Hello bike-friends in Turkey and Iran and the near-by countries who have gone through the process of getting a visa for Iran in Trabzon.
I am going to get an Iranian visa in Trabzon also.
Any advises you may have for the process will be helpful.
For example,
- Should i mention that i will be traveling into Iran from Armenia by bike?
- Do they ask for 'entry' and 'exit' points from the country and what shall i put? After Iran i would like to continue to India. What 'exit' point should i put for that?
- As far as the duration of staying in Iran? Is that fixed and the same for everybody or you can request it in your form?
- Do they ask if you have a 2nd nationality and if you do have a USA one to do you mention it or better not?
These are a few of the questions... if you have info for others please let me know...
Also does anyone know if a greek passport needs a visa on it for Georgia and/Armenia?
Thank you all who will reply to this...
kostas
Hi Kostas,
- No problem to get it. Reference number isn`t required.
- You can tell the consulate what you want. Entry and exit point aren`t important for them. You`ll get a problem with Pakistan.
- The passport you`ll show them is for interest. Nothing else.
- Don`t know the regulations for Greeks for Georgia and Armenia. Think so you don`t need any visa. Please check it.
Probably you can take the new border crossing at the Persian Gulf from Iran to Pakistan. Think so less problems with safety.
Thank you Peter very much for the fast and informative/encouraging news.
How long ago did you get your visa in Iran?
Did you bike into Iran from Armenia also? What's the entrance point there called?
When i tried to get a visa in Greece at first things were 'easy'. When they heard that i was going by bike they asked so many more (insurance, invitation letter from someone in Iran, etc) that i said 'forget it'.
What problem do you mean with Pakistan?
I heard some bikers took a ferry to Abu Dhabi, crossed into Oman and from there, they said, there is a ferry to India! Do you know anything about that?
Hopefully, things will work out easily when i go to the Iranian Embassy on Tuesday.
Thank you again and ... enjoy Life!
kostas
No experiences with Armenia and Iran.
But friends of mine got it without any problems. One friend got the visa just 1 week ago in 1 day in Trabzon.
Entry point Armenia/Iran is Meghri.
Pakistan has serious safety problems. Especially in Beluchistan and the other tribes. Unfortunately there`s no ferry from Dubai or Oman to India. One of my friends is actually in Dubai and take a flight to India. Searched about 1 month for a ferry. No chance at all.
BTW: Apply the visa for 4 weeks. Extention will be easy in Esfahan, Shiraz.
I`m in progress to ride in the same direction. Will start in spring and staying the winter hopefully in Egypt. Next spring Iran, Central Asia and heading east.
Thank you very much Peter!
Hopefully all work as easily as it sounds...
One last thing (though i will know when i get it...) :
From the moment the visa is issued, how much time do i have to enter Iran? Do you know if there is a limit in that? I am thinking how much time it will take me to ride to Georgia and Armenia before i get to the borders of Iran...
Thank you again and ... enjoy Life...
kostas
PS: You mean from Egypt you will ride to Iran? From where, how?
From Egypt to Jordan and Iraq. From there you can ride to Iran.
Not advisable in these times but everthings changing very fast.
Hi Peter,
I live in Iran but never heard of this new crossing point you mentioned. some agreement had taken place several month ago between iranian and pakistani officials but I have not heard anything about practical result of these negotiations.
as i know there is just one crossing at Mirjaveh (near Zahedan).
whould you please tell me where is this new crossing which you know about it?
thank you very much
http://tribune.com.pk/story/567539/boosting-bilateral-trade-pakistan-ready-to-work-on-iran-border-crossings/
Pretty sure that the border are used 1 - 2 years ago from car drivers. Actual it should be easy.
It`s located at the Gulf.
CU
thanks peter
I try to find someone in the region to find some more accurate news
I post it here if I find new info about this matter
Hi friends...
I am near Trabzon and yesterday i met a French family traveling by car. They told me that they were in the Iranian Embassy in the morning along with other 10 people also seeking visa.
The Iranian authorities told all of them that they could not issue visas. They told all of them to 'go home' and come back next week. No explanations were given.
I am planning to go to the embassy myself on Thursday and find out...
Meanwhile, if anyone has heard anything about what's going on please let us know...
Thank you all...
kostas
Hello friends...
I was in the Iranian Consulate earlier today, here in Trabzon.
They have a notice outside their door saying that the Visa department is closed till Sept. 28th for 'administrative reasons'... Nothing else.
Who knows what all these mean...
If i am here on Monday i will try again and let you know.
kostas
Well friends,
the consulate opened its doors this morning at about 9am took about 15 people in till 10am and then announced to the rest of the people waiting in the rain to come back tomorrow...
That's the story.
I guess people will try to get there early tomorrow so they can be first in line... ??? !!!
At least the guy who came out for the announcement encouraged us all that 'no problem! you will get your visa tomorrow', meaning the same day...
So, apparently, the 'process' has not changed as i had thought.
If i get the visa tomorrow i will let you know.
Good-night/-day...
kostas
Hello cyclist-friends!
The latest news:
A bunch of us were let in the consulate this morning, passports checked, applications were filled, we went to the designated bank to pay the 75 euro fee and ... we were told to go tomorrow at 16:30 to pick up our passports (with the visa hopefully in!)
So, the same day visa has become 'next day visa'... no explanations were given and no questions were asked. It will be not so bad if we finally get it tomorrow!
Have a good 'time' wherever you all are!
kostas
Hello cyclist-friends.
We did get our visa the next day as they had told us.
So, all seems to be working again 'normal'...
Good ... pedaling to all of you...
kostas
Hi, glad that you had your visa. So, how many days to you have since you get the visa, to enter Iran? Is that enough to travel Georgia and Armenia? We would like very much to know because we are planning to do the same thing next year. We are on the way and are now in Italy. We think to arrive to Turkey in January and to Iran around March 2015
Hi Kostas,
I was wondering if you saw any British cyclists in Trabzon? And if so, did they have any luck getting the visa?
Thanks a lot,
Tom
Sorry for late reply Tom but in Yerevan i stayed in a place with no wi-fi...
No i did not see/meet any British cyclists in Trabzon...
I met Sascha but he was from germany...
By the way, were you in Yerevan couple of days ago?
I saw a few cyclists in Republic Square and one of you reminded you in your photo...???!!!
Where are you now?
Safe cycling...
kostas
Sorry for late reply Tom but in Yerevan i stayed in a place with no wi-fi...
No i did not see/meet any British cyclists in Trabzon...
I met Sascha but he was from germany...
By the way, were you in Yerevan couple of days ago?
I saw a few cyclists in Republic Square and one of you reminded you in your photo...???!!!
Where are you now?
Safe cycling...
kostas