آغاز روند صدور ویزای کاری ایران برای شهروندان افغان

Iran’s Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare has announced the start of issuing work visas for Afghan citizens.

The Deputy Minister for Entrepreneurship Development and Employment at Iran’s Ministry of Labour said the visas will be issued in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior.

According to Seyed Malek Hosseini, the visa issuance began on the first day of the month of Mizan (September 23), and Iranian employers can now submit requests to hire Afghan workers.

He added: “An initial agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows for issuing up to 200,000 work visas in the first year, based on demand. Foreign labor will only be permitted if there is no available Iranian worker for the given position.”

The purpose of this initiative is to regulate the entry of Afghan citizens into Iran and prevent illegal immigration.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy also stated that the legal deployment of Afghan workers to Iran will contribute to social welfare and strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

Abdulrahman Habib, spokesperson for the ministry, said: “This process will lead to stronger bilateral economic and political ties and will also support the development of trade, technical cooperation, and even the attraction of investment.”

The issuance of work visas for Afghan citizens by Iran comes amid previous criticism over the mass and forced deportation of Afghan migrants from the country.