Exit Fees Increased Again in 2020 Budget Bill; Land Travelers to Arbaeen Remain Exempt from Paying Fees

Exit fees from the country have been increased once again in the 2020 budget bill, while land travelers to Iraq during “Arbaeen” remain exempt from paying these fees.

Based on the 2020 budget bill presented to parliament on Sunday, December 8, exit fees from the country for the next year have been set at 264,000 tomans, which represents a 40,000 toman increase compared to the current year.

Currently, the exit fee from the country for each person is 220,000 tomans, with this amount increasing by up to 50 percent for a second exit and up to 100 percent for a third exit. The threefold increase in exit fees in 2019 at the time of presenting this year’s budget bill generated significant controversy and drew widespread criticism.

However, this increase in exit fees has been set at 132,000 tomans for travel to Hajj al-Tamattu and Umrah. Additionally, the exit fee for “Arbaeen pilgrims” traveling by air is 45,000 tomans, while for land and sea exits it is 15,000 tomans.

According to the 2020 budget bill, individuals who exit Iran through land borders to Iraq between September 5, 2020 and October 24, 2020 (the time of the Arbaeen ceremony) are exempted from paying exit fees.

Previously, the Islamic Republic had also provided facilities for pilgrimage travels in contrast to other foreign travels. For instance, during a period of increased dollar prices in Iran, Arbaeen pilgrims received foreign currency at rates lower than the market rate, a matter that drew considerable criticism from the public.

The United States, following its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement, has reimposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The US says the Islamic Republic is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and instead of spending the country’s wealth on its own people, it uses it to support terrorist groups in the region such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

Source: Voice of America