Visa-free Countries for Iran Passport Holders

• A valid international travel passport
• A completed visa application form
• The applicable visa fee
• Evidence of permission to enter the destination country
• A photocopy of your passport data page
• Financial proof — an original bank statement
• A letter of invitation, where one is required

Exact requirements vary by destination and visa type — always confirm what your destination needs before you apply.

The Islamic Republic of Iran (also called Persia) is a Western Asian country with Tehran as its capital and largest city. The Persian culture is one of the oldest in the world having influenced cultures like that of Italy, Macedonia, Greece, Russia, and the Arabian Peninsula. Persian carpets and rugs are world renowned for the beauty of their intricate designs and the country single handedly produces more rugs and carpets than all other countries put together.

There are ideal temperatures across Iran from March till May and then from September to early November. Summers here are very hot. Winters should be completely avoided as it gets very cold with heavy snowfall, especially during December and January.

Iran is 61% Persian, 16% Azerbaijani, 10% Kurdish, and 6% Lur. It has one of the richest art heritages in the world encompassing crafts like painting, calligraphy, architecture, metal working, stone masonry, pottery, poetry, etc. It is an Islamic nation and it is illegal for girls above the age of nine to not wear hijabs and for men to wear shorts or neckties. Iran's official language is Persian but other languages like Turkic and Kurdi are also spoken.

A typical Iranian dish comprises of rice, meat (mostly grilled lamb or chicken), vegetables, and nuts. Common place fruits are plums, pomegranates, quince, prunes, apricots, and raisins. Common place flavours are saffron, dried lime, cinnamon, turmeric, and parsley. Pork and alcohol are forbidden in Iran.

There are several fascinating locations in Iran some of which are:

• Nasir ol-Molk Mosque: This is arguably Iran's most beautiful mosque. It was nicknamed "the pink mosque" for it's rosy hued tiles and painted glass. The inside of the mosque is literally pink.
• Tehran: Tehran is a large, sprawling city known for its concrete buildings and horrible traffic. It is nonetheless scenic though, especially as it is situated against the backdrop of the beautiful Alborz mountains. The city is home to several great parks and tourist locations.
• Shiraz: Shiraz is a beautiful city of poets and philosophers, religious reformers and dreamers both past and present. It is a most historical location housing the tombs of the famous Persian poets Hafez and Saadi.
• Yazd: This is an ancient desert city in the heart of Iran. It is famous for its traditional brocade, silk weaving, and unique architecture. It is known as the "city of wind towers". Yazd is however hot and dry as it is situated between two deserts.

There are several fascinating facts about Iran. For instance, the world's first windmills were invented here. It is also believed that the first postal mail system was created in Iran back in 550 BC. Iran has the largest population of Jews in the Middle East after Israel.

There are thousands of hotels in Iran ensuring that accommodation is fairly easy to come by.