An Iranian consular official has recently revealed that starting from February 5, nationals from 28 countries who intend to explore Iran as tourists will be allowed visa-free entry.
The list of countries that benefit from this tourist visa exemption includes the following countries:
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tunisia
- Tanzania
- Mauritania
- Zimbabwe
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- Japan
- Indonesia
- Singapore
- Cuba
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Brunei
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Peru
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Belarus
- India
The visa waiver applies exclusively to those arriving in Iran by air, with no provision for those entering the country through land border crossings, VisaGuide.World reports.
The policy adjustment aligns with Iran’s broader strategy to facilitate tourism and improve international relations. In addition, Iran has already extended visa-free entry to citizens from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria, reflecting a concerted effort to foster closer ties with these nations.
In December last year, Iran announced lifting visa requirements for citizens from 33 nations, marking a shift in international relations, particularly with Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia. This decision, reported by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), effectively expands the list to 45 countries or territories where citizens can journey to Iran without a visa.
The move comes in the wake of a recent diplomatic warming between Iran and Saudi Arabia, facilitated by China’s mediation, leading to the restoration of diplomatic relations that were severed in 2016. As a result, citizens from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain will also enjoy the privilege of visa exemption.
The announcement followed a proposal by the Ministry of Tourism in 2022, signalling the Iranian government’s decision to abolish visa requirements for passport holders from a total of 68 countries. This initiative aims to boost tourism and streamline travel to Iran.
In this regard, Ali-Asghar Shalbafian, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, pointed out that the list of countries benefiting from visa-free travel to Iran might expand further. The criteria for inclusion involve population size and income per capita.
Among the potential additions are Argentina, South Africa, Indonesia, Jordan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ecuador, Algeria, the UAE, Bahrain, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Paraguay, Peru, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Turkmenistan.