ISLAMABAD: India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory on Monday announcing that Iran will suspend its visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders beginning Nov. 22, following reports that Indian nationals were being deceived with false job offers and then kidnapped after arriving in the country.
The advisory said several Indians had been lured to Iran with promises of employment or onward travel to third countries. According to the statement, these individuals were targeted by criminal networks exploiting the visa-free entry available to Indian travelers. Many were abducted for ransom upon arrival.
Iran has suspended the visa waiver facility “to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements,” the advisory said. From Nov. 22 onward, Indian nationals will be required to obtain a visa before entering or transiting through Iran.
The Indian government urged its citizens to exercise caution, particularly regarding agents offering visa-free travel or promises of transit to other destinations via Iran.
The advisory, issued from New Delhi, emphasized that travelers should verify the authenticity of any job or transit arrangements and avoid intermediaries claiming to facilitate visa-free movement.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has also advised prospective travelers to remain "vigilant" and follow official guidance when planning any visit to Iran.
The suspension does not affect diplomatic or official passport holders, but applies to all ordinary passport holders seeking to enter or transit the country.
The issue gained prominence earlier this year when three Indian nationals from Punjab — Hushanpreet Singh, Jaspal Singh, and Amritpal Singh — went missing in May after reportedly attempting to travel to Australia through Dubai and Iran with the help of an agent. Their families said the men lost contact shortly after landing in Tehran and that a ransom demand was later made.
The Indian Embassy later confirmed that the three men had been safely rescued and said they were under its care while arrangements were made for their repatriation.
India has repeatedly warned citizens to avoid irregular travel routes and to be cautious of unauthorized agents offering overseas job placements.
