Iran's government has introduced a visa-free travel policy for Indian tourists arriving in the country by air and staying for a maximum of 15 days.
As per an announcement from the Iranian embassy in India on Tuesday, the Iranian government has waived visas for Indian citizens effective February 4, with certain conditions attached.
Under the new regulations, Indian passport holders can enter Iran without a visa once every six months, with a stay duration capped at 15 days.
The visa exemption specifically pertains to Indian nationals arriving in Iran by air and applies solely to those visiting for tourism purposes. Individuals desiring extended stays, multiple entries within six months, or other forms of authorization must secure the requisite visas from Iranian missions in India.
In December of the preceding year, Iran had declared its decision to eliminate visa requirements for Indian nationals and citizens of 32 other countries, including Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, and Belarus.
This initiative, as stated by Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iran's minister of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts, aims to invigorate tourism by attracting more visitors worldwide. It also serves to demonstrate Iran's dedication to global engagement, aiming to dispel negative perceptions and rumors while countering the phenomenon of 'Iranophobia' perpetuated by global power structures.
Recent statistics indicate a notable surge in tourism to Iran, with the total number of tourists reaching 4.4 million during the first eight months of the current Iranian year, marking a 48.5% increase compared to the corresponding period last year. Previously, Iran had lifted visa requirements for citizens of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria.
Furthermore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam have also waived visa requirements for Indian citizens in recent months. Presently, 27 countries extend visa-free entry to Indians.
Noteworthy destinations allowing visa-free entry for Indian citizens include Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, Haiti, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Samoa, and Trinidad and Tobago, among others.
In summary, the visa-free travel provision for Indian citizens to Iran encompasses:
- Entry without a visa once every six months for up to 15 days for those with ordinary passports.
- The visa exemption is exclusively for tourism purposes.
- Individuals seeking extended stays or multiple entries must obtain the necessary visas.
- The visa waiver applies to Indian nationals entering Iran by air.