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.
Different Groups that UNHCR supports in Iran:
1. Afghan Amayesh and Iraqi Hoviat Card Holders (Prima Facie Refugees)
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.
CAFIA (Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs) announces the commencement of the Refugee Information Update Exercise (Amayesh 18) across Iran effective as 2 December 2024. This announcement requests a.) holders of Unified Smart ID Cards with Amayesh residency status, b) holders of Amayesh Cards 15, 16, and 17, 3) holders of Hoviat Cards 14, 15, and 16, and 4) holders of valid Laissez Passers (for corrections or changes), to attend Kefalat Centers and obtain appointments to update their information and receive ID cards.
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.
Rights and obligations of Amayesh and Hoviat card holders
There is no legal document defining the rights or obligations that Amayesh and Hoviat status confers on an individual. Effectively, Amayesh and Hoviat status grant the holders temporary stay in the designated area for the period of their validity and enable the holders to apply for work permits. Permission must be obtained for any travel outside the area of registration.
The entitlements conferred by Amayesh and Hoviat status include access to education, health services, health insurance, and employment within predefined fields, if a work permit is obtained.
Amayesh and Hoviat card holders who live in Iran are only allowed to obtain a driving license (including motorcycle) if they meet certain criteria. For more info on driving license please contact your nearest Kefalat center/ BAFIA office. Any refugee driving a motor vehicle without driving license violates traffic rules and is engaging in illegal conduct. In case of an accident resulting in injuries, death or financial damages while driving without a license, the driver may be held responsible and subject to pay damages or sentenced to prison.
UNHCR offices have limited capacity to assist in such cases.
Attempts to irregular border crossing leads to the cancelation of the Amayesh card and deportation.
2. Passport & Visa Holders
The key benefits of being a passport/visa holder, as opposed to an Amayesh card holder, are the possibility of obtaining a driving license, 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.
3. Family Passport Holders
A Family Passport is an official document issued by the Afghanistan Government certifying the holders’ identity and citizenship. They were issued to undocumented Afghan nationals in Iran who participated in the “Comprehensive Regularization Plan” (CRP) introduced in 2010.
4. Headcount Slip Holders
In April 2022 and following the new waves of undocumented Afghans coming into Iran after Taliban takeover, Ministry of Interior announced the inclusion of all undocumented Afghans including new arrivals in a Recount/Headcount exercise (2022 Headcount). Participants in the 2022 Headcount were provided with a Headcount Slip initially valid until 22 October 2022. The validity of Headcount slips was systematically extended to 20 March 2024.
5. Population Groups at Risk of Statelessness
Some people in Iran are at risk of not being given 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 their access 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 now 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.