Iran Begins Issuing Work Visas for Afghan Migrants
Iranian authorities have announced the launch of a work visa program for Afghan migrants residing in the country. The initiative, which began at the start of the Iranian month of Mehr 1404 (September 2025), is coordinated with Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and aims to regulate the entry of migrant workers and manage the labor market.
Seyed Malek Hosseini, Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, stated on Tuesday, Mehr 29 (October 21), that the visa will initially be issued for nine months. Extensions in the following years will depend on individual performance assessments and labor market conditions.
According to Hosseini, these visas will only be granted when domestic employers are unable to find local workers. He emphasized that Iranian citizens remain the top priority for employment.
Officials have indicated that up to 200,000 work visas may be issued to Afghan nationals, depending on labor demand and the availability of domestic workers. The policy is intended to provide legal pathways for migrant labor and to curb illegal entry into Iran.
This move comes as many Afghan migrants in Iran currently work without official documents, facing discrimination, job insecurity, and pressure from government agencies. Despite the announcement, it remains unclear how many existing migrants will be eligible for the program and how transparent and effective its implementation will be.
In recent years, the Taliban’s restrictive governance in Afghanistan has driven millions to migrate. Iran has become a key destination due to its demand for cheap migrant labor; however, working conditions for Afghan citizens in Iran have often been harsh and restrictive.
