Iran has recently removed visa requirements for citizens of 33 countries, including Central Asian nations such as Uzbekistan, according to the Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism, Ezzatollah Zarghami, TuraNews.kz reports citing IRNA news agency.
The decision, aimed at boosting tourism, encompasses Russia, Belarus, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, among others. The move expands on the existing visa-free entry program, which previously applied to visitors from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria.
Minister Zarghami emphasized that the initiative aims to increase the influx of tourists and counteract negative perceptions through “Iranophobia” campaigns, tackling unfavorable advertising, rumors, and fear-mongering surrounding Iran.
According to Iran’s statistics reported by Spot, the first half of this year witnessed a 55% increase in the number of tourists from Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan, reaching a total of 1.1 million people.
In the first eight months of the Iranian year (starting March 21), foreign arrivals in Iran totaled 4.4 million, marking a substantial 48.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
Since October 13, 2022, a bilateral agreement between Uzbekistan and Iran has been in effect, simplifying visa procedures for business, scientific circles, and tourist groups ranging from 5 to 20 people.
Furthermore, discussions between Uzbekistan and Iran in October of this year focused on the potential for a visa abolition agreement, showcasing the ongoing efforts to promote enhanced travel and cooperation between the two nations.
