Iran Halts Visa Waiver for Indian Nationals Amid Employment Fraud Concerns

Visa Waiver Suspension for Indian Passport Holders

As of Saturday, Iran has officially suspended the visa waiver program for Indian passport holders. This decision comes in response to multiple reports of Indian citizens being deceived into traveling to Iran under false pretenses of job opportunities or promises of transit to other nations, as stated by New Delhi on Monday.

The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement indicating that this suspension aims to curb the exploitation of the visa waiver by criminal organizations.

Initially, Iran had introduced the visa waiver for Indian travelers in February 2024, allowing a non-extendable stay of 15 days for tourism purposes, valid once every six months. Effective immediately, Indian nationals with ordinary passports must now secure a visa to enter or transit through Iran.

The ministry highlighted that numerous Indians had been misled into traveling to Iran, only to find themselves kidnapped for ransom upon arrival. They urged travelers to remain cautious and to avoid agents promising visa-free travel or onward transit through Iran.

In September, a similar advisory was issued, warning Indians to exercise the utmost caution regarding fraudulent job offers in Iran. The ministry reiterated that the Iranian government permits visa-free entry solely for tourism, and any agents claiming otherwise may be linked to criminal activities.