Iran visa free for Indian
Iran has recently declared the removal of visa requirements for Indian citizens and citizens from 32 other nations, expanding upon the growing trend of countries facilitating visa-free travel for Indians.
The primary objective behind this decision, as articulated by Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, is to stimulate tourism by attracting a more diverse range of global visitors.
He stated that Iran intends to dispel negative perceptions and dispel rumors, countering the so-called 'Iranophobia' perpetuated by the global power structure.
Notably, Russia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Seychelles, Indonesia, Darussalam, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Belarus have been added to Iran's list of visa-free travel, further promoting international engagement.
Previously, Iran had taken the step of eliminating visa requirements for citizens of various countries, including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria.
This move aimed to foster closer ties, encourage cultural exchange, and facilitate easier travel between Iran and these nations.
By lifting visa restrictions for these specific countries, Iran demonstrated its commitment to enhancing diplomatic relations and promoting people-to-people connections in the region.
Iran's decision aligns with its commitment to combatting negative stereotypes and misinformation.
The Minister reported that his Ministry proposed visa-free travel for 60 countries, although not all proposals were approved.
The statistics reveal a significant increase in tourism, with 4.4 million tourists visiting Iran in the first eight months of the current Iranian year, marking a 48.5% rise from the corresponding period last year.
In addition, Iranians will soon have the opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah through regular flights starting December 19, signifying a positive development in bilateral relations.
This marks the first time in eight years that Iranians can perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
The global trend of easing travel restrictions for Indian citizens is evident, with countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, and others recently waiving visa requirements.
India's outbound tourism market has witnessed rapid growth, reaching 13 million tourists in 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing markets.
Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam have also joined the list of countries exempting Indian citizens from visa requirements.
As a continuation of this trend, Sri Lanka has implemented a pilot project exempting citizens of seven countries, including India, China, and Russia, from visa requirements until March 31, 2024.
Currently, 27 countries provide visa-free entry for Indian citizens, including recent additions like Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, Haiti, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Samoa, and Trinidad and Tobago, among others also provide visa free entry to Indians.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the UAE, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Thailand are the top five destinations for Indian citizens, with a significant portion comprising diaspora tourists.
This reflects the evolving landscape of international travel and the increasing global recognition of India as a prominent source of tourism.
The volving landscape of international travel points to a more interconnected world, with nations actively facilitating the movement of Indian tourists.
The positive response from countries like Iran, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and others not only opens new doors for Indian travelers but also signifies a mutual understanding of the economic benefits associated with a thriving tourism industry.
As India's outbound tourism market continues to flourish, these reciprocal measures contribute to the broader narrative of global cooperation and engagement in the realm of travel and tourism.
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