Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Travelers holding Iranian passports cannot obtain a new visitor visa for the United States at present. The suspension covers B-1 and B-2 visas, and an ESTA is not open to Iranian citizens. Some exceptions exist, including certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Confirm the position with the State Department before paying for flights or hotel rooms in Manhattan.
What the suspension means for travelers
Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on January 1, 2026. It suspends the issuance of new visitor visas, in the B-1 and B-2 categories, to Iranian nationals. A strong travel purpose, a conference invitation or a family event in Manhattan does not by itself create an entitlement to a visa. Limited exceptions exist and are narrow. Read the State Department's announcement first.
One point matters for anyone who already holds a visa. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so a valid visa in an Iranian passport remains usable to seek entry, subject to the officer's decision at the border. The exceptions most often cited cover certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Only an embassy or consulate can say whether that applies to you.
Before you fly and on arrival
Air travel to New York begins with the airline, not the airport. Carriers check documents at check-in and refuse boarding where the paperwork does not match the rules in force. Before buying a ticket, confirm the position in writing with the nearest US embassy or consulate and keep the reply. Book refundable arrangements only while the question is open.
Flights from abroad land at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport; LaGuardia handles mostly domestic traffic. After landing, travelers queue for Customs and Border Protection, where an officer reviews the passport, the visa and the purpose of the trip. Answer directly and carry printed evidence of the hotel booking and return flight. Check each airport's website for terminal details.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotel confirmation does real work at the border. A printed reservation showing the Manhattan address, the nights booked and the guest names helps an officer see that the trip is planned and finite. Carry the same details for the return or onward flight. Check the hotel's own cancellation terms before paying, since the visa question may not resolve quickly. Travel insurance is worth having.
From the airports, Manhattan is reached by public transit, by taxi or by pre-arranged car service; the airport information desk and airport websites set out the current options. Carry the hotel address in writing for the driver. Within the borough, walking and the subway cover most of what a short visit needs. Keep the passport and entry documents with you rather than in checked luggage.
Longer stays, work and study
A visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or a course of study. Work and study in the United States run through separate categories with their own requirements, sponsorship and application routes. Those categories have their own rules, which change. Anyone considering a longer stay in New York should read the State Department's guidance and confirm the position with a US embassy or consulate.
Rules, categories and exceptions shift, often with little notice, so treat any timeline heard informally as unreliable. The two sites that carry weight are travel.state.gov for visas and esta.cbp.dhs.gov for the Visa Waiver Program, which is not open to Iranian citizens. This guide covers travel to Manhattan; it does not issue visas or give legal advice. Read the official announcement, then ask the embassy or consulate.
Step by step
- Read Presidential Proclamation 10998 and the State Department's announcement in full before making any plan.
- Check whether an exception applies to you, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport or a visa issued earlier.
- Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate in writing and keep the reply with your travel documents.
- Avoid paying for flights, hotel rooms or event tickets until the visa position is clear.
- On arrival at Kennedy or Newark, present the passport, any visa and the hotel confirmation to the border officer.
Documents to carry
- Passport with any US visa already issued
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and dates
- Return or onward flight booking showing the departure date
- Written reply from a US embassy or consulate about your case
- Travel insurance policy covering the dates of the trip
Iranian citizens: questions
Can Iranian citizens get a US visitor visa for a trip to Manhattan now?
No new B-1 or B-2 visitor visas are being issued to Iranian nationals under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, apart from limited exceptions. Check the State Department's announcement before planning or paying for anything, and confirm your own case with a US embassy or consulate.
Do Iranian citizens qualify for ESTA instead of a visa?
No. The Visa Waiver Program and its ESTA authorization are not open to Iranian citizens, so the electronic route is closed regardless of the proclamation. Travelers who might otherwise use ESTA need a visa, and new visitor visas are suspended. Read the guidance at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov, then ask a US embassy or consulate.
Can an Iranian citizen with a valid US visa still fly to New York?
Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so a valid visitor visa in an Iranian passport can still be presented when seeking admission, including at New York airports. Admission itself is decided by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. Carry the hotel booking and return flight details, and check the current position with the State Department.
Where should Iranian citizens check US visa rules before booking a trip?
The State Department's announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 is the authoritative source, and travel.state.gov sets out the visa categories. For ESTA eligibility, use the CBP site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Rules and exceptions change, so check both shortly before any booking and confirm your own case with a US embassy or consulate.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.