Iran’s interior ministry outlines new rules for Afghan nationals living in Iran

Iran’s Director-General of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, Nader Yarahmad, has outlined new regulations for foreign nationals to continue living in Iran – including Afghans.

According to Iranian media, Yarahmad explained that foreign nationals have been broken up into groups. The first group includes individuals where one spouse holds a temporary passport while the other has a census registration document.

The second category consists of families where one spouse has a temporary passport while the partner and children possess census registration documents.

He said the third group comprises individuals with expired passports and visas. These individuals must pay a fine to law enforcement authorities and obtain a short-term exit visa before reapplying for legal re-entry into Iran.

The official added that the fifth group consists of former government officials, military personnel, or civil servants from the previous Afghan administration.

He said: “The sixth category includes Afghan nationals holding census registration documents. They must leave Iran, obtain a valid passport, and return legally to regulate their stay.”

He also stressed that from April 2025, unauthorized foreign nationals will no longer be eligible for healthcare, real estate transactions, or other essential services in Iran.

Iran hosts a significant number of Afghan refugees, with estimates suggesting around 3.8 million refugees and individuals in refugee-like situations, including both registered and undocumented Afghans.

Many Afghans rely on temporary documentation or lack legal status, facing challenges in accessing services and facing the risk of deportation.