Iran has decided to make it easier for people from India to visit their country. The Iranian Cabinet, led by Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami, decided to remove the need for visas for Indian visitors. This move is part of Iran’s plan to attract more tourists from different countries and promote positive feelings towards Iran.
Minister Zarghami explained that by doing this, they want to counter negative campaigns about Iran and make the country more welcoming to visitors. Iran is following the example of other countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, which have also removed visa requirements for Indians.
Iran’s visa-waiver program, which now includes India, extends to a total of 33 countries. This demonstrates Iran’s dedication to expanding its tourism industry and tapping into diverse tourist demographics. Among the countries included in this program are Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mauritius, Seychelles, Japan, Bosnia, Tanzania, Vietnam, and others.
This recent expansion is not the first of its kind for Iran, as the country had previously introduced visa waiver programs for several nations, including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria. The decision to waive visa requirements for India is a continuation of Iran’s commitment to facilitating travel and fostering cultural exchange on a global scale.
Recent statistics highlight the success of Iran’s efforts to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination. The number of foreign arrivals in the country surged to 4.4 million during the first eight months of the current Iranian year, marking a substantial 48.5% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This growth can be attributed to the positive measures taken by Iran, including the unilateral cancellation of visa requirements and the expansion of its visa-waiver program.
