Starting November 22, 2025, Iran will no longer allow Indian tourists to enter without a visa. This ends the visa-free facility introduced in February 2024, which aimed to encourage more Indians to explore Iran’s historic cities like Isfahan and Shiraz.
The decision comes after a series of troubling incidents involving fake recruitment agents. These agents misled Indians with promises of jobs abroad or easy transit through Iran to other countries. Unfortunately, many, particularly young people from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, were kidnapped by criminal gangs who demanded ransom money from their families.
From November 22 onwards, all Indian passport holders must obtain a valid visa before traveling to Iran. This rule also applies to travelers transiting through Iran. Airlines will not allow boarding without proper documentation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued a cautionary advisory. Citizens are urged not to trust agents offering visa-free travel or claiming to help reach other countries via Iran.
While this change may affect tourism between the two nations, it is primarily aimed at protecting Indian citizens from fraud and human trafficking.
