For the attention of all holders of refugee identity documents:

Based on a notification by the Center of Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (CAFIA) of the Ministry of Interior, and in order to prevent any interruption in the provision of services to refugees, the validity of the following documents — previously valid until 22 September 2026  — has been extended until 20 March 2027:

• Amayesh 19 cards
• Hoviat 18 cards
• Movaqqat cards (Groups 1, 2, and 3)

Holders of the above-mentioned documents are requested to approach the Foreign Nationals Residence and Employment Service Offices (Kefalat offices) as soon as possible to renew and replace their cards.

New validity date: 20 March 2027 [29 Esfand 1405]

For the attention of all refugees and forcibly displaced people:

Anyone concerned by potential misconduct is encouraged to report this and contact the Inspector General’s Office (IGO).

Anyone can contact the IGO if they have concerns or information about possible misconduct by any UNHCR staff member or other person/entities with a contractual relationship with UNHCR. Anyone can contact the IGO if they have reason to believe that a staff member or another person associated with UNHCR has not behaved correctly.

Important note before sending a complaint:

The Investigation Service of the IGO does not have the authority to deal with protection/assistance related requests. This means that the IGO cannot review individual refugee claims, cannot provide individuals with assistance (in kind or in cash), and cannot provide applicants with a durable solution. For these matters, please contact the closest UNHCR Office where you are located.

Please note that IGO has no representatives stationed in Iran and that, similar to UNHCR, the IGO does not charge for its services. All UNHCR and IGO services are free of charge!

No one should ask for payment, gifts, or favors in exchange for access to UNHCR services or assistance, including IGO! If you are requested to provide anything in exchange for UNHCR services or IGO information, please report it immediately.

You can learn more about the Inspector General’s Office here:

https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/governance-and-oversight/inspector-generals-office-igo

For the attention of all holders of refugee identity documents:

Based on a notification by the Center of Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (CAFIA) of the Ministry of Interior, and in order to prevent any interruption in the provision of services to refugees, the validity of the following documents — previously valid until 21 June 2026 — has been extended until 22 September 2026:

• Amayesh 19 cards
• Hoviat 18 cards
• Movaqqat cards (Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4)

Holders of the above-mentioned documents are requested to approach the Foreign Nationals Residence and Employment Service Offices (Kefalat offices) as soon as possible to renew and replace their cards.

New validity date: 22 September 2026

The Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced that children of foreign nationals who have valid documents issued by CAFIA of the Ministry of Interior can register in schools in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

**Registration Process**

1. Visit **kanoonnobat.ir** to make an appointment.

2. Obtain a letter of introduction from the competent authority:

* Families living in authorized areas should visit the Kafalat offices.

* Families living in unauthorized (prohibited) areas should visit BAFIA offices.

3. With the letter of introduction in hand, apply for registration at the nearest school located within your area of ​​residence, if there is capacity.

4. Complete all necessary assessments, including health and academic readiness assessments, especially for children entering the first grade of elementary school.

**Registration timeframe**

Foreign students can register at schools at the same time as Iranian students by holding a letter of introduction issued by the Center for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs of the Ministry of Interior.

**Important Information**

* Receiving public contributions from foreign students will be the same as for Iranian students.

* Schools are not allowed to register foreign students based on letters issued by organizations other than the CAFIA or Kefalat offices

* Preschool children must have a unique ID (Yekta) in order to participate in educational readiness assessments.

* Children of Iranian mothers and holders of special residence permits are exempt from restrictions related to restricted areas.

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.

The new 12^th 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.
• You may also visit the Iranian Health Insurance Organization’s website to check your health insurance status by entering your Yekta code in the National ID number field.
• 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.

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.

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

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.

 

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