Amayesh and Hoviat Refugee Card Renewal

IranHumanitarian protection

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

An annual card-renewal process run by BAFIA for Amayesh (Afghan) and Hoviat (Iraqi) card holders; in Iran it effectively amounts to refugee status and gives holders the protection accorded to refugees.

See recorded sources

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/are-you-a-person-that-unhcr-iran-can-support/
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.

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

To UNHCR's knowledge, only Afghan and Iraqi nationals previously registered in the Amayesh/Hoviat database have been able to enrol in the subsequent re-registration exercises; children can be registered only if both parents hold valid Amayesh/Hoviat cards.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Coverage is stated 'to UNHCR's knowledge', not by the Iranian authority.

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/are-you-a-person-that-unhcr-iran-can-support/
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.

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

Renewal is done in Iran through government-designated private Kefalat centres, which since 2013 handle the administrative part: collecting the documents and receipts required to renew Amayesh and Hoviat cards.

See recorded sources

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/are-you-a-person-that-unhcr-iran-can-support/
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

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Holders get a temporary right to stay in their designated area while the card is valid; travel outside the registration area needs permission (a temporary laissez-passer from a Kefalat centre or provincial BAFIA office). The card gives access to education, health care, health insurance and employment in predefined fields if a work permit is obtained. Breaking the rules, e.g. irregular border crossing or crime, can lead to cancellation and deportation.

See recorded sources

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/are-you-a-person-that-unhcr-iran-can-support/
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.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/duties-of-forcibly-displaced-and-stateless-people-in-the-country-of-asylum/what-are-the-movement-restrictions-for-afghan-and-iraqi-nationals-in-iran/
If you are an Amayesh/Hoviat card holder and you wish to travel outside of the province in which you are registered, you must approach your nearest Kefalat center or provincial BAFIA oﬃce to obtain a temporary Laissez-passer (LP).
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/are-you-a-person-that-unhcr-iran-can-support/
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.

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

Card matters go through Kefalat centres and BAFIA offices; UNHCR Iran gives information and support via its helpline and offices. UNHCR services are always free; people should not trust anyone asking for payment and should report fraudsters to the police or UNHCR.

See recorded sources

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/work/
For more info in this regard, please approach Kefalat centers, BAFIA offices or the Department of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare in your area of residence.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/
All refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people who are residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran may seek information and support from UNHCR.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/how-to-report-fraud-and/
Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay for the services of UNHCR or its partners.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/how-to-report-fraud-and/
You should report fraudulent acts and/or fraudsters to the nearest police station or to UNHCR immediately.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Amayesh and Hoviat Refugee Card Renewal

What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.