Business Desk 
Nov 18, 2025
India’s embassy in Tehran on Monday announced the suspension of its visa-free entry facility for Indian passport holders amid rising incidents of citizens being tricked into the country on fake job offers and subsequently kidnapped for ransom.
The embassy said the suspension will be effective on November 22 and has been announced due to cases where Indian nationals, who travelled under the visa-waiver scheme, were allegedly abducted upon arrival by criminal groups posing as recruitment or travel agents.
Indian tourists visiting Iran will henceforth be compulsorily required to obtain a visa before entry or transit.
The advisory advised Indian citizens to remain cautious and avoid unverified agents offering visa-free travel or onward routes to other countries via Iran.
The development comes months after three Indian nationals from Punjab, namely Hushanpreet Singh, Jaspal Singh, and Amritpal Singh, went missing in May after landing in Tehran.
Their families later reported that they had been kidnapped and held for ransom. The Iranian police rescued the trio in June from Varamin, south of Tehran, and confirmed their safety.
Consequently, Indian authorities continued to advise nationals to use only verified travel channels and always be cautious when making international travel plans.
