Tehran, Iran — Iran has waived visa requirements for passport holders from 33 nations, signaling a significant step in opening its doors to global visitors.
“The government intends to open the country’s doors to the world,” Iranian Minister of Tourism Ezzatollah Zarghami, said on Wednesday as reported by Saudi Gazzete. “The Islamic Republic has shown its readiness to open doors to people worldwide and provide more facilities for them so that they can easily visit our country and benefit from its advantages,” he said.
This move expands the list of countries whose citizens can visit Iran without obtaining a visa to 45, as reported by the semi-official news agency ISNA. The citizens from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain—despite ongoing diplomatic dynamics—are among those benefiting from this waiver. Oman, which previously enjoyed visa-free travel to Iran, is also included in this new arrangement.
The list encompasses a diverse range of countries, such as Lebanon, Tunisia, India, various Central Asian, African, and Muslim nations, and notably Croatia, the sole Western-allied European nation mentioned. ISNA clarified that Russians can avail visa exemption when traveling in groups to Iran.
This decision marks one more step towards thawing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, highlighted by recent developments such as Iranian Umrah pilgrims set to resume regular travel to Saudi Arabia after an eight-year hiatus starting December 19.
The restoration of full diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China in March, serves as a crucial step following the 2016 diplomatic severance.