Iran Expands Services for Afghan Migrants Amid Ongoing Reforms

Iran’s Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs in Khorasan Razavi province has announced major changes in services provided to Afghan migrants. According to the bureau, holders of temporary residence cards will now be eligible to receive government services, similar to those with official Amayesh cards.

Seyyed Jafar Seyyed Abadi, the bureau’s director-general, said the transition from handwritten Afghan passports to electronic passports has begun. Offices for foreign nationals’ employment and services have been tasked with implementing this process. In coordination with Afghanistan’s political representation, existing family passports will be separated, and individual electronic passports will be issued for each family member.

Seyyed Abadi also noted that Iranian authorities have started issuing driver’s licenses to Afghan migrants with Amayesh cards, with daily appointments and services ongoing at the designated offices. This initiative is being carried out jointly by Iran’s Law Enforcement Force and Ministry of Interior.

Despite these developments, Seyyed Abadi acknowledged that some holders of temporary residence cards still face difficulties, particularly in accessing banking services. He noted that communications have been initiated with Iran’s Central Bank to resolve these issues.

He added that the 19th phase of the Amayesh registration plan is currently underway, with over 120,000 new registration cards already issued. The implementation of this phase is expected to conclude by the end of Aban (mid-November). However, there are still serious concerns regarding the legal and humanitarian conditions of Afghan migrants in Iran.

Separately, the official reported that more than one million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan via the Dogharoun border, most of them voluntarily and in accordance with procedures established by Iran’s Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs.

Seyyed Abadi also highlighted the urgent need for international support on the issue of migrant insurance. He stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s capacity to provide comprehensive insurance services is limited, making assistance from international organizations essential. Nonetheless, uncertainty remains surrounding the Taliban’s treatment of returnees from Iran, fueling deep concerns among migrant families over the safety and livelihoods of their loved ones.