Preparing for the Trip to Iran

As a 29-year old Iranian-born American Citizen who left Iran 19 years ago, I was quite concerned about my fate if I were to go to Iran.  My main concern was that Iran would immediately force me to serve in the military before allowing me to exit the country.  Within the Iranian community in the United States, there are thousands of myths and stories about the do's and don'ts of going to Iran.  Don't listen to any of them!  Do your own research.  Most of the stories are actually false.

Here are some of the more common false stories I had heard:

Myth: Iranian men who return to Iran will not be permitted to leave without first serving in the military
Truth: If you left Iran more than 6 years ago, chances are you can get an exit permit.  However, before you go to Iran, fill out the Exit Permit request form and send it to the Iranian Embassy in Washington DC (along with appropriate fees).

Myth: If you are an Iranian who is now an American Citizen, don't tell them or they will hold you for no reason.
Truth: They don't seem to care the least.  However, before going to Iran, you do need to fill out a form explaining why you obtained US Citizenship.

Myth: Don't show your Iranian passport to Customs in the United States.
Truth: Again, they don't seem to care the least.  On my return to the United States, a US Customs worker asked an Iranian ahead of me to show him her Iranian passport.  She told him she doesn't have one.  It was obvious that she was lying (and the custom's worker knew it) as Iran does not allow Iranian-born visitors to exit Iran without an Iranian passport.  He ended up sending her through a different line where US Customs workers searched all of her bags.  He also asked me about my Iranian passport and I showed it to him.  He said thanks and had me on my way.

Myth: You can't take X into Iran (where X is dollars, computer, camera, etc.)
Truth: They didn't even open my bags or ask any questions.  Apparently, they are getting much more lenient about these things.

The first web site you need to go to if you are preparing for a trip to Iran is the Iranian Embassy in Washington DC.  If you are an Iranian and you don't have an Iranian passport, you will need to fill out form #001.  If you are an Iranian-born American Citizen, you will also need to fill out form #989 explaining why you obtained citizenship (a simple explanation such as "it's easier to live in the states with a citizenship" is sufficient) and finally, if you are male and you are not exempt from the military, you will also need to fill out form #301 to get your exit permit.  If you visit the Iranian Embassy in Washington DC, all of these forms can be processed on the SAME DAY!  During a vacation to the DC area I visited the office at 8am and by 2pm that same day I had a brand new Iranian passport in hand with an exit permit stamped that allows me a 3-month visit to Iran each year for 3 years.  However, if you mail in your documents, I have heard that it can take up to 3 months for the same paperwork to be processed.

Good luck!