Refugee Registration and Status Determination

IranHumanitarian protection

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

Explore pathways in Iran Read the five questions ↓

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

A government refugee registration and refugee status determination procedure: the Government of Iran, through CAFIA and BAFIA, registers foreign nationals and decides refugee status.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Described by UNHCR help page, not by CAFIA itself

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/arrival/
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (GIRI), through the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (CAFIA) and the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs (BAFIA), is responsible for registering foreign nationals and determining refugee status.</p>

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

Answer not available

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

People who have newly arrived in Iran may approach their local BAFIA office. UNHCR Iran does not accept resettlement applications, and relocation/evacuation programmes for Afghans are handled directly with the relevant embassies, not via UNHCR referral.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Steps of the registration procedure not described

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/arrival/
If you have newly arrived in Iran, you may wish to approach your local <a href="https://cafia.moi.ir/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7">BAFIA oﬃce</a> for further information.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/arrival/
Please note that UNHCR Iran does <strong>NOT </strong>accept applications for resettlement.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/arrival/
All information and applications for these relocation or evacuation programmes must be done directly with the relevant embassies through their contact details and procedures.

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

UNHCR supports primary health care for all refugees and forcibly displaced people regardless of documentation status, at the same level as nationals; primary health care is understood to be free for all foreign nationals regardless of documentation status. The official source does not state registration steps or family handling.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Registration and family handling not described

https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/health/
UNHCR supports the provision of primary health care to all refugees and forcibly displaced people, regardless of documentation status, at the same level as nationals.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/what-are-the-main-services-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-in-iran/health/
It is understood that all primary healthcare is free of charge for all foreign nationals, regardless of documentation status similar to Iranian nationals.

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

The competent authority is the Government of Iran (CAFIA/BAFIA): UNHCR Iran does not register people, decide refugee status or issue documents. UNHCR can be reached on its helpline 90000427 or at its offices. All UNHCR services, including resettlement, are free; anyone asking for money is a fraudster and should be reported 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/arrival/
UNHCR Iran does neither conduct registration, decide whether someone is a refugee nor issue documentation – this is the responsibility of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/contact/
Telephone: 90000427 (Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 to 16:00)
https://help.unhcr.org/iran/en/how-to-report-fraud-and/
All UNHCR services, including resettlement, assistance and other services are always free of charge.
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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Refugee Registration and Status Determination

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.