Iran proposes visa waivers within SCO member states

TEHRAN – In a bid to enhance travel and tourism among member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Iranian government has proposed visa waivers and group visas.

Iran’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Ali-Asghar Shalbafian, revealed that the country has already waived visa requirements for 64 percent of SCO member nations implying that over half of the global population can now travel to Iran without the hassle of obtaining a visa.

Shalbafian emphasized the cultural, historical, and geographical treasures across SCO member countries, highlighting the crucial role of tourism in supporting the global economy and generating employment opportunities.

To promote tourism within the SCO bloc, Shalbafian recommended reciprocal visa waivers and the establishment of a dedicated tourism section on the SCO website.

The Iranian official also proposed the creation of a network of tour operators among SCO member countries to facilitate the management and promotion of tourism exchanges, supported by bilateral and multilateral agreements.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, established in 2001 in Shanghai by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, serves as a permanent intergovernmental international body. With a current membership of nine states, including India, Iran, Pakistan, and others, the SCO operates under a statute outlining its goals, principles, structure, and key areas of activity.