Iran Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Indians from November 22 Amid Rising Trafficking and Fraud Cases

India has issued an urgent travel advisory after Iran suspended its visa-free entry facility for Indian passport holders effective November 22, 2025, following a surge in human trafficking, fraudulent job rackets, and kidnapping incidents involving Indian nationals. 

The visa waiver, introduced in February 2024 to promote tourism and short cultural visits, enabled Indians to explore heritage-rich cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Qom, and ancient desert routes linked to the Silk Road. It also became popular among budget travellers using Iran as a transit point to Central Asia and Europe.

However, Iranian authorities have now withdrawn the facility citing widespread criminal misuse. According to Indian intelligence inputs, hundreds of Indians particularly youth from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh were tricked by unauthorised agents promising lucrative overseas jobs. Victims were flown into Iran under the guise of tourism, only to be trapped in illegal trafficking networks.

Some were kidnapped on arrival, with ransom demands reaching up to ₹10 million, prompting high-level diplomatic intervention.

Key Highlights:

• Visa-free entry for Indians suspended from November 22, 2025

• Applies to both entry and transit  a valid visa is now mandatory

• Move triggered by rising fraud, trafficking and kidnapping cases

• Illegal agents promised jobs abroad via Iran as a “transit route”

• Victims kidnapped, extorted; families threatened with ransom demands

• Tourism-only visa waiver never permitted employment or onward travel

• Airlines instructed to strictly verify visas before boarding

• MEA urges Indians to avoid unauthorised agents offering overseas jobs

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi confirmed the change on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the “tourist visa cancellation regulations for Indian nationals” have been suspended with immediate effect. Travellers must now secure visas in advance even for connecting flights. Airlines have been instructed to deny boarding to passengers without valid documentation, with the risk of travellers being detained or deported at their own expense.

The decision marks a significant shift in bilateral travel norms, especially given the historically strong flow of cultural and religious tourism between the two nations. Recent rescue cases including three Punjabi youths kidnapped en route to Australia have heightened concerns about organised networks operating between illegal agents in India and brokers in Iran.

Reiterating its warning, the Government of India stated:
“All Indian nationals intending to visit Iran are strongly advised to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran.”