Iran has recently implemented a visa-free travel initiative for citizens from over 30 countries globally in a bid to promote tourism. Among the beneficiaries of this policy are citizens from Gulf nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, who can now visit Iran without the need for a visa. Additionally, citizens of India, Brazil, and Indonesia also have the privilege of visa-free travel to Iran.
Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, revealed that the Iranian Cabinet has unilaterally decided to eliminate visa requirements for visitors from 33 additional countries. This move is strategically designed to enhance tourism influx and attract visitors from diverse parts of the world. The decision is part of a broader effort to boost tourism, as evidenced by the significant increase in foreign arrivals, reaching 4.4 million during the first eight months of the current Iranian year, reflecting a notable 48.5% surge compared to the corresponding period last year.
The list of countries included in this new visa-waiver program comprises:
- India
- Russian Federation (for group visits)
- UAE
- Bahrain
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Tunisia
- Mauritania
- Tanzania
- Zimbabwe
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- Indonesia
- Brunei
- Japan
- Singapore
- Cambodia
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- Brazil
- Peru
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Venezuela
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Serbia
- Croatia
- Belarus
It’s noteworthy that Iran had already announced visa waiver programs for citizens of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, and Syria.
