Extend Your Iran Visa Seamlessly: A Traveler's Guide
For those planning an extended adventure in Iran, exceeding the initial 15-day visa period, good news awaits! You can conveniently extend your visa right within Iran, eliminating the need for prior arrangements at the Iranian Embassy in Vietnam. I recently experienced this firsthand in Yazd, and the process was remarkably swift, straightforward, and handled by incredibly friendly and helpful officials.
It was a Thursday, which is typically the start of the weekend in Iran, and I hadn't paid close attention to the date. Upon arrival, the security guard initially informed me that the office was closed and to return on Saturday. Disheartened, I began booking a ride back to my hostel to check out. However, in a fortunate turn of events, the door miraculously reopened! The same security guard, along with another official, beckoned me inside to proceed with the application. Success! My visa extension was granted.
The Simple Process for Visa Extension
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:
- Take a Snapp ride to the Iranian Visa Extension Office (New).
- Once there, simply state your intention to extend your visa, and the officials will guide you through the necessary steps. I believe this is part of the customs department, as the uniforms resembled those I saw at the Armenia-Iran border crossing.
- Step outside and turn left. Walk about 100 meters to find a photocopy shop. Here, they will photocopy your passport, fill out necessary information, and print your visa extension application form. The cost for this service is 25,000 Toman (approximately 6,000 Vietnamese Dong).
- Return to the office, follow their instructions, and submit your application along with a fee of 50,000 Toman (around 13,000 Vietnamese Dong).
- Awaiting the satisfying thud of the official stamp signifies completion! The extension is typically stamped on a photocopy of your passport, not directly on your passport itself. The entire process came in at less than one US dollar – a truly remarkable value.
While extensions are also possible in Shiraz or Tehran, I've heard from other travelers that these locations can sometimes take longer. This information comes from fellow Chinese travelers I encountered, not from personal experience, but my own extension in Yazd was indeed very quick. It was also a Chinese friend I met in Tabriz who recommended Yazd for a speedier process.
Wishing you all a joyful and memorable journey through Iran. This country is truly wonderful!
Source: Rosie Rosie
