Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- The Iranian Embassy in London is listed at 16 Prince's Gate, London, SW7 1PT
- UK-Iran diplomatic relations have shifted in recent years - always verify current operating status before travelling
- Listed categories include tourist (limited availability), business and journalist visas
- GOV.UK travel advice for Iran is the most reliable up to date reference
- Sanctions, security and consular changes can affect both visa availability and travel safety
Address and Contact Details
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London is listed at 16 Prince's Gate, London, SW7 1PT. The consular section has historically handled visa applications, document attestation and passport services for Iranian citizens in the UK, though operations have been subject to change in line with diplomatic developments.
Telephone and email contact points should be verified directly with the embassy or via GOV.UK, since published contact details can change at short notice. For up to date safety and operational guidance, the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for Iran is the most reliable public reference for British travellers.
Public hours, where service is offered, are typically restricted to weekday mornings with a separate collection window. Hours change around Iranian national days such as Nowruz and the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, as well as UK bank holidays.
Visa Services Available
When operating at normal capacity, the embassy and its consular network process several visa categories. Categories that have been listed include:
- Tourist Visa: limited availability, typically requiring an authorisation number issued by Iranian authorities after sponsorship by a recognised tour operator.
- Business Visa: for meetings, contract work and short term commercial activity arranged through an Iranian counterpart.
- Journalist Visa: issued in conjunction with Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance approvals.
- Pilgrimage Visa: for religious travel to Iranian holy sites, often organised through accredited operators.
- Study Visa: for foreign students enrolled at Iranian institutions, in conjunction with letters from the Iranian Ministry of Science.
- Family and Cultural Visit Visa: for those visiting Iranian relatives or attending recognised cultural events.
British nationals have at various times been subject to additional checks and may be ineligible for certain categories. Applicants holding dual British-Iranian nationality face complex considerations and should review GOV.UK guidance carefully.
How to Book an Appointment
When the embassy is processing applications, appointments are coordinated through its consular contact channels. The Iranian visa system requires applicants to obtain an authorisation number from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs first, usually arranged through a sponsoring tour operator, host or institution in Iran. The London embassy then issues the physical visa sticker if the case is approved.
Operational status fluctuates, and visa intake has been paused or restricted at times. The embassy's website and direct phone contact remain the most up to date source for whether new appointments are currently being accepted.
Applicants should not pay non-refundable travel or tour deposits until the visa has been physically issued, given the additional uncertainty around current relations.
Documents and Requirements
Documents typically requested for an Iranian visa application include:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure from Iran, with two blank pages.
- The completed visa application form, signed and dated.
- Two recent passport-style colour photographs, with women's photos meeting Iranian dress code rules.
- The authorisation number issued by Iranian authorities through the sponsoring entity.
- Flight and accommodation bookings or a tour itinerary.
- For business applicants, an invitation letter from the Iranian counterpart on company letterhead.
- For journalists, accreditation letters and approvals from the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
- For students, an admission letter from the Iranian institution.
- For pilgrimage and cultural visits, evidence of the planned programme.
Dual nationals and applicants with previous Iran-related visa refusals may need to provide additional documents. Documents not in Persian or English should be translated.
Processing Times and Fees
Processing times depend heavily on the authorisation number being issued first by Iranian authorities. Once that step is complete, the embassy stage usually takes one to three weeks. Cases involving journalists, certain business sectors or applicants with complex backgrounds can take significantly longer.
Consular fees are set in euros and converted to pounds sterling at the embassy. Tourist, business and journalist visas each carry a different tariff, sometimes with reciprocity charges applied to British passport holders. Verify the current fee directly with the consular section before paying any non-refundable booking.
Applicants should plan for full refundability on travel arrangements until the visa is physically in the passport, given operational uncertainty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Iranian Embassy in London currently issuing visas?
Operational status has changed several times in recent years. Confirm current visa availability directly with the embassy and cross-reference against GOV.UK travel advice for Iran before paying any tour or travel deposits.
Can British passport holders visit Iran?
Where the embassy is processing applications, British passport holders can apply for certain visa categories subject to additional checks. FCDO travel advice has at times advised against all or all but essential travel, which can affect insurance and consular support during a visit.
Do I need a tour operator to visit Iran as a tourist?
Most tourist visa applications require sponsorship through a recognised Iranian tour operator or host, who obtains the visa authorisation number from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Independent tourist applications are unusual and may face additional scrutiny.
How are dual British-Iranian nationals treated?
Dual nationals face complex considerations. Iran does not generally recognise dual nationality, and Iranian-born British citizens may be treated as Iranian nationals when in Iran. Review GOV.UK guidance and seek qualified legal advice before any planned visit.
Where can I check current FCDO travel advice for Iran?
GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Iran is updated as the situation changes and is the primary public reference. It covers safety, entry rules, exit procedures, dual nationality risk, sanctions context and consular assistance limitations.
How We Verified This
Information in this article was cross-checked against publicly available embassy listings, GOV.UK travel advice for Iran, FCDO statements on UK-Iran relations and published Iranian visa procedure documents. Given the sensitivity of UK-Iran diplomatic developments, this article should be read alongside the current GOV.UK page rather than as a standalone reference.
Sources
- GOV.UK Iran travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran
- FCDO news on Iran: gov.uk/world/iran/news
- UK Parliament Library on UK-Iran relations: commonslibrary.parliament.uk
