- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:26 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
MEA advisory Iran:The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued a strong advisory for Indian nationals travelling to Iran after Tehran suspended the visa-free entry facility for ordinary Indian passport holders.
The decision, which comes into effect from November 22, 2025, follows a surge in trafficking and job-fraud incidents involving Indian citizens.
Visa Waiver Suspended After Rising Cases Of Trafficking
Iran’s government has withdrawn the visa waiver for Indians after officials reported multiple instances of Indian nationals being lured to Iran on false job promises. Many of those who travelled under the 15-day visa-free facility were reportedly kidnapped on arrival, with criminal gangs demanding ransom from their families.
According to the MEA, these individuals were misled by agents who assured them of high-paying jobs or onward passage to third countries. “On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom,” the ministry said, noting that organised rackets had exploited the visa waiver.
From November 22 onwards, Indians with ordinary passports must obtain a visa for entry or transit through Iran.
MEA Warns Against Fake Job Offers And Travel Agents
The advisory urges Indian nationals to remain extremely cautious, especially those considering overseas employment. “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,” the MEA added.
Officials said there has been a steady rise in cases of Indians being deceived with assurances of lucrative jobs in the Middle East or Europe, with Iran being used as a transit point. Many victims were taken hostage soon after landing, with their families later receiving ransom calls.
This is not the first time the MEA has flagged such incidents. In September, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had warned that several Indians had fallen prey to criminal networks operating in and around Iran.
“There have been a number of recent cases involving Indian citizens who have been lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment… Upon reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped by criminal gangs,” Jaiswal had said during a weekly briefing.
The visa-free entry, which Iran had allowed for Indian tourists, was strictly limited to short-term visits for tourism and not for employment purposes. Authorities believe traffickers and unscrupulous agents misused this facility to traffic vulnerable job-seekers.
Government Urges Verification Of Employment Offers
The MEA has reiterated that any overseas employment travel must be thoroughly verified and only undertaken through authorised recruitment channels. Officials emphasised that job-seekers should not rely on unregistered agents or social-media-based offers, which have become a key tool for trafficking syndicates.
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The advisory underscores rising concerns over fraudulent recruitment, trafficking and extortion rackets targeting Indian workers abroad, particularly in West Asia.