India renews Iran travel advisory amid protests and security concerns, urges departure when feasible

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has renewed its Iran travel advisory on 14 January 2026, asking Indian nationals to avoid visiting the country and urging those already there to leave when possible, as large protests, harsh security action and rising casualties heighten risk for residents, workers, students and pilgrims holding Indian passports or Person of Indian Origin status.

The Ministry noted that the direction applies to every category of traveller, including tourism, business and religious visits, and follows reports of forceful crackdowns on demonstrations over high inflation in Iran, along with concerns that overseas citizens, including Indians, could face heightened exposure to unrest, detentions, movement restrictions or other disruptions.

The formal statement from the Ministry said, "In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice", and stressed that this guidance remains in force for all Indian nationals, regardless of the purpose of travel or duration of stay being planned.

Authorities issued the update as images emerged of solidarity rallies supporting Iranian protesters, including a gathering outside the Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, while international monitoring groups highlighted rising fatalities and arrests, prompting Indian officials to review security scenarios for nationals who might be in Iran for work contracts, higher education, medical treatment or religious tourism.

Alongside the Ministry note, the Indian Embassy in Tehran released an expanded Iran travel advisory that focused on Indians already present in the country. The embassy advised, "In continuation of the advisory issued by the Government of India on 5 January 2025, and in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights," underlining the need for timely departure when possible.

Recognising that some long-term residents, contract workers or students may not be able to exit immediately, the embassy emphasised personal safety steps and said, "It is reiterated that all Indian citizens and PIOs should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and monitor local media for any developments," highlighting that awareness and regular communication remain central under these conditions.

India Iran travel advisory: Documents, consular access and registration

Officials also reminded Indian nationals in Iran to keep identification and travel documents close at hand. The embassy message stated, "All Indian nationals in Iran are requested to also have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs, readily available with them. They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard," signalling that consular offices stand ready to support with travel or documentation issues.

The updated Iran travel advisory published emergency contact points to help Indians reach consular staff quickly in case of detention, injury, difficulty with local authorities or sudden changes in airport operations. The details were shared as follows.

Contact type	Details
Mobile	[phone]; [phone]; [phone]; [phone]
Email	[e-mail]

Registration with the embassy continues to be a central requirement within the Iran travel advisory framework, to ensure a reliable database during emergencies or airlift planning. The Ministry notice said, "All Indian nationals who are in Iran, and who have not registered with the do SO on the Indian Embassy, are to requested link (https://www.meaers.com/request/home). The link is also available on the Embassy website. In case any Indian national is unable to register due to internet disruptions in Iran, their families in India are requested to do so," asking relatives to help when access is limited.

India Iran travel advisory: Earlier guidance and resident database

The fresh instruction dated 14 January 2026 builds on advice first issued on 5 January 2025, when the Ministry had stated, "Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran," while also emphasising reliance on verified updates from official channels instead of unconfirmed social media posts.

For Indian nationals holding resident visas, the earlier Iran travel advisory introduced an additional step and said, "Indian nationals living in Iran on resident visas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy, if not already done so," aiming to maintain a current list of residents in Tehran and other cities, which can support coordinated messaging, evacuation planning and welfare checks during communication outages or airport closures.

India Iran travel advisory: Protest crackdown and risk backdrop

On 14 January, the head of Iran’s judiciary indicated that swift trials and possible executions could occur for people detained in the nationwide protests, despite a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, and activists cautioned that executions of detainees might follow soon, adding to concerns over human rights conditions and rule-of-law safeguards.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimated that at least 2,571 people have been killed in the crackdown on demonstrations, a death toll far higher than previous protest waves in Iran for decades and one that has drawn comparisons with instability around the 1979 Islamic Revolution, leading Indian authorities to keep advising citizens not to travel to Iran and to leave promptly where feasible.