Iran announces visa-free travel for 33 nationalities, including Croatia and Belarus

Friday, December 15, 2023

In a groundbreaking development, Iran has made a significant announcement by introducing a visa-free travel policy for citizens of more than 30 countries worldwide, aiming to bolster tourism and travel to the nation.

This initiative allows citizens from various Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, as well as individuals from India, Brazil, and Indonesia, to explore Iran without the need for a visa.

The visa-free travel option from India is expected to foster increased educational and spiritual tourism, especially from the Kashmir region to Iran. Iran, renowned for its profound Persian culture and religious landmarks, attracts a considerable number of pilgrims from Kashmir who visit its sacred sites annually.

A noteworthy trend has recently emerged, with a substantial influx of Kashmiri students seeking professional education, particularly in fields like medicine, choosing Iran as their destination.

Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ezzatollah Zarghami, disclosed that the Iranian Cabinet has unilaterally decided to waive visa requirements for visitors from 33 additional countries, as reported by the state-run news agency IRNA.

Addressing reporters following a cabinet meeting, Zarghami highlighted that this decision is geared towards enhancing tourism numbers and enticing travelers from all corners of the globe.

Recent statistics reveal a significant surge in foreign arrivals to Iran, with a 48.5 percent increase during the initial eight months of the current Iranian year (commencing on March 21), totaling 4.4 million visitors compared to the same period last year.

The 33 countries now eligible for the new visa-waiver program are as follows:

1. Croatia
2. Belarus
3. Venezuela
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Serbia
6. India
7. Russian Federation (for group visits)
8. UAE
9. Bahrain
10. Saudi Arabia
11. Qatar
12. Kuwait
13. Lebanon
14. Uzbekistan
15. Kyrgyzstan
16. Tajikistan
17. Tunisia
18. Mauritania
19. Tanzania
20. Zimbabwe
21. Mauritius
22. Seychelles
23. Indonesia
24. Brunei
25. Japan
26. Singapore
27. Cambodia
28. Malaysia
29. Vietnam
30. Brazil
31. Peru
32. Cuba
33. Mexico

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