Iran Ended Visa-Free Entry for Indian Passport Holders; an E-Visa Is Now Required

Iran suspended the visa-on-arrival facility it had extended to ordinary Indian passport holders, with the change taking effect on 22 November 2025. Indian travellers can still visit Iran, but the on-arrival route has been withdrawn; a visa, arranged in advance through Iran's e-visa system, is now required before departure rather than obtained at the airport on landing. The change remains in force through 2026, and this article reflects the position as reported at the time of writing.

Why the facility was withdrawn

Indian and Iranian officials have linked the decision to a run of security concerns through 2025, including reports of fraudulent job-recruitment networks, trafficking cases and kidnapping incidents involving Indian nationals travelling to Iran. India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi both referenced these concerns in public statements around the time of the change.

What travellers now need to do

Anyone planning a trip to Iran on an ordinary Indian passport should apply for an e-visa well ahead of travel rather than assuming a visa can still be sorted on arrival. Processing times and documentation requirements should be confirmed directly on Iran's official e-visa portal or through the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, since requirements for online visa systems can change without much notice.

What has not changed

The suspension affects the visa route, not whether Indians can travel to Iran at all; sites such as Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Persepolis and Shiraz remain open to visitors who arrive with the correct e-visa in hand. Travellers already holding a valid visa issued before the change are not affected by it.

Traveller tips

• Apply for Iran's e-visa well before your travel dates; do not plan around getting a visa on arrival.
• Check current requirements directly on Iran's official e-visa portal or with the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi rather than relying on older guidance.
• Keep a printed copy of your approved e-visa along with your passport when travelling, in addition to any digital copy.
• Always confirm the latest position with official Indian and Iranian government sources before booking, as visa rules can change again with little warning.