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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Iran citizens need a visa for United States?

Visa required

Iran citizens need a visa to enter United States. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
Iran → United States
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Everything for your trip to United States

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Iran vs United States: passport comparison

Iran

13

visa-free countries

Global rank: #190 · mobility 66.9

United States

116

visa-free countries

Global rank: #40 · mobility 166.1
11

countries both Iran and United States can enter visa-free together

Iran + United States: passport compatibility

32%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Iran and United States travel together — by entry type:

11 both visa-free
20 both visa on arrival
18 both e-visa / eTA
14 both need a visa
134 access differs

Where Iran and United States can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Both visa-free (11)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Only Iran is visa-free (2)

Where to apply: United States has no mission in Iran

Guides tell you a visa is required but never warn that there is nowhere to file it — the mission simply does not exist in your country. We picked the nearest countries that do accept applications and measured the distance.

1
Kuwait 686 km
Applications accepted in: Kuwait
2
Bahrain 781 km
Applications accepted in: Manama
3
Qatar 823 km
Applications accepted in: Doha

Distances are measured between country centroids — a rough guide, not a route. Before you travel, confirm with the chosen consulate that it accepts applicants resident elsewhere: many operate a consular district, and out-of-district applications are not always accepted, often with a longer queue.

US visa refusals for Iran citizens

The US State Department publishes the refusal rate for B visas (tourism and business) separately for each nationality. We took the two most recent fiscal years — so you see not just the level, but which way it is moving.

62.4%
of B-visa applications from Iran citizens were refused in FY2025
+31.2 pp above the all-country median (31.3%)
+6.9 pp year-over-year: FY2024 was 55.5%, now 62.4%
#30strictest of 197 countries
141of 197 countries saw refusals rise year-over-year

The “adjusted” refusal rate follows the State Department methodology used for the Visa Waiver Program: it covers B-1/B-2 visas (tourism and business) and no other categories. For countries with few applicants the percentage swings between years — an artefact of small numbers, not of policy. The median and rank are our own calculations on top of the official figures. Source: U.S. Department of State  ·  All countries →

How the entry rule changed: Iran → United States

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Iran → United States rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

0passports gained easier entry to United States
1passports saw United States tighten its rules
1rule changes for the Iran passport, 1 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

United States: good to know

Washington, D.C.

Capital

US Dollar (USD)

Currency

Eastern Time (UTC-5)

Time zone

+1

Calling code

A, B

Power plug

120V / 60Hz

Voltage

Right-hand

Driving side

Where else Iran goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for United States

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Iran citizens need a visa for United States?
Iran citizens need a visa to enter United States. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Iran or United States?
The United States passport is stronger: 116 visa-free countries versus 13. Global rank: Iran #190, United States #40.
Where can Iran and United States citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 11 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for United States?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Iran and United States?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Iran passport ranking

Where else the Iran passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport