I am American and really wanted to go see Iran when I was on vacation in the Middle East. I did see Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. Iraq was more for future work, but I did see 2 things for fun in the 17 days I was there.

I had tried to get my Iran visa (authorization number), but had asked right before Naruz, so people were on holiday for 2 weeks.

First I was on the list to be investigated
Then I was being investigated (by Iranian and Swiss officials)

On May 2, I left for my vacation and still tried to see if I could get my visa
while in Erbil, Iraq where there is a Consulate.

I was unsuccessful.

I never heard why it was taking so long. I called my contacts in Iran constantly, but nobody knew why it was taking so long.

So I never got approval to enter Iran (from Tehran).

[COLOR=blue]Dear Friend,

I am Iranian girl,I live in Tehran and I work in a travel agency,my field of activity is incoming tours.

In addition, about your visa,I can say that it is hard but possible and I think it deponds on your luck .(please dont be so hopeful)

I hope to see you in Iran.

Samin (e-mail:samin_mrsa@yahoo.com)

Have you ever applied to get your LOI through an Iranian based agency?

As far as I know, the MFA will provide the reason of the rejections and the delays...

Since you are an American citizen you should take part in a tour to be able to get a LOI, otherwise you can not enter Iran.

Yes, I was going to do a custom tour via and Iranian agent. I still don't know why it took so long.

may I know which of the agencies?

Hello,

I am incredibly interested in the culture and history of Iran and its people and was hoping to visit the country later this year. Only problem.... I am American.

I wanted to visit Iran as an independent traveller, but as I understand it, as a US national, the only way I can visit Iran is if I have a guide accompany me. I have already written up my itinerary (where I am staying, what I will see, how I will get there), so I am looking for someone who can accompany me around the country so as to meet the government's rule that American nationals have guides with them? As I am a budget traveller, trying to keep my costs down, I wouldn't need this person to be a full blown tour guide (so they wouldn't have to give me tours or provide me with information on different sites or anything). I would just essentially want them accompany me throughout my travels in Iran because I can't otherwise visit Iran as an independent traveller. I am doing this because as a tourist, I prefer to have the flexibility and sense of adventure of travelling without formal tours, and given the restraints of being an American, this is the closest way to that that I can travel in Iran.

If you are an Iranian tour guide who has a license to guide American tourists, please let me know, so that we can discuss my travel plans. Thank you!

You should apply via a tourist agency to get your visa and then the same agency applies for you tour guide. So try to find a suitable travel agent.

Hi I travelled to Iran last year with a tour group from England, there was an American on our tour of six people, he could only get a visa because he was with a travel group. I hold an Australian passport, which is one of the countries Iran grants a visa toon arrival. I f you do manage to get a visa I can reccommend some very good guides, who like Americans and all people.
best of luck.
bryan

Quote
Laleh wrote: You should apply via a tourist agency to get your visa and then the same agency applies for you tour guide. So try to find a suitable travel agent.

Melody,

Dear Melody,

My name is Samin, a 25 Iranian girl , I work in a travel agency if you want me I can arrange you a tour among Iran so I can arrange you visa and all that you need in Iran ,like accomodation and transportation and the most important one a skilled guide.

my email address : samin_mrsa@yahoo.com

Wish you a nice day,

Samin

I am an American and am working with Let'sGo Iran, a great agency headquartered in Sheraz. If anyone is interested in sharing the cost of a private tour, let me know. Presently I am by myself, but will have a private car, driver, and guide. The cost is <$2,400 including visa. If I had someone else with me the cost drops to about $1,300. It's 11 full days and nights, including Persepolis.