(MENAFN- Live Mint) Indians won't be allowed to enter Iran visa-free from 22 November, as Tehran has suspended the facility citing an increase in trafficking cases, according to an ANI report. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory on Monday, warning citizens against bogus job scams and urging them to remain vigilant.

What did MEA say?

“The attention of the Government has been drawn to several incidents of Indian nationals being lured to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries. 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,” MEA stated.

MEA mentioned that Iran has decided to suspend its visa waiver programme following a rise in such incidents.

It further said, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accordingly suspended the visa waiver facility available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran with effect from 22 November 2025. This measure is intended to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements. From this date, Indian national with ordinary passports would be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran.”

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MEA 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's previous caution

In September, the MEA had similarly cautioned Indian citizens about potential risks associated with travelling 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 upon arrival in Iran and held for ransom.

According to Jaiswal,“There have been a number of recent cases involving Indian citizens who have been lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment, or with assurances that they would be sent further to third countries for employment. Upon reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped by criminal gangs, and ransoms have been demanded from their families for securing their release.”

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Visa-free entry to Iran is strictly for tourism purposes, valid for 15 days every six months, and does not permit employment. Criminals are deceiving Indians with fake job offers, often in collusion with dishonest agents, the report noted.

The ministry also urged citizens to thoroughly verify any employment-related travel to avoid becoming victims of organised criminal networks. This advisory comes amid increasing concern over the growing number of job scams targeting Indian workers overseas.

Key Takeaways

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released an advisory on Monday warning its nationals against bogus job scams, asking them to stay vigilant.
• 'The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accordingly suspended the visa waiver facility available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran with effect from 22 November 2025,' it said.

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