War ravaged Iran has officially designated six African countries among 27 nations worldwide whose citizens may enter the Islamic Republic for tourism without a visa, according to a list published by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ordinary passport holders from the qualifying African countries are permitted a 15-day stay per visit, restricted to once every six months.
The access is non-extendable under Iranian law and applies solely for tourism purposes. 
Which African countries made Iran’s list
The six African nations included in Iran’s visa-free framework are Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Citizens of these countries holding ordinary passports may enter Iran for tourism without undergoing advance visa application procedures, provided they comply with the conditions set by Iranian regulations.
Beyond Africa, the broader list of 27 countries covers Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, alongside Asian nations such as Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. Several Latin American countries, among them Brazil, Peru, Cuba and Mexico, also feature on the list.
How Iran’s entry system works
Iran operates a tiered entry system for foreign nationals rather than a single blanket policy. A separate category exists for countries that benefit from full visa waiver arrangements under bilateral agreements, which grant their citizens even fewer travel restrictions when visiting Iran.
Nationals of Lebanon, Venezuela and Malaysia fall under a distinct arrangement, where they can obtain the necessary travel permits directly upon arrival at designated entry points rather than applying in advance.
Citizens of countries not covered by any of these arrangements, which includes the vast majority of African nations, are required to apply for a visa through standard consular channels. Iran’s eVisa platform, administered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is available to those who qualify for online applications.
The announcement comes as several governments have moved to publicise their travel agreements and entry requirements, drawing renewed attention to which nationalities benefit from simplified access to various countries.
