Risk level(s) Risk level(s) COVID-19 – Global travel advisory Effective date: March 13, 2020 Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice. This advisory overrides other risk levels on this page, with the exception of any risk levels for countries or regions where we advise to avoid all travel. More about the Global travel advisory Iran - AVOID ALL TRAVEL Avoid all travel to Iran due to travel restrictions imposed following the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It is increasingly difficult to leave the country. Additional risks include the volatile security situation, the regional threat of terrorism and the possibility of arbitrary detention. Canadians, particularly dual Canadian-Iranian citizens, are at risk of being arbitrarily questioned, arrested and detained. Iran does not recognize dual nationality and Canada will not be granted consular access to dual Canadian-Iranian citizens. Canadian-Iranian dual citizens should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Iran. Safety and security situation Health situation

Safety and security Safety and security There is no resident Canadian government office in the country. The ability of Canadian officials to provide consular assistance is extremely limited. Canadians in Iran may be closely watched by Iranian authorities. Seemingly innocuous behaviours, such as the use of cameras in public places, travel beyond well-established tourist attractions or casual interactions with Iranian friends, may be misinterpreted and may lead to investigation. Canadians, particularly dual Canadian-Iranian citizens, may be arbitrarily questioned, arrested and detained. Canadian-Iranian dual citizens should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Iran. COVID-19 - Preventative measures and restrictions Preventative measures and restrictions are in place. Follow the instructions of local authorities, including those related to physical distancing

Avoid crowded areas

The use of a face covering might be required in certain public spaces U.S. airstrike On January 3, 2020, an Iranian military commander and Iraqi paramilitary leaders were killed in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport. The incident has led to increased tensions in the region. There is an increased threat of attacks against Western interests and of terrorist attacks in general. Violent demonstrations could occur. The security situation could worsen with little warning. Sistan-Baluchistan and border with Afghanistan Sistan-Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan, is regularly affected by ethnic conflicts and there have been kidnappings of foreign tourists. Bandits in Iran’s border areas with Afghanistan and Pakistan are usually involved in drug trafficking and use kidnap operations to secure the release of group members from prison. Terrorist attacks may also occur in this province. If you decide to travel overland to Pakistan and Afghanistan despite this warning, travel only on main roads and in organized groups, and avoid travel after dark. Border with Iraq The province of Khuzestan borders Iraq and is regularly affected by ethnic conflicts. There have been a number of kidnappings of foreign tourists. Iran’s border with Iraq is usually closed. It can be opened on a case-by-case basis; however, to allow the passage of certain foreigners or to give refugees access to containment camps located on the Iranian side of the border. For more information, read our Travel Advice and Advisories for Iraq. Other border areas The borders with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are open only to citizens of those countries. Foreigners travelling in sensitive border areas (namely Azerbaijan, Baluchistan, Iraqi Kurdistan and Khuzestan) often attract the attention of local security forces, which can result in short periods of detention. Terrorism There is a threat of terrorism. Attacks have targeted foreign interests, Iranian government establishments, military parades and religious sites and events. Potential targets can include embassies, hotels, places of worship, government interests and visibly Western businesses and interests. Maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times because the security situation could deteriorate rapidly and without notice. Crime Violent crime affects both Iranians and foreigners. Petty theft, such as purse snatching and burglary, occurs. Do not show signs of affluence. Ensure personal belongings, passports and travel documents are secure, and carry a photocopy of your passport’s identification page at all times. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are often targeted by thieves. Watch for fraudulent plainclothes police officers, who may ask to see foreign currency and passports. If you are approached, politely decline to cooperate but offer to go to the nearest police station. Demonstrations Political demonstrations and gatherings occur, and can become violent. People near demonstrations have been assaulted or killed by security forces. Incidents of political unrest may occur with little warning. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place

Follow the instructions of local authorities

Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations More about mass gatherings (large-scale events) Women's safety Women have been physically and verbally harassed. Canadian and Canadian-Iranian women have been stranded in Iran or mistreated by an Iranian husband or a male family member. Safe-travel guide for women Laws & Culture Road safety Road conditions are good in cities, and the highway system is relatively well developed. Hire cars with a driver familiar with local conditions as driving standards are poor. Driving at night can be dangerous; the streets are poorly lit and some motorists drive without using headlights. Motorists regularly ignore traffic lights, traffic signs and lane markers, and almost never yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. In the event of a car accident, remain at the scene until authorities have made an official report. Hire only official taxis from agencies or hotel-based companies, and always pre-negotiate the fare. Most taxis do not have meters, and foreigners are often overcharged. Sidewalks on main roads in urban areas may be obstructed by cars. Sidewalks are rare in residential areas. Rail travel Trains are comfortable and punctual, but service is limited and slow. Sea travel In September 2019, Iranian authorities specifically called for the seizure of Canadian assets and vessels. Exercise caution if travelling by sea, including for recreational purposes, in the Persian Gulf, particularly around the disputed islands of Abu Musa and Tunbs. Iran and the United Arab Emirates both claim sovereignty over the islands and the waters are patrolled by the military. Foreigners navigating Iranian waters have been arrested and detained. Air travel We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards. General information about foreign domestic airlines General safety information Carry identification with you at all times. Leave a photocopy of your travel documents with a relative or a friend at home.

Entry/exit requirements Entry/exit requirements COVID-19 - Entry, exit and transit restrictions and requirements In an attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions and requirements for their territory. While some countries have started to ease some of these measures, most remain in place. Before travelling, verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any specific restrictions or requirements related to this situation. Consider even your transit points, as many destinations have implemented strict transit rules which could disrupt your travel. These could include: entry bans, particularly for non-residents

exit bans

quarantines of 14 days or more upon arrival, some in designated facilities, at your own cost

health screenings and certificates as well as proof of adequate travel health insurance

travel authorization documents to be obtained before you travel

border closures

airport closures

flight suspensions to/from certain destinations, and in some cases, all destinations

suspensions or reductions of other international transportation options Additional restrictions can be imposed suddenly. Airlines can also suspend or reduce flights without notice. Your travel plans may be severely disrupted, making it difficult for you to return home. You should not depend on the Government of Canada for assistance related to changes to your travel plans. Monitor the media for the latest information

Contact your airline or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel plans

Contact the nearest foreign diplomatic office for information on destination-specific restrictions Foreign diplomatic offices in Canada – Global Affairs Canada Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements. We have obtained the information on this page from the Iranian authorities. It can, however, change at any time. Verify this information with foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada. Canadians can verify this information with the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran of the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran Passport Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel. Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules. Regular Canadian passport Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Iran. Passport for official travel Different entry rules may apply. Official travel Other travel documents Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest diplomatic mission for your destination. Useful links Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Canadian passports Visas Canadians must be in possession of a visa to visit Iran. Tourist visa: Required

Business visa: Required

Student visa: Required

Pilgrimage visa: Required

Press visa: Required

Transit visa: Required Overstaying your visa may lead to detention, imprisonment and fines and you will be required to remain in Iran until the situation has been resolved. The application process for an Iranian visa can be long. It should be started well in advance of your date of travel. One of the following third parties must submit a tourist visa application on your behalf: a travel agency or tour guide

an organization

a relative or another sponsor in Iran Business visitors You can obtain a business visa, which is valid for 72 hours, at any point of entry. The host company must contact the Passport and Visa Department of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to your arrival to complete the necessary paperwork. Your passport may be confiscated in business disputes. Dual citizenship Under Iranian law, dual Canadian-Iranians citizens must enter and exit Iran using their Iranian passport. When returning to Canada from Iran, they must present to Canadian officials the passport they used to leave Canada. If you enter Iran with a transit pass issued by an embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran abroad, it may take up to a year to obtain an Iranian passport to exit Iran or return to Canada. Iranian immigration authorities have confiscated the foreign passports (including Canadian) of Iranian dual citizens. Iranian authorities sometimes insert an observation in Iranian passports limiting the bearer to one trip to Iran per year. Dual citizens using an Iranian passport to enter Iran should take note of this limitation, as it is strictly enforced: those who have exceeded this limitation have been prohibited from leaving Iran. This situation seems more likely to occur when dual citizens have not completed their military service in Iran. Dual Canadian-Iranians who have obtained their Canadian citizenship after being accepted as refugees in Canada may have their Iranian passport seized at a port of entry and be prohibited from leaving Iran for a year. See Laws & Culture for more information on dual citizenship. Regional travel Canadians have been denied entry into Iran because their passports bore an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel, which would indicate the traveller entered from Israel. Children and travel Learn about travel with children. Yellow fever Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Laws and culture Laws & culture You must abide by local laws. Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad. The work week is from Saturday to Thursday. However, many private companies and government offices are closed on Thursday as well as Friday. Iran is under international and Canadian sanctions. While these sanctions do not prohibit travel to Iran, they could be relevant to your travel. Driving You must carry an international driving permit. More about the International Driving Permit Illegal or restricted activities Possession, use or trafficking of drugs and alcohol is forbidden. Convicted offenders can expect very severe penalties, including capital punishment. People who challenge the Islamic faith or attempt to convert Muslims to another religion may be condemned to death. Avoid public displays of affection between two people of the opposite sex, especially between a non-Muslim man and a Muslim woman. Those who engage in sexual relations outside of marriage are subject to severe penalties, including death. The laws of Iran prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Convicted offenders can face corporal punishment, imprisonment or the death penalty. Magazines and DVDs with sexual or explicit content are forbidden. Photography of government and military installations—such as ports and airports and their surroundings—is strictly prohibited. Such sites are not always identifiable. Refrain from taking pictures whenever you are not at a recognized tourist site. When in doubt, ask for permission. Playing music loudly in public, including in cars, is prohibited by law. Alcohol, drugs and travel

Cannabis and international travel Customs All luggage is subject to search upon arrival to and departure from Iran. It is prohibited to import alcohol or pork products. Declare all foreign currency upon arrival to avoid difficulties. Religion Iran is an Islamic theocratic republic. A conservative interpretation of Islamic practices and beliefs is closely adhered to in the country’s customs, laws and regulations. Dress conservatively, behave discreetly, and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Men should not wear shorts, and women should cover their head with a scarf and cover their arms and legs. During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. In 2021, Ramadan is expected to begin on or around April 12. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions have been subject to arrest and prosecution. Dual citizenship Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Iran. Dual citizens sometimes have their passports confiscated and may be denied permission to leave Iran, or encounter other problems with Iranian authorities. If you are a dual Canadian-Iranian citizen, Iranian authorities will consider you a citizen of Iran and will refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services. Canadian-Iranian dual citizens should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Iran. General information for travellers with dual citizenship Male Iranian citizens aged 18 to 34 are required to perform military service, unless exempt. This requirement also applies to dual Canadian-Iranian citizens, even those born in Canada. Dual Canadian-Iranian citizens aged 17 years or more will not be allowed to leave Iran without first having completed their military service. Marriage and divorce Canadian women married to Iranian citizens who register their marriage with the Iranian authorities automatically become Iranian citizens and are treated as such by Iranian law, even if they travelled to Iran on a Canadian passport with an Iranian visa. Iranian immigration authorities often confiscate Canadian passports, particularly those of women who intend to reside in Iran. Women who are considered to be Iranian by marriage must have their husband’s permission to travel and to leave Iran, even if they intend to use their Canadian passport. Canadian or Canadian-Iranian women married to Iranian citizens in Iran and divorced in Canada cannot use their Canadian divorce certificate for official purposes in Iran unless it is first authenticated by Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa and properly sanctioned in Iran by a court of justice. A Canadian divorce certificate that is not sanctioned by an Iranian court would automatically be void in Iran, meaning that the divorce would not be recognized under Iranian law. Therefore, in Iran, an Iranian woman would still be considered to be married to her husband. In order to avoid any difficulties in Iran related to a Canadian divorce, women should consult both a Canadian and an Iranian lawyer before travelling to Iran. For more information, see Marriage Overseas and Her Own Way: A Woman’s Safe-Travel Guide. Custody of children Under Iranian law, children of divorced parents—even children born in Canada—are under the sole custody of their father, regardless of what a Canadian court may decide. Therefore, if such children are travelling with their mother in Iran, they may encounter great difficulty in returning to Canada. Women in such situations should consult both a Canadian and an Iranian lawyer before travelling to Iran. In the case of divorce or the husband’s death, an Iranian man’s foreign-born wife may renounce her Iranian citizenship. However, the couple’s children will irrevocably be Iranian citizens, and will have to enter and leave Iran with an Iranian passport. Guardianship of children under the age of seven usually goes to the mother and is automatically transferred to the father when the child turns seven. In rare cases, Iranian courts may grant legal custody to the paternal grandfather or to the mother if a court determines that the father is unsuitable to raise his children. Women can only gain custody under these circumstances if they hold Iranian citizenship and are residents of Iran. Even if a woman is granted custody of her children, children under the age of 18 still need permission from their paternal grandfather or the court to leave the country. Such permission is also required for other activities involving legal decisions, such as applying for a passport. Canadian children of Iranian fathers Canadian children whose father is an Iranian citizen face difficulties while in Iran. Under Iranian law, children of a male Iranian national, including Canadian-Iranian citizens, are the sole custody of their father. Children require their father’s permission to leave Iran. Iran is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Money The currency is the Iranian rial (IRR). The economy is exclusively cash-based. Credit cards and traveller’s cheques are not accepted in Iran. Automated banking machines exist only for local banking by Iranians. Bring sufficient cash, preferably in U.S. dollars or euros, to cover all expenses. Note that U.S. banknotes used must be in crisp condition.

Natural disasters and climate Natural disasters & climate Seismic activity Iran is located in an active seismic zone and is at risk of earthquakes. Familiarize yourself with earthquake security measures in public and private buildings. Earthquakes could disrupt public transportation, health and telecommunications services as well as overland travel. Severe weather Dust storms and sand storms may occur in some areas. Flooding During the rainy season, flooding, including flash flooding, can occur. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable, due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings and infrastructure may be damaged. Keep informed of regional weather forecasts

Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions

Stay away from areas that are prone to flooding

Follow the instructions of local authorities