Useful Information for Tourist to Iran   ENTRY AND EXIT REGULATIONS, CUSTOMS Visitors from some countries such as Turkey do not need visa for entry. A three-month visitors' visa is issued on entry. The conditions for entry of foreign traders and buyers into the country have been relaxed. 72-hour entry visas are issued at the airport to the nationals of some foreign countries (such as Saudi Arabia) that are considered as important and major markets for the export products of Iran. However since this is subject to change, it is advisable to consult the travel agents when booking. All other nationalities must obtain the necessary visas from one of the diplomatic missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran before entering the country. Applications for visas should be made well in advance. Visas can be granted to foreign businessmen or experts with a valid invitation arranged through the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by their Iranian counterparts. Visitors wishing to stay longer than the period for which visa is valid, should apply for an extension of visa to the Foreign Citizens Affairs Office. Tour organizers and travel agents can provide tourist visas. ARRIVAL Passengers arriving from abroad are required to fill in the disembarkation, customs clearance and foreign currency declaration forms (normally distributed in the plane). The completed forms should be handed over to the officials in the baggage claim area. A carbon copy of the form should be retained until departure from the country. Female visitors must bring along with them a long robe and a headscarf confirming with Islamic hejab (covering). Alcohol, firearms, habit-forming drugs, pornographic material and playing cards are strictly prohibited and should not be brought in by travelers. Similarly gold bullion and electronic items for commercial purposes are not allowed entry. Tourists are allowed to bring in all the personal effects they normally carry with them. Certain high-value items, however, will be entered in the passport by the customs official. Upon departure, it should be insisted on canceling these entries. It should be noted that items written in the passport cannot be sold and should be shown on departure. In case of loss or theft, it should reported to the police and a copy of the police document proving the report of the incident has to be presented. DEPARTURES   Reservations should be reconfirmed and passengers should be at the airport for check-in at-least one hour before scheduled departure time. Domestic flight rates are relatively low as compared to those of other countries. Iran Air, as well as several other Iranian airlines, operates regular flights to big cities and also to smaller towns in remote parts of the country. The services of Iran Air on domestic flights are based on international standards. Tickets can be obtained from the sales offices directly or through private agencies that are widely established in Tehran as well as all major cities.     When leaving Iran, visitors are allowed to take reasonable amounts of souvenirs provided they are not recognized as antiques. It is prudent to keep the sales receipts to be shown to Customs Officials in case needed. Every passenger leaving Iran is allowed to take one or more carpets with a total area not exceeding 12 square meters. This again is subject to change. Hence it is advisable to clarify with the carpet seller before purchase. The carpet dealer can also arrange to export the carpets for you. Consult the dealer or your Iranian acquaintances in this respect. Passengers, when departing the country may, in addition to their personal belongings, carry various Iranian products, handicrafts and manufactured goods without limitation to their value, as well as a maximum of Rials 150,000 of non-Iranian goods, provided that they are not intended for trade purposes. Passengers can also carry 150 grams of wrought gold without gems and up to 3 Kg of silverware without gems.