Visa on arrival for Iranian passport holders in 2026
Updated 2026-07-23 · every status verified against official government sources
23 countries give an Iranian passport a visa on arrival — you show up, pay the fee and get the stamp, no embassy visit or advance application. The headline destinations: Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde. And even where your passport needs a visa, a US visa or a Gulf residence permit can still get you in on arrival — both angles below.
Countries offering visa on arrival to an Iranian passport 23
Show all 23
Visa on arrival with a US visa
These countries need a visa from an Iranian passport on its own — but grant a visa on arrival to a valid US visa holder:
| Country | What you get | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Visa on arrival, 90 days | tourist/business visa that has been used (entry stamp of the issuing country present) |
A UK or Schengen visa works the same way for most of these. Full list with sources: what a US visa unlocks for an Iranian passport.
Visa on arrival for GCC residents
Live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar or another Gulf state? An Iranian passport with a valid GCC residence permit gets a visa on arrival in:
| Country | What you get | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | Visa on arrival, 90 days | GCC residence valid 6+ months, any profession (since Aug 2025); not available to citizens |
See the full GCC residence permit unlocks for sources and conditions.
What "visa on arrival" actually means at the gate
1. It is not guaranteed entry. The border officer makes the final call — carry proof of onward or return travel and enough funds for your stay.
2. Have the essentials ready. A passport valid well beyond your trip, a printed return ticket, and the fee — often payable only in cash, sometimes only in US dollars — move you through fastest.
3. Re-check the exact rule before you fly. Visa-on-arrival eligibility and stay length change; the per-destination page below cites the current requirement for your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries offer visa on arrival to Iranian passport holders in 2026?
23 countries offer a visa on arrival to Iranian passport holders, including Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde. A US visa or a Gulf residence permit unlocks a visa on arrival in several more.
Can Iranian passport holders get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia?
Not with the passport alone, but a valid and previously-used US, UK or Schengen visa gets an Iranian traveller a Saudi visa on arrival for up to 90 days.
What is the difference between a visa on arrival and an e-visa?
A visa on arrival is issued at the border when you land — you apply nowhere in advance. An e-visa must be applied for and approved online before you travel. Both avoid an embassy visit, but only a visa on arrival lets you leave without any prior paperwork.
Everything an Iranian passport can do, ranked: