Urgent Travel Advisory: India Loses Visa-Free Entry to Iran from November 22

The Chronify

November 19, 2025

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an urgent advisory, warning Indian citizens of the suspension of Iran's visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders. This move comes after a disturbing increase in human trafficking, fraudulent job offers, and kidnapping cases involving Indian nationals.

Iran had first introduced the visa-free facility for Indian citizens in February 2024, primarily for tourism and short visits to Iran’s historic cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, Qom, Mashhad, and regions along the ancient Silk Route. The policy had also been used by budget travelers as a stopover for onward journeys to Central Asia and parts of Europe.

However, Iranian authorities decided to halt the visa-free entry from November 22, 2025, following reports of misuse. Many Indian nationals, particularly from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, were allegedly deceived by unauthorized recruitment agents promising high-paying jobs abroad. These individuals were misled into thinking Iran would be a transit point to Europe, Australia, or Central Asia but ended up trapped in human trafficking rings.

Key Points:

Visa-free entry to Iran suspended for Indian citizens from November 22, 2025.
All travelers now require a visa, both for entry and transit purposes.
Suspension follows multiple cases of fraud, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
Fraudulent agents promised jobs and travel to third countries, but victims were kidnapped upon arrival.
The visa waiver was initially intended for tourism, allowing up to 15 days’ stay, once every six months.
Airlines have been instructed to verify visa status before boarding.
MEA urges citizens to avoid unauthorized travel agents and exercise caution when accepting overseas job offers.

The suspension follows recent rescue operations, which have sparked diplomatic concerns between the two countries. The Indian government has urged citizens to exercise the highest level of caution regarding overseas employment opportunities.