UNHCR services are always free of charge!

Beware of individuals or groups who may try to exploit you by falsely promising UNHCR-related assistance or services in exchange for money, favours or personal information.

UNHCR does NOT work with any type of agent or broker, including tourism agencies and internet cafés, to provide access to UNHCR services. UNHCR is also NOT involved in any visa/immigration programs for any country.

Do not trust anyone claiming to be affiliated with UNHCR and claiming to be able to fast-track or guarantee UNHCR services in exchange for money or favours. They are fraudsters!

These fraudsters may reach out to you in person or through messages, calls, emails, mobile applications or social media. Do not pay these fraudsters and instead report them to UNHCR and the police.

For information about the available UNHCR services in Iran, please visit the UNHCR Iran website (https://www.unhcr.org/ir/) or see the official announcements made on UNHCR Iran’s Help Page (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/news/) or follow the UNHCR Instagram account (https://instagram.com/unhcriran). You may also send your queries through the UNHCR online contact form or contact the UNHCR helpline (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/).

Stay vigilant, stay informed, stay safe.

All foreign nationals and migrants holding Headcount Slips are hereby informed that the final deadline to book an appointment under the regularization scheme for Headcount Slip holders is 17 Khordad 1404 (7 June 2025). Therefore, the afore mentioned individuals are required to visit the kanoonnobat.ir website to obtain an appointment.

It is emphasized that failure to book an appointment and complete the regularization process will result in these individuals being considered unauthorized and ineligible for any services, and legal action will be taken against them in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, it is reiterated that all official news regarding the regularization scheme for foreign nationals holding Headcount Slips is only published via the website of the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (CAFIA) at cafia.moi.ir, and any other sources of information in this regard are invalid.

For more information, please visit CAFIA

In the framework of the partnership between UNHCR and IELTS test provider, UNHCR is providing globally free IELTS tests to refugees with support of UNHCR. In this light, UNHCR Iran operation is providing Free IELTS vouchers for a very limited number of seats for qualified refugee candidates to sit for an exam in the authorized centers in Iran. Applicants must benefit from this opportunity before the end of August 2025. UNHCR will facilitate the process in case there are no vacant slots available in Iran before the end of August.

Interested candidates should provide the following documents to be considered for further review for the screening and selection:

1. A copy of the Amayesh card (most recent one). In case you have handed over your Amayesh card for obtaining Passports, please share with us a copy of your latest Amayesh card.

• A copy of a document showing the B2 level of proficiency in English as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)- https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

In case you do not already have such document, you can provide Duolingo exam certificate (UNHCR can provide free vouchers to a limited number of applicants)

• A written justification (in English) that shows the candidate needs to sit for the IELTS test (in less than 350 words).

Candidates should provide the legible copies of the above documents in a ZIP file titled “Applying for free IELTS voucher- Full name) and send it to the below email address: IRNTEUIV@UNHCR.org

Please note that submission of above documents will not guarantee the receipt of a free IELTS voucher.

At any point during the review of the provided documents, UNHCR may ask for provision of the original document and failing to provide the same will result in disqualification from the selection process.

Candidates selected after the first round of review might be called for an interview or requested to provide further documents as needed.

All application should be submitted by the deadline of 10^th June 2025 ONLY SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

As reported by the public relations and communications [department] of the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (CAFIA) regarding the Implementation of the Instruction for making a decision on the status of foreign nationals holding Headcount slips, please note the following points:

1) From 12 March 2025, the call has commenced for eligible individuals under the first and second category of the first announcement, i.e. where one of the spouses holds Amayesh 18, and her/his spouse holds Headcount and children might or might not hold headcount, and will continue until End-Farvardin (20 April 2025). Eligible individuals shall approach the same Kefalat center where their Amayesh card 18 was issued to obtain appointment.

2) From 12 March 2025, the call by phone has commenced for eligible individuals under the fifth category of the first announcement; i.e. former government officials that return is not possible for them; The call will continue until Mid-Farvardin 1403 (Early April 2025). If eligible persons under this category do not receive calls by 30 March 2025, they should approach BAFIAs for registration from 5 April 2025.

3) For the rest of eligible individuals as per the first announcement, including holders of the financial scheme receipts, Employment Determination Scheme Slips, Passport with Expired Visa holders, etc. as per the discretion by the provincial BAFIA, they will be called by one of the below two methods:

A) Receiving calls or SMS from the second week of Farvardin 1404 (End March 2025) to approach the Kefalat center where they have their records and case.

B) Announcement by the provincial BAFIA for visiting the appointment scheduling portal “Kanoonnobat.ir” from 30 March 2025, and receiving appointments.

Note: This system of appointment scheduling in not functional in provinces implementing the (A) method.

4) holders of Headcount slips shall not approach BAFIA offices or Kefalat centers before being called by the Kefalat center via phone, SMS, or upon the announcement of provincial BAFIA for scheduling appointments.

For more info please visit CAFIA website

This is to inform all foreign nationals and migrants holding Head count slips: Considering that the validity of the mentioned document will expire on 20 March 2025, the following six groups mentioned below must take action to legalize their stay in the country.

1. One spouse (husband or wife) holds an Amayesh card while the other and their children have headcount slips.
2. One spouse (husband or wife) holds an Amayesh card, while the other spouse and children lack headcount slips and their family relationship is verified by official authorities.
3. Foreign nationals with a valid passport and an expired visa must pay a fine and apply for a short-term exit visa, allowing them to re-enter Iran with a new visa.
4. Those holding a job identification number or work permit who obtain legal residency within the given deadline.
5. Individuals who were government employees, officials, or military personnel under the previous Afghan government and cannot return shall be referred to relevant international organizations for further processing upon approval by BAFIA.
6. Other Afghan nationals with headcount slips must exit Iran and return legally with a passport to regularize their stay.
   It is stressed that CAFIA is the only recognized authority and the sole authority responsible for handling affairs related to immigrants and foreign nationals, and the provincial offices of BAFIA and authorized Foreign Nationals’ Residence & Employment Service Centers all across the country are the only recognized agencies for processing executive plans. The provision of services by other organizations, administrations, companies, offices, etc. is not authorized by CAFIA.
   It should be noted that from 21 March 2025, any services to foreign nationals such as education, healthcare, sim cards, real estate transactions and rentals will only be available to holders of valid residence permits (holding passport and visa/residence permit and Amayesh card).

The new 11^th Cycle of UPHI scheme has started countrywide (from 25 February 2025) and the scheme is open and accessible to all Amayesh, Hoviat or Valid Laissez-Passer.

Vulnerable:
Vulnerable refugees holding a Amayesh, Hoviat or valid Laissez-Passer (including refugees with Special Diseases – such as Haemophilia, Thalassemia, Renal Failure, Kidney Transplant and Multiple Sclerosis [MS]), similar to previous cycles, can approach Pishkhan centers contracted with Iran Health Insurance Organization (IHIO) countrywide and enroll in the free-of-charge health insurance coverage from 25 February 2025 – 24 February 2026.

Premium payers:
As per previous cycles, other refugees who are holding Amayesh, Hoviat and valid Laissez-Passer can also approach Pishkhan centres contracted with IHIO countrywide and by paying the ratified premium fee, enroll in the UPHI scheme and receive health insurance coverage with duration of 12-months from the date of enrolment.

Important points regarding registration:

• To know if you fall under vulnerable or premium payer category, please approach your nearest Pishkhan centers contracted with IHIO countrywide or call contact No. 1666 (IHIO’s dedicated operator for UPHI) and check your vulnerability status and your access to the scheme. Enrollment in the scheme takes place at Pishkhan Centers.
• Refugees holding a Amayesh, Hoviat or valid Laissez-Passer, in order to enroll in the scheme, please ensure to bring your residential documents and those of your family members and provide it to the authorities of Pishkhan Centers contracted with IHIO to facilitate their registration.
• All refugees should ensure pre-registration is conducted before enrolment in Pishkhan centers.
• Refugees who have enrolled in UPHI scheme, can always find out the status of their insurance coverage and its validity period by dialing the code *1666#.
• By enrolling in this UPHI scheme you can benefit from a 12-months health insurance coverage.
• All diagnostic and treatment services for refugees are covered in all hospitals contracted with IHIO countrywide, according to the primary health care package.
• All refugees who have enrolled in Universal Public Health Insurance scheme can receive medical services through online prescription services by providing their Identity Cards (valid Amayesh/Hoviat/valid Laissez-Passer) and shall be referred to medical centers, who will verify access to UPHI in the system. Your access to UPHI and the coverage of insured services in the system of medical centers will be confirmed by presenting valid Amayesh/Hoviat/ or Laissez-Passer.

Beware of individuals with false promises regarding Canadian visa/immigration programs. They are fraudsters! Do not pay these fraudsters and instead report them to the police.

UNHCR is NOT involved in any visa/immigration programs for any country, including those for Canada.

For accurate information, check the Canadian government’s official website here: (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html)

For information about the available UNHCR services in Iran, please visit the UNHCR Iran website www.unhcr.org/ir or see the official announcements made on UNHCR Iran’s help page (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/) or follow the UNHCR Instagram account (UNHCR Iran). You may also send your queries through the UNHCR online contact form or contact the UNHCR helpline (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/).

Stay vigilant, stay informed, stay safe.

This is to inform all refugees residing in the country who have not yet been successful with extending and receiving Amayesh/Hoviat cards: The exercise [deadline] for updating the information of refugees residing in the country has been extended until 18 February 2025.

Therefore, all eligible individuals are requested to approach Kefalat centers in their residential area as soon as possible, update their information, and obtain identity cards.

It must be stressed that the exercise for updating the information of refugees won’t be extended after this deadline, and eligible foreign nationals who don’t participate in the scheme for any reason, will be considered as “unauthorized”.

For more info please visit the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs Ministry of Interior website.

For the attention of all refugees and forcibly displaced and stateless people in Iran who submitted RST requests via the Online contact form:

Please note that “Resettlement” is not a right. You cannot apply for resettlement. You also cannot request/refer yourself or someone else for resettlement consideration. Please do not approach UNHCR, or partner agency requesting resettlement consideration.

However, if you have any other request or concern that you believe requires support from UNHCR, you may contact UNHCR via the telephone helpline or submit an online contact form by selecting the most appropriate reason for contacting UNHCR.

All UNHCR services are always free of charge! Be aware of individuals offering to help you obtain UNHCR services in exchange for money or favors. These individuals may pretend to be affiliated with UNHCR and may also falsely claim to be able to fast-track or guarantee UNHCR services. These individuals are fraudsters! Do not trust them. UNHCR will never ask you for money or favors! Do not pay these fraudsters and instead report them to UNHCR and BAFIA/police.

Please only rely on officially issued messages from UNHCR which can be found on the UNHCR Iran Help Page (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/). When in doubt, please check directly with UNHCR for more information.

This is to inform all foreign nationals and migrants residing in the country: Foreign nationals holding electronic or hand-written family passports with visas valid until 20 December 2024, can visit Kanoonnobar.ir website from 11 January 2025 to schedule an appointment, and after receiving an appointment, approach Kefalat centers to extend their visa.

* The duration of implementation is from 18 January 2025 until 15 March 2025, and will not be extended in any way.

It is worth mentioning that the validity of issued visas, and work permits will be until 21 June 2025.

For more info please visit the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs Ministry of Interior website.