New Delhi responded to Tehran’s visa-free suspension for Indians starting on November 22 by issuing an advisory urging its citizens to avoid agents providing visa-free travel or further transit to third countries through Iran, calling the measure to “prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements” after Indian citizens were lured to Iran on false promises of employment.
According to a PTI report in an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Several incidents have been brought to the notice of the government where Indian nationals were lured to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries. These individuals were tricked into traveling to Iran by availing the visa-free option available to ordinary Indian passport holders and many were stolen.”
“Accordingly, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has suspended the visa-free travel available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran with effect from November 22, 2025. This measure is to prevent further misuse of this facility by criminal elements. From this date, Indian nationals holding ordinary passports would have to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran,” he further said.
He added: “All Indian nationals intending to visit Iran are strongly advised to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran.
MEA warning in September
The MEA had similarly warned Indian citizens in September of the potential risks associated with traveling to Iran for work. During a weekly briefing, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that several Indian nationals have been targeted by criminal gangs, kidnapped on arrival in Iran and held for ransom.
According to Jaiswal, “Recently, there have been a number of cases involving Indian citizens who were lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances that they would be sent onward to third countries for work. After reaching Iran, these Indian citizens were kidnapped by criminal gangs and ransom was demanded from their families to secure their release.”
Visa-free entry to Iran is strictly for tourist purposes, valid for 15 days every six months and does not allow for employment. Criminals dupe Indians with fake job offers, often in collaboration with rogue agents, the report said.
The ministry also urged citizens to thoroughly check all work-related travel to avoid falling victim to organized crime networks. The recommendation comes amid growing concern over the growing number of job scams targeting Indian workers overseas.
