Rising fraud, trafficking, kidnapping cases: Why has Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indian citizens

Iran had introduced the waiver in February 2024 to boost tourism, but authorities say the provision was increasingly misused by agents who lured Indians with fake job offers or false promises of onward travel to other countries.

Announcing the decision on X, the Iranian Embassy in India said: “The one-way tourist visa exemption for Indian nationals with ordinary passports has been suspended from 22 November 2025. From this date, all Indian passport holders must obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran.”

Tourism impact

The now-suspended visa-free entry allowed Indians to visit Iran once every six months for up to 15 days, strictly for tourism.

The country—home to historic cities such as Isfahan and Shiraz, pilgrimage centres like Qom and Mashhad, and the desert landscapes of the ancient Silk Road—has long been a favourite for Indian tourists.

Iran is also a popular transit hub, especially for budget travellers heading to Europe and Central Asia.

India’s response

India’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that many of the recent fraud cases stemmed from the visa waiver itself.

According to the ministry, unscrupulous agents exploited the visa-free entry to trick Indians into travelling to Iran, often under the pretext of jobs or onward movement to third countries.

Once in Iran, several individuals were kidnapped for ransom.

“In light of these incidents, Iran has suspended the visa waiver for Indian nationals. This step aims to stop further misuse of the facility by criminal networks,” the ministry said, urging Indians to remain cautious and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or transit through Iran.

Recent fraud cases in Iran

In May, three men from Punjab—Hushanpreet Singh (Sangrur), Jaspal Singh (SBS Nagar), and Amritpal Singh (Hoshiarpur)—were abducted in Iran after attempting an illegal route to Australia via Dubai and Iran.

Their families said an agent had promised accommodation and onward travel. Shortly after their arrival on May 1, the trio were kidnapped, and the abductors allegedly demanded Rs 1 crore in ransom.

They were rescued after Indian authorities sought urgent intervention from Tehran.

More recently, in September, the Indian government warned job seekers heading to Iran to maintain the “strictest vigilance” due to a rise in fake employment offers.