Iran Visa. How quick in Turkey?

[JDOTJAYDOT]

Anyone any idea how qucikly you can get the Iran visa in turkey? And if so which cities are the slowest/quickest and if theres anything important I nedd to know about getting it. Thanks Jonny

[KennyE]

He he touchy subject for me. I applied for my Iran visa in Istanbul on the 4th August and was told it would take 10 days. I arranged with them that I could pick it up in Erzurum, but after 17 days and many phone calls later, was politely told by the Istanbul mob that they hadn't bothered sending my application to Iran for approval. So I had to re-apply here in Erzurum again and have been waiting a week so far. I will let you know if I ever get it.

However, another Hubber, Andy, came straight here and applied and his was ready in 10 days. I have heard some horror stories from other travellers regarding applying here but don't know how many of them are true.

I haven't bothered doing too much touring around while waiting as fuel is so bloody expensive here that it's cheaper to stay put and be bored. Bring on the cheap petrol in Iran!!!

Kenny

[kobold]

I guess fastest way is applying from Istanbul and is collecting visa from Erzurum. Though as happened to Kenny, i guess it is a risk. Three of my friends applied from Istanbul from Iran Visa and one had problem like Kenny. I guess there are several agencies for visa application and there is not a standart for it.


Cheers,
Ozgur

[beddhist]

I applied in Istanbul and collected it 14 days later in Ankara. There was a minor hiccup with the Istanbul office not sending a required fax to Ankara, so I lost a day and a half.

Smile and be polite, no matter what happens.

[KennyE]

Looks like I am definitely being stuffed around. Every day I get the same answer. It's becoming bloody hard to keep smiling!!

[hopelessly lost]

I applied from Canada using a service and intended to pick up in Istanbul. "10 to 15 days!" they said. I started calling when I got to Germany. "No problem. It will be ready!" When I got to Istanbul, they went, "Oh. Right. We'll apply right away, sir." Then I got the run around for nearly two weeks. "Yes. You have been approved! Your visa is ready... tomorrow. I mean the next day. I mean the next day." Frustrated, I gave up on Iran and toured the Middle East at large. Finally, months later, I e-mailed from Beirut with one final attempt and I was told I could pick up the visa in Damascus. I didn't expect to actually get it, but I did! The moral of the story is: be patient. Be persistent. Don't be Canadian.