Iran Announces Visa-free for 33 Countries to Boost Tourism

Iran – The Islamic Republic of Iran has just announced that it has lifted visa requirements or provide visa-free for 33 countries to visit Iran. 

According to state news agency ISNA on Friday, Iran's visa requirements have been lifted for 33 countries including Lebanon, Tunisia, India, Saudi Arabia, and several Central Asian, African, and Muslim countries. Indonesia is also included in the list of countries. 

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Ilustrasi visa.

Photo :

• Freepik/kstudio

"The Ministry of Tourism believes that this open-door policy will demonstrate Iran's determination to establish relations with various countries in the world," the ministry said. 

This decision will increase the number of countries or regions whose citizens can visit Iran without the need to obtain a visa to 45. 

Only one European country that is a Western ally is on the list, Croatia, which is a small member of the European Union and NATO. 

Tehran's decision is another step towards thawing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, especially after years of tension between the two oil-producing Gulf states. 

The news agency also reported that citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar were also included in the decision to waive visa requirements, in addition to Bahrain, which has yet to establish full relations with Tehran. 

Iran and Saudi agreed to restore full diplomatic ties, which were severed in 2016, under a China-mediated deal in March.  

"Russian citizens will only benefit from this visa exemption if they visit the country in groups," ISNA informed. 

Omani nationals were already able to travel to Iran without a visa before this announcement. Here is the full list: 

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The news agency also reported that citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar were also included in the decision to waive visa requirements, in addition to Bahrain, which has yet to establish full relations with Tehran.