Iran has suspended the visa waiver facility available to Indian passport holders from Saturday amid several incidents of Indian nationals being “lured” into the country on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries, New Delhi said on Monday.

In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the suspension is intended to “prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements”.

Tehran had introduced a visa waiver for Indians in February 2024, which was valid once every six months for a non-extendable stay of 15 days solely for tourism. Starting Saturday, Indians holding ordinary passports will be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran.

The ministry, in its press release, said that several Indians had been “tricked” into travelling to Iran by “taking advantage of the visa waiver facility”. However, they were kidnapped for ransom once they arrived in the country, the ministry added.

The ministry urged Indians intending to travel to the country to “remain vigilant” and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran.

In September, the ministry had issued a similar advisory cautioning Indians to exercise “strictest vigilance” in view of such cases of fake job offers.

“In particular, it may be noted that the government of Iran allows visa-free entry to Indians only for tourism purposes,” it had said at the time. “Any agents promising visa-free entry into Iran for employment or other purposes may well be in connivance with criminal gangs.”

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