MEA Advisory: Indians must secure a visa for Iran from Nov 22

(IRAN) Iran will end visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders from 22 November 2025, in a sharp policy shift that New Delhi says follows a spike in fraud, human trafficking and kidnapping cases tied to illegal job routes through the country. The move means Indians will now need a visa not only to enter Iran but also to transit through its airports, shutting down what had become a popular low-cost corridor for onward travel.

Official confirmation and scope of the change

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi confirmed the decision in an announcement on social media, stating that the one-way tourist visa waiver for Indian nationals would be cancelled from 22 November. The embassy underlined that the earlier visa-free entry policy had been introduced only for short-term tourism, yet officials had documented widespread misuse by criminal networks.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an urgent advisory warning that the previous facility — which allowed up to 15 days of visa-free stay once every six months — was never meant for employment or job-seeking. The MEA said reports from Indian missions in Tehran and nearby countries revealed a pattern of misuse tied to illegal recruitment and trafficking.

Why the policy was changed

Indian officials say many of the recent victims never planned to stay in Iran, but were told the country was just a stepping stone to Europe, Australia, or parts of Central Asia. The advisory describes a recurring modus operandi:

• Young Indians, often from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, were recruited by unauthorized agents promising high-paying work abroad.
• These agents used the visa-free entry rule to move people quickly, presenting Iran as a brief stop en route to other countries.
• Upon arrival, many were met by local handlers linked to trafficking networks.

The visa-free facility, intended for short-term tourism, was increasingly exploited by criminal syndicates to facilitate illegal migration and trafficking.

Criminal patterns and victim experiences

According to cases cited in the MEA advisory:

• Some arrivals had their passports confiscated by local handlers.
• In several cases, individuals were kidnapped and held for ransom.
• Families received calls or videos demanding large payments — sometimes in foreign currency — to secure the release of relatives.

Indian officials say the pattern, together with an increase in rescue operations, raised deep concern in both Tehran and New Delhi.

Rescue operations that influenced the decision

VisaVerge.com reports that recent rescues, including an operation involving three youths from Punjab who were freed from captors in Iran, helped accelerate the policy change. Indian diplomats worked closely with Iranian authorities and local police to trace these victims, who described being locked in safe houses and threatened with violence.

For both governments, these cases highlighted how a system designed to support tourism had become a route for human trafficking gangs and employment fraud syndicates.

Iran’s rationale

Iranian authorities, according to the Indian advisory, observed a clear pattern of criminal misuse of visa-free entry by foreign nationals, particularly on routes linked to fake job promises. Tehran argued that suspending the waiver for Indian citizens was necessary to protect them from organized crime groups who had learned to exploit the loophole.

Both governments frame the move as a protective measure rather than a hostile diplomatic gesture, although it has upset genuine tourists and travel companies.

Impact on travel, airlines and travel agents

Airlines flying between India and Iran have been instructed to check the visa status of Indian passengers before boarding.

• Carriers that allow passengers to travel without a valid visa risk those travelers being denied entry on arrival and sent back on the next flight at their own expense.
• Travel agents in Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar and other cities say they are informing clients that even short transit stops in Iranian airports will now require a proper visa.
• The change is expected to raise costs and add paperwork for Indian travelers who previously used Iran-based routes because of lower fares.

MEA warnings and advice against fraudulent recruiters

The MEA renewed its warning against unregistered or “fly-by-night” recruitment brokers and urged Indians to exercise extreme caution about overseas job offers that route through Iran.

Key safety recommendations from officials:

• Insist on written job contracts.
• Verify employer details independently.
• Avoid paying large cash advances to recruiters.
• Do not travel to Iran for work on a tourist waiver — genuine employment usually requires a proper work visa for the destination country.

Visa application process for legitimate travellers

For Indians planning legitimate travel to Iran, the main change is that they must now apply for a regular visa through official channels before departure.

• Details of visa categories and application steps are available through India’s official foreign ministry site, including its travel advisories page at India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
• While Iran sets the basic border rules, New Delhi said it will continue updating its guidance as it receives more information from Iranian authorities.

Broader social and regional implications

The decision highlights broader risks in parts of northern India, where unemployment and rising migration aspirations create fertile ground for false promises. In many villages across Punjab and Haryana, stories of neighbors who allegedly reached Europe or Australia through “shortcut” routes spread quickly and can outweigh official warnings.

Experts warn:

• The end of visa-free entry to Iran removes one such shortcut.
• Traffickers may shift to other transit countries, requiring authorities to adapt to evolving methods.
• Families remain a critical line of defense against risky travel choices made under pressure.

Consular guidance and ongoing cooperation

Indian consular officials urge anyone who believes a relative has been taken to Iran on a false job promise, or who suspects human trafficking, to:

1. Contact local police immediately.
2. Inform the nearest Indian mission.

Both Iran and India stated they will continue cooperating on investigations involving kidnapping, ransom demands, and fake employment networks. While the new policy will likely reduce the number of new victims, officials expect that existing cases may still come to light in the months ahead as both governments work to rebuild a safer, more controlled framework for future travel.