Source:

Auswärtiges Amt: [ID 8484]

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Travel bans: Restrictions on freedom of movement within the country and foreign travel ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20836]

"The government placed some restrictions on these rights. Citizens could travel within the country and change their place of residence without obtaining official permission. The government required exit permits for foreign travel for all citizens. Some citizens, particularly those whose skills were in short supply and who were educated at government expense, had to post bonds to obtain exit permits. The government restricted the movement of certain religious minorities and several religious leaders (see sections 1.d. and 2.c.), as well as some scientists in sensitive fields.

For example, Hojjatoleslam Ezimi Qedimi was convicted of "propagandizing in favor of groups and organizations against the system." On August 31, he was released after serving approximately five months in prison; however a five-year overseas travel ban remained in effect.

Additionally, in January 2005 according to domestic media, former deputy minister for Islamic culture and guidance, Issa Saharkhiz, was banned from foreign travel. In December 2005 Emaddedin Baqi, president of the Association in Defense of Prisoners Rights, was prevented from going to France to receive a human rights prize. There was no indication during the year that these travel bans were lifted."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Dissident intellectual prevented from leaving the country ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525], [ID 8473]

"[...]In October, security forces prevented dissident intellectual Emaddedin Baghi from leaving the country to accept an award for civil courage, informing him he was on a list of those forbidden to leave the country (see Section 2.d.). Later that month, a court revoked a December 2003 ruling that had suspended a 1-year prison sentence for "propagating against the regime," giving him 20 days to appeal the ruling. At year's end, Baghi was still free; however, he was not permitted to leave the country. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Foreign travel of Iranian citizens ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525], [ID 8474]

"[...]The Government placed some restrictions on these rights. Citizens may travel within the country and change their place of residence without obtaining official permission. The Government required exit permits (a validation stamp in the passport) for foreign travel for draft-age men and citizens who were politically suspect. Some citizens, particularly those whose skills were in short supply and who were educated at government expense, must post bonds to obtain exit permits. The Government restricted the movement of certain religious minorities and several religious leaders (see Sections 1.d. and 2.c.). [...]
Citizens returning from abroad sometimes were subjected to searches and extensive questioning by government authorities for evidence of anti-government activities abroad. Recorded and printed material, personal correspondence, and photographs were subject to confiscation.
The Government permitted Jews to travel abroad, but it often denied them multiple-exit permits issued to other citizens. Baha'is often experienced difficulty in obtaining passports.
Women must obtain the permission of their husband, father, or another male relative to obtain a passport. Married women must receive written permission from their husbands before being allowed to leave the country. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Passports and exit visas ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556], [ID 8476]

"5.91. Iranians enjoy freedom of movement within Iran. Citizens may travel to any part of the country, although there have been occasional restrictions on travel to Kurdish areas during times of heavy fighting. However, leaving Iran may be difficult for certain Iranians, particularly women, Baha'is, Jews (in some cases), certain government opponents, those thought to be members of the radical opposition groups and draft-age males.

5.92. All Iranians may apply to the passport office within the Ministry of the Interior for passports and exit visas. Any outstanding business with government, such as unpaid taxes, would have to be settled before the government would issue travel documents. Men must submit proof that they have either completed their military service or have an exemption. Government employees may need a letter of permission or to post a bond to travel abroad. Citizens who were educated at public expense and whose skills are in short supply are required to post bonds to obtain exit permits. Women must have written, notarised permission from their father, husband or legal guardian, except in certain circumstances (e.g. widows). No one under 18 is issued a passport, except under special circumstances where the minor is travelling without a parent or guardian.

5.93. Passports are checked at the airport for criminal offences by the police, and against computerised lists by the Ministry of Intelligence for political, Sharia, narcotic, commercial or tax offences. The airport authorities seem to be in possession of lists which are not the same as those kept at the passport office and possession of a passport and exit visa does not guarantee exit. With so many checks by the authorities involved, it would be difficult for passengers who are wanted by the Iranian authorities to pass the control system at Teheran's airport by means of bribery or false documentation. Counterfeit passports are, reportedly, uncommon in Iran.

5.94. People seeking to leave Iran illegally do so most commonly overland through Turkey, Pakistan or Azerbaijan. The penalties for violating or attempting to violate exit regulations, such as leaving on an illegal or falsified document, range from 1 month -3 years imprisonment and/or a fine.

5.95. Citizens returning from abroad are sometimes searched and interviewed by the authorities upon return. This happens particularly at times when the authorities note increased activities of dissident groups outside the country, as in late 1998. On the basis of the information Amnesty International receives, usually a person who gets back will be asked why s/he was abroad. If the answer is along the lines of ”I just tried to find a job”, they will most likely be allowed to go home to their families. Generally speaking, it does depend on what kind of documentation exists on the returnee and what the actual practice of the country is in which the concerned individual applied for asylum.

5.96. Upon return, in recent years the practice has become more liberal with regard to possession and confiscation of items purchased abroad, such as CDs from Dubai and other Western products. It mostly depends on what the authorities are looking for. If they assume that a person has returned from a country like the USA this person certainly will be questioned and undergo stringent checks, but will normally not be detained for a longer period of time.

5.97. Since 9 August 1998, British Airways has resumed direct flights to Teheran and stated the intention to station its flight crew there. Iranian nationals need to obtain a visa to travel to, or through, the United Kingdom."

Document(s): Open document

19.06.2002 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International-Urgent Action: ("Iran - UA 184/02") [#7506], [ID 8481]

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2002 - Source: Council of the European Union

Council of the European Union: ("Note from the General Secretariat to CIREA: Danish fact-finding mission to Iran Rf. 5262/02") [#8107], [ID 8482]

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Exit formalities ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661], [ID 8479]

"Exit formalities have considerably relaxed since the initial years after the revolution.
While previously it was very difficult to obtain a passport, in recent years it has become
much easier. However, departure procedures are still such that it would be highly
improbable that anyone with a forged passport in which name and number do not tally
would be able to leave the country. Security officials at the airport possess lists of
suspected or wanted persons and it is not unusual that passengers wishing to leave are
prevented from leaving and told to refer to the security department. In general, the
security checks at Tehran airport are still very strict and it is doubtful that anyone with a
security record and convictions in Iran for political offences would be able to leave the
country legally by air. Yet, although the degree is hard to assess, corruption certainly
exists and in individual cases people may be able to bribe their way out of the airport.
However, leaving the country across the border to Pakistan, but also to Turkey and
Azerbaijan, is fairly easy and happens all the time."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Return ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661], [ID 8480]

"Upon return, in recent years the practice has become more liberal with regard to
possession and confiscation of items purchased abroad, such as CDs from Dubai and
other Western products. It mostly depends on what the authorities are looking for. If they
assume that a person has returned from a country like the USA this person certainly will
be questioned and undergo stringent checks, but will normally not be detained for a
longer period of time.
There is one case of an Iranian who has been facilitated to return to Iran voluntarily by
UNHCR offices. Here the bureaucracy does sometimes not work very well. In principle,
an Iranian travel document must be issued by an Iranian embassy in a foreign country.
Upon arrival at the airport in Iran, the travel documents of this particular returnee were
not accepted by the airport authorities. The problem arose because the Ministry of the
Interior as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are competent to issue travel
documents, but both ministries have different interests and internal regulations and
procedures. The resolution of the case took much coordination until the returnee was
allowed into the country. Ultimately, there is no information on what happens after
people have passed the checks, unless the authorities provide the information
themselves."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

06.09.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International: ("Iran - EXTRA 62/01") [#3884], [ID 8483]

Document(s): 00643ira.htm
Open document

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: Regulations on exit visas ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593], [ID 8475]

"According to Mr Mirkhani, an exit visa is stamped into all Iranian passports.
Exit visas are issued at the same time as passports, and hence it is the LEF which is responsible for
issuing such permits.
An exit visa can be issued for a single journey or for an unlimited number of journeys during the
passport's period of validity.
A single-journey permit is typically issued to young men who have not completed their military
service, and to women whose husbands have given them permission to make only one journey.
According to a Western embassy, a single-journey permit may be issued to persons who have some
outstanding score with the authorities, e.g. tax arrears, provided that a guarantee is provided for the
amount outstanding. According to Mr Mirkhani, exit visas for single journeys indicate that the return journey to Iran
must be made within a specifically defined period, typically 3 to 6 months after the outward
journey. If the return journey to Iran is made after that period has expired, the person concerned
risks reaction from the Iranian authorities unless he can justify his late return. According to
Mr Mirkhani, such reprisals probably take the form of fines. For young men of military service age,
any exceeding of the period for the return journey will result merely in a requirement to complete
their military service. Mr Mirkhani stated that no fines or prison sentences are imposed in such
cases.
For exit visas permitting an unlimited number of outward journeys, there is no deadline within
which the return trip to Iran must be made. Hence a person holding such a visa can re-enter Iran a
year after leaving the country without risking punishment by the Iranian authorities.
According to Mr Mirkhani, if a person permitted to make only one outward journey wishes to
extend the period within which he has to return, he can contact an Iranian representation abroad for
assistance in the matter.
Mr Mirkhani said that an exit visa is always stamped on page 10 of an Iranian passport.
When asked whether records are kept of persons ineligible for an exit visa, Mr Mirkhani replied that
the Iranian police force kept such records."

Document(s): Open document

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: Exit bans may be based on either financial circumstances (e.g. tax arrears) or criminal acts ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593], [ID 8477]

"The delegation had an opportunity to discuss issues relating to exit bans for Iranian nationals with
the passport division of the Iranian police (LEF).
According to the LEF, an exit ban may be based on either financial circumstances (e.g. tax arrears)
or criminal acts. If a person has outstanding debts, the Iranian Ministry of Finance or the Iranian
National Bank (Bank Melli Iran) has the authority to issue an exit ban. In the case of criminal acts,
the courts have such authority. A judge then decides whether the criminal act is of such a nature
that an exit ban should be issued. If so, the judge issues a written order to that effect.
In cases where an exit ban is issued, the person concerned will not automatically be informed of that
fact. He will know about it only when he tries to leave the country legally, unless he himself does
not have any contact with the Iranian authorities in that connection (see below).
In cases where an exit ban is issued, the issuing authority will notify the Iranian police of that fact.
The police force is the enforcing authority. Information about exit bans is stored in a computer
system. Such information is accessible to the passport control authorities at 48 border crossing
points, and all crossing points have access to the same information. On the basis of the information notified to the police by the authorities responsible for issuing travel
bans, the computer system is updated every day at 14.00, except at weekends and on public
holidays.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: False travel documents ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593], [ID 8478]

"When asked whether the Iranian authorities are able to comment on the extent to which false
Report on fact-finding mission to Iran
documents are used in Iran, Mr Mirkhani could not provide any details. Although he stressed that
the authorities are aware of the use of false travel documents by Afghan and Iraqi nationals, he was
unable to provide any more details.
According to the high-ranking official at Tehran airport, the passport control authorities have
technical equipment for scrutinising travel documents in cases of suspected forgery. He also drew
attention to the human expertise which the passport control authorities have developed at the
airport.
According to several representatives of the Iranian authorities, the Australian authorities had visited
Iran to teach the border control authorities about travel documents and about methods of detecting
such false documents.
According to an embassy, it had on several occasions received enquiries from the passport control
authorities at Mehrabad airport requesting an opinion on certain travel documents which the Iranian
authorities suspected to be false. The same source added that there have been cases of forged
documents being falsely certified."

Document(s): Open document