Hey guys,

I am so happy that I found this thread. My plan is to ride from Germany to South East Asia to see Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam beginning Oct/Nov/Dec 2016. I am planning to go through Iran, Parkistan and India as well and I would love to meet up and ride together, as my mate bailed out.

As I am a German citizen I think I would not need a guide to cross Iran, but I know a Iranian citizen. Perhaps it is possible that he would guide us?! Do you know if this could solve the problem?

Looking forward to hear from you.

Hi Suede. Those prices for the Iranian guide are similar to what I have heard - and would make Iran prohibitive for me unless sharing the cost with quite a few others.
It looks like our timings won't work together but I wish you all the best for your trip!


Hi Marvin. Glad the thread is proving useful!
I am also interested in travelling together for parts - particularly Turkey to India.
Can you post here or send me a PM with the itinerary that you have so far?

My understanding of the 'guide' requirement is that they must be 'state approved', so I don't think your friend would qualify. However, I'm sure your friend will probably know more about this than me!

And a long shot - where in Germany are you? I will be visiting Berlin 15-22/03/2016.


I've been following the Iranian elections with interest. Following the result, I have hope that the guide requirement may be removed - if this is the case, I would very much love to visit Iran.

Guides
 

Hi Guys,

So im planning to go via Iran to either Pakistan or Dubai by ferry. Im reading here in comments that you need to have a guide with you? Is this for UK residents only or for everyone? Im a Dutch citizen.

It's only for UK, Canadian and American citizens; so I think you will be fine.

My hope, and I understand the general expectation (especially following the recent elections) is that this requirement may be dropped altogether.

:mchappy:

Is there any news on the Guide requirement recently? Anywhere I should particularly be watching for info?

I'm a UK citizen also looking to go through Iran probably in October on the way to NZ. If anyone is going the same way at the same time I'd love to group up on the costs and share a ride for a while, usually I'd prefer the freedom, but since you're restricted by a guide anyway, some company would be nice.

Looking around, it seems Turkey -> Iran -> Pakistan -> India is the best way to go. China looks like a massive hassle and I don't see an alternative that doesn't involve flight or Iran by other doors.

:innocent:yI received the following from the London Iranian Embassy on 25/03/2016:

------------------------------------

Thank you for your e-mail,


To obtain visa, you will need to receive a authorization code. This code needs to be issued by Ministry Of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Tehran.
You have two options to gain this code:


Option one would be if you have friends or family in Iran they can visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran and give invitation letter for you and apply for the code for you,


OR



Option two would be apply through Travelling Agencies in UK or Iran and they can apply for the code for you, and the code can be sent to us by MFA.



Either option once the authorization code is been issued for you and sent to us by MFA, then you can visit us to have your visa issued.


Regards

The Visa Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
-----Original message-----
From: Matt Bibby <XXXXXXXXX@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday 05/01/1395 2:57 PM
To: london visa section <lon.visa@mfa.gov.ir>
Subject: VISA Guide requirements

Dear Sir/Madam,

I note that your Embassy began offering a visa service as of 23/03/2016.

I would like to enquire whether the rules regarding independent travel for those with UK passports have also been relaxed?

I am a UK citizen and would like to visit Iran and travel independently.


Many thanks, Matthew

-------------------------


I didn't find it especially clear, but I took it to be 'no change'.


I too would like to travel Turkey --> Iran --> Pakistan --> India or possibly Turkey --> Iran --> (Ferry from Bandar Abbas in Iran to India) --> India.

But unless the 'guide' requirement is dropped, I won't be visiting Iran on this trip.

Cheers for the info. Seems a bit vague to me, does "applying through a travel agency" mean they are accommodating you? Or just that they have the contacts that could apply for authorization on your behalf (at a cost no doubt).

I'll try and get in touch with them too, asking a similar thing, maybe they'll clear it up. Did you just use that email address directly or some other channel?

Yes, vague, I'm not really sure they understood my what I was asking.

I emailed them on that email address, which I got from the London embassy website.

I just emailed them today (Saturday) so I'll report back with any response, I've been a little more direct in trying to get a clear yes or no on guides. I'm based in London so I can always hassle them in person too if this gets us nowhere.

Hi joshwaaa,

Im an Australia (currently in UK) looking to ride home around the same time as you. I have had similar concerns about Iran/Pakistan and getting the bike into Malaysia via nepal?

I would be very keen to hear what the email response is regarding your visa.
Any help/ advice would very very much appreciated. I haven't been planning long so I'm trying to catch up :)

Cheers,

Andrew

Also Biker Marvin, I will be travelling through Germany in early September enroute to Poland via Amsterdam, Hanover, Berlin.
If you are clode to these areas maybe we could meet up.

I never received a reply at all from the Iranian embassy. From what I've read, though correct me if I'm wrong, Australians aren't victim to the forced guide through the country, just USA, Canada and UK.

If they are and you need help planning and a guide I've been talking to Hossein at - Overland To Iran and he's been really helpful so far. Though I'm yet to book anything.

I also re-emailed to clarify, and received no response.

I'm in London for the next week or so if you want to meet up to share knowledge/plans and a pint. :thumbup1:

Hello! I'm entering Iran through north turkey later this week. I'm from Barcelona and I'm planning to spend almost a month in the country. Is any of you already in Iran? I still don't know if I'll exit through pakistan or go up to the 'stans and Mongolia.