Iran has suspended its visa-free facility for Indian nationals following a surge in trafficking cases. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued an advisory cautioning Indians travelling to Iran about fake job scams. The suspension takes effect on November 22, 2025, and applies to all holders of ordinary Indian passports.
Why has Iran suspended visa-free facility for Indian nationals?
In the advisory, the MEA alerted Indian nationals about multiple incidents in which Indians were deceived into travelling to Iran with promises of high-paying jobs. The ministry stated that many of these individuals were then kidnapped upon arrival, with criminal gangs demanding ransom from their families. The advisory also noted that the government has become aware of several cases in which Indians were enticed to travel to Iran with false promises of jobs or onward travel to other countries.
“The attention of the 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. These individuals were tricked into journeying to Iran by taking advantage of the visa waiver facility available for ordinary Indian passport holders. On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom,” stated the advisory.
Suspension to take effect from Nov 22
Adding further, MEA informed that Iran has suspended the visa-waiver facility in response to the rise in such cases. It stated that effective November 22, ordinary Indian passport holders will no longer be able to enter or transit through Iran without a visa, as the measure is aimed at preventing further misuse of the facility by criminal networks.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accordingly suspended the visa waiver facility available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran with effect from 22 November 2025. This measure is intended to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements. From this date, Indian nationals with ordinary passports would be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran,” MEA stated. In view of Iran’s order, the MEA has advised all Indian nationals intending to visit Iran to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran.
Earlier, in September, the MEA had issued a similar warning to Indian citizens about the risks of travelling to Iran for employment purposes. “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 by criminal gangs and ransoms have been demanded from their families for securing their release,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
