As of 15 February 2025, UNHCR in Afghanistan provides cash assistance to Afghan refugees and those in a refugee-like situation who:
- Return voluntarily;
- Return spontaneously;
- Face deportation from Iran
They’ll receive assistance if they meet any of the eligibility criteria listed in the table below.
| Country of Asylum & Document type | Eligibility criteria |
| Iran Amayesh/SMART card Voluntary Repatriation Forms (VRF) | 1. Single female 2. Female-headed households 3. Households with members with disabilities 4. Households headed by an older person (60+ male & female) 5. Single older person (60+ years old male and female) 6. Families with pregnant women 7. Families who have a member(s) with life threatening health issues 8. Unaccompanied and separated children 9. Vulnerable family experiencing loss/passing of a family member during return/deportation 10. journey from a neighboring country Persons with heightened protection risk |
| Undocumented returnees and deportees | Persons with heightened protection risk |
Once you meet the above criteria, you will be referred to the registration and assistance desks.
Voluntary Repatriation process before leaving Iran
Afghan refugees holding a valid Amayesh card who wish to return voluntarily must contact UNHCR offices in Iran or call UNHCR helplines 90000427 before traveling. UNHCR offices in Tehran, Esfahan, Kerman, Shiraz, Mashhad, and Dogharoun provide VRFs (Voluntary Repatriation Forms).
The hotline 90000427 is operational during Sunday – Thursday from 08:00 – 16:00.
UNHCR Reception Centers in Afghanistan
Zaranji
- Zaranj reception center located in the Zaranj border, Nimroz province, open Sat–Fri, 08:00 AM – 23:00.
- Please ensure that you plan your travel to the Zaranj reception center in line with the operational hours outlined above. Outside of these hours, the center will only offer transit facilities (subject to space availability), and assistance processing will take place on the following day.
Islam Qala and Herat Encashment Center
The Afghans arriving at Islam Qala will be required to approach UNHCR’s border monitoring partner staff who are present at the Islam Qala reception center located near zero point.
- The border monitoring partner staff are present at the Islam Qala reception center located in Islam Qala zero-point, Herat province, open Sat–Fri, 08:00 AM – 23:00.
- At Islam Qala reception center, UNHCR border monitoring partner will check your documentation, conduct an interview, and subsequently refer you to the Herat Encashment Center, located in Herat city, open Sat–Fri, 08:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- At Herat EC, UNHCR/UNHCR partner staff will conduct an assessment to determine vulnerability.
- Please ensure that you plan your travel to the Islam Qala reception center and Herat Encashment Center in line with the operational hours outlined above. Outside of these hours, the center will only offer transit facilities (subject to space availability), and assistance processing will take place on the following day.
Documents to present at Qala/Zaranj/Herat EC
At Islam Qala/Zaranj/Herat EC you will be required to present the following documents:
- Original documents: Valid Amayesh card (versions 17, 18, 19), and VRF.
- DoRR return certificate: Required for family cases with return on or after 1 December 2024 (not issued for single individuals).
- UNHCR border monitoring referral form: Applicable to both family cases and single individuals.
Undocumented returnees/deportees with heightened protection risks:
They must present either an IOM referral form or a UNHCR border monitoring referral form. If these are unavailable, they will undergo a protection assessment by a designated UNHCR team to determine eligibility for assistance.
Assistance
Those who meet the above criteria and complete the registration process will receive a one-time multipurpose return cash grant as follows:
- AFN 11,500 per household, regardless of family size.
- And a top-up of AFN 2,300 per household only for persons with disabilities and women-headed households.
Cash assistance will be transferred via HesabPay prepaid card. Cash grants will be credited instantly after registration and issued at the reception center.
In addition, returnees/deportees will receive basic health care, vaccination, overnight accommodation, protection counseling, mine risk education, child-friendly spaces, and malnutrition screening.
Important document advice
Amayesh cards and other documents may be confiscated by the authorities in Iran.
To avoid problems:
- Keep a clear photo of your documents on your phone.
- Share copies with close relatives.
- Keep a printed copy in a safe place.
Please be informed that if you choose to accept UNHCR’s cash assistance in Afghanistan:
- UNHCR/partner staff at the reception center will verify your documents (VRF, Amayesh) to ensure authenticity.
- They will record basic information about you and your family and collect biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan). This helps prevent misuse of assistance.
- Biometric registration is mandatory to receive cash assistance. If you do not agree to this process, UNHCR cannot provide cash assistance.
- You do not need to surrender your VRF or Amayesh to receive assistance.
Persons with heightened protection risks and their family members will be required to present any available documentation to prove their identity as well as their professional background. They will also undergo all the required steps of registration (including biometric registration) and protection assessment to determine their eligibility for assistance.
Your cash assistance will be provided through a HesabPay prepaid card (UNHCR Financial Service Provider). The card works like a debit card and can be used at ATMs, POS terminals, and agent locations across Afghanistan, as well as inside the Reception/Encashment Center of Herat. It will be credited instantly after registration and issued at the reception center. Keep your card and PIN secure, as it may be used for future top-ups if funds are available.
Those who have returned/were deported from Iran and have already received assistance will not be eligible for cash assistance.
Women and girls have the right to request a separate space or location to receive services to ensure they are safe and protected when receiving assistance.
Fraud prevention
All UNHCR services are free of charge.
Report any request for money or favors to UNHCR:
Hotlines: 0791990225, 0790691746, 0704996168
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]