Iran has officially released a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free tourist entry, including six African nations. The policy allows ordinary passport holders from these countries to stay in Iran for up to 15 days without a visa, once every six months. The access is strictly for tourism purposes and is non-extendable under Iranian law.
Which African Countries Are Included?
The six African countries on the list are: Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Seychelles. These nations are among 27 countries worldwide granted the privilege, according to Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The broader list includes Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as Asian nations like Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Several Latin American countries including Brazil, Peru, Cuba, and Mexico also feature.
How Iran's Entry Rules Work
Iran operates a tiered system for foreign nationals. A separate category of countries benefit from full visa waiver arrangements under bilateral agreements, meaning their citizens face even fewer restrictions. Nationals of Lebanon, Venezuela, and Malaysia fall under a different arrangement, where they can obtain travel permits at designated entry points upon arrival.
Citizens of countries not on any of these lists, which includes the majority of African nations, are required to apply for a visa through standard consular procedures. Iran's official eVisa platform is available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal for those who qualify for online applications.
Legit.ng previously reported that Spain named African countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free entry. Japan also updated its eVisa eligibility list in May 2026, opening online visa applications to nationals residing in several countries.
