Iran has announced a new visa policy granting Indian tourists 15-day visa-free access to the country. This initiative, revealed by the Iran Embassy, permits Indian citizens with ordinary passports to enter Iran for tourism purposes once every six months, with a maximum stay of 15 days that cannot be extended.
According to the Iran Embassy, a new visa policy has been implemented that grants Indian visitors a 15-day visa-free stay in the nation. Tourists from India can now visit Iran once every six months with an ordinary passport; their stay cannot exceed fifteen days, though. But Indian citizens need to contact the relevant Iranian embassies in India if they want to stay longer, enter several times in six months, or get different visas.
This visa waiver is specifically applicable to Indian travelers entering Iran via air borders. Iran's decision aligns with recent trends in visa relaxation measures observed in several other countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka have each implemented varying degrees of visa simplification or exemption for Indian tourists. Last year, Malaysia's Prime Minister announced a 30-day visa-free entry for visitors from India and China, effective December 1, subject to security screenings. Similarly, Thailand exempted tourists from India and Taiwan from requiring entry visas, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days until May 10, 2024, following a decision by the Thai Cabinet.
Sri Lanka introduced visa-free entry for visitors from seven countries, including India, China, and Russia. These visa relaxation initiatives aim to facilitate tourism and promote cross-cultural exchanges between nations, contributing to economic growth and fostering international cooperation.
The move by Iran reflects a broader trend of countries across Asia seeking to attract more tourists, particularly from India, by simplifying visa procedures. By offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements, these countries hope to enhance their attractiveness as tourist destinations and stimulate economic activity in the tourism sector.
Overall, Iran's decision to implement a visa-free policy for Indian tourists underscores the importance of tourism as a driver of economic growth and highlights the potential benefits of closer cooperation and increased people-to-people exchanges between nations in the region.