Iran Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Indians After Rising Fraud Cases

Iran has officially suspended its visa-free entry facility for Indian nationals from November 22, 2025, bringing an abrupt end to a policy that was meant to boost tourism and strengthen ties between the two countries. The decision comes after a troubling increase in cases involving Indians being trafficked, deceived with fake job offers, or kidnapped after arriving in the country.

The Iranian Embassy in India announced the suspension through a post on X, stating that ordinary passport holders will now require a visa to enter or even transit through Iranian territory. This reverses the visa waiver introduced in early 2024, which allowed Indians to stay in Iran for up to 15 days purely for tourism.

Iran’s initial aim was to open its doors to Indian travellers and promote its historic cities, sacred sites, and desert landscapes. However, authorities soon discovered that criminal networks were exploiting the relaxed rules, luring Indians with false promises of overseas jobs and hassle-free transit routes to countries like Australia and parts of Europe.

How Criminal Networks Misused the Visa Waiver

Over the past year, Iran has emerged as a key transit point for illegal migration. Many Indian nationals, especially from regions like Punjab and Haryana, were tricked by agents claiming they could reach destinations such as Australia by travelling through Dubai and Iran. Once in Iran, numerous victims found themselves stranded, threatened, or kidnapped for ransom.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that several people were targeted immediately after landing in Iran, stripped of their documents, and held hostage in remote areas. The ministry noted that many were drawn in by the ease of visa-free entry, making them vulnerable to traffickers who operated under the guise of overseas job consultants.

The Indian government acknowledged that the growing number of such incidents had prompted Tehran to withdraw the waiver. According to the ministry, the move is meant to stop traffickers from exploiting unsuspecting travellers who assume visa-free entry guarantees safety.

The Shocking Case That Triggered Nationwide Concern

One of the most disturbing examples surfaced in May 2025, when three young men from Punjab—Hushanpreet Singh from Sangrur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar, and Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur—left for Australia through an illegal route arranged by an agent. They were promised accommodation and safe transit through Iran, but their ordeal began the moment they arrived on May 1.

The men were kidnapped shortly after landing, and the abductors demanded a ransom of ₹1 crore from their families. Panic spread across their villages, and the case quickly drew national attention. Following urgent intervention from Indian authorities, the Iranian government helped rescue the trio, exposing the scale of trafficking networks operating across the region.

This incident became a turning point, prompting India to warn job-seekers about the risks of travelling to Iran without proper verification. In September, the government issued a fresh advisory urging citizens to remain extremely cautious, especially when responding to overseas job offers routed through Iran.

Tourism and Travel Plans Hit Hard

The visa suspension is a major setback for Indian travellers who considered Iran an affordable and culturally rich destination. Cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Qom, and Mashhad draw thousands of Indian tourists every year, thanks to their ancient mosques, Persian gardens, and spiritual heritage.

The visa-free scheme, introduced in February 2024, was crafted to encourage easy tourism and boost visitor numbers. Its sudden termination now means that Indian travellers must apply for visas in advance, face longer processing times, and plan their travel more cautiously. Budget travellers and backpackers who used Iran as a convenient transit corridor to Europe and Central Asia will also feel the impact.

Travel agencies expect significant disruptions, with many having to rework itineraries, cancel bookings, or arrange alternate routes. The cost and complexity of travel through Iran are likely to rise in the coming months.

India’s Warning to Its Citizens

In its official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs urged Indians to stay vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free shortcuts or transit guarantees through Iran. Many victims of trafficking were promised high-paying jobs abroad, only to discover that the offers were fabricated and designed to trap them.

The ministry reiterated that this suspension has been enforced to protect Indian citizens and prevent further misuse of the travel facility by criminal groups. Travellers planning to visit Iran have been advised to follow official guidelines, verify job offers through legitimate channels, and stay updated on new regulations.

Why This Matters Now

The suspension of visa-free travel underscores a deeper crisis involving illegal migration and organised trafficking networks targeting Indians. With dreams of overseas opportunities rising across several Indian states, thousands are vulnerable to exploitation by agents who operate outside the law.

Iran’s decision serves as a timely reminder that visa-free entry does not eliminate risks—and safe, legal travel channels are the only path travellers should trust.