Immigration & Residence

What Is the Immigration Status of Foreign Nationals in Iran?

Entry, transit, residence and departure from Iran by non-Iranian nationals are subject to permission from the competent Iranian officers and authorities.

Entry or transit across Iran's borders is generally carried out through a visa issued by Iranian representatives abroad and recorded in the person's passport or valid identity and nationality documents.

A visa may be issued where the required documents are authentic and valid, the applicant is not subject to Iranian nationality restrictions, and the applicant's presence is not considered incompatible with national security, public order, national interests, public health or moral standards. The relevant rules also address matters such as significant criminal convictions, previous expulsion from Iran and the applicant's ability to demonstrate lawful means of support.

Where circumstances that would prevent residence were not apparent when the visa was issued and are discovered later, or arise after the foreign national's entry, the Iranian authorities may refuse temporary or permanent residence or cancel an existing permission. Following cancellation, the foreign national may be expelled from Iran.

Types of Residence Permits and Immigration Status

Residence by foreign nationals in Iran is recognized as either temporary or permanent. Permanent residence is established where a foreign national has a legal domicile in Iran; otherwise, the residence is considered temporary.

No foreign national may remain in Iran without a residence permit or beyond the period specified in the relevant permission. Temporary and permanent residence permissions may, subject to the applicable rules, be extended or renewed.

A person seeking permanent residence must obtain the required permission from the competent authority at the place where the person chooses to establish a domicile. The law also provides for applying through Iranian diplomatic or consular representatives abroad before entering Iran.

Length of Stay and Renewal

Foreign nationals must leave Iran after the expiry of the authorized period for transit or stay unless, before the deadline, they have applied for an extension and obtained the necessary permission.

The entry or transit permission may provide for one-time or multiple crossings of the borders. A transit permit may specify the route and the permitted period, and the competent authorities may extend the period where necessary.

The law also provides that a permanent residence permit is subject to renewal at three-year intervals.

Residence Documents and Related Records

Every foreign national residing in Iran must have a document issued by their government establishing their identity and nationality. Where a person is unable to obtain such a document, the competent local authority may issue temporary residence permission or a special departure permit and may determine or restrict the person's temporary place of residence or route of travel.

A foreign national intending to reside in Iran must, within eight days of entering the country, refer to the competent local authority to obtain a residence permit.

Owners, occupants and managers of public or private premises may also have notification obligations concerning the stay of foreign nationals. Information concerning such persons may be registered through the systems designated by the competent authorities.

Changing the Purpose or Status of Your Stay

The text reviewed for this page does not provide a separate rule specifically addressing a change in the purpose of stay or a change from one immigration status to another.

However, where the circumstances on which an immigration permission was based change, the applicable permission and requirements should be verified with the competent authority before the person changes their activities or status.

Leaving Iran and Re-entry

Permission to leave Iran for foreign nationals is issued by the competent authority at the person's temporary or permanent place of residence.

Foreign nationals who entered Iran with a visa and whose period of stay does not exceed ninety days do not require a separate exit visa. They are nevertheless required, upon departure, to complete the relevant declaration and submit it to the customs officers at the border of departure.

Where a foreign national intends to leave Iran temporarily and return, the validity of the relevant passport, visa or other permission and the requirements applicable at the time of re-entry should be checked before departure.

Employment, Business and Other Activities

The text reviewed for this page does not set out a separate framework for employment, commercial activities, investment, study or other specific activities by foreign nationals.

Any activity that is subject to a separate permit or legal requirement should therefore be assessed under the regulations applicable to that activity, in addition to the immigration rules.

Family Members and Dependants

The relevant identity or temporary residence documents may include the names of a spouse, children, grandchildren, dependent minor brothers and sisters, and other accompanying persons where permitted by the applicable rules.

The immigration position of family members should nevertheless be considered in light of the documents and permissions applicable to each person.

Overstaying and Breaches of Immigration Requirements

Failure to comply with rules concerning entry, residence or transit, or cancellation of a transit or stay permission, may result in expulsion from Iran or a change in the person's place of residence.

The competent authority may implement an expulsion decision. Where circumstances permit, the decision and the period for its implementation are notified to the person. If the person undertakes to leave within the specified period, they may leave Iran voluntarily; otherwise, the person may be expelled under supervision.

A person whose residence permit has been refused or against whom an expulsion decision has been made may request reconsideration by the Ministry of Interior through the prescribed procedure. Subject to exceptions relating to urgent national interests, filing the request may suspend implementation of the expulsion decision pending the result.

The law also provides sanctions for certain violations, including the use or production of forged passports, residence permits or transit documents, knowingly using false documents, false statements made to obtain identity or residence documents, using documents belonging to another person to establish identity or nationality, unauthorized border crossing, evading an expulsion order and returning after expulsion without permission. Participation or assistance in such acts may also constitute an offence.

For reasons of security, public interest or public health, the Council of Ministers may restrict or condition the entry, residence, departure or transit of foreign nationals, including restricting movement across borders or prohibiting residence or transit in specified areas.

When Can Legal Assistance Be Useful?

In some circumstances, immigration and residence matters may require a careful review of an individual's status, documents and applicable legal requirements.

This may arise in matters such as reviewing residence status, extending or changing residence status, employment, business activities, investment, family matters, or dealing with a legal or administrative issue in Iran.

Andisheh Tabnak Iranian Law Firm can, depending on the nature and circumstances of your matter, assist international clients with legal assessment, document preparation and review, contractual matters, legal representation, and the pursuit of legal and administrative matters in Iran.