Ministry of External Affairs Issues Advisory as Iran Suspends Visa Waiver for Indians

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a travel advisory following Iran’s suspension of visa-free entry for Indian passport holders.

The suspension took effect on November 22, ending a short-lived visa waiver program that Iran had introduced in February 2024 to promote tourism. Under the program, Indian travelers could enter Iran without a visa for up to 15 days once every six months, strictly for tourism purposes.

According to MEA, the government has received several reports of Indian citizens being deceived by agents who falsely promised jobs or transit opportunities through Iran to other countries. These developments reportedly led to multiple cases of illegal entry, human trafficking, and visa misuse.

In response, Iranian authorities have revoked the visa-free facility for ordinary Indian passport holders. The MEA stated this move is intended to “prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements.”

India’s foreign ministry has strongly advised citizens to exercise caution and avoid individuals or agencies offering employment or transit to third countries via Iran under visa-free terms. 

Iran has long been a popular destination for Indian tourists. It offers access to culturally rich cities such as Isfahan and Shiraz, pilgrimage sites such as Qom and Mashhad, and scenic routes along the ancient Silk Road. The country has also served as a cost-effective transit point for Indian travelers heading to Europe and Central Asia.

Indian nationals planning to visit Iran must now apply for a visa in advance, and should not rely on outdated information or unauthorized agents.

No timeline has been announced for the possible resumption of the visa waiver.