Iran Travel Information

The spread of the corona virus in Iran has been widely detected, and the authorities have taken several preventive measures to prevent further spread, including the temporary closure of schools, universities, mosques and canceled cultural and sporting events. As of March 26, travel between cities in Iran has also been banned. For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, IRN stands for Iran in geography.

Safety

The situation in Iran has been tense after several events in the region lately. Travelers are asked to stay up to date on the situation by following the news image.

The embassy encourages all Norwegians located in Iran to avoid demonstrations and large crowds. Do not take pictures or video of demonstrations. Follow the media and listen to local councils and contact the embassy in case of doubt.

Iran is by and large a safe country to travel in, and most journeys go smoothly. Iranians are also very hospitable and proud of their culture, and the vast majority of visitors feel welcomed. On a general basis, however, the embassy encourages Norwegians in Iran to exercise general caution, especially in traffic.

Traffic in Iran is challenging and the frequency of accidents is high. The traffic is confusing and the roads are poorly lit in the dark. Travelers should therefore exercise caution when traveling on the roads. When hiring a car, it is recommended to hire a driver who knows local conditions.

In Tehran and some other major cities, there are partially covered subway networks. There are also buses. In addition, taking a taxi is easy, safe and cheap. The Snap and Tap30 applications (Iran’s response to Über) are very popular in cities, and cash payments are possible. For longer journeys between cities, trains or buses are recommended. The air park is partly poorly maintained, and because of the sanctioning regime, many airlines have had trouble obtaining original spare parts. Iranian companies Iran Air and Mahan Air are considered to be the safest.

There have been cases of terrorist attacks in some parts of Iran in recent years. Most of them have originated in internal sectarian conflicts, but outsiders and innocents have also been affected. Most have occurred in the Kurdish areas and along the borders of Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially in the province of Sistan-va-Baluchestan. Elsewhere, the risk of terrorist incidents is considered low.

  • Countryaah: Tehran is the capital of Iran. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

The earthquake danger in Iran is great. Tehran is described by geologists as the most earthquake-prone capital in the world. For longer stays, one should therefore choose a residence that is earthquake-proof. You can read more about the earthquake danger on the websites of the National Earthquake Center.

Sexual relationships between unmarried and homosexuals are prohibited in Iran.

Bringing and/or consuming alcohol is prohibited. Possession of drugs is strictly prohibited and can, in severe cases, result in the death penalty. All imagery or literature that can be described as pornography or obscene (including many fashion magazines, books and magazines with images of lightly clothed people) is prohibited, but the ban is not enforced particularly strictly. Still, it makes sense to stay on the safe side.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public should be avoided. The ban is not enforced particularly strictly, especially against foreigners, but it can still be regarded as disrespectful.

Islamic dress code also applies to discharges and must be followed from a leaving aircraft on arrival. For women, this means covering your hair and covering your body with a half-length coat/tunic (mid-thigh) with long sleeves (below the elbows) when staying outside or in public places (including restaurants, hotel lobbies, etc.). Pants/skirts must go down to the ankles. Men should not have too many shirt buttons open at the neck, or wear shorts. Men can wear t-shirts, but should cover bare skin if staying near sanctuaries. In the face of government officials and public offices, long sleeves must be worn.

In Iran, the opposite sex is not hand-shelled unless the other party calls for it.

Foreigners/travelers must be able to identify themselves on request and passports should thus always be brought (possibly a copy of passport, visa and entry stamp in the passport).

It should be noted that the Iranian authorities do not recognize dual citizenship. Therefore, all Norwegian-Iranian citizens will only be considered Iranian citizens by Iranian authorities. This also applies to those who have lost their Iranian citizenship and those who have inherited citizenship. If you have a father from Iran, you will automatically be considered an Iranian citizen. This makes it virtually impossible for the embassy to provide consular assistance, for example in the event of arrests or detention.

Norwegian citizens are strongly encouraged to have valid travel insurance.

Emergencies and local emergency numbers: In an emergency, the embassy can be contacted on ordinary telephone +98 21 2229 1333. The visit address is no. 72, Yasaman Street, North Dibaji, Dr. Lavasani Avenue (ex-Farmaniyeh), Tehran.

In an emergency situation outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s operational center in Oslo on tel. +47 23 95 00 00.

Private ambulance services are widespread. In Tehran, Naaji is recommended, which can be reached by phone +98 21 88 46 40 00 or +98 21 88 46 31 52 (the latter in case of crisis). http://www.naaji.ir/

Local emergency numbers: Emergency telephone police 110, emergency telephone fire 125, emergency telephone ambulance 115.

Major Landmarks in Iran

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Norwegian citizens need a visa to stay in Iran. Visas can be applied for at Iranian Embassies and Consulates, in Norway from the Iranian Embassy in Oslo. The embassy is aware that it is possible for Norwegian citizens to purchase tourist visas upon entry into Iran. Business travelers must obtain a visa at the Iranian Embassy/Consulate before entering.

For information on the visa process, see Iran’s e-visa page.

It is normally granted a tourist visa with a 30 day duration. The number of days you can stay in the country starts to run from passing the passport control in Iran. If you overstay the visa period in Iran, you can be refused to leave the country until the situation is resolved. One must contact the foreign office “Bafia” to pay a fee and obtain the necessary exit permit (stamp in the passport). The stamp is absolutely necessary to ensure departure. This is a complicated process where the traveler cannot expect the embassy’s assistance.

It is possible for Norwegian citizens to apply for study permits in Iran if they are admitted to an Iranian educational institution. The same applies to work permits, which are granted if you have your own company/company established in Iran and/or have a work agreement with Iranian state or private companies. Contact the Iranian Embassy in Oslo for more information on these rules.

Note that people with Israeli stamp in the passport will be denied entry into Iran.

Other Norwegian travel documents: Norwegian foreign passports are recognized by the Iranian authorities. The same is a travel document for refugees.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): A large spread of the coronavirus has been detected in Iran, and the virus has so far claimed thousands of lives. In Iran, the virus originated in the city of Qom, but has spread to all provinces including the capital Tehran. The authorities have taken several preventive measures to prevent further spread, including the temporary closure of schools, universities, mosques and canceled cultural and sporting events. As of March 26, travel between cities in Iran has been banned.

The embassy encourages all Norwegian citizens in Iran to register at www.reiseregistrering.no.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages all Norwegian citizens traveling abroad to consider returning home as soon as possible, in a safe and quiet manner, in consultation with their travel or airline. This also applies to Norwegians currently in Iran. Several airlines have suspended flights to and from Iran for the time being, but there are still commercial flights out of Iran. The embassy notes that changes in entry and exit regulations can be made at short notice. Norwegians located in Iran are encouraged to stay up-to-date through contact with their own airline/tour operator and local authorities. Listen to advice from local authorities and follow the developments through local and international media.

On March 12, the Director of Health urged everyone to avoid leisure travel at home and abroad. All travelers who come to Norway quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also has its own pages of information about the virus.

The embassy will continuously update the situation on regjeringen.no.

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The health services in the major cities of Iran are usually good. Private hospitals generally hold a higher level than public hospitals. In rural areas, it can be difficult to obtain qualified medical assistance, so it is recommended that you bring first aid equipment and a travel pharmacy to such areas. If you have a medical problem that can wait, it is recommended that you visit a doctor in Tehran or one of the other major cities. However, one must be aware that the distances are large and that it can take a long time to get to a place with good medical facilities. In general, one cannot expect medical personnel to have particularly good English skills.

Reference is made to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health for official health professional travel advice and health professional guidance to Norwegians when traveling abroad. Contact your doctor well in advance of departure to clarify the need for vaccines and other personal protective measures. Vaccines are not required for entry into Iran.

Pollution, especially in Tehran, is noticeable most of the year. Asthmatics should be aware of this.

In most places you can drink tap water, but it does not taste very good. Bottled water is cheap and easily accessible.

Pharmacies in the big cities make it easy to obtain medicines. Known painkillers such as Paracetamol and Advil can be purchased. Stronger painkillers require a prescription from an Iranian doctor.

There are no specific restrictions or restrictions on the import of medicines into Iran. If you carry large quantities of drugs with you, the immigration authorities will be able to stop you from asking what it is. It is recommended to bring a prescription from a doctor if you need to travel with medication beyond normal painkillers. Note that drug offenses can provide the most severe punishment in Iran. More information can be found at http://www.who.com/ and http://www.fhi.no/

Practical information

  • The time difference to Norway is +2.5 hours. According to allcitycodes, the area code for calls from Norway to Iran is + 98.
  • Notype of credit card/Visa card/MasterCard can be used in Iran. All travelers must therefore bring sufficient cash (euros) for their entire stay in Iran. The embassy does not have the opportunity to assist with money withdrawals.
  • The local currency is the IRR (Iranian Rial). The currency situation in Iran is changing rapidly, and travelers are asked to investigate this carefully before leaving. They can contact the Norwegian Embassy in Tehran for updated information. Foreign exchange can be exchanged in the banks at an official exchange rate or on the black exchange (street) at an unofficial exchange rate.
  • Amounts over USD 5000 must be reported to the customs authorities upon arrival. It is also not allowed to bring more than USD 5000 on departure and the amount must be reported to the customs authorities at the airport. If you declare an amount of/exceeding USD 5000 upon entry, and are required to bring the exact same amount out of the country, there is no need to report on departure.
  • The Internet is under strict censorship/controlin Iran. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and a number of online newspapers are blocked. Blocking can be avoided by downloading a VPN on a mobile phone/PC / tablet in advance. In political and social turmoil, e.g. large demonstrations, it may happen that the authorities shut down the internet completely. In such cases, VPN will also not be able to be used.
  • The telephone network and mobile coverage in the big cities are relatively good, and it is easy to get an Iranian SIM card. If you use an Iranian sim card for more than 30 days, you must register the phone and pay a fee, unless the phone will be blocked from the Iranian telecommunications network (it will still work with a Norwegian sim card). Please note that phones with a Norwegian prepaid card cannot be used.
  • It is recommended to turn off data roaming when entering Iran. High operator costs may occur.
  • The voltage in the mains is 220 volts, and Norwegian sockets can be used.
  • Persian or Farsi is the official language of Iran. In addition, several regional languages ​​are spoken in different parts of the country. Be prepared for most people to speak little English.
  • National Holidays: February 11, March 13, March 20 – April 2: Nowrouz, Persian New Year, May 16, June 3, June 4, July 8, July 18-19: Eid e- Fetr, August 11, September 24, October 2, 23-24. October: Ashura, December 2, December 10, December 12, December 29.
  • Banks are usually open from 8am to 2pm Saturday to Wednesday and from 5 p.m. 8am to 12pm on Thursday. On Fridays they keep closed. Some banks will have longer opening hours.
  • Public offices are open from 6 p.m. 8am to 6pm 3pm Saturday to Wednesday, and from 1 p.m. 8am to 6pm12:00 on Thursday. Friday they are closed.
  • Opening hours for shops vary. In the big cities you will find shops that are open from. 9am to 7pm23:00 every day of the week, while in smaller places they close around 10 pm. 20:00. In addition, they are closed Thursday afternoon and Friday. Some shops are closed for lunch between 10:00. 1 pm and 3:30 pm.
  • During Ramadan, most dining places are closed from sunrise to sunset. Hotel restaurants will sometimes be open. Eating and drinking in public during Ramadan should be avoided.