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Mashhad Entry Requirements

Mashhad Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Mashhad, the spiritual heart of north-east Iran, greets pilgrims and leisure travelers alike with a streamlined immigration hall at Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport. Separate queues funnel Iranian nationals and foreign visitors. Officers in forest-green uniforms check passports beneath rows of fluorescent lights that bounce off marble floors. Most travelers receive a polite nod and entry stamp within three minutes, though women should have a headscarf ready before reaching the counter. The city's entry rules mirror national policy, yet Mashhad's airport often processes arrivals faster than Tehran, letting you step into the cool, rose-scented arrivals lounge while other passengers are still collecting bags. Have printed accommodation details handy, immigration sometimes asks for the address of your Mashhad hotel even if you later plan to move on to things to do in Mashhad beyond the shrine.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
15 to 90 days depending on bilateral accord. Most receive 45 days.

Citizens of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Oman, Armenia, Georgia, Bolivia, Malaysia, Venezuela and Egypt may enter Mashhad without prior visa.

Includes
Turkey Malaysia Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia Lebanon Syria Venezuela Bolivia Oman Egypt

Entry stamp is free. Extension possible at Mashhad's Passport Police on Imam Reza Street.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
30 days single entry.

Travelers from the EU, UK, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Russia, India, Brazil and most Gulf states must obtain an e-visa authorization code before arrival.

Includes
United Kingdom Germany France Italy Spain Netherlands Sweden Australia Canada China Japan Russia India Brazil Saudi Arabia Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Ukraine Switzerland
How to Apply: Apply through Iran e-visa portal. Confirmation email arrives in 3, 5 working days. Print the grant notice and collect the visa sticker at Mashhad airport.
Cost: Mid-range government fee plus service charge. Pay on arrival in euros or rials.

US passport holders must join a certified tour. Solo backpacking is not allowed.

Visa Required
30 days unless otherwise stated.

Citizens of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Somalia, Colombia and a few African states must apply in person at an Iranian consulate.

How to Apply: Submit passport, photo, invitation letter or tour voucher, and return ticket to the nearest Iranian diplomatic mission.

Processing takes at least two weeks. Plan well before booking Mashhad hotels or flights.

Arrival Process

Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport channels arriving passengers down a single corridor smelling faintly of saffron disinfectant. The sequence is quick but exact.

1
Health Screening
Thermal cameras check body temperature. Passengers with high readings are quietly escorted to a side cubicle for a brief re-check.
2
Immigration Control
Hand over passport, printed visa grant (if applicable) and accommodation voucher. Officers may ask your reason for visiting; say 'pilgrimage' or 'tourism'.
3
Baggage Claim & Customs
Carousels sit under a ceiling shaped like turquoise domes. Place luggage on the X-ray belt; green channel means nothing to declare, red channel for dutiable goods.
4
Currency Declaration Desk
If carrying more than the currency threshold, queue at the glass-fronted booth, fill the white form, and keep the stamped copy for departure.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport valid 6+ months
Checked at airline counter in origin and again at Mashhad immigration.
Printed visa authorization or sticker
Mobile screenshots are not accepted. Have paper copies.
Confirmed Mashhad hotel reservation
Officers sometimes phone the property. Keep the confirmation number visible.
Return/onward ticket
Proof you plan to leave Iran within visa validity.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Women must wear a headscarf before stepping off the jet-bridge; pack one in hand luggage.
Have a pen ready. You will complete a customs form on the plane or just before baggage claim.
Exchange a small amount of cash at the airport booth so you can pay for your Mashhad taxi in rials. The rate is only marginally lower than downtown.

Customs & Duty-Free

Iranian customs inside Mashhad airport enforce strict bans on alcohol and pork while allowing modest duty-free gifts.

Alcohol
Zero; beverage alcohol is prohibited.
Bottles will be confiscated and may lead to fines.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars per adult.
Loose tobacco up to 250 g also permitted.
Currency
Declaration required if carrying over 10,000 USD or equivalent.
Form must be stamped on arrival and kept for exit inspection.
Gifts/Goods
Non-commercial items up to 80 USD value.
Laptops and phones for personal use are duty-free once.

Prohibited Items

  • Alcoholic drinks, religious prohibition
  • Pork products, religious prohibition
  • Satellite receivers, security regulation
  • Narcotics, criminal offence

Restricted Items

  • Persian antiquities over 100 years, requires Culture Heritage export permit
  • Carpets larger than 6 m², needs stamped certificate from the Carpet Museum

Health Requirements

No vaccinations are demanded at Mashhad airport. Yet routine immunizations keep travel smooth.

Required Vaccinations

  • None for entry

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • MMR routine boosters

Health Insurance

Valid international health insurance is strongly advised; Iranian hospitals expect cash payment up front for foreigners.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 PCR or vaccination cards are no longer requested. But rules can reappear quickly, check the Iranian Health Ministry site the week you fly.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Iranian e-visa portal
For visa applications and official information
Emergency
Emergency services number
Dial 110 for police, 115 for ambulance, 125 for fire in Mashhad

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Bring birth certificate showing both parents' names; if only one parent travels, carry notarized consent letter from the other.

Traveling with Pets

Dogs require advance import permit from Iranian Veterinary Org, rabies certificate issued 30 days before travel, and 14-day quarantine in Mashhad unless arriving from approved rabies-free countries.

Extended Stays

Apply for a 30-day extension at the Mashhad Passport Police before the first visa expires. Bring two passport photos, pay the mid-range fee, and expect same-day processing for tourist visas.

Continue Planning Your Trip

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Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Mashhad