On November 22, Iran would no longer allow Indians to enter without a visa; a visa is now required.

On November 22, Iran would no longer allow Indians to enter without a visa; a visa is now required.

Indians will no longer be able to visit or pass through Iran without a visa as of November 22. According to the new regulation, all travelers must apply beforehand.

Iran has chosen to remove its one-way visa exemption for Indian citizens with regular passports, which is a startling step for Indian citizens. Indian visitors would no longer be permitted to enter Iran without a visa as of November 22.

This implies that all visitors to Iran, including those who are merely passing through an Iranian airport, will now need to apply for a visa before to departure.

Indians Can Travel to Iran Without a Visa
Indian visitors have up till now been able to enter Iran without a visa if they fulfill certain requirements. Iran's strategy to draw Indian visitors and strengthen relations with the nation included the visa-free travel policy.

Indian visitors can enter the nation for brief visits—typically for pilgrimage or tourism—without first obtaining a visa because to the visa-free entrance.

Now, what has changed?
All Indian travelers must now have a valid visa in order to board a flight to Iran, since Iran has ended its visa-free entrance policy. Those who are merely traveling through the nation are likewise subject to this visa requirement.


Passengers need to have a transit visa in order to travel through Iran, even if they stay in the airport. Additionally, all airlines that fly from India to Iran have been told not to allow passengers to board without a valid visa.

Indian Citizens' Visa Options
There are numerous visa alternatives available to visitors to Iran. The majority of Indians go there for pilgrimage, business, and tourism. These are the best visa options for traveling to Iran now that visa-free entry is no longer available.

1. Visa for tourists
The tourist visa is available to those who are visiting Iran for leisure, sightseeing, or to see friends or family.

Validity: 30 days maximum (extendable)
How to Apply: Apply in person at an Iranian embassy or online using the Iranian eVisa service.

2. Visa for Business
An Iranian business visa can be applied for. You need an invitation from an Iranian business or government agency if you wish to visit Iran for business meetings, transactions, or any other commercial activity.

Validity: According to the invitation.
How to Apply: Send supporting documentation to the embassy

3. Visa for transit
Drivers, tourists, and businesspeople who plan to pass through Iran on their way to another country are granted the Iranian Transit Visa, a short-term visa.

Valid for a maximum of seven days
How to Apply: Use the online eVisa system or the embassy to apply in advance.

4. Visa for Pilgrimage
Muslims who are not nationals of Iran are granted a pilgrimage visa in order to go to holy sites like Qom or Mashhad for ziarat and pilgrimage. A letter from a nearby Islamic center is necessary for non-Muslim applicants.

Validity: Temporary
How to Apply: via an authorized travel agency or the embassy.


Iran's Reasons for Ending Visa-Free Entry
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India claims that a number of Indians were lately tricked into visiting Iran by false promises of employment abroad or subsequent travel to other nations.

They readily entered Iran by taking advantage of the visa-free entry program. Many were abducted or held for ransom after they arrived. The goal of the new visa requirement is to lessen these occurrences and tighten the screening process for visitors entering the nation.

The Significance of the Change
Indian tourists seeking spirituality, culture, and history have long been drawn to Iran. Visitors are drawn to cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan because of their stunning architecture and rich cultural history.

Meanwhile, pilgrims from all over the world come to Mashhad and Qom. The new regulation might make traveling to certain locations more difficult and expensive for Indians.

Budget travelers going to Europe or Central Asia have also used Iran as a stopover. This convenience will vanish with the new visa requirement. Travelers will need to reconsider their connections and flying paths.

Things Travelers Should Do
1.At least two to three weeks prior to your trip, apply for a visa.
2. Verify that your passport has a minimum six-month validity period.
3.Maintain paper copies of your flight information and visa.
4. Before making travel arrangements, check for official information from the Iranian embassy.


India's Passport Ranking Continues to Fall
India's passport now ranks 85th in the Henley Passport Index 2025, granting visa-free entry to just 57 nations, due to recent modifications in visa-free travel regulations. Now that Iran has removed India from its list of countries that do not require a visa, there are only 56 places where Indian tourists can enter without one.

Concluding Remarks
Indians' travel plans will be impacted by this adjustment, which represents a change in Iran's travel regulations. It's crucial to complete the visa application process correctly whether you are traveling for pilgrimage, tourism, or transit.

Iranian authorities are likely to provide more information shortly. However, in order to prevent last-minute surprises, travelers should begin planning immediately.