Reviewed by: Professional Visa Consultants team of BTWVisas (Iran Visa Experts)
In a significant policy change, Iran has suspended its visa-free entry facility for ordinary Indian passport holders effective November 22, 2025. This decision, announced by both the Iranian government and India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), marks the end of the visa waiver program that was introduced in February 2024. Indian citizens must now obtain a valid visa before traveling to or transiting through Iran.
The suspension follows reports of Indian nationals being lured to Iran through fraudulent job offers and false promises of onward transit to third countries, resulting in kidnapping incidents and human trafficking cases. The MEA has issued a strong advisory urging Indian travelers to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or unauthorized transit arrangements through Iran.
Note: The visa requirement changes depending on the country embassy, applicant location, profession, special cases and specific requirements. So it is recommended to consult with a Visa expert to avoid visa rejection or delay.
In order to be able to apply for this permit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria -
As per the Iran tourist visa requirements from India, the following are the documents you must submit in order to get your application approved-
As per the Iran tourist visa photo requirements, the photos must meet the following specifications -
The time taken to process your application can depend on several factors. These include the volume of applications at the time, the stay duration, the time taken to validate the authenticity of your documents, etc. Normally you should receive a response within 10 working days.
The fees for the process can vary according to the foreign exchange rates. Note that the fees for the must be paid directly to the banking department at the port of entry in Iran. If you are getting it before your travel, you can pay it directly to the embassy/consulate.
Once you have submitted the application, it will be processed by the ministry. If you have been asked for an interview, you must attend it at the appointed slot along with the documents, e visa submission notice, and the fees. Alternately, if you have not been asked to give an interview, you will only have to wait the processing time.
Note that you cannot modify the application once made. As a result, ensure that you fill in the details correctly to avoid visa rejection. Once approved, you can get the visa on arrival by simply travelling to the port of entry and submitting your submission notice and the fees. Your visa will be issued on a separate paper instead of your passport.
| Entry | Stay Duration | Validity | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | 30 days | 3 months | 3000.0 |
In order to check the status of your tourist application, you can visit the tracking portal provided by the Iranian ministry. You will have to enter the application ID or a combination of the passport number and date of birth, or a combination of the passport number and your registered email address.
On successfully receiving the tourist permit, you must keep in mind the following few points to ensure that you have a pleasant stay -
Before you travel -
Due to its initiatives to increase the number of visitors, the Iranian ministry allows for tourist visa extensions in most cases. You can do this by visiting the nearest department of immigration and applying for an extension. Normally, you will be able to get extensions as long as your entire stay does not exceed 90 days in a year.
If your tourist visa has expired, you will not be able to stay back any longer. You must apply for an extension before your permit expires. Failure to do so can lead to hefty charges for each day you stay. In certain cases, you may even be deported.
In order to ensure the safety of the traveller as well as the people living in Iran, the government has made it mandatory for visitors from specific countries to get a medical test done even for the tourist category. If you are travelling from India, you will need a medical report stating that you are clear of HIV and from different types of Hepatitis.
No, it is not acceptable or possible to convert the tourist permit into a work permit. You are also not permitted to work while you are in this category. In case you require to work in the country, you must return to your home nation and apply for a work permit provided that you meet the necessary eligibility conditions.
There is no fixed rule on the exact amount you must possess for the tourist category. As per the requirements, you are expected to hold enough funds to support your entire stay duration. You must also be able to use these funds whenever necessary. While showing the bank statements, the transactions should be steady. Any unusual transactions may require explanations.
Although it may take only around 10 working days to complete the processing, it may take longer in certain cases. As a result, you must apply for the tourist permit at least 10 days before your intended travel. However, to be on a safer side, ensure that you apply about 3 weeks in advance as you may even require to attend an interview.
Normally, you will not be able to obtain the visa or enter Iran if you have been stamped with an Israeli visa in your passport. However, as per recent changes in 2019, if you have travelled to Israel only in the past 6 months, you will be allowed entry into Iran. Although, due to the ever changing state of the political issues, you must stay updated on the regulations at the time of applying.
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