Announcement from the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs for holders of valid identification cards

For the information of foreign nationals holding an ID card valid until 21 June 2026:

Pursuant to Article 1 of Cabinet Resolution No. 46145/22358, the “scheme for Updating Information of Foreign Nationals Holding Identification Cards – Year 1405” will be implemented at the Offices for Residence and Employment Services of Foreign Nationals (Kefalat Offices) in the relevant provinces.

Accordingly, holders of identification cards valid until 21 June 2026, as well as holders of temporary travel documents issued in place of identification cards (valid in the current year), are required—starting from Tuesday, 7 April 2026—to have one member per family to visit the relevant Kefalat office (the same office where they referred during the last year’s practice) to obtain an appointment and receive information on the scheme’s implementation procedures.

It should be noted that, for the purpose of updating the information of foreign nationals holding identification cards, the following documents are mandatory: confirmation of housing tracking codes and postal code; health insurance (Salamat) or social security coverage (SSIO) for each family member; and SANA code for all household members over 18 years of age.

Announcement on Universal Public Health Insurance (UPHI 12th Cycle)

The new 12th Cycle of UPHI scheme has started countrywide (from 25 February 2026)

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 2026 – 24 February 2027.

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.

Announcement on UNHCR activities

To the attention of all Afghan nationals in Iran

Please be informed that due to the current situation, UNHCR is operating with very limited capacity.

Please contact us through the designated helpline for inquiries. For your safety, please stay at home, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

Call for Applications: CALL for APPLICATIONS: UNIV’R scholarship

Academic Year: 2026-2027

The UNIV’R project, in partnership between UNHCR France and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie with the support of the MEnS network offers the opportunity for refugees, residing in their first country of asylum, to pursue a two-year master’s degree in France.

This program is a multi-stakeholder project that includes several ministries, local NGOs, civil society, the private sector, universities and French embassies/consulates in the first countries of asylum.

Students selected for this fully funded master’s program receive a support package that includes travel, accommodation, tuition fees, and living expenses.

UNHCR France also works closely with local associations/NGOs to support students with their administrative formalities and provide them with psycho-social support, if necessary.

Benefits include: 

  • Scholarship covering tuition, visa, and airfare to France Exemption from visa fees
  • Living grant to cover all the costs associated with their life in France, including housing, food, health insurance and transport.

📌  Eligibility: 

  • Be legally recognized as a refugee by the first country of asylum or by the UNHCR

Note: Asylum seekers are not eligible. The refugee status recognition process must be completed.

  • Reside in a first country of asylum outside the European Union
  • Maximum age: 30 years at the time of application
  • B2 level in French, or English for English taught programmes

⏰  Deadline:

Application deadline: 15 March 2026 (23:59 Paris time)

Further details and the application link are available here:

https://www.unhcr.org/fr-fr/en-france/univr-couloir-universitaire-en-france

Announcement for clarification on resettlement-related misinformation

UNHCR has become aware of misleading information circulating on social media, claiming that Afghan nationals residing in Iran need to approach or contact UNHCR to enroll for resettlement. This information is incorrect!

UNHCR understands that many refugees face very difficult situations in Iran and may wish to be resettled to another country, but please note that resettlement is not a right, and only a very limited number of refugees are considered for resettlement. Individuals cannot apply on their own, nor can they request or refer themselves or others for consideration.

Decisions on resettlement are made by resettlement countries, not by UNHCR. Therefore, please do not approach UNHCR offices to request resettlement consideration or to register specifically for resettlement. You are also kindly requested not to contact the UNHCR helpline or submit a new online contact form for this purpose.

If you are identified as potentially eligible for resettlement, UNHCR will contact you directly.

For more information about UNHCR resettlement, please refer to the following link: Resettlement – UNHCR Iran”.

Remember resettlement is always free of charge. If someone asks you for money in exchange for resettlement or other services by UNHCR, please report this through UNHCR Iran online contact form.

CALL for APPLICATIONS: Global Korea Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded | GKS Graduate Scholarship

 

Academic Year: 2026-2027

This is a fully funded scholarship, master’s, and Ph.D. degree programme. This scholarship opportunity is sponsored by the Korean government. The KGSP 2026 will select more than 2000 international students from 155 countries who want to who wish to pursue a graduate-level degree (master’s or doctoral) or research in Korea.

Course Level

  • Master’s Degree Programs
  • PhD Programs
  • Research Programs

Available Universities and Fields of Study:

  • Refer to the 2026 GKS-G Available Universities & Fields of Study in the  Application Guidelines for general information.
  • Contact each university for further information.

Benefits include: 

  • Fully funded Scholarship
  • Round-trip Airfare (economy class ticket to and from Korea)
  • Settlement Allowance (one-time payment upon arrival)
  • Monthly Living Allowance
  • 1-Year Korean Language Training Fees (fully covered)
  • Full Tuition Fees for Degree Program
  • Research Support Allowance (for eligible students)
  • Medical Insurance Coverage

📌  Eligibility: 

  • All applicants must be international students. Korean citizens are not eligible to apply.
  • Both the applicant and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
  • Applicants must be under 40 years of age at the time of application.
  • Master’s program applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
  • Doctoral program applicants must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
  • Research program applicants must have received an official invitation from a participating Korean university before applying.
  • Applicants who have previously received a GKS scholarship are not eligible to apply again.
  • Applicants must be in good physical and mental health to complete the program successfully.

Applying for the Global Korea Scholarship follows a two-stage selection process. Every applicant goes through two rounds of evaluation, no matter which track they choose. The main difference is where you apply first and who evaluates your application in the first round. Understanding this process early helps applicants avoid common mistakes and missed deadlines.

* Note: Application steps may slightly vary by embassy or university. Applicants must always follow official instructions issued by the embassy, university, or NIIED.

Before starting the application, applicants must choose one track only.

Embassy Track

  • Apply through the Korean Embassy in your home country.
  • You may apply to multiple universities within the allowed limit.
  • This track is competitive but offers wider university choices.

Or

University Track

  • Apply directly to one Korean university only.
  • You cannot apply to multiple universities.
  • This track is suitable if you already contacted a professor or are targeting a specific university.
  • Applicants cannot apply to both tracks at the same time.

⏰  Deadline:

Please check the application guidelines here:

https://scholarshipscorner.website/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2026-GKS-G-Application-Guidelines-English.pdf

If applying through Track 1, the online application period is from 2026 Thursday, February 12 at 11 am to 2026 Wednesday, February 25 at 6 pm:

Please check the Korean Embassy Website at:

https://ir.mofa.go.kr/ir-en/brd/m_11371/view.do?seq=759786&page=1

https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/main.do

If applying through Track 2, please consult the application guidelines to find eligible universities and apply here:

https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/main.do

Fraud Warning: Misinformation on humanitarian visa programs

UNHCR Iran has received multiple reports of false information circulating online and among forcibly displaced communities about travel agencies claiming to offer support with humanitarian visas to third countries through UNHCR. This is not true. Do not trust this rumor!

UNHCR is not affiliated with any type of agent or broker to provide access to UNHCR services and is not involved in any visa/immigration programs for any country.

Pleasebeware of individuals or groups trying to exploit you by falsely promising UNHCR-related assistance or services in exchange for money, favours or personal information. All UNHCR services are always free of charge and UNCHR is not associated with any type of agency with such claims.

It is important to inform your communities that there is no travel agency or internet café affiliated with UNHCR. You will not be able to access any UNHCR services through travel agencies or internet cafés. Do not pay any money and do not share your personal information and documentation with anyone claiming to offer false UNHCR services or offer support with humanitarian visas to third countries through UNHCR.

If you come across any false or suspicious claims by individuals or groups claiming to offer support with humanitarian visas to third countries through UNHCR, do not trust them and please report them immediately to UNHCR and the police. All complaints to UNHCR are confidential.

Please only rely on official government/embassy channels to receive accurate information regarding visa/immigration programs.

Similarly, please only rely on official UNHCR channels to receive accurate information regarding UNHCR services. When in doubt, please check directly with UNHCR for accurate information. You may send your queries through the UNHCR online contact form or contact the UNHCR helpline (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/).

For information about the available UNHCR services in Iran, please visit UNHCR Iran’s Help Page (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/news/) or follow the UNHCR Instagram account (https://instagram.com/unhcriran).

Stay vigilant, stay informed, stay safe.

Important Announcement on the Working Hours in UNHCR Field Unit Isfahan

Please be informed that as of Sunday, 11 January 2026 UNHCR Field Unit in Isfahan will receive refugees and forcibly displaced persons approaching without an appointment between 08:30 to 11:30 (Sunday to Thursday).

All UNHCR services are completely free of charge.
Please do not share your personal information with any individual or entity claiming to provide UNHCR services through unofficial channels.

Announcement on the accessibility of the helpline

Please be informed that during January 2026, the UNHCR Iran Helpline will be operating with minimum capacity. This means that it may take longer than usual to answer your calls. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this period. You can still receive a response to UNHCR inquiries by:

Title: Misinformation on humanitarian visa programs

UNHCR Iran has received reports of false information circulating online and among forcibly displaced communities about travel agencies claiming to offer support with humanitarian visas to third countries through UNHCR. This is not true. Do not trust this rumor!

UNHCR is not involved in any visa/immigration programs for any country.

UNHCR does not work with any type of agent or broker to provide access to UNHCR services. 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. All UNHCR services are always free of charge.

Please be advised that there is no travel agency or internet café affiliated with UNHCR. You will not be able to access any UNHCR services through travel agencies or internet cafés. Do not pay any money and do not share your personal information and documentation with anyone claiming to offer false UNHCR services or offer support with humanitarian visas to third countries through UNHCR.

If you come across any false or suspicious claims by individuals or groups claiming to offer support with humanitarian visas to third countries through UNHCR, do not trust them and please report them immediately to UNHCR and the police. All complaints to UNHCR are confidential.

Please only rely on official government/embassy channels to receive accurate information regarding visa/immigration programs.

Similarly, please only rely on official UNHCR channels to receive accurate information regarding UNHCR services. When in doubt, please check directly with UNHCR for accurate information. You may send your queries through the UNHCR online contact form or contact the UNHCR helpline (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/).

For information about the available UNHCR services in Iran, please visit UNHCR Iran’s Help Page (https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/news/) or follow the UNHCR Instagram account (https://instagram.com/unhcriran).

Stay vigilant, stay informed, stay safe.