Archive note: This letter was originally published on January 29, 2017, during a rapidly changing period for travel between Iran and the United States. It records SURFIRAN’s communication with travelers at that time and should not be used as current visa guidance. For present-day information, see the current Iran visa guide.
Contents
What Happened in January 2017
On January 27, 2017, U.S. Executive Order 13769 temporarily suspended entry to the United States for certain nationals of seven countries, including Iran. The order triggered immediate uncertainty for travelers and was followed by reciprocal measures announced by Iran that affected U.S. passport holders seeking to travel to Iran.
The original U.S. order can be read in the historical record maintained by the American Presidency Project. The policy landscape changed repeatedly after this letter was published, which is why the information below is presented only as an archive.
SURFIRAN’s Message to Travelers at the Time
Dear travelers,
The measures announced in January 2017 created uncertainty for U.S. travelers whose Iran visa applications were already being processed or who were considering a future trip. At the time, SURFIRAN informed affected customers that applications could be delayed or interrupted and that any eligible payments for services that could no longer be delivered would be addressed directly with the traveler.
Our message then was simple: government restrictions should not be confused with the relationships between ordinary people. Travel can create opportunities for people to meet, listen and understand one another even when official policies are changing.
Kind regards,
Mehdi Eshraghi
Founder, SURFIRAN
January 29, 2017
A Later Update
This page was later updated on October 19, 2018, to state that Iranian authorities had resumed issuing visas to U.S. passport holders. That statement is retained here only as part of the historical record; visa rules can change and should always be checked against current information before travel.
Current Iran Visa Information
Travelers should use current visa guidance rather than relying on this 2017 letter. SURFIRAN’s Iran visa guide explains the present application process, while OrientTrips’ Iran visa service provides practical application support.
