Over 3 Million Afghans Living In Country Without Legal Status
More than 6 million Afghan migrants live in Iran, including over 3 million without valid residency documents, according to figures cited by the state-run Fars News Agency.
More than 6 million Afghan migrants live in Iran, including over 3 million without valid residency documents, according to figures cited by the state-run Fars News Agency.
The outlet, citing official statistics, said more than 1.14 million Afghan migrants have been deported to date. It described the presence of around 3 million undocumented Afghans as “a complex challenge with security, economic and social dimensions.”
Nader Yarahmadi, head of the Interior Ministry’s Office for Foreign Nationals and Migrants, said that by March 2024 Iran had about 2 million undocumented migrants, with a further 2.034 million added by March 2025.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said the country can no longer accommodate more migrants without legal status. He claimed that over 1.1 million Afghans have left Iran during the period, more than 70 per cent of them voluntarily.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Law Enforcement Command said the policy on undocumented migrants has not changed and enforcement operations are ongoing. “Identifying undocumented migrants, arresting individuals suspected of cooperating with hostile groups, and preventing the entry of people using false identities remain priorities,” the spokesperson said.
Iranian analysts predict the deportations will continue due to economic and security pressures but say their success will depend on cooperation from the Taliban and international organisations.
Separately, Iran’s Minister of Health said Afghan patients without valid residency documents are not eligible for health insurance coverage.
