Why has Iran abruptly ended visa-free entry for Indians? MEA sounds alarm

India on Monday issued a fresh advisory for citizens travelling to Iran after Tehran suspended the visa-waiver facility for Indian passport holders, following a spike in cases of Indians being duped with fake job offers and later kidnapped for ransom.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Iran has decided to suspend the visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders from November 22, 2025, citing misuse of the facility by criminal networks that lured Indians with bogus employment promises or onward travel to third countries.

“The attention of Government has been drawn to several incidents of Indian nationals being lured to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries… On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom,” the MEA said in its advisory.

It said Iran has suspended the visa waiver facility with immediate effect from November 22 “to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements”.

Indian travellers will now require a visa to enter or transit through Iran, it added.

The ministry urged all Indians planning to travel to Iran to exercise utmost caution and avoid agents offering visa-free trips or promising onward placement in third countries.

The latest advisory comes against the backdrop of a similar caution issued in September.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had then highlighted a series of cases involving Indians tricked into travelling to Iran, where they were abducted by criminal gangs.

“There have been a number of recent cases involving Indian citizens who have been lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment, or with assurances that they would be sent further to third countries for employment. Upon reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped… and ransoms have been demanded from their families,” Jaiswal had said.

Under the earlier arrangement, Iranian visa-free entry for Indians was limited to tourism for up to 15 days every six months, and did not permit employment. However, organised networks have been exploiting the provision by offering fake job opportunities, often facilitated through unscrupulous agents, the MEA noted.