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). 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. 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. [Accessed 20 Mar. Embassy in the Hague. "Iran's Basij -- Defending Against a 'Velvet Revolution'." New versions have a brown cover for adults, photo, digital biodata, and stronger security features; and a dark green cover without photo for minor children under 15. 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). 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. Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria. 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. The duration of compulsory military service ranges from 18 to 24 months, depending on the geographical location of the conscript service. According to the US CIA World Factbook, recruitment age for the Law Enforcement Forces is 17 (ibid.). According to art. 1- They must have been exited the country before 1382/12/29. But the. [Accessed 13 Mar. A new regulation which was passed in 2014 and had been gradually implemented in the follwoing two years, had two new features. 30 June 2013. And you need to apply to the embassy for an "exit stamp" (mohr e khorooj) . 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. By This gain was also reflected in the regular armed forces. In 2007 the Basij had about 300,000 personnel, including 40,000 active personnel; they were authorized to carry small arms only. 2014], Al-Monitor. Under the 1984 law, draft evaders were subject to restrictions for a period of up to ten years. IranSource Sources indicate that students can postpone their military service (Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013; IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013). Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Iran now has a largely conscripted force with limited military training and little combat experience. After the United States entered the World War, a large Army was needed immediately. ): Document Name:Passport of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Gozarnameh-ye Jomhuriye Eslamiye Iran). Agence France-Presse (AFP). You can extend your status for free if you. (A Muhaarib is someone who takes up arms against the Islamic government). I have no Iranian passport and nationality anymore. (Iran n.d.a). However, unlike members of al-Qaeda or the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)whose members are presumably committed to the groups ideologies, aims, and terrorist methodsmost members of the IRGC are conscripts and had no choice about which military branch they would join to fulfill their required military service. Copyright notice: This document is published with the permission of the copyright holder and producer Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). 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). 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. 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. It was considered that by allowing them to leave, the authorities were thereby getting rid of dissent. 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. 9 November to 20 November 2012 and 8 January to 9 January 2013. N.d. "About Press TV." Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:Booklet Old versions have a red/burgundy cover, handwritten biodata, and manual signatures and stamps. U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country. Registration Criteria: Iranian citizenship, completed application form with photos, and payment of fees. 2014], Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases. 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). [Accessed 20 Mar. Of that number, an estimated 220,000 were conscripts. Money: Non-Iranian credit cards and bank cards cannot be used in Iran. Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. No 184, Imam Khomeini Street, Tehran, Iran 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. Under 8 CFR 214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. 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. Question regarding Iranian Military Exemption for Dual Citizens 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). Ben Piven. 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). Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The IHRDC adds that failing to serve without an exemption can also result in "a ban on leaving the country without special permission" (7 Nov. 2013). 2014], XE. I know this rules but since 2019 there is no possibility anymore to buy your military service off ! December 2010. Irans interest in developing a nuclear deterrent is often attributed to the Islamic Republic. Alternate Documents:There are no alternate documents. I am wondering if the military record is a requirement docume. (Factiva), _____. 19 June 2009. 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. "Denied Identity: Human Rights Abuses Against Iran's LGBT Community." 26 September 2013. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. It was considered that by allowing them to leave, the authorities were thereby getting rid of dissent. Sina Azodi. 2014], Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Meanwhile, the new categorization still identifies both homosexuality and transsexuality as a form of mental disorder. N.d. "Iranian Newspapers." It was commented that young dissatisfied individuals could be perceived as a potential source of unrest by the authorities. 2014]. Exemption cards show the reason for exemption in the usual place of service dates, and these cards also have a different photo border from service cards. 2014], Iran. 'Extortion': Iranian MPs U-Turn on Military Service Buy-Out Scheme 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. 28 March 2014a. 2014], _____. The first compulsory military service bill was passed ninety-six years ago, during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi. 9. The IRGC is made up of about 190,000 active personnel at any given timethe majority of whom were conscripted. 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 the latest Majlis ratification, military service for conscripts with a PHD falls 10 months. [Accessed 25 Mar. It was commented that young dissatisfied individuals could be perceived as a potential source of unrest by the authorities. 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. Arash Karami. 2012)] is 15 (ibid. 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 legal provision can be found in Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 US Code 1182. 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. 20-07-2019 12:07:30 ZULU, The Iranian Military Under the Islamic Republic, IRAN'S GROUND FORCES: MORALE AND MANPOWER. N.d.b. ; US 26 Feb. 2014). 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). Other Documents Available:No other documents available. 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. Virtual Embassy Iran ir.usembassy.gov, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi ae.usembassy.gov. 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). All rights reserved. In the past, a consistent weakness of the armed forces had been the high illiteracy rate among conscripts and volunteers. As of 2019, the Iranian armed forces number about 525,000 troops, of whom about 250,000 [mostly in the Army] were conscripts. You'll also get priority processing on your application. [Accessed 20 Mar. 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. Any Iranian man who fails to provide documentation about the status of his military service cannot obtain a passport or conduct legal businesses. By The Iranian government may reinstitute the national military service buy-out scheme in 2019 to make up for the current deficit in the Iranian military budget, ISNA (Iranian Students News Agency) reported, quoting Kamal Dehghani, the deputy chair of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy of the Majlis (Iranian Parliament.) Those seeking relief for medical reasons had to serve but were not sent on combat duty. Vietnam War: 2/28/61 - 5/7/75 *. Revolutionary leaders repeatedly declared that Iran could establish an army of 20 million to defend the country against foreign aggression. Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents. 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. The news met with widespread outrage. Older cards include detailed biographical information such as blood type, hair color, weight, height, eye color, physical defects, and sometimes level of education. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and Small Media were unable to provide information for this Response. 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. The officer seemed relieved to hear that my twenty-one months of compulsory service was in the Artesh or regular armed forces. January 2009. The birth certificate booklet and national identification card of the deceased (if available); The birth certificate of the deceaseds spouse (if applicable); and. 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. (Factiva), Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP). 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. Out of the manpower pool of registrants about 17,000,000 available at that time, over 10,000,000 were drafted [the total number who served was over 16,000,000, as younger men became of draft age]. 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. I have never served in Iranian military and I have no exemption card or military card and even no Iranian passport/ nationality anymore. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran The majority of the population, moreover, is under 25 years of age and thus has no personal memory of the Iranian Revolution. Situation in Iran: Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship Iranian / Dutch B2 tourist visa refused because of no military card Comments:Iranian men in active military service are generally unable to obtain their passport until completing their service or receiving an exemption to allow their departure from Iran. Few draft dodgers, if any, were sent to jail; the normal procedure was to fine them the equivalent of US$75 (1986 exchange rate). : 2298500101 Surname : MOHAMMAD Name : NIKNAM Father's Name : Ali Birth Certificate No. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc. Those who due to handicaps or mental and/or physical illnesses are permanently unable to be drafted for mandatory service period. Depending on their field, those with higher education can end up with higher-status duties. Police records are not required for immigrant visa applicants because posts cannot verify them. 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. IranSource Sina Azodiis a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and a visiting scholar at the George Washington Universitys Institute for Middle East Studies. 2014], Press TV. 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. National Organization for Civil Registration: (sabteahval.ir) 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. The military exemption cards increase. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident. International Relations: (+9821)66746460 Comments:Available but unreliable. Failing to serve without an exemption can also result in a ban on leaving the country without special permission. 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. 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. Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title. 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. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest. 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. Procedure for Obtaining: Submit the deceaseds national identification card, or number and date of notification of death registration, to the National Organization of Civil Registration. Document Name:Govahiye Fot (Death Certificate). There are limited exemptions available but the option to buy out of military service has been reintroduced for some people. 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). Original and photocopy of the Certificate of Completion of Military Service or Exemption from Service, or filling out Formno.104 for granting permission to exit once a year (for those required to do Military service and those born after 1338 (1959) who have not yet done their service and are not in possession of any Exemptions and have left the 2014], Taghvim.com. N.d. "IFOR Mission." People who refuse military service cannot get a passport. 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.