed to enter Iran if they are arriving from or have been in the following countries in the past 14 days before arrival to Iran: Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Czech Republic, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Estonia, Swatini, Ireland, French Guinea, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Seychelles, Suriname, Slovakia, South Africa, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• International travellers are asked about their health on arrival and may have a COVID-19 PCR test.

• Travellers holding diplomatic or other special passports or those travelling on official duty may not need to obtain a COVID-19 certificate before travel. However, on arrival, these travellers will be subject to medical screening, COVID-19 PCR test, and quarantine.

*Is a test certificate allowed? *

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside of Iran are accepted. The certificate must be in English or approved by an Iranian consulate.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes

• All Iranian and foreign nationals and children above the age of two years old are required to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate issued by a centre approved by the country of departure and conducted within 96 hours before departure from the origin.

• As per IAC instructions, all outbound passengers from Shiraz must have a health certificate before going to the airport by visiting one of the following centers two days before departure:

• Markaz Jam-e Salamat Hussein Ibn Ali, located at Ferdowsi Blvd., next to Khoshkbar Alley, First dead-end, on the left side

• Markaz Jam-e Salamat Ghamar Bani Hashem, located at Sanaye Blvrd., 36 Alley

• Markaz Jam-e Salamat Zeinab Kobra, located at Siahatgar Str., Before Ghadamgah, next to Bank Saderat

• Markaz Jam-e Salamat Imam Reza, located at Motahari Jonoobi Blvrd., after Gas Station, Corner of Danesh Amoooz 10 Alley

• For passengers living in other locations, they will need to either receive the health certificate from where they live or visit one of the above-mentioned centers in Shiraz two days before departure to get a health certificate

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes

• Iranian nationals must complete an indemnity form and quarantine themselves at the specified address (preferably their own home) for 14 days. Non-Iranian nationals may be quarantined at a government-designated hotel for 14 days.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be required to spend mandatory 14 days of quarantine.

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• Travellers must present a completed self-declaration form upon arrival. The form can be accessed here.

• A “Passenger Commitment Letter” must be presented on arrival.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Is insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International commercial flights are operating.

• Iranian government has suspended flights to and from some high-risk countries which are India, Pakistan, France, South Africa, Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Eswatini, French Guinea, Lesotho, Guyana, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Seychelles, Suriname, Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

• Domestic flights are currently operating.

• Flights to and from the United Kingdom are now allowed to operate.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• The land borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq are currently closed.

• Iran has closed several border crossings with Iraq. The border crossings to Iraq from Khuzestan province are closed. Also, border crossings in the Provinces of Ilam and Kermanshah are closed to travellers.

• An e-visa can be obtained online using this link.

• Some land and sea borders are open to the movement of goods.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• A night curfew from 21:00 to 4:00 has been imposed nationwide.

• Iran is divided into red, yellow, orange, and blue regions based on the number of COVID-19 cases. Restrictions may be imposed or lifted depending on case numbers.

• Currently, more than 250 cities including all 32 province centres are categorized as red zone areas. In these regions, only essential services can operate while educational activities, dine-in at restaurants, cinemas, shopping centres, and a variety of retail vendors will have to shut down.

• Due to the rise in infection rates throughout the country, each province may introduce restrictions to respond to peaks in infections. This may include lockdown and restriction of movement and may be introduced with little warning.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• All gatherings of over ten people in seminars and funerals are banned.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Wearing a face mask on public transport is mandatory.

• Iran is extending a night traffic curfew in lower-risk cities and towns. Under this curfew, private cars are not allowed to operate in all cities between 22:00 and 03:00.

• Travel to and from high-risk cities is banned. The restrictions on the movement of private cars in all provinces will remain in effect until further notice.

• Until further notice, diplomats are not permitted to travel within Iran for tourism or official purposes.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• No with exceptions

• Non-essential business establishments in red zone areas remain closed.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Some hotels and accommodations are allowed to open, however, many hotels are closed.

*Restaurants open? *

• No with exceptions

• While there are no country-wide restrictions in place on restaurants, most restaurants are required to remain closed. Some restaurants may have restrictions on capacity and business hours, depending on their zone.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes with exceptions.

• Beaches and tourist sites of some provinces are open but under strict social distancing protocols. Restrictions may be imposed anytime without prior notice.

• Tourist centres in western Iran will remain closed.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• No

• Museums and historical sites will remain closed until further notice.

*Personal care services open? *

• No

• Beauty salons, as well as other businesses that are considered to be high-risk, will remain closed until further notice.

*Places of worship open? *

• No

• Religious venues are not allowed to open.

*Events allowed? *

• No with exceptions

• Large events, such as concerts and sports matches, remain either cancelled or held behind closed doors. Cultural venues will also remain closed in all provinces.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Wearing a face mask is compulsory in public spaces. Violation may lead to fines and penalties.

Other

• Government offices are allowed to open with reduced workplace capacity.

• Gyms will remain closed until further notice. Entertainment and recreational facilities are not permitted to open.

• Some schools have reopened, however, schools in red zones will remain closed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.