Iran's Interior Minister Reaffirms Legal Entry for Afghans While Addressing Illegal Presence

Minister Clarifies Entry Requirements

Iran's Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, recently affirmed that Afghan nationals are permitted to enter the Islamic Republic of Iran legally, provided they possess valid work, tourist, or other types of visas. This statement, made on October 23, 2025, on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, underscored that the process for legal entry remains open, similar to citizens of other nations.

Concerns Over Undocumented Migrants

Despite the clear pathways for legal entry, Minister Momeni voiced significant concern regarding the 'illegal presence' of Afghan migrants within Iran. This concern is part of a broader governmental effort to regulate the substantial Afghan population residing in the country. Iranian officials have cited various reasons for this stance, including the nation's capacity to host large numbers, economic challenges, and pressure on national infrastructure. The government has also highlighted a decrease in international aid for immigrants as a contributing factor to these pressures.

Demographics and Deportation Efforts

Iran hosts one of the world's largest Afghan refugee populations, with estimates varying but generally indicating millions of Afghans, both documented and undocumented. In 2025, figures suggested approximately 750,000 registered and an estimated 2.6 million undocumented Afghans resided in Iran. Other reports from April 2025 indicated over 6 million Afghan nationals in Iran, with up to 2.5 million lacking legal status. A May 2025 statement from the Interior Ministry's Office for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants noted that 2.03 million Afghan nationals held expired census documents, and another 2 million were living illegally, totaling over 4 million unauthorized Afghans.

In response to the growing number of undocumented individuals, Iran has intensified its efforts to manage the migrant population. Since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21), over 1.2 million undocumented Afghans have returned to their home country. In May 2025, Iran issued a directive for over 4 million undocumented Afghan migrants to leave the country by July 6. Furthermore, an official stated in October 2025 that over 1.41 million undocumented Afghan migrants had been deported over the preceding seven months.

Impact on Services and Historical Context

New regulations implemented from April 2025 stipulate that unauthorized foreign nationals will no longer be eligible for essential services such as healthcare and real estate transactions. Undocumented Afghan children have also faced exclusion from Iranian schools, although the government plans to collect accurate data before making further decisions on this matter.

Historically, Iran has been a significant host country for Afghan refugees, particularly following the Soviet–Afghan War in 1979, providing some access to education and healthcare. However, since the 1990s, policies have shifted towards stricter control and regulation of the migrant population. Human rights organizations and UN agencies have expressed concerns regarding the treatment of Afghan migrants and their access to services.