Consequently, the U.S. Department of State no longer has a basis under U.S. law to issue E-1 or E-2 visas to principal applicants who are nationals of Iran. 2014)]. Indeed the Iranian diaspora community is one of the most successful ethnic minority groups in the US, with many celebrated scholars, scientists, and academics. The spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status following the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principle aliens country of nationality. Expansion and Clarification of Export Controls Targeting Russia and Belarus. [Accessed 25 Mar. In Iran's military protocol, homosexuality is defined as a type of mental abnormality, and more specifics are . Iran now has a largely conscripted force with limited military training and little combat experience. Image: Iranian army military personnel hold Iran flags while attending a funeral for the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) unknown martyrs in downtown Tehran on January 6, 2022. There are limited exemptions available but the option to buy out of military service has been reintroduced for some people. Registration Criteria: Iranian citizenship, completed application form with photos, and payment of fees. 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. 2014], Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Sources state that people who refuse military service cannot get a passport (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). Embassy in the Hague. 2014], Middle East Journal. 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. 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. Discrimination and Violence Against Sexual Minorities in Iran. Iran's 1986 population of approximately 48.2 million (including approximately 2.6 million refugees) gave the armed forces a large pool from which to fill its manpower needs, despite the existence . Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 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. Al-Monitor reports that 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). For those who live in the country, paying to avoid military service has not always been offered". The duration of compulsory military service ranges from 18 to 24 months, depending on the geographical location of the conscript service. (A Muhaarib is someone who takes up arms against the Islamic government). 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). If the original booklet is lost, a handwritten transcript from the registry office may be acceptable (Roonevesht).. Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. The decision to encourage women to join in the military effort may indicate an increasing demand for personnel or an effort to gain increased popu lar support for the Revolution. If you are exempt from the service please provide a copy and certified English translation of your military service exemption card. Sources state that, the recruitment age of the Basij Forces ["a paramilitary volunteer militia" (Al Jazeera 24 Apr. This regulation was expected to be in effect up to 04/11/1390 [24 January 2012. January 2009. On Conversion to Christianity, Issues Concerning Kurds and Post-2009 Election Protestors As Well As Legal Issues and Exit Procedures. 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. Nevertheless, most of these exemptions are only valid in peacetime and those carrying an exemption card are required to report for duty if there is wartime mobilization. ): Document Name:Passport of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Gozarnameh-ye Jomhuriye Eslamiye Iran). Sources note that refusing to serve in the army without an exemption can result in not being granted a driver's license (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Human Rights Watch Dec. 2010, 23). Management: (+9821)66707131-9 They could be prevented from holding a driver's license, running for elective office, registering property ownership, being put on the government payroll, or receiving a passport, in addition to being forced to pay fines and/or receive jail sentences. 2014]. 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. have valid temporary resident status in Canada. . [Accessed 20 Mar. Email: un@sabteahval.ir, Document Name:Shenasnameh (Birth certificate or identity certificate), Issuing Authority:National Organization of Civil Registration. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months. According to art. Anyone any idea what I can do?!!!?!?!?!!?! 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. "Shamsi to Gregorian Converter." 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. What is the general policy for people who wish to obtain visas to come to the United States (U.S.)? Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for. U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country. Information and instructions are available online at:https://www.sabteahval.ir/enhttps://www.sabteahval.ir/en. In 2007 the Basij had about 300,000 personnel, including 40,000 active personnel; they were authorized to carry small arms only. Two witnesses are required. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest. Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents. Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc. Comments: Available but unreliable. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality. Management Fax: (+9821)66709333 [Accessed 3 Mar. 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 general discrimination. N.d. "Iranian Newspapers." IranSource The birth certificate booklet and national identification card of the deceased (if available); The birth certificate of the deceaseds spouse (if applicable); and. Sign in to follow this . Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria. Diplomatic Sales Tax Exemption Cards The Department's Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) issues diplomatic tax exemption cards to eligible foreign missions and their accredited members and dependents on the basis of international law and reciprocity. 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 majority of the population, moreover, is under 25 years of age and thus has no personal memory of the Iranian Revolution. "Iran Cuts Military Service Term." International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR). You'll also get priority processing on your application. I am from Iranian descent and I left/ fled Iran about 10 years ago when I was around 20 years old. Sina Azodiis a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and a visiting scholar at the George Washington Universitys Institute for Middle East Studies. "Programme Summary of Iranian TV News 1630gmt 4 May 2013." 2012)] is 15 (ibid. 2014], Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Those who due to weak disposition, growth deficiency or suffering from physical or mental illnesses are temporarily not capable of serving for the mandatory period. 2014). [Accessed 14 Mar. Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. Arash Karami. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Comments:The national ID card is not accepted in lieu of the Birth Certificate document. About 3,000,000 were rejected for physical reasons But it became the rule in many induction centers that if there were any doubt at all as to whether a registrant would perform satisfactorily, he should be rejected. UkraineAlert is a comprehensive online publication that provides regular news and analysis on developments in Ukraines politics, economy, civil society, and culture. Like other Iranian men who seek to come to the United States, I was asked by an immigration officer in 2004 about my prior military service. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. ; US 26 Feb. 2014). Given the tens of thousands of Iranians whom the IRGC drafted over the years, its likely that many have relatives who are part of the large Iranian diaspora in the United States. (Factiva), _____. 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. Example: John Doe is a national of the country of Z that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. His wife and child are nationals of the country of Y which has no treaty with the U.S. 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. Although translations tend to be accurate, it is recommended that both the translation and the original card are reviewed. Denying so many young men the chance to pursue their dreams for crimes they didnt commit deprives the United States of their potential contribution and is at odds with the ideals on which the United States was founded. You will not be able to access U.S. or foreign bank accounts using . The IHRDC indicates that "many young males of military age" attempt to avoid military service through "exemptions or by informal and illegal means through monetary bribes to officials" (7 Nov. 2014). Iran's 1986 population of approximately 48.2 million (including approximately 2.6 million refugees) gave the armed forces a large pool from which to fill its manpower needs, despite the existence of rival irregular forces. . In fact, the vast majority of the combat-trained labor power Iran developed during the Iran-Iraq War left military service by the mid-1990s. 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. "Iran's Basij: Membership in a Militant Islamist Organization." Of about 8 million males between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, nearly 6 million were considered physically and mentally fit for military service. 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. Meanwhile, the new categorization still identifies both homosexuality and transsexuality as a form of mental disorder. You need to apply for a visitor record to extend your visitor status. 30 June 2013. Document Name:Govahiye Fot (Death Certificate). 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. Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following individuals and organizations were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: Amnesty International; Center for Strategic and International Studies; a Professor of International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School; a Professor of Iranian Studies at Columbia University; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Radio Zamaneh; War Resisters' International. 9. 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). 2014). The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had an estimated 125,000 active personnel in 2007. 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). G-1, G-2, and G-3 visa applicants must submit their applications to either U.S. Embassy Bern or U.S. Embassy Vienna. According to a 7 July 2011 report by LANDINFO, Norway's Country of Origin Information Centre, religious minorities "are called in for military service on an equal basis with other Iranians, but are barred from making a military career" (Norway 7 July 2011, 6). Desertion is punishable by two to 12 months' imprisonment in case the deserter surrenders himself to the authorities. 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). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. For example, those who are accepted to universities are exempted while at school but are required to sign up after they graduate. : 2161 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. 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. Those who due to handicaps or mental and/or physical illnesses are permanently unable to be drafted for mandatory service period. 2014], _____. 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). Issuing Authority:National Organization of Registration of Documents and Property (Sazman-e Sabt-e Asnad va Amlak-e Keshvar). About 3,800,000 men entered the Army during 1942, through inductions and enlistments. It was considered that by allowing them to leave, the authorities were thereby getting rid of dissent. However, when a Baha'i marries a person from any other religion, the identity documents may not indicate the marriage. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued. Meanwhile, the director of the Human Resources Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Brigadier-General Mousa Kamali, has said that the fee amnesty program will not be renewed next year. Follow him on Twitter@Azodiac83. In July 2009 the Iranian parliament (Majlis) passed a new bill to cut military service in the country by 2 to 10 months for conscripts with university degrees, Iranian Press TV reported on 30 June 2009. 2014], Denmark and Norway. 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. Iranian subjects who live abroad in case of having the following conditions, by paying 10 million Toman can benefit from military services exemption against cash payment. The IHRDC indicates that this applies to both secondary and university students that are attending classes (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013). Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. Further information about payment in lieu of compulsory military service could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Original and photocopy of the Certificate of Completion of Military Service or Exemption from Service, or filling out Form [ 104 ] for granting permission to exit . N.d.a. 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. The news met with widespread outrage. Comments:Available but unreliable. The IHRDC reports on doctors who have written letters to the Military Service Office indicating that the individual seeking a military exemption based on sexual preference needed "sex-reassignment surgery" (IHRDC 19 June 2013). Any Iranian man who fails to provide documentation about the status of his military service cannot obtain a passport or conduct legal businesses. 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). Similarly, Al-Monitor reports that, according to General Kamali, "reduced-time exemptions are still applicable for those who entered military service this Iranian calendar year, which ends March 2014" (19 Dec. 2013). Of that number, an estimated 220,000 were conscripts. (IFOR 18 Mar. [Accessed 25 Mar. 14 October 2008. Certified Copies Available:Not available. "Iran: Transgender People Are No Longer Classified as 'Mentally Sick'." 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. 2014], Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases. Public Relations: (+9821)66709666 [Accessed 27 Mar. The second is a one-page document issued by the Department of National Registration and Statistics stating that the couple appeared before one of its officials and provided an oath stating that they are a married couple. 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. (Iran n.d.b). In the past, the color of exemption cards differed, and those issued based on sexual orientation were red, but today all cards are one color and the number of the section or addendum on which an exemption is based appears on the card. Thus far, this regulation is expected to be in effect up to 04/11/1390 [24 January 2012 (Taghvim.com 28 Mar. Alternate Documents:An expired birth certificate will have IS DECEASED stamped on the pages. Virtual Embassy Iran ir.usembassy.gov, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi ae.usembassy.gov. military service of the penalties likely to be faced if the person refuses to undertake, evades, or deserts from, military service 1.2 Points to note 1.2.1 Military service is compulsory for all males aged between 18 and 49 although there are some grounds for exemption (see Eligibility). All pages of the document are required for immigrant visa processing. Alternate Documents:Divorces are recorded in the older version of birth certificates (shenasnameh), but duplicate birth certificates may not include this information. Under the 1984 law, draft evaders were subject to restrictions for a period of up to ten years. Women may volunteer but are exempt from military service (as of 2019). "M" means multiple times. 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. 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.
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