Iran has suspended its visa waiver facility for Indian travellers holding ordinary passports. Starting November 22, Indian citizens with ordinary passports will no longer be allowed to enter Iran without a visa. They will now need a valid visa for both entering the country and even for just passing through it, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an advisory issued on November 17.
“This measure is intended to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements. From this date, Indian nationals with ordinary passports would be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran,” the advisory reads.
The implementation of the one-way tourist visa cancellation regulations for Indian nationals holding ordinary passports, in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been suspended as of 22th November 2025. From this date, Indian nationals with ordinary passports will be required to… pic.twitter.com/Eu1He3ecZi
— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) November 17, 2025
MEA flags cases of Indians being misled
According to the MEA, the government has come across several cases where Indians were tricked into travelling to Iran with fake job offers or false promises of being sent to other countries.
“These individuals were tricked into journeying to Iran by taking advantage of the visa waiver facility available for ordinary Indian passport holders. On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom,” the advisory added.
Until now, Indian tourists could travel to Iran without a visa under certain conditions. This was part of Iran’s efforts in recent years to attract more tourists and strengthen relations with Asian countries.
Warning against agents offering visa-free travel
The MEA also warned Indian citizens to be careful about agents claiming to offer visa-free travel to Iran. “All Indian nationals intending to visit Iran are strongly advised to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran,” the advisory concludes.
Many Indian tourists visit Iran for its rich cultural and religious sites – cities like Isfahan and Shiraz, pilgrimage centres such as Qom and Mashhad and its deserts and ancient Silk Road routes.
Iran is also a popular transit point, especially for budget travellers heading to Europe or Central Asia.
