Iran and Tajikistan implemented a visa-waiver agreement on February 2, marking a significant step in bilateral relations between the two countries.

The arrangement allows holders of ordinary passports to travel by air between the nations without visas for stays up to 30 days within any 90-day period.

The agreement, stemming from a memorandum signed during former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Dushanbe in November 2023, received approval from Tajikistan's government on January 3 and subsequent confirmation from Iran's Cabinet of Ministers, according to Iran's embassy in Dushanbe.

Holders of ordinary passports from both countries can now travel by air between Iran and Tajikistan without a visa requirement, though the embassy has not yet specified which air routes will be included in the programme.

The visa waiver applies exclusively to air travel, with those crossing borders through third countries or land checkpoints still required to obtain appropriate visas.

The visa liberalisation coincides with broader diplomatic engagement, as evidenced by Tajik First Deputy Foreign Minister Ismatullah Nasriddin's arrival in Tehran on February 3 to attend the first high-level meeting of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) deputy foreign ministers, scheduled for February 4. During his visit, Nasriddin will hold discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The strengthening relationship between the two nations was further highlighted in January 2025 when Iran and Tajikistan signed 22 new agreements covering trade, energy, infrastructure, cultural exchange, and security during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Dushanbe.

During these meetings, Pezeshkian met with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, to discuss various aspects of their bilateral relations.

The leaders stressed their countries' historical, cultural, and linguistic ties and expressed mutual desire to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. This visa-free travel agreement is expected to significantly boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

While the initial phase of the visa waiver programme covers only air travel between the capitals, it will likely see an increase in Tajiks and Iranians flying to both countries for the first time since the fall of Russian control over the northern Iranian territory. In 2023, roughly 8,000 Tajik citizens visited Iran. This figure includes over 200 Tajik health tourists who travelled to Iran monthly for medical treatment.