There are reports that the Mandean/Ahwaz minority in the South-West of the country are forced to perform military service despite their pacifist religious beliefs and are consequently fleeing the country in large numbers. Some indicate why the cardholder was exempted from military service. Money: Non-Iranian credit cards and bank cards cannot be used in Iran. In general males are expected to serve for a period of 20 months and for service in impoverished areas, the duration can last 24 months while service in boundary areas can last 22 months. The new digital version contains the individual's national ID number (also found on the right-hand side of the passport biodata page) and a bar code. Gay Iranian man, 20, beheaded 'by brother' who told mum he'd 'finished Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available. Alireza Heidary Roushi, Mitra Mahdavi-Mazdeh, Mahnaz Zamyadi. [Accessed 28 Mar. Document Name:Govahiye Fot (Death Certificate). By Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for. New military ID cards list the subsection of the law dictating their exemption on their ID cards, which identifies them as gay or transgender and puts them at risk of physical danger and. Sources report on various non-health related circumstances that could lead to an exemption of military service, including: being the only son of the family (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2014). Home Office. Other Documents Available:No other documents available. The new version presents the spouses information on two facing pages and the childrens information on a subsequent page. If the person does not return to Iran, the amount is taken by the authorities. "Witness Statement of Milad." By (Iran n.d.b). The paper has watermarks, high printing quality and the photograph for individuals over age 15 is printed directly on the document (whereas the old version has a photo affixed and stamped on the main biodata page). Diplomatic relations with Iran were severed on April 7, 1980. On Saturday, January 29, a spokesman for the Iranian parliament's Budget Committee for 2022-23 said members had agreed that exemptions from military service could again be sold to individuals at a cost of 250 to 600 million tomans (US$9,000 to $21,500). According to the US CIA World Factbook, recruitment age for the Law Enforcement Forces is 17 (ibid.). Furthermore, most conscripts, especially those with no higher education, end up doing manual jobs, such as cleaning, cooking, or construction or, if they are lucky and have connections, driving for a senior officer. 2012)] is 15 (ibid. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. 24 April 2012. The World Factbook. General Kamali reportedly added that "for those who live outside of the country, the option of paying off military service had been cancelled earlier this year. "Compensated Living Kidney Donation in Iran: Donor's Attitude and Short-Term Follow-up." A figure of 300 was quoted by a spokesman for the "Ahwazi organisation for defense of human rights" at the UN Minority Forum last summer [2013]. Public Relations: (+9821)66709666 You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Iran LGBTQ: A card exempted a gay man from serving in the military. It Iran, Islamic Republic of - United States Department of State Exemptions from compulsory military service are in case of: After the post-election political turmoil in the summer of 2009 it appeared as if the Iranian Government has eased the requirements to allow people to leave the country in the sense that a young man wishing to leave the country before having completed his military service is able to deposit a bond of 12,000 USD and be allowed travel abroad for study. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. I was a 19-year-old high school graduate when I was ordered to report at 4 am to the headquarters of the Law Enforcement Department of the Draft in downtown Tehran. With the 1979 with drawal of foreign military and civilian advisers, particularly from the United States and Pakistan, the operation, maintenance, and logistical functioning of armed forces' equipment was hampered by a critical shortage of skilled manpower. Treatment of People Who Refuse Military Service. [Accessed 14 Mar. Iran International Travel Information UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Certified Copies Available:Certified copies are not available. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had an estimated 125,000 active personnel in 2007. [Accessed 13 Mar. 30 June 2009. Registration Criteria:Divorce is permitted on various grounds, including: mental illness; disabilities interfering with conjugal relations; husbands inability or unwillingness to provide financial support; husbands bad behavior; husbands incurable disease constituting risk to the wife; husbands desertion; husbands conviction for a dishonorable crime; husbands infertility or contraction of a sexually transmitted disease; polygamy without consent; and other circumstances where continuation of marriage constitutes proven difficulty or hardship for wife. Virtual Embassy Iran ir.usembassy.gov, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi ae.usembassy.gov. Iranian law requires all male citizens over 18 to serve in the military but exempts gay and transgender men, who are classified as having mental disorders. Document Name:Kart-e Shenasayi-e Melli; or Kart-e Melli (National Card), Issuing Authority:National Organization for Civil Registration. Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. In 2007 the Basij had about 300,000 personnel, including 40,000 active personnel; they were authorized to carry small arms only. Iran has a compulsory military service requirement for all Iranian men when they reach the age of 19. Procedure for Obtaining:There is no procedure for obtaining. MILITARY CARD: Iranian applicants need to provide original, copy and certified English translation of military card. This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. Shortly afterwards, the Iranian lesbian and transgender network 6Rang (Six Colours) named the victim as 20-year-old Ali Fazeli Monfared, known as Alireza. Thus, the military first had to teach the conscripts Persian by instituting extensive literacy training programs. In the United States by the year 2018, obesity was among other shortcomings such as physical fitness deficiencies and lack of a high school diploma that disqualified about 70% of 17-to-24-year-olds from serving. Joint Report from the Danish Immigration Service, the Norwegian Landinfo and Danish Refugee Council's Fact-finding Mission to Tehran, Iran, Ankara, Turkey and London, United Kingdom. Under the amended law, men of draft age were subject to conscription, whether in war or peace, for a minimum period of two years and could be recalled as needed. Comments:Available but unreliable. 2014], XE. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien. Persons who are unwilling to perform military service, for whatever reason, are either recruited against their will or seek to escape or evade recruitment. However, Al Jazeera indicates that the recruitment age is 19 (Al Jazeera 24 Apr. 2014], _____. The IHRDC states this exemption is for "a man who is the only male in the family and his father is over 65 years old" (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2014). Human Rights Watch adds that gay and transgender Iranians who are exempted from military service "are not immune from harassment and abuse" and that doctors have reportedly pressured gay men seeking exemption to apply for exemption as transsexuals instead (Dec. 2010, 25). Clean record certificates can be obtained in Iran or from Iranian Embassies and Consulates, and the physical appearance of the certificate changes significantly depending on which authority issued it. [Accessed 25 Mar. Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. N.d. "About Us." Comments:In Tehran, each church of a minority religion has several notaries assigned to it, while there are at least one hundred notaries assigned to record Muslim marriages and divorces. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued. According to the most recent resolutions, foreign resident draftees who have left the country before the date 29/12/1382 [19 March 2004, and whom after entering their 13 years of age, have been living abroad for a minimum of 2 years (as substantiated through presentation of relevant exit and entry stamps as placed in the applicant's passport by Iranian border guards and officials), were eligible for buying themselves out of Military Duty and thereby obtaining an Exemption card, upon paying the sum of 100,000,000 Rials [US$3,000], rRegardless of academic documents, or period of absence from service. ! The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications: An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. Evidence suggests that those wishing to obtain an exemption on the grounds of their sexuality/gender identity have to undergo numerous humiliating physical and psychological tests and exams and provide intimate information regarding their life. However, it is likely that the Majlis may reconsider the proposal to help the military meet its budgetary requirements for next year, Mr. Dehghani said. They were tasked with randomly picking conscripts. This regulation was expected to be in effect up to 04/11/1390 [24 January 2012. Renewals of old birth certificates or replacements of lost birth certificates are available by applying in person at the registry office. On 30 June 2009, Press TV, Iran's first international news network that broadcasts in English (Press TV n.d.), reported that a bill, which was to be enforced in 2011, would reduce military service by 2 to 10 months for conscripts with university degrees (Press TV 30 June 2009). Comments: Available but unreliable. Situation in Iran: Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship N.d. "Iranian Newspapers." However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday. February 28, 2024. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Physical standards had to be lowered to get the number of men needed. Yet even the air force, which had developed training facilities for support personnel and homafars, was short of its real requirements. [Accessed 13 Mar. Discrimination and Violence Against Sexual Minorities in Iran. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. [Accessed on 27 Mar. 2014], Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC). Iran has a compulsory military service requirement for all Iranian men when they reach the age of 19. This is not a UNHCR publication. Under the current amnesty plan, citizens who have not reported for compulsory military service for eight years after they first become eligible have until the end of the Iranian year (March 20, 2019) to pay a fine and avoid conscription. Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents. Question regarding Iranian Military Exemption for Dual Citizens 7 November 2013. 26 December 2013. 2014a)], and whom after entering their 13 years of age, have been living abroad for a minimum of 2 years (as substantiated through presentation of relevant exit and entry stamps as placed in the applicant's passport by Iranian border guards and officials), are eligible for buying themselves out of Military Duty and thereby obtaining an Exemption card, upon paying the sum of 100,000,000 Rials [$4315 CAD (XE 27 Mar. Further information on the implementation of the proposed service extension could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:White booklet with handwritten data. [Accessed 13 Mar. 2014). The total period of service is twenty-five years, divided as follows: two years of active military service, six years in standby military service for draftees, then eight years in first-stage reserve and nine years in second-stage reserve. The estimated force level of the regular army increased from 325,000 in 2001 to 350,000 in 2007, a level which continued throught 2019. Iran: Information on whether a military exemption card or a military [Accessed 24 Mar. In addition, the law provides exemptions for those with severe medical conditions or the bread winners of the family. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. Indeed the Iranian diaspora community is one of the most successful ethnic minority groups in the US, with many celebrated scholars, scientists, and academics. but she kept asking for it ! General Kamali reportedly added that "for those who live outside of the country, the option of paying off military service had been cancelled earlier this year. The Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy will look into the governments reasons for excluding the proposal from its 2019/20 budget given the fact that the conscription buy-out was allowed in previous years., Dehghani explained: Barring any objections from the government, the Majlis will include the proposal in next years budget. No 184, Imam Khomeini Street, Tehran, Iran [Accessed 3 Mar. According to Al-Monitor, men who refuse military service and do not have an exemption are "ineligible" for government jobs and are furthermore "not hired for high-paying jobs" (19 Dec. 2014). There are many reasons a man could be exempted, including, but not limited to, payment in lieu of service, medical reasons, being the only son in his family, having elderly parents, and having a brother currently serving in the military. Follow him on Twitter@Azodiac83. These marriages are performed by ecclesiastical authorities and are not registered with the government. On Conversion to Christianity, Issues Concerning Kurds and Post-2009 Election Protestors As Well As Legal Issues and Exit Procedures. 9. They must report at a specific date to the headquarters of the Law Enforcement Department of the drafta unit of the Iranian policewhich is in charge of paperwork and summoning draftees for service. 19 June 2013. Allowing such people to travel to the United States can also be an effective tool to counter the propaganda of the Islamic Republic, which positions the US as the enemy of Iranians. (Iran n.d.a). _____. Temporary marriages (sigheh or ezdevaj-e movaghat) are religious marriages that are entered into for a specific period of time. 1- They must have been exited the country before 1382/12/29. [Accessed 20 Mar. Its unclear yet whether a US decision to lift the FTO designation of the IRGC will erase the stigma of having served in the organization as far as US immigration is concerned (separate financial sanctions on the IRGC will remain). For those who live in the country, paying to avoid military service has not always been offered". The Main Representative to the UN for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), a Netherlands-based organization founded in 1914 that is "against war and its preparation" with "branches, affiliates and groups in more than 40 countries" who has been monitoring issues of military service and conscientious objection worldwide with a view to reporting [and] briefing treaty bodies and other UN mechanisms and procedures indicated that "there are no provisions for alternate service" in Iran. However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee. Sources indicate that students can postpone their military service (Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013; IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013). They are also often mistreated by officers. In the case of the IRGC, a clean-shaven face could result in three days of extra service time, as I was told by a number of friends who were drafted by the IRGC. PDF Country Policy and Information Note: Iran: Military service - GOV.UK Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Since the Iran-Iraq War ended in 1988, most Iranian conscripts have seen no combat, and their military service is often devoid of actual combat training. Now, one of the final issues in the Iran nuclear negotiations in Vienna to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been the Iranian demand that the IRGC be taken off the US list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). (A Muhaarib is someone who takes up arms against the Islamic government). About 80 percent of army personnel are conscripts, as are 60 percent of the Revolutionary Guards; navy and air force personnel are mainly volunteers. The law, however, provides exemptions in certain circumstances. Comments:The national ID card is not accepted in lieu of the Birth Certificate document. According to the website of the Iranian Embassy in the UK, the only male child must be over the age of 18 and his father must be over the age of 60; being the sole caretaker of a parent, a minor or ill sibling or ill grandparents or, only children caring for parents; being a man who has demonstrated exceptional scholastic achievement; members of the Basij are exempt from military service, which is a possibility if they are active in the Basij for 5 years or more; those who work in industries vital to the government or military may also be exempt. Sina Azodi. Comments:The booklet includes the individuals name and surname; place and date of birth; gender; unique ID number; parents names and places of birth; date and place of issuance; and identifying information of the individuals spouses and children. Similarly, in a November 2013 article published by the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre (IHRDC), a Connecticut-based independent non-profit organization composed of scholars and lawyers working to provide a "historical record" of human rights issues in Iran (IHRDC n.d.), military service "begins" at 18 (ibid. Certificates for marriages and divorces prior to 1921 can be obtained only from ecclesiastical authorities. The IHRDC indicates that some exemptions "on account of physical or mental health problems or disabilities" include "schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, manic-depressive tendencies and other serious mental illnesses" (7 Nov. 2013). Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. According to estimates, this force, mainly composed of youths, could expand to as many as 1 million members in the event of a national emergency. : 2161 If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions. With respect to educational exemptions, Chapter 4, Article 33 states that, Sources indicate that military service is mandatory for all males in Iran (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013; Human Rights Watch Dec. 2010, 23). Those living outside of Iran may apply for the card by submitting a special form to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. February 2013. Newspapers had carried reports of people caught trying to buy their way out of military service, at an unofficial figure of about US$8,000 for forged exemption documents. Military card for Turkish applicants are not required. Sina Azodiis a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and a visiting scholar at the George Washington Universitys Institute for Middle East Studies. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Please contact the consular sections in Bern and Vienna for additional details on the application process. The first is an ecclesiastical marriage certificate issued by the local spiritual assembly a booklet with the signatures of the couple, the person officiating the ceremony, and nine witnesses. This gain was also reflected in the regular armed forces. Refusing to serve in the army without an exemption can result in not being granted a driver's license. In 2019, the US State Department designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, an unprecedented action against the military of a foreign state. "Shamsi to Gregorian Converter." The US CIA World Factbook states that, as of 2012, the age of compulsory military service for men in Iran is 18 (US 26 Feb. 2014). Irans Bureau of Affairs Concerning Documents maintains a record of the location, name, number, specimen of signature, and seal of each notary who is expected periodically to advise the Bureau of the number of marriages and divorces that have been registered. The bill was later modified in the 1980s after Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins invasion of Iran in 1980; it states that its the duty of all Iranians to defend Irans independence and territorial integrity. (Regardless of academic documents, or period of absence from service). "Denied Identity: Human Rights Abuses Against Iran's LGBT Community." In addition to marriages and divorces having their own documentation, the information should also be recorded in both parties' shenasnameh (birth certificate) documents. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less.