From November 22, 2025, Indian nationals will no longer be able to enter Iran without a visa, including airport transits. The Iranian government decided to end the visa waiver facility for Indian ordinary passport holders, citing misuse by criminal networks involving kidnapping and employment fraud.
Responding swiftly, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued advisories warning travellers of these risks and urging caution against fraudulent agents promising visa-free travel or onward transit via Iran. This new mandate aims to secure travellers and curb criminal exploitation, marking a significant shift in Indo-Iranian travel relations.
Security Concerns and Official Responses
The visa-free policy for Indian travellers was suspended due to reported criminal activities targeting Indian nationals under the previous visa waiver arrangement. Cases surfaced where unsuspecting Indians were lured by fake employment offers or assurances of easy onward travel to other countries after entering Iran visa-free.
Upon arrival, several were kidnapped by gangs demanding ransom or coerced into illegal activities. Iranian authorities, acknowledging these abuses, have implemented this visa suspension to stem criminal misuses.
Indian MEA’s advisory highlights these dangers and instructs airlines to enforce visa verification before boarding. Passengers without valid Iranian visas will face denial of entry or transit, reinforcing the need for official and secure travel channels.
Context and Diplomatic Implications
Iran introduced visa-free entry for Indian nationals as a measure to promote tourism and strengthen diplomatic ties, allowing Indians to visit without prior visas for short stays, usually up to 15 days. This visa waiver was free from traditional visa procedures but excluded employment, which required authorised permits.
The policy aimed to encourage cultural exchange and regional connectivity with India and surrounding nations. However, misuse of this facility by criminal elements involved in fake job scams and kidnappings of Indian travellers led to escalating security concerns.
However, increasing incidents of job fraud and trafficking prompted the Iranian government to reassess its policy. The MEA has reminded Indian citizens to seek visas only through legal means and remains vigilant in monitoring developments.
This change, while frustrating for legitimate travellers, underscores the challenges nations face balancing openness with the imperative to secure borders and protect citizens from criminal exploitation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The discontinuation of Iran’s visa-free entry for Indian citizens underscores a critical need to develop travel safeguards balancing security with diplomatic goodwill. While this new policy complicates travel, it importantly protects individuals from grave risks of exploitation and trafficking.
It also signals the ongoing necessity for international cooperation in combating organised crime networks that exploit migration routes.
The Logical Indian advocates for continued dialogue between nations to create transparent, humane migration frameworks that prioritise traveller safety without sacrificing cultural and economic exchanges. Travellers should stay informed, exercise caution, and seek credible information.
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
