Iran has decided to stop letting Indians in the country without a visa. And while making the announcement, Tehran said the decision was linked to 'criminal elements' who were involved in 'employment fraud'.
The decision will be effective starting November 22. It will now reverse Iran's 21-month old decision to let Indians travel without a visa. Valid passport holders were allowed to enter Iran visa-free once every six months for a non-extendable stay of 15 days, exclusively for tourism purposes.
India in return offers e-visas to Iranian passport holders for up to 180 days for tourism, business and even medical reasons.
Heritage cities like Isfahan and Shiraz or pilgrimage destinations such as Qom and Mashhad were the top attractions for thousands of Indian visitors every year.
New Delhi and Tehran have looked to deepen diplomatic ties over the last few years, but this might just be a speedbump.
Under the new rules, Indians now have to apply for an Iranian visa in advance and possess the visa before boarding their flights, according to India Today. Travellers who are using Iran as a transit route also need to obtain a valid Iranian visa.
'Employment fraud' in Iran
Iran reported multiple cases of people from India being scammed after being called to the country on the premise of getting employment.
In fact, India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a warning to travellers they stay wary of agents offering false promises of employement.
"The attention of Government has been drawn to several incidents of Indian nationals being lured to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries," a statement from the MEA said.
"These individuals were tricked into journeying to Iran by taking advantage of the visa waiver facility available for ordinary Indian passport holders. On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom," it added.
