. Registration Criteria: Newborn children; people who are changing their names; people who have lost their original birth certificate; and people who have reached the age of 15 and need to add their photo to the document (if between age 15 and 18, the individuals parent must apply). 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. [Accessed 20 Mar. Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. being the only son of the family. (Iran n.d.a). No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization. The legal provision can be found in Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 US Code 1182. Comments:Military service completion and exemption cards and reliable English translations are readily available in Iran. "Iran and Israel: Comparing Military Machines." And you need to apply to the embassy for an "exit stamp" (mohr e khorooj) . Men who were exempted before 1990 may not have been issued a card explaining why they were exempt. You need to apply for a visitor record to extend your visitor status. Sign in to follow this . You will not be able to access U.S. or foreign bank accounts using . 2014). If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. You accept the use of cookies as per our, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Adrienne Arsht Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs, A history of continuity in Irans long nuclear program, An escalating Israel-Iran conflict could sink the JCPOA, How Iranian Phantoms pulled off one of the most daring airstrikes in recent memory, Policy on donor acceptance and disclosure. This means a temporary marriage would not disqualify an alien from a K-1 fianc (e) visa and would not be considered a marriage for determining whether an alien meets the definition of child (under 21 and unmarried). 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. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the Iranian Islamic Public Military Service Act, these include educational exemptions, medical exemptions and guardianship exemptions. I am wondering if the military record is a requirement docume. Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Iran - Islamic Parliament of Iran, Iranian Police, National Portal for Iran, Office of the Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Presidency Website; Iran Data Portal; Hein Online; Legislationline; Small Media; United Nations - Refworld. Those dismissed from mandatory military service due to their sexual orientation received special exemption cards indicating the reason for their dismissal. It was commented that young dissatisfied individuals could be perceived as a potential source of unrest by the authorities. [Accessed 14 Mar. After the bitter experience of the Donald Trump administrations Muslim ban, subsequent withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, and maximum pressure campaign, easing restrictions on the immigration of innocent Iranians, who had no choice about serving in the IRGC, could be a collateral benefit of restoring the JCPOA. On April 4, 1981, eight F-4 Phantom fighter bombers conducted a daring airstrike on three airbases deep inside Iraqi territory. Document Name:Sanad-e aghd; Sanad Sanad-e ezdevaj (Marriage Certificate), Issuing Authority:National Organization of Registration of Documents and Property (Sazman-e Sabt-e Asnad va Amlak-e Keshvar), Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:Red/burgundy booklet, off-white pages with handwritten data, Issuing Authority Personnel Title:Notary public. 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. N.d.a. Both parties birth certificates, national ID cards, medical reports, and the brides fathers birth certificate are required. On a case-by-case basis, the Department of State can request that the Department of Homeland Security grant waivers for nonimmigrant visa applicants with past mandatory military service in the IRGC. In December 2013, media sources reported that, according to General Kamali, due to a shortage of personnel, Iran may increase the length of military service to 24 months (BBC 26 Dec. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). After the United States entered the World War, a large Army was needed immediately. "Iran." 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. 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, we wont consider the plan if the government makes a strong case against it.. but she kept asking for it ! During the Vietnam War (1964-1973) 8,744,000 served, but by the time conscription ended in 1973, only a quarter of elligible males were actually being conscripted. It is important to inquire about temporary marriages when processing adoption cases from Iran, as posts frequently see children born of temporary marriages. 2014], World-newspapers.com. 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. However the way it works is that you need a valid iranian passport (6 months or more left on the expiration) . 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. Embassy in the Hague. He is also a PhD Candidate in International Relations at University of South Florida. Absence without leave for more than 15 days without a valid reason is punishable by six months' to two years' imprisonment and/or 12 months extension of military service. Issuing Authority Personnel Title:There is no issuing authority personnel title. Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:All service cards show national ID number, given name, surname, fathers name, date of birth (Persian), dates of service, card issuance date, rank, photo, and contain a chip. Yet even the air force, which had developed training facilities for support personnel and homafars, was short of its real requirements. G-1, G-2, and G-3 visa applicants must submit their applications to either U.S. Embassy Bern or U.S. Embassy Vienna. However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee. Danish Refugee Council, LANDINFO, Danish Immigration Service. International Relations: (+9821)66746460 Anyone any idea what I can do?!!!?!?!?!!?! When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Councils experts have you covereddelivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox. 2014], Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). 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. A 2013 UK Home Office Country of Origin Information Report indicates that, according to a translation of 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 (UK 26 Sept. 2013, 56); being "the sole caretaker of a parent, a minor or ill sibling or ill grandparents" (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2014) or, according to Al-Monitor, only children caring for parents (19 Dec. 2013); being "a man who has demonstrated exceptional scholastic achievement" (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2014); Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) states that members of the Basij are exempt from military service (19 June 2009), while an article in the Middle East Journal indicates that this is a "possibility" if they are active in the Basij for 5 years or more (30 June 2013); "those who work in industries vital to the government or military" may also be exempt, according to Al-Monitor (19 Dec. 2013). . Meanwhile, the new categorization still identifies both homosexuality and transsexuality as a form of mental disorder. What is the general policy for people who wish to obtain visas to come to the United States (U.S.)? 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). Sources state that people who refuse military service cannot get a passport (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). All pages of the document are required for immigrant visa processing. The duration of compulsory military service ranges from 18 to 24 months, depending on the geographical location of the conscript service. 2014], Denmark and Norway. 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. 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). 2014], Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases. By [a]ccording to the most recent resolutions, foreign resident draftees who have left the country before the date 29/12/1382 [19 March 2004 (Taghvim.com 28 Mar. [Accessed 14 Mar. Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:The card contains a full-face photo (left-aligned), and biodata (right-aligned), including the unique national ID number (different from shenasnameh number), given name, surname, date of birth (Persian calendar), fathers given name, and expiration date. Many applicants also submit titles and deeds to apartments and property. 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. On Conversion to Christianity, Issues Concerning Kurds and Post-2009 Election Protestors As Well As Legal Issues and Exit Procedures. 28 March 2014b. Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien. Physical standards had to be lowered to get the number of men needed. Under Iranian law, a designation as a homosexual or transsexual/transgender is considered to constitute a medical and psychological condition that warrants an exemption from compulsory military service. In correspondence with the Research Directorate, 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" (IFOR n.d.) with "branches, affiliates and groups in more than 40 countries" (NP n.d.), "who has been monitoring issues of military service and conscientious objection world-wide 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 (IFOR 18 Mar. The original version of this document may be found on the offical website of the IRB at, Last Updated: Tuesday, 28 February 2023, 15:25 GMT, 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran : information sur le service militaire, y compris sur l'ge du recrutement, la dure du service, les motifs d'exemption, la possibilit d'effectuer un service de remplacement et le traitement rserv par les autorits aux personnes qui refusent de faire leur service militaire; information indiquant si des sanctions sont imposes aux objecteurs de conscience, Military service / Conscientious objection / Desertion / Draft evasion / Forced conscription, Persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The World Factbook. Correspondence from the Main Representative to the United Nations. Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for. 26 December 2013. IranSource Once an individual is deemed exempt, they are issued a military exemption card, which identifies the reasons for their exemption. Most IRGC draftees end up doing similar jobs, too, including running personal errands for officers. 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. 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). 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. Unfit soldiers do not make good battle buddies in intense combat. Thus, the military first had to teach the conscripts Persian by instituting extensive literacy training programs. If the person does not return to Iran, the amount is taken by the authorities. Those who due to handicaps or mental and/or physical illnesses are permanently unable to be drafted for mandatory service period. Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria. According to the IHRDC, "in general males are expected to serve for a period of 20 months" and "[f]or service in impoverished areas, the duration can last 24 months while service in boundary areas can last 22 months" (7 Nov. 2013). Exemptions were given only to solve family problems. [Accessed 13 Mar. : 2161 2014], _____. Those seeking relief for medical reasons had to serve but were not sent on combat duty. However, unlike their government, which has hostile relations with the United States, many of these draftees yearn to pursue a better life in the US and fulfill their dreams. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. In December 2013, General Kamali stated that "[b]ecause of its discriminatory nature, paying off military service was never desired by the armed forces, and that option has been closed" (19 Dec. 2013). A fact-finding mission on Iran conducted by the Danish Refugee Council, Norway's LANDINFO, and the Danish Immigration Service from 9 November to 20 November 2012 and 8 January to 9 January 2013 states that, [t]he consular officers of the US embassy in Ankara noted that after the post-election political turmoil in the summer of 2009 it appears 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. 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. Country of Origin Information Report. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition. However, Al Jazeera indicates that the recruitment age is 19 (Al Jazeera 24 Apr. Original Iranian Birth Certificate (Shenasname), and photocopies of all the pages of the Birth Certificate(This document must contain an ID photo for those above 15 years of age. Iran now has a largely conscripted force with limited military training and little combat experience. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad: The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less. According to General Kamali, current conscripts and people who will be serving by the end of the year, which is 20 March 2014, will not be affected by the extension of service. Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available. There are limited exemptions available but the option to buy out of military service has been reintroduced for some people. The IRGC is made up of about 190,000 active personnel at any given timethe majority of whom were conscripted. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 30 June 2013. 2014). 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. The new version presents the spouses information on two facing pages and the childrens information on a subsequent page. Iranian applicants usually provide documents from their bank which show their total account holdings. Keep in mind that the parcels and apartments are frequently divided into shares and thus the applicant might only actually own a fraction of the property that the documents state is wholly owned by the applicant. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as Mr. Doe, the principal visa holder. Agence France-Presse (AFP). Young men who have turned 17 years of age will not be allowed to leave Iran without completing their military service. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. This gain was also reflected in the regular armed forces. The BBC reports that, according to Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), General Musa Kamali, the Vice Commander of the Headquarters for Human Resources of the Iranian Armed Forces, was quoted as saying that "the duration of military service is 18 months in combat and in insecure regions, 19 months in the regions which are deprived of facilities and have bad weather conditions, 21 months in other places, and 24 months in government offices" ( 26 Dec. 2013). Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. But the. The first compulsory military service bill was passed ninety-six years ago, during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi. 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. "Iran: Transgender People Are No Longer Classified as 'Mentally Sick'." 2014], XE. General Musa Kamali, the Vice Commander of the Headquarters for Human Resources of the Iranian Armed Forces, was quoted as saying that "the duration of military service is 18 months in combat and in insecure regions, 19 months in the regions which are deprived of facilities and have bad weather conditions, 21 months in other places, and 24 months in government offices" ( Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), 26 December 2013). 19 June 2009. N.d. "Iranian Newspapers." _____. Rising tensions between Israel and Iran have reached an alarming stage in recent weeks. Al-Monitor reports that in December 2013, General Kamali indicated that Iran is "reviewing its policy of offering a reduction in service time for those who are married" (19 Dec. 2013). Arash Karami. You can extend your status for free if you. Although translations tend to be accurate, it is recommended that both the translation and the original card are reviewed. Sources indicate that the duration of compulsory military service ranges from 18 to 24 months (BBC 26 Dec. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). Comments:The national ID card is not accepted in lieu of the Birth Certificate document. Document Name:Kart-e Sarbazi (military card); Kart-e Payan-e Khedmat doreye Zaroorat (service completion card); or Kart-e Moafiyat az khedmate doreye zaroorat (exemption card). 8. Indeed the Iranian diaspora community is one of the most successful ethnic minority groups in the US, with many celebrated scholars, scientists, and academics. For those who live in the country, paying to avoid military service has not always been offered". Women may volunteer but are exempt from military service (as of 2019). Temporary student exemptions may also be substantiated by a letter from the conscription authority and proof of the students bond payment to exit Iran. If lost then the applicant should apply for a duplicate shenasnameh. [Accessed 25 Mar. The IFOR Main Representative to the UN stated that, no case has been recorded of anyone claiming exemption from the military authorities on the grounds of conscientious objection, but as conscientious objection is not recognised by the military authorities, conscientious objectors would not be treated as such; no sanctions would explicitly address conscientious objection. 30 June 2009. According to the IHRDC, Article 33, paragraph 8 of the regulatory code that governs medical exemptions from military service notes that "'moral and sexual deviancy, such as transsexuality'" is considered to be grounds for a medical exemption (19 June 2013). Under the 1984 law, draft evaders were subject to restrictions for a period of up to ten years. 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. Afshon Ostovar. 2014], _____. Effective February 24, 2023, the Implementation of Additional Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus Under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Refinements to Existing Controls rule (the "Russia/Belarus Rule") amends the EAR by:. 18 March 2014. Iranian / Dutch B2 tourist visa refused because of no military card / no military exemption card ! No 184, Imam Khomeini Street, Tehran, Iran . Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast. G-4 and G-5 applicants are not required to apply at U.S. Embassy Bern or U.S. Embassy Vienna. I am from Iranian descent and I left/ fled Iran about 10 years ago when I was around 20 years old. 7 November 2013. IranSource (Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto). In Iran's military protocol, homosexuality is defined as a type of mental abnormality, and more specifics are . ; US 26 Feb. 2014). New Atlanticist is where top experts and policymakers at the Atlantic Council and beyond offer exclusive insight on the most pressing global challengesand the United States role in addressing them alongside its allies and partners. . Certified Copies Available:Certified copies are not available. [Accessed 3 Mar. Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. They are also often mistreated by officers. Procedure for Obtaining: There is no procedure for obtaining. After completing basic training outside of Semnan Air Defense Base, I received some mediocre training as a member of the military police and mostly did office work. IranSource Check carefully whether this total is listed in Iranian rials or tomans (one toman is ten rials), and check the conversion rate as the total in dollars is often an incorrect. 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. According to Commander Kamali, the eight-year rule also applies to military deserters and university students who were exempt from the national service while in school but had quit their studies without informing the draft registration office. [Accessed 25 Mar. Under the pre-revolutionary law, temporary or permanent exemptions were provided for the physically disabled, hardship cases, convicted felons, students, and certain professions. 2014], Human Rights Watch. The BBC reports that, according to General Kamali, current conscripts and people who will be serving by the end of the year, which is 20 March 2014, will not be affected by the extension of service (26 Dec. 2014).