Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ezatullah Zarghami announced lifting the ban on an Iranian tourist visa. They stopped the issuance of this visa has since the beginning of 2021.
According to ISNA, the new Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said at the farewell ceremony and introduction of the deputies: “Within a conversation, I had with the President, the Iranian tourist visa ban will end.”
He also accepted this issue and, of course, had concerns about the coronavirus, which I have provided the necessary explanations to Raisi. Many countries in the world have started to apply for an Iranian tourist visa, and we should take this opportunity and welcome them.
Zarghami also said: “Tourism is the right of all people everywhere in the world and has a special role in public diplomacy.” This industry can improve dark diplomatic relations and maintain good relations between governments.
The issuance of Iranian tourist visas stopped at the same time as the outbreak of the Coronavirus started by the order of the National Corona Headquarters.
It has been more than a year since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Corona Headquarters negotiated to resume the issuance of this visa and even approved it in the committees of the National Corona Headquarters but each time, the headquarters opposed and canceled the action.
Tourism activists have repeatedly asked the National Corona headquarters to allow tourists who have received two doses of the Corona vaccine to travel to Iran. By Following the strict and mandatory rules, the health protocols could guarantee a safe trip.
At present, Iran issues visas only for medical, business, and study purposes. With the vaccination status around the globe, tourism should be able to resume. Recently Iran has also boosted up the speed of vaccination. And with historical sites being open again to the public in the orange zone cites, the Iranian tourist visa will be next.