Guide for expats moving to Iran
 

Iran

Iran

Living in Iran can be challenging at first however very rewarding once you find your feet. Many expats move to Iran mostly because of its oil and petroleum refining industry. The community of expats is growing and the country is steeped in and ancient history which is kept in its modern day traditions, beautiful caves, white sandy beaches along the shores of the Caspian Sea.



The capital, Tehran has an abundance of shops, restaurants and cafés. Non muslims will need to adhere to a strict dress code which can be uncomfortable if you are not used to being told what you can and cannot wear in public however it is part of the local culture, it will actually make you feel more comfortable especially if you are female. 


Iran Tehran

Expat Clubs


Iran Young Journalists Club

Founded in 2000, YJC is a national center for professional skills in journalism, developing talents of young people interested in the profession.

Website: www.yjc.ir/en  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Iran.Club



Iranian Volleyball Club (Women)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/204240946267192



Iran Women Rugby

Website: www.rugbyiran.ir

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IranWomenRugby

International Schools 


British International School Iran

The British School of Tehran is an international school providing a high quality English language education primarily but not exclusively for children of British and Dutch expatriates resident in Iran. The British School caters for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old.

Telephone: 98-21-2260-4904

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/British.School.Tehran  

Local News in English


Tehran Times

Special reports on cultural and religious issues. Reliable news source for foreign media outlets.

Website: www.tehrantimes.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TehranTimes/265237380156809

Iran Daily

Most popular Iranian English newspaper. We want it to stay most popular so any comments would help. If you want you can join our journalist club by sending your articles from all around the world.

Website: www.iran-daily.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Iran-Daily/233108793428420



Country Information 


Location: Middle East

Capital City: Tehran

Other important cities: Karachi

Currency: Iranian Rial

Language: Persian

Calling Code: +98

Internet TLD: .ir

Electricity: 230V 50Hz

Emergency Numbers: Police- 110, Fire- 125, Ambulance, 115

Country Information

en.wikipedia.org

Embassy Information


Algerian Embassy

No. 20, 11th Alley, Mahestan Street, Iran Zamin, Sharake Qods, Tehran, Iran

Telephone 0098 218 856 1882

Website: www.algeriaemb.ir



Argentinian

Darrus, Avenida Yar Mohammadi - Calle Ghoo No. 6, Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 212 257 7433

Website: eiran.cancilleria.gov.ar



Armenian

1 Ostad Shahriar Street, Corner of Razi Jomhouri Eslami , Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 216 670 4833

Website: www.mfa.am/en/by-countries/ir/



Australian Embassy

No. 2, 23rd Street, Khalid Islambuli Avenue, PO Box 15875-4334, Abbasabad, 15138 Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 218 872 4456

Website: www.iran.embassy.gov.au/tran/home.html



Austrian Embassy

Bahonarstr., Moghaddasistr., Zamanistr, Mirvali 11, Teheran

Telephone: 0098 212 275 0038

Website: www.bmeia.gv.at/botschaft/teheran.html



Azerbaijan Embassy

Farmaniye, Shahid Levasani, Shahid Salehi S. Vatanpoor Str 30, Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 212 222 5191

Website: www.azembassy.ir/



Belgium

Elahieh - 155-157, Shahid Fayyazi Avenue (Fereshteh), 16778 Teheran

Telephone: 0098 212 204 1617

Website: diplomatie.belgium.be/iran/



Brazillian Embassy

Yekta Street n. 26 (Corner of Bahar Street), Zafaranieh, Vali-e-Asr,, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Postal Code 1988633854, P.O.Box 19945/149

Telephone: 0098 21 8781 979



British Embassy (UK)

British Embassy, 198, Ferdowsi Avenue , Tehran 11316-91144

Telephone: 0044 207 008 1500

Website: www.gov.uk/government/world/iran



Canadian Embassy

57 Shahid Javad-e-Sarfaraz, Ostad-Motahari Avenue, 15868 Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 218 152 0000

Website: www.iran.gc.ca/



Chinese Embassy

No. 13 Narenjestan 7th , Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 212 229 1240

Website: www.china-embassy.org/chn/



French Embassy in Iran

85 avenue Neauphle-le-Chateau - Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 216 409 4000

Website:  www.ambafrance-ir.org



German Embassy

Ferdowsi Ave., No 320-324, Teheran

Telephone: 0098 213 999 0000

Website: www.teheran.diplo.de/



Indian Embassy

46, Mir-Emad Avenue

Telephone: 0098 218 755 1507

Website: www.indianembassy-tehran.ir/



Irish Embassy

North Kamranieh Avenue, Bonbast Nahid Street, No. 8, 19369

Telephone: 0098 212 280 3835

Website: dublin.mfa.ir/



Italian Embassy

81, Ave. Neuphle le Chateau

Telephone: 0098 21 672 6955

Website: www.ambteheran.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Teheran    



New Zealand Embassy, Tehran

No 1 (ex34), Cnr 2nd Park Alley & Sousan St,, Qasemi St (North Golestan Complex) Aghdasiyeh St, Niavaran

Telephone: 0098 212 612 2175

Website: www.nzembassy.com/iran



Philippines

No. 5 Khayyam Street corner Fareshteh, Valie-Asr Avenue, Tehran, IRAN

Telephone: 0098 212 266 8774

Website: http://tehranpe.dfa.gov.ph



Russia

Neauphle-le-Chateau Street 39

Telephone: 0098 216 670 1161



South African

No 5 Yekta Street, Vali-e-Asr Avenue, Tajrish, Postal Add: , P O Box 11365-7476, Tehran

Telephone: 0098 212 702 866

Website: satrade.ir/



Korean Embassy in Tehran

No. 18, West Daneshvar st. Shaikhbahaei ave. Vanak sq., PO Box 11365-3581

Telephone: 0098 218 054 900

Website: irn.mofa.go.kr/english/af/irn/main/index.jsp



Spanish Embassy

Darrous, Boulevard Shahrzad, Shadi Street, First East Lane n 10, Tehran

Telephone: 0098 212 256 8681

Website: www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Teheran



Swedish Embassy

2, Nastaran Street, Pasdaran Avenue, (North of Dr. Lavasani) Tehran, Iran, Visa section:, 5, Boostan Street, Pasdaran Avenue

Telephone: 0098 212 371 2200

Website: www.swedenabroad.com/tehran



UAE – Emirati Embassy in Tehran

Wali Asr Street. Al-Shaheed Waheed Dastakaardi Street No. 355. Tehran, Iran

Telephone: 0098 218 878 1333

Email: [email protected]

Residents Visa and Work Permit information


Iran has all the usual types of Visa available, the tourist visa, visa on arrival (VOA) and a transit visa. Citizens of the US and Israeli passport holders will encounter special restrictions.



You will need to arrange a three month tourist visa in advance otherwise you can take a chance and get a visit visa on arrival which is for 15days however comes with a risk that you may be refused without warning so it’s best to apply in advance to be sure.



A transit visa can be applied for, you will need to enter and exit from different countries and have a visa or ticket for the country to where you are travelling. The transitvisa can be applied for and obtained within a few days (not available to US passport holders).



General documents required to apply for a visa through the Iranian embassy in your home country;
  • Completed application form
  • Passport
  • Relevant fee
  • Passport photos (women need to cover their hair with a scarf)
  • Proof of travel insurance

You can be sponsored by any Iranian so if you are travelling to Iran for work then the company will need to complete the visa application for you.


Driving License


Iran has some beautiful countryside and mountainous regions waiting to be explored however embarking on a journey of this sort will not come without a risk or two! Driving in the hustle and bustle of the larger cities will also come with its own set of trickiness. Tourists and expats cannot get insurance easily, you’ll need to arrange a green card along with a special permit for your vehicle called a carnet de passage which you need to get in advance of arriving at the border. It’s not uncommon for travelers to drive on un-insured! Getting fuel can be difficult at times due to it being rationed, available at a higher price without a ration car however it is still very reasonably priced.

Public transport is a staple to get about for both tourists and expats, the service is frequent, fairly punctual and very cheap, remember that bus fares and flights prices can increase during public holidays such as Ramadan without notice.



The Bus & Tram

It’s worth noting that if you can’t get a bus somewhere then it’s highly likely that no one wants to go there and usually for good reason. Travelling on the bus should be quite comfortable as it’s seating only, no standing permitted and you can pay more for a better class of bus. Women and children are segregated on the bus so be prepared to give your ticket to the driver through the front and then board the bus at the back and if travelling as a couple, you’ll need to discuss in advance which stop you are disembarking at. For this reason a lot of tourists and travelers use the shared busses and private mini-bus / taxi as it’s more convenient and safe when you‘re not sure of where you are going.



Train

Iran has an ambitious rail network and is a relatively inexpensive mode of transport. Tehran is the main hub and most services begin and end here. Tickets can be booked in advance at www.iranrail.net



Metro

Tehran has a growing metro system and Mashhad, Esfahan and Shiraz are following suit.



Tickets and bus numbers are almost always in Farsi so it’s a good idea to learn the Arabic numbers to help you with locating your seat, platform, departure time, bus number or fare.



Hiring a car is generally out of the question, it’s not common and it will likely end up causing you more hassle than it’s worth instead most people use tour guides or private hire companies. 

Healthcare


All Iranians are entitled to basic healthcare and many receive subsidised prescription medicines and vaccinations. There is an extensive network of public clinics, general and specialty hospitals which offer health care at a low cost, many clinics are regulated by the Ministry of Health and Education (MOHME) – those which are offer a higher standard of care This means that expats will need to pay for their health care and therefore to ensure you receive quality medical care whilst you are living in or travelling in Iran we recommend you take out worldwide health insurance for you and your family.