Iran has ended visa-free travel for Indians effective November 22, 2025. Visas will now be required for entry or transit. India has warned that many Indians have been kidnapped and taken to Iran under the pretext of jobs or transit.
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Suspends visa-free entry: The Iranian government on Monday took the significant decision to end the unilateral visa-free entry facility for Indian citizens. This decision will be effective from November 22, 2025. From this date, Indian citizens will be required to obtain a visa to travel to Iran or even to use the country’s airports as major transit points.
Following this decision, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a new advisory highlighting serious issues such as kidnapping and job fraud.
The MEA stated, “The Government of Iran has suspended the visa exemption facility available to Indian ordinary passport holders with effect from November 22, 2025. This step has been taken to prevent further misuse of this facility by criminal elements.”
Warning issued on kidnappings and job frauds
The Ministry of External Affairs has subsequently issued a strict advisory warning about the increasing incidence of job fraud, kidnappings, and travel scams. According to the ministry, several Indians have been lured to Iran under the pretext of employment and third-country transit, only to be kidnapped for ransom.
The Ministry emphasized that numerous incidents have been reported where Indians were lured to Iran under false promises of jobs or with assurances of transit to third countries. These individuals were tricked into traveling to Iran by taking advantage of visa exemptions. Upon arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom.
Under the new rules, Indians will now be required to apply for Iranian visas in advance. Passengers using Iran solely as a transit route will also need to obtain valid Iranian visas. All airlines have also been advised to check the visa status of passengers.
