Starting 22 November, Indian travellers will no longer be able to enter Iran without a visa.

Tehran has suspended visa-free entry for Indian passport holders after a rise in cases involving human trafficking, as reported by ANI.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacted to the move by issuing a strong advisory, asking Indians to stay alert and not fall for fake job offers.

The MEA said it has received many reports of Indian citizens being misled by agents who promise jobs or further travel to other countries through Iran.

“These individuals were tricked into journeying to Iran by taking advantage of the visa waiver facility available for ordinary Indian passport holders. On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom,” the MEA said.

Due to the increasing number of such cases, Iran has decided to stop the visa waiver programme for Indian citizens.

The MEA noted that from 22 November 2025, ordinary Indian passport holders will need a mandatory visa to enter or even transit through Iran.

“This measure is intended to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements,” the MEA added.

The MEA advised Indians planning to travel to Iran to be careful and avoid any agent who offers visa-free travel or promises onward movement to third countries.

This is not the first time the ministry has warned citizens. In September, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had highlighted several cases of Indians being kidnapped upon arrival in Iran after being tricked with fake job offers.

He had said, “Upon reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped by criminal gangs, and ransoms have been demanded from their families for securing their release.”

The MEA also reminded travellers that visa-free entry to Iran was meant only for tourism, valid for 15 days every six months, and did not allow employment.

According to ANI, criminals, often working with dishonest agents, have been using this route to deceive Indian job seekers.

The ministry has once again urged people to verify any job-related travel and not fall prey to organised criminal networks that target vulnerable workers.