LOI for Iran visa by key2persia

[Camille&Christophe]

Hi,

I'm just starting to get a visa for Iran, from Turkey (french passports). I'm traveling with my wife in a camper.
I read on Caravanistan that we should not mention that we are traveling with our own car in order to avoid any tour obligation.
I just received the email following the application on Caravanistan and it strictly mentions that if I'm traveling with my own vehicle, I should mention it, otherwise I'll receive a non valid code for such a travel. Is it true or is it just a way to "force" me to say I have a car and then I'll have to get a tour ?
Thank you very much in advance for your answers !

Christophe & Camille

[Ozkat61]

Hi, we applied for Iran Visa and picked up in Islamabad. Did not need LOI - in fact the Embassy official spefically asked us to confirm that we did not pay anyone for LOI. We were upfront about travelling overland on our motorcycle and it was noted in our passports with our Pakistan Visa. I can only comment on our experience. We were travelling on Australian Passports Nd could not get Iran Visa in Australia as we left in August last year. We got our Iran Visa in May this year. Will enter Iran in -August. Within the 3 mths from issue

[Ozkat61]

No tour

[Camille&Christophe]

Thank you very much for your answer !
It means that sometimes we don't even need any LOI, so furthermore no tour. I read that on several travelers experiences. I have to admit I'm getting a bit lost. And I don't want to go to the ambassy and understand that I need a LOI anyway...
If anyone can help us that would be great !
I read several times ( and especialy on caravanistan ) not to mention I was self driving, but in this case am I assured that I will get a correct visa ? (the email from key2persia seems to answer "no" to this question)
Thank you in advance for your answers !
Cam&Chris

[asianrider]

Just do as it says. If you plan to take a plane or a bus, nothing says you can't change your mind after you get your visa and decide to drive your own car instead.

[steven]

Just do as it says. If you plan to take a plane or a bus, nothing says you can't change your mind after you get your visa and decide to drive your own car instead.

They have to ask. You have to say no. I have to be somewhere in the middle.

[Camille&Christophe]

Hi everyone,

Here is how it ended. No problem whatsoever.
So just email key2persia, no mention of any car. They will say if you don't mention it you'll get a backpacker visa, it's wrong, and you'll get the LOI within 15 days and the visa in like 2 or 3 days depending on the embassy and that's all !
Enjoy your trip in Iran.

Chris

[Peter Van]

Dear all,

few questions:

1. has anyone ever applied for the 18-digit authorization code and requested to get the TOURIST visa (not VOA!) issued at an airport (i.e. upon arrival) in Iran instead of in an Iranian consulate?

This option is mentioned under "visa collection place" on http://www.irantravelingcenter.com/iran-visa-iran/

If yes, what is the procedure to get it issued in the airport in Iran (which airport)?
(for Chinese and other passport holders)

2. Is it possible for a Chinese passport holder to get the E-visa (free code) from within China? (which browser, how long does it take,...)

3. How much are the fees for 30 days (not 3 months) Tourist/VOA visa for a Chinese passport holder?

4. Which airlines from China to Iran allow 30 days (or more) stay in Iran (apparently Air Asia only 28 days)?

5. Which airlines allow a Chinese passenger to board the plane in China to Iran without the Iran visa in the passport (since it would be issued at the airport upon arrival)?

6. Is there anything else to know to get the Iranian visa for a Chinese passport holder?

Thanks for your replies, also on behalf of future travellers with the same questions!

Happy travellings,

Peter

[Peter Van]

Dear all,
regarding the answer to my first question:
http://www.irantravelingcenter.com/iran-visa-iran/ has explained to me: "the code that we will get before head is a cause that you can get your visa in the airport sooner than the other travellers
it is VOA (visa on arrival)
VOA and tourist visa are same "
This means that you can arrive without code in an international airport and apply for the visa there; but if you have the code, it just goes quicker to get the visa.
Also regarding extensions irantravelingcenter.com says there is no difference between VOA and TOURIST visa.

However, https://en.key2persia.com/ tells me it is "safer" to get the TOURIST visa before arriving…

Regarding the second question, http://www.irantravelingcenter.com/iran-visa-iran/ has said that Chinese passport holders can get VOA (but no explanation about the procedure and there is no explanation on the three Iran consulates' websites in China either).

I have not found any replies to my other questions, so your help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter

[steven]

Hi Peter,

I don't know the answer to your questions. I have asked CrazyDre, our local visa specialist, to look into it, but he has not replied either.

Sorry to not be of more help. Thanks for keeping us up to date, the visa issue for Chinese is a complicated one but I don't get a lot of info since this is not a Chinese language website.

Do let us know if you find out more.