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The Islamic Republic of Iran is host to the largest refugee population in the world, hosting 3.4 million refugees and people in refugee-like situation. The country has generously hosted refugees for over four decades.
Within the framework of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), UNHCR supports the Government of Iran in implementing inclusive refugee policies. The SSAR also facilitates coordinated protection approaches among partners, consensus-building on protection priorities, as well as dialogue and partnerships in support of the Afghan refugee situation.
99% of registered refugees live in urban areas side by side with the local communities.
1% of registered refugees live in 20 refugee settlements in 12 provinces of Iran.
USD 140 MILLION NEEDED FOR IRAN IN 2024
As of 31 March 2024
Population figures
According to the information available to UNHCR, Iran is host to some 773,049 refugees holding Amayesh (760,874 Afghans) and Hoviat cards (12,175 Iraqis). In 2022, the Government undertook a headcount of undocumented Afghan nationals in the country, including those who arrived following the events of August 2021. Those Afghans who participated in the exercise, received a ‘headcount slip’, providing this group with a form of temporary protection. In total, UNHCR estimates that some 3.7 million forcibly displaced persons of various documentation status currently reside in Iran.
Registration and documentation
The Government of Iran manages, registration and documentation related processes for foreign nationals, including forcibly displaced persons. Since 2003 the Government has annually renewed refugee identification cards - Amayesh cards for Afghans and Hoviat cards for Iraqis. These cards have been providing long staying refugees conditional freedom of movement, access to basic services and eligibility for temporary work permits for limited job categories.
In June 2023, the Government of Iran announced a new Smart Governance Scheme for Foreign Nationals to unify the documentation IDs issued to foreign nationals in Iran and facilitating the provision of services to them. This new scheme is expected to lead to the consolidation of all types of IDs so far issued for foreign nationals in Iran with priorities given to Amayesh and Hoviat card holders as well as students. Headcount slip holders and family passport holders are also targeted by this scheme. The Government has indicated that two million smart cards had been printed and 30,000-40,000 individuals were receiving cards on a daily basis.
In a parallel attempt initiated by the Government to utilize the small capital of foreign nationals into the production and infrastructure of the country, in January 2024, the National Organization for Migration (NOM) announced the launch of a “Financial Scheme” which enables foreign nationals to invest 1-1.5 billion Iranian Rials (USD 2,500-3,750) in order to receive a six-month residence booklet and access services including banking services and insurance. According to the Government, the participation in the scheme is voluntary; the headcount slip holders are the primary eligible group to participate in the scheme. The Government has indicated that over 75,000 individuals have registered for the Financial Scheme.
Durable solutions
Following the UNHCR non-return advisory for Afghanistan, UNHCR remains cautious and continues to provide enhanced counselling under its voluntary repatriation programme to prospective returnees on the situation in their final destinations and routes thereto, particularly to those with more vulnerable profiles. From January to the end of March 2024, UNHCR facilitated the voluntary repatriation of 123 Afghans, which represents a 27 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Some 51 per cent of the refugee returnees were females. Refugees declared to be returning for various reasons including financial constraints in Iran, acquiring documentation from Afghanistan or family reasons. The interviews with the refugees showed that an increasing number demonstrated the financial constraint in Iran as a reason for return and to look for better livelihood opportunities and prospect for the family members.
While in 2021 UNHCR Iran received no quota for resettlement of Afghan refugees, in 2022 and 2023 it worked with Member States providing resettlement quotas and the Government of Iran to resettle close to 6,400 refugees, given the increasing protection needs of refugees in Iran combined with the security situation in Afghanistan. From January to end March 2024, a total of 900 refugees were submitted to resettlement countries for resettlement consideration. During the same period, 210 refugees departed Iran on resettlement. UNHCR Iran also expanded complementary pathways to help refugees find protection and solutions in third countries. From January to the end of March 2024, UNHCR Iran provided support to 122 individuals to access family reunification and 18 individuals to access other pathways, such as education, employment, humanitarian visa and private sponsorship programmes.