How to apply for a Schengen visa from Iran

Because Iranians do not have visa free access to the Schengen area, the majority of Iranians will need a Schengen visa from Iran in order to visit most countries in Europe. If you receive a Schengen visa from Iran, you will be able to stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area; a block of 26 countries in Europe that includes France, Germany, Italy. Read on for more information about applying for a short-stay Schengen visa from Iran, including Schengen visa requirements for Iran citizens and residents, Schengen visa types for Iranian passport holders, and other essential information. This blog will also address typical questions such as “Where do you apply for Schengen visa in Iran?” and “How much does a Schengen visa cost from Iran?”.

Where do you apply for Schengen visa in Iran?

• Schengen visa applicants apply for visas through one of the 26 Schengen countries—the country you select is the one you intend to spend the most time in during your trip to the Schengen area. 
• For example, if you are planning a trip to France and Italy, and you intend to spend the majority of your time in France, you should apply for an Iranian Schengen visa from France. 
• If you are spending an equal amount of time in two or more countries (for example, if you are spending 30 days in both France and Italy) you should apply to the country that represents your first entry into the Schengen area. For example, if you are spending an equal amount of time in both France and Italy, but you are first flying into the Schengen area directly from Tehran to Paris, you should apply for a Schengen visa from France. 
• Once you know what country you will be spending the most time in, you will apply for your Iranian Schengen visa through that country’s embassy or consulate. 
• Alternatively, some Schengen countries outsource the visa application process to a visa application center. For example, if you are applying for a Schengen visa to either Finland or Estonia from Iran, you should apply through the affiliated visa application center in Tehran.  
• Please keep in mind that not all countries maintain embassies or even missions in Iran. Some maintain a minor diplomatic presence there (for example, Malta has a consulate in Tehran but no embassy). Keep in mind that if the Schengen country you want to apply to has no diplomatic presence in Tehran, their consular interests may be represented by another Schengen country, which you should apply through. 

Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa from Iran

• Once you know what country you are applying to, you must determine both the type of Schengen visa you require, (tourist, medical, etc.) as well as the number of entries you will need. 
• The type of Schengen visa you apply for is determined by your purpose for travel. For example, if you are traveling to the Schengen area for the purpose of undergoing a medical procedure, you will apply for a Medical Schengen visa. 
• There are a number of different Schengen visa types for Iranian passport holders (which are equally accessible to all Schengen visa holders). For a complete list of Schengen visa types, click here.   
• Schengen visas are available in single, double and multiple entry categories. Once you exit the Schengen area on a single-entry Schengen visa, you will not be allowed back into the zone, even if your visa is still valid. In order to re-enter the Schengen area after exiting, you will have to have either a double or multiple entry visa. Click here for more info on entry categories.
• After you determine the country, type, and number of entries you need on your Schengen visa, you can follow the below steps to obtain a Schengen visa for Iranian and Iran residents:  
  • 1. Determine where to apply
    • Once you know the country you are applying to, you must figure out what consulate, embassy, or visa application center to apply through. 
    • If you are unsure, contact the embassy of the country you seek to visit.
    • When you contact the embassy or consulate, you can ask them other questions you might have relating to the application process, such as how to access the Schengen visa application, whether you need to make a Schengen visa appointment, and what form of payment they accept for the visa fee.  
  • 2. Gather your required documents 
    • A main requirement for the Iranian Schengen visa is the submission of a number of required and supplemental documents and materials (see the complete list is below). 
    • Some of these documents may take time to assemble, so you should begin preparing them early on in your application process. 
    • For example, applicants should make sure that their primary travel document (usually a passport) is valid and has enough space for your Schengen visa. 
    • Some Schengen visa types require supplemental documents, such as invitation letters. Schengen invitation letters are traditionally written by third parties who are inviting an applicant to visit them in the Schengen area or conduct business there. If you require an invitation from a friend or business associate, make sure you give that person enough time to write their letter, so that you can submit it on time with your completed application.  
  • 3. Access your Schengen visa application 
    • The majority of Schengen countries will accept the universal Schengen visa application, accessible here.
    • Print out, fill out, sign, and submit this form, alongside all your required and supplemental documents. 
    • Alternatively, depending on where you are applying from, you may have to access a country-specific online visa portal. For example, France requests that all Schengen applicants create an account and apply online, here.
    • In addition to filling out essential information, most online visa-application portals will give applicants the option of paying for their visa online, and also scheduling a Schengen visa appointment. 
  • 4. Attend your visa appointment 
    • Once you have all of your required documents and filled out your visa application, you are ready to attend your Schengen visa appointment. 
    • The vast majority of Schengen visa applicants must attend a Schengen visa appointment in order to submit their application. 
    • Additionally, the majority of countries require applicants to formally schedule an appointment in order to formally submit their application (this means that most applicants cannot simply drop off their application at the embassy/consulate during working hours). Determine whether you need to make a Schengen visa appointment in order to submit your application. 
    • In addition to where you submit your application, your Schengen visa appointment is where you will have your biometric information collected, pay your Schengen visa fee, and attend a short visa interview. 
    • Certain applicants, such as those who have previously lodged successful Schengen visa applications and completed multiple trips to the Schengen area, and whose biometric information is already in the system, may not need to attend a Schengen visa appointment in person (instead, they may be able to delegate someone else to drop their application off for them). However, the vast majority of Schengen countries require all applicants—regardless of where they are from, and even if their biometric information has already been collected—to formally appear at the embassy in person in order to complete the application process.  
  • 5. Await your decision 
    • After you attend your visa interview and submit your application, there is nothing left for you to do but wait for a decision (unless you are called back for a follow-up interview or asked to provide additional documents). 
    • The majority of Schengen visa decisions are reached in between 15-30 days, although it can take both shorter and longer (up to 60 days) in rare cases.  
    • If you are approved for a visa, you will pick up your passport (which will be included in your new Schengen visa) and be on your way.   
    • If you are rejected, you have the right to appeal your rejection. For more information on how to contest a rejected Iranian Schengen visa, click here.
• You should apply for your Schengen visa no earlier than three months before your intended date of departure and no later than just over two weeks (15 days) before.

Schengen visa requirements from Iran

• Schengen visa requirements for Iran citizens and residents include the following: 
  • Passport 
  • Passport photos 
  • Proof of subsistence (evidence that you can afford your trip)
  • Proof of accommodation (evidence that you have a place to stay) 
  • Travel medical insurance 
  • Complete Schengen visa application form  
  • Biometric information (fingerprints and photos) 
• In addition to the above requirements, applicants will also have to submit a number of supplemental documents depending on the type of Schengen visa they are applying for.

How much does a Schengen visa cost from Iran?

• The price of a Schengen visa for Iranian and Iran residents is 80 euros for most applicants. 
• Certain people, including most students, those on diplomatic passports, and other types of applicants may be subject to reduced fees (or be exempt from payment altogether). 
• For complete information on Schengen visa fees, click here.