I'm due to meet an Iranian friend in Istanbul next month. Turkey is one of the rare countries where Iranians can travel without a visa, that's why we've chosen to meet there. However I have read on various website that any Iranian citizens who wish to travel abroad needs an exit permit issued by the Iranian authorities. They say there are three different types of exit permit, one valid only for one travel, another for an unlimited number of travels within a period of time and the third one valid permanently.

Strangely enough my Iranian friend has never heard of this formality. She's supposed to know better than me since whe works in a travel agency. Moreover it will not be a first time abroad; at Nowruz she spent a week in Antalya with a group as a tour leader without any kind of permit.

Would it be because tourists travelling in tours are exempt of exit permit (if such thing really exist) to the contrary of independent travellers.

I'm confused. Can someone help me ?

Thanks