Iran has officially suspended its visa waiver facility for Indian citizens holding ordinary passports.
Starting November 22, Indians will no longer be able to enter Iran without a visa.
This rule applies not only to entry but even to transit through the country.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the update, explaining that a valid visa is now mandatory for all Indian travellers.
Why the Visa Waiver Was Removed
According to the MEA, several Indians were misled into travelling to Iran through fake job offers and false promises of being sent to other countries.
Many were lured using the visa-free entry option.
The advisory revealed that some of these travellers were kidnapped for ransom after arriving in Iran.
To prevent misuse by criminal groups, Iran withdrew the visa waiver facility.
Earlier, Indian tourists could enter Iran without a visa under certain conditions.
The policy was part of Iran’s push to attract more visitors from Asia.
MEA Warns Against Fake Agents
The MEA has urged Indian citizens to be extremely cautious of agents who claim to offer visa-free entry to Iran.
Travellers have been advised to avoid any such offers and apply only through official channels.
The advisory stressed that no Indian should rely on agents promising easy transit to other countries through Iran.
Many Indians visit Iran for its historic cities like Isfahan and Shiraz, its religious centres such as Qom and Mashhad and its scenic deserts along the ancient Silk Road.
Iran has also been a popular low-cost transit stop for travellers heading to Europe or Central Asia.
