Iran
Warnings and insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
FCDO advises against all travel to Iran
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.
If you’re a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.
FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Support for British nationals in Iran
Consular support is extremely limited in Iran. If you need consular assistance you should contact the British Embassy in Tehran.
Dual nationals
The Iranian authorities do not recognise dual nationality. If you’re a British-Iranian dual national and you are detained in Iran, the authorities will not tell FCDO or grant FCDO access to see you. If you’re detained, your case will be in the hands of the Iranian authorities, who have shown a pattern of hostility towards the UK and British citizens.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
- advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
- information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
2025-03-12 11:18
Updated information about the current risks and political situation in Iran (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-10-26 08:05
Information on an Israeli military attack on Iran (Warnings and insurance)
2024-10-02 03:33
Updated information on the conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-09-28 23:58
Updated information on the conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-09-28 22:54
Updated information on the Conflict in Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-08-03 10:49
Factual update on the regional situation (See ‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-07-19 16:00
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-04-29 14:13
Information on a previous terrorist attack in Iran in April 2024 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-26 12:35
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-19 08:07
We are aware of reports that on 19 April Israel attacked sites in Iran
2024-04-14 08:17
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page). FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Iran
2024-04-12 20:01
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-16 12:55
Travel advice updated to reflect an increased threat from terrorism in Iran
2024-01-19 09:55
Information about an airstrike in Sistan-o-Balochistan, Southeast Iran on 18 January 2024 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-12 00:24
Update to Safety and Security page
2024-01-05 10:33
Information about a terrorist attack in Kerman, southern Iran, on 3 January 2024 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-03 09:16
Removal of information that Emergency Travel Documents cannot be applied for in Iran (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-11-06 15:54
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:47
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-05-25 13:16
Information on safety for mono and dual British nationals in Iran and rewritten advice to aid readability (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-02-22 15:29
Updated information on protesting in Iran and COVID-19 entry requirements and additional information on difficulties with exchanging GBP (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Money’ pages).
2022-10-02 01:45
“Updated information on protests in Iran (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security pages’)
2022-05-13 10:55
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises British nationals against all travel to Iran (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).