Iran Scraps Visa-Free Entry for Indian Travellers From November 22. What’s Behind the Sudden Shift?

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that Iranian authorities will suspend visa-free entry for Indian nationals from 22 November, following a rise in trafficking-related incidents. The development was reported by ANI on Monday, with the MEA simultaneously issuing an advisory cautioning citizens against fraudulent job offers and unsafe travel routes. According to the MEA, several Indians have recently been duped into travelling to Iran on the basis of false promises of employment or onward transit to other countries. Exploiting the visa waiver, traffickers and agents facilitated their travel, after which many individuals were reportedly kidnapped for ransom upon arrival. In a statement, the ministry said that the Government of Iran has decided to halt the visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders in light of the increasing misuse by criminal networks. The suspension will take effect from 22 November 2025. Following this date, Indians will be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran. The advisory urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward passage through Iran, warning that such schemes often lead to exploitation. This is not the first warning issued by the MEA. In September, the ministry had similarly cautioned Indian job seekers after multiple reports surfaced of nationals being trafficked to Iran, kidnapped by criminal gangs on arrival, and held for ransom.