Indian Travellers Warned: Iran Suspends Visa-Free Access Amid Scams
Indian citizens travelling to Iran must now obtain a visa. MEA issues advisory over scams and criminal activities targeting visa-free travellers.
image for illustrative purpose
Iran has decided to discontinue its exemption from visa requirements for Indian passport holders effective from November 22, 2025, due to the increase in trafficking and criminal exploitation cases. As a precautionary measure, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued an advisory against Indian pilgrims receiving fake job offers related to the country.
The advisory mentioned numerous reports that Indian nationals were lured by offering good salaries to work in Iran. Upon arrival, many were said to be snatched up and ransom sought from their relatives by criminal gangs. The MEA also referred to instances where Indians were attracted with the promise of travelling to other countries but had to encounter threats and exploitation after reaching Iran.
“The Government has noticed several Indian nationals being tempted to fly to Iran through fake job offers or promises of transit to third countries. Criminal networks have misused the visa-free facility to target these individuals and have led to kilos kidnap cases and ransom demands,” the advisory read.
ME confirmed the Iranian Government’s decision to revoke the visa waiver for ordinary Indian passport holders. From November 22 Indians will have to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran. This step is said to be aimed at preventing the criminal misuse of the visa-free system and safeguarding Indian nationals.
“The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has suspended the visa waiver facility for customary Indian passport holders from 22 November 2025 onwards. This measure is meant to ensure that no more victimization takes place by criminal echelons. Visa will be required for Indian citizens to enter or transit from this date,” the MEA statement remarked.
Authorities of India have recommended travelers to be very careful and also not to trust the agents or intermediaries who give the offer of visa-free entry or promise onward travel to the third countries via Iran.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had mentioned this warning in September, as the fake job reports of Indian citizens getting fooled into going to Iran were a reason, one of the cases of which being one of the MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal who said that at the time, “Indian citizens lured to Iran for job opportunities or transit to other countries have been kidnapped, with ransoms demanded from their families. The government advises extreme vigilance.”
