Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran is host to one of the largest and most protracted refugee situations in the world, having provided asylum to refugees for over forty years. 800,000 refugees currently live in Iran, 20,000 of which are Iraqis and 780,000 are Afghans. There are also 2.6 million undocumented Afghans and 600,000 Afghan passport holders. Following the upheaval in Afghanistan in 2021, Iran has also welcomed hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers.
Guided by the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees, UNHCR supports the Government in implementing inclusive policies allowing refugees to go to school, get healthcare and access livelihood opportunities. In coordination with the government, emergency support is also being provided to new asylum-seekers.
While the needs of refugees continue to increase, opportunities for durable solutions, including voluntary repatriation and resettlement, remain limited. As such, UNHCR continues to advocate for international responsibility-sharing with Iran.
Additional information
For information about our work in the Islamic Republic of Iran:
- For legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection, visit Refworld.
Are you a refugee or asylum-seeker in Islamic Republic of Iran? Find information about your rights and available services on our HELP site.
Visit the UNHCR Iran website for more information on our work in the area and the latest local news and stories.
For up-to-date information about our programmes and operations in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including funding level and donor contributions, visit Global Focus, UNHCR's reporting portal.
