In general, UNHCR supports all persons for whom UNHCR is mandated to help. UNHCR is helping millions of people in need of international protection, and people who are stateless or at risk of becoming stateless worldwide.
Different Groups that UNHCR supports in Iran include:
Afghan Amayesh and Iraqi Hoviat status holders
After the first Amayesh and Hoviat registration exercise in 2001, Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs (BAFIA) established a process through which Amayesh and Hoviat card holders have been able to renew their cards annually. It effectively translated to refugee status in the context of Iran and provides the holders of the card the protection accorded to refugees.
To UNHCR’s knowledge, only Afghan and Iraqi nationals previously registered in the Amayesh and Hoviat database have been able to enroll in the subsequent re-registration exercises. Children are only allowed to be registered as Amayesh or Hoviat status holders if both their parents were valid Amayesh or Hoviat card holders.
Since 2013, private institutions designated by the Government (Kefalat centres) have been in charge of the administrative component of the Amayesh and Hoviat registration exercise, collecting the documents and receipts required for the renewal of Amayesh and Hoviat cards, as well as the issuance of Temporary Work Permits.
Effectively, Amayesh and Hoviat status grant the holders temporary right to stay in the designated area for the period of their validity. Permission must be obtained for any travel outside the area of registration. It also provides access to services such as education, health care, health insurance, and employment within predefined fields, if a work permit is obtained.
Any violation of the rules and regulations of the host country such as irregular border crossing and involvement in criminal activities may lead to the cancelation of the Amayesh card and deportation.
Other type of documents
Other documents are such as valid passports and visa including family passports which is an official document issued by the Afghanistan Government certifying the holders’ identity and citizenship. Family passports were issued to undocumented Afghan nationals in Iran who participated in the “Comprehensive Regularization Plan” (CRP) introduced in 2010. In addition to the above mentioned documents, there are also the recent temporary documents issued by the Government of Iran in 2025 so called “Movaqqat cards”, numbered 1,2,3 and 4.
The key benefits of being a passport/visa holder, as opposed to an Amayesh card holder is more access to job opportunities, and greater freedom of movement within Iran. All Amayesh holders who want to enroll at Iranian universities might be asked to exchange their Amayesh status for a passport with a student visa.
Population Groups at Risk of Statelessness
Some people in Iran are at risk of not being granted, or able to prove their Iranian citizenship or being counted as a citizen of no country. Not being recognized as a citizen of any country makes a person Stateless. This greatly limits the access of such individuals to government services, identity documents and future opportunities.
In Iran, people may be denied citizenship if they are not able to prove that they are of Iranian origin. This often happens when the father of a child is not Iranian. Other groups that have difficulty proving their Iranian origin are Feili Kurds, Khavaris, Zabolis, Lakzaee tribes and Baluchis.
The Government of Iran is taking concrete steps towards the prevention and reduction of statelessness by allowing Iranian mothers to pass their nationality to their children enabling them to better access education, health care and job opportunities. If you are an Iranian mother, married to a non-Iranian man, you can request for passing your Iranian nationality to your child(ren). A Shenasnameh, (the National ID booklet) will provide your child(ren) with the same rights and privileges as any Iranian national is given upon birth. If you believe you might be at risk of statelessness, you may get in touch with UNHCR for advice and support.