In 2022, the Government of Iran undertook a headcount of all undocumented Afghan nationals in Iran, including those who newly arrived in Iran following events in Afghanistan in 2021. The headcount was concluded on 30 June 2022 and, according to Iran’s Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (BAFIA), some 2.6 million Afghans were registered through the headcount exercise and received ‘laissez-passers’, providing them with a form of temporary protection against refoulment during its validity period. The head-counted population was included under the category of refugee-like in UNHCR’s Annual Statistical Report (ASR) for 2023, to more accurately reflect the number of Afghans in Iran who may be in need of international protection. The inclusion of the 2.6 million refugee-like population has led to Iran becoming the second largest refugee-hosting country globally, following Türkiye. As the situation in Afghanistan remains volatile, UNHCR foresees that Afghans, especially women and girls, will continue to flee to Iran in the coming months. Of these refugees, 99 per cent reside in urban areas, and the remaining one per cent live in 20 government-run refugee settlements.
In total, Iran hosts 4.5 million forcibly displaced people of varying statuses which include: 762,000 refugees (750,000 Afghan Amayesh card holders and 12,000 Iraqi Hoviat card holders, 2.6 million refugees-like population, 360,000 resident permit, 267,000 family passport holders and 500,000 undocumented Afghans.
UNHCR relies on the Government for information and data on population movements. Due to UNHCR not having a comprehensive presence at the border and the complexity of cross-border movements, the figures used are estimates based on information provided by the Government and other sources. As such, it is estimated that some 4.5 million of displaced people of varying statuses live in Iran and potentially need protection and humanitarian assistance.
UNHCR relies on the Government of Iran for information and data on population movements. Due to UNHCR not having a comprehensive presence at the borders and the complexity of cross-border movements, the figures used are estimates based on information provided by the Government of Iran and other sources. According to UNHCR estimates, 40 per cent of all new arrivals are returned by the Government of Iran and 5 per cent of the new arrivals continue moving onwards from Iran.
Within the framework of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), UNHCR supports the Government of Iran in implementing inclusive refugee policies – in Iran, refugees have access to schools and follow the national curriculum, get free primary health care, and access livelihoods opportunities. However, Iran is going through a challenging economic period due to the evolving international and regional relations. This situation is posing a substantial strain on the government's ability to maintain its inclusive policies, while at the same time, the needs and vulnerabilities of refugees are increasing.
UNHCR facilitates voluntary repatriation for Afghan refugees who wish to return to their home country once it is established that their return is voluntary, safe, dignified, and durable. Resettlement is one of the durable solutions to the plight of refugees and an essential element of international protection. UNHCR Iran works with resettlement states to receive higher quotas as it is an essential element of international protection.