TEHRAN — Foreign nationals seeking residency in Iran will be required to provide a financial guarantee, which will be returned upon their departure from the country, an Iranian official said on Sunday.
Mohammad Saleh Chokar, the chairman of the Iranian Commission for Councils and Internal Affairs, outlined new regulations that include stricter controls on housing arrangements for foreigners. Under the new rules, renting rooms in hotels, guesthouses, or leasing residential units to foreign nationals must be coordinated with security and law enforcement agencies.
“Violators of these regulations will face legal consequences,” Chokar warned.
Additionally, Chokar emphasized the importance of registering information regarding the workplace and residence of foreign nationals in a newly established system designed for this purpose.
The announcement comes amid broader efforts by Iran to tighten control over foreign nationals, particularly undocumented migrants. Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, recently stated that the government is preparing to implement a comprehensive plan to manage foreign nationals, with the first step being the deportation of those residing in the country illegally.
“The public can rest assured that the foreign nationals management plan will be carried out comprehensively, taking into account regional and neighboring considerations,” Momeni said.
Iran has recently increased pressure on Afghan migrants, urging their return. According to a report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 70,000 Afghan migrants crossed into Iran and Pakistan within a single week earlier this year, fleeing the ongoing instability in Afghanistan.
