For the attention of all refugees residing in Iran, the process of updating refugee information has begun, therefore, all refugees holding Foreign Nationals’ ID cards with Amayesh residency status, holders of Amayesh Cards 15, 16, and 17, holders of Hoviat Cards 14, 15, and 16 and holders of valid travel permits (for corrections or changes), are requested to approach Kefalat centers, after receiving a notification to update their information and receive their new ID cards. The update process will take place from 2 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.

It is emphasized since the plan will not be extended beyond this timeline, refugees should adhere to appointment schedules and avoid overcrowding at service centers.

For further information about the plan, visit اداره کل امور اتباع و مهاجرین خارجی – اجرای طرح آمایش پناهندگان and Kanoonnobat.ir.

Please be aware of misinformation about the UNHCR online contact form. This form UNHCR’s online contact form ONLY replaced the Protection Mailbox, where forcibly displaced and stateless people in Iran can get in contact with UNHCR. The purpose of developing this form is an attempt to respond to individual requests more efficiently. There is no change to the services made available by UNHCR in Iran.

Submitting this online form does not constitute registration with UNHCR or eligibility for any of its services, including cash or resettlement.

Please be assured that UNHCR is committed to assisting and supporting foreign nationals in need of protection within the limits of its available programs.

For information about the available UNHCR services in Iran, please visit the UNHCR Iran website or see the official announcements made on UNHCR Iran’s help page Latest News – UNHCR Iran or follow the UNHCR Instagram account (UNHCR Iran) or contact Contact UNHCR – UNHCR Iran through helpline.

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. Some may offer their help to fill out the UNHCR contact form in exchange for money or favors. They are fraudsters! Do not trust them. UNHCR will never ask you for money! Do not pay these fraudsters and instead report them to UNHCR and BAFIA/Police.

For further information on fraud reporting to UNHCR, please refer to https://help.unhcr.org/iran/contact/.

Stay vigilant, stay informed.

Please be informed that the UNHCR Protection mailbox has been replaced by an online contact form where forcibly displaced and stateless people in Iran can ask their urgent questions.

This means that from 01 November 2024, emails sent to the Protection mailbox will no longer be processed. This online contact form can be found on UNHCR’s help page via the following link: https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/

Please be aware that UNHCR Hotline remains the main channel of communication for foreign nationals in need of international protection.

For the attention of all Amayesh cardholders who wish to Voluntary Repatriate:  

Please be informed that there are some updates in the return guide. For more information please refer to the Voluntary Repatriation page: Voluntary Repatriation Guide – UNHCR Iran

For the attention of all Unified Smart Card holders:

Based on an announcement shared by Public relations of the National Organization for Migration and given the necessity for providing priority services to foreign nationals, and in order to prevent interruptions in the provision of services to the holders of Unified Smart ID Cards (Amayesh, Hoviat and other documents), the validity of these cards and related services are extended for six months, until 20 March 2025.

Considering the requirement for pre-registration of all foreign national students on SAHMA portal, its duration is extended for the period of 24 July 2024 to 22 August 2024.

All foreign nationals and migrants residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran who hold Yekta code may visit NOM SAHMA portal (https://www.irmigrationorg.ir/) to pre-register their children in schools.

Pupils with valid documents who don’t have Yekta code shall approach Kefalat centers to obtain Yekta code and subsequently register on the aforementioned portal.

All foreign nationals and migrants residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran who hold Yekta code may visit NOM SAHMA portal (https://www.irmigrationorg.ir/) to pre-register their children in schools.

Pupils with valid documents who don’t have Yekta code shall approach Kefalat centers to obtain Yekta code and subsequently register on the aforementioned portal.

Pupils who had received Yekta code in previous years, don’t need to approach Kefalat centers or BAFIA offices, and [can] directly visit SAHMA portal for proceeding with registration.”

The new 10^th Cycle of UPHI scheme has started countrywide (from 25 February 2024)

and the scheme is open and accessible to all Amayesh, Hoviat and Smart card holders.

Vulnerable:

Vulnerable refugees who are Amayesh, Hoviat and Smart card holders (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 2024 – 24 February 2025.

Premium payers:

As per previous cycles, other refugees who are Amayesh, Hoviat and Smart card holders 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 who wish to enroll in UPHI scheme can find out about the status of their insurance coverage by dialing *1666# and using a Specific code.
• Refugees holding a Smart card, in order to enroll in the scheme, please ensure to bring a copy of their previous Amayesh card with them and provide it to the authorities of Pishkhan Centers contracted with IHIO to facilitate their registration.
• All refugees should ensure that when approaching Pishkhan centers, pre-registration is conducted at the time of enrolment.
• 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, similar to Iranians.
• 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/Smart Card or 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/Smart Card or Laissez-Passer.

Beware of false promises regarding Canadian visa lottery programs circulating online! Don’t fall for online scams; these ads are designed to deceive you.

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)

Please remember if someone is helping you with your Canadian visa application, they must be declared. For more information about Canadian Immigration representatives, please click here.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigration-citizenship-representative/learn-about-representatives.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 UNHCR Iran – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers or follow the UNHCR Instagram account (UNHCR Iran). You may also send your queries through the UNHCR protection email at [email protected].

Stay vigilant, stay informed, stay safe.

The procedure for obtaining Yekta Code and issuance of Unified Smart ID cards for foreign University Students is described below:

1. University students to attend Kefalat Centers or BAFIA offices in the province;
2. Provide the required documents and IDs (passports, etc.);
3. Obtain Yekta code;
4. Visit SAHMA portal : https://irmigrationorg.ir;
5. Enter University Students web page on SAHMA portal and complete [the required steps];
6. Issuance of the card.

After completion of steps and checking of information, the Unified Smart ID Card will be issued the NOM, and Kefalat centers or provincial BAFIA offices will contact the student to approach and receive the card.”