Rules & Regulation

Rules & Regulation

Like any country, it is important to know, understand and adhere to cultural and religious customs and rules that can often be very different from those at home. Here are the main rules: 

Iran is officially the Islamic Republic and both women and men must follow the dress code rules.  Men shouldn’t wear shorts, and women need to cover up their hair with a headscarf (It’s called ‘Roosari’ in Farsi and you MUST be wearing it the moment you exit the plane and are officially in Iran) and cover their body.

What may not be taken into Iran?
On the basis of rules and regulation of I.R.Iran, entrance of some goods and or its export is totally prohibited. Some of
those goods are as follows:
1- Alcoholic drinks
2- Gambling tools
3- Weapons, ammunition and explosive goods
4- Narcotic drugs
5- Magazines, photos, film and snaps and those goods which are against religious and national dignity of the
country.
6- Any type of writings against the official region of the country and or discipline disturbance and public purity and
national dignity.
The export goods are exempted of paying customs duties and taxes but paying the loading, unloading and
warehousing is included.
Islamic Republic of Iran Customs website: http://www.irica.gov.ir/EIndex.aspx

What to Bring:
Money: Just CASH, no kind of check and card is acceptable in Iran.
Please kindly noted to bring cash for tour price and personal expenses. This cash can be in USD, EUR,
GBP.
In Iran credit cards do not work and ATM machines do not accept international cards.
If you wish To pay us in USD, Please noted to bring big and new notes, the notes dated less than 2006 are not
acceptable, only USD notes dated 2006 and after 2006 would be acceptable in Iran.
If you wish to pay in EUR please bring big notes like 50, 100, 200, 500 EUR notes.
For GBP no preference for big or small notes.
Files and Documents: Passport, Visa, air/train ticket, ID certificate, destination, address list
Personal Articles for Use: personal tooth brush, towels, bathing articles, contact lens solution, daily toiletries, comb,
sun glasses, suntan oil, shaving items, disinfectant tissues and bandage
Others: camera, films, batteries, electrical converter, alarm clock (if needed), a pen and memo pad (to write down
something important during your travel), necessary cold, indigestive and anti- allergic medicines, umbrella, etc

Quick Facts

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

6 months

BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:

One page required for entry stamp

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:

Yes, except for Kish Island

VACCINATIONS:

None

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:

Over $10,000 must be declared

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT:

Over $10,000 must be declared

Criminal Penalties: While you are traveling in Iran, you are subject to its laws.

Examples of local laws that you may be unfamiliar with include:

  • Drinking, possession of alcoholic beverages, and drugs are illegal. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Iran are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
  • DVDs depicting sexual relations and magazines showing unveiled women are forbidden.
  • Photography near military and other government installations is strictly prohibited.
  • Importation of pork products is banned.
  • Insulting the government or Muslim faith is strictly forbidden, including on social media. Such violations of Iranian law may result in imprisonment.

Carry a copy of your  passport (biodata page and page with Iranian visa) and some other form of identification with you at all times so that, if questioned by local officials, proof  is  available.

Dual Nationality: Iran considers dual nationals to be solely Iranian citizens. Dual nationals sometimes have their U.S. passports confiscated and may be denied permission to leave Iran, or encounter other problems with Iranian authorities. Likewise, Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the Foreign Interests Section in Tehran. Refer to the above section entitled “Entry/Exit Requirements” for additional information concerning dual nationality.

Codes of Behavior and Dress: Islamic law is strictly enforced in Iran. Alcohol is forbidden. Women must wear a headscarf and a long jacket that covers the arms and upper legs while in public. Men may be required to wear long pants and cannot go bare-chested or wear tank tops, especially near religious sites or in conservative areas. There may be additional dress requirements at certain religious sites. Consult a guide book on Iran to determine how to dress and behave properly and respectfully. During the holy month of Ramadan, you should generally observe the Muslim tradition of not eating, drinking, or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset each day, though there are exemptions for foreign travelers who eat in hotel restaurants. In general, it is best to ask before taking photographs of people. 

Money: Non-Iranian credit cards and bank cards cannot be used in Iran. You will not be able to access U.S. or foreign bank accounts using ATMs in Iran. You can exchange U.S. dollars for rials, either at banks or with certified money changers but it is rarely possible to exchange traveler’s checks. Do not exchange currency on the street, and keep your exchange receipts. Bring enough hard currency to cover your stay, but make sure you declare this currency upon entry into Iran. There is no Western Union or similar institution and bank transfers are not possible. Due to economic sanctions on Iran, financial institutions have been known to block or freeze accounts of persons accessing financial accounts via the Internet from Iran. Any import and/or export of over 10,000 USD (or its equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared by submitting the relevant bank notice or any other document which proves that the amount was withdrawn from a foreign currency account or the sale of foreign currency.

Communication: Pre-paid overseas calling cards are available at most newsagents. The Internet is widely used in Iran. There are Internet cafes in most hotels; however, usage may be monitored.

OFAC regulations provide general licenses authorizing the performance of certain categories of transactions. Such general licenses include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • articles donated to relieve human suffering (such as food, clothing, and medicine)
  • the import of gifts valued at 100 USD or less
  • licensed exports of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices
  • transactions involving information and informational materials

All transactions ordinarily incident to travel to or from Iran, including baggage costs, living expenses, and the acquisition of goods or services for personal use are permitted. OFAC has the authority by means of a specific license to permit a person or entity to engage in many transactions or services which would otherwise be prohibited.

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