Iran: immigration

How many refugees are in Iran?

Iran hosted 770,514 refugees at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics, of whom 758,339 were from Afghanistan, according to UNHCR data by origin. UNHCR also counted 879,500 other people in need of international protection.

At the end of 2024 UNHCR counted 3,489,257 refugees in Iran, so the 2025 figures reflect large returns to Afghanistan and changes in how people are classified. The second group covers people who are not recognised as refugees but who UNHCR considers to need protection; it was not reported for 2024. UNHCR publishes the figures on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Iran as asylum country (API) · UNHCR: refugees in Iran by origin (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many Afghan refugees have returned from Iran?

1,386,970 refugees living in Iran returned to their country of origin during 2025, up from 237,452 in 2024, according to UNHCR population statistics. Nearly all refugees in Iran are from Afghanistan.

UNHCR counts returns of people it had recorded as refugees, so people without refugee status who left Iran are not included in this figure. The returns account for much of the fall in the number of refugees in Iran during 2025. UNHCR publishes return figures on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Iran as asylum country (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many Iranians are refugees abroad?

157,912 Iranian refugees and 49,263 Iranian asylum seekers were recorded in other countries at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. Germany hosted the most, 45,128 refugees, followed by the United Kingdom with 42,857, according to UNHCR data by host country.

Refugees have been recognised as needing international protection; asylum seekers are waiting for a decision. The number of Iranian asylum seekers fell from 61,176 at the end of 2024. The figures do not include Iranians who moved abroad for work, study or family reasons.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Iran as origin country (API) · UNHCR: Iranian refugees by host country (API)

Is Iran gaining or losing people through migration?

Iran's net migration was +116,786 people in 2025, meaning more people arrived than left, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. It was +403,190 in 2022 and +190,156 in 2024.

Net migration is the difference between people arriving and leaving and is a modelled UN estimate, so it is uncertain. The net figure has fallen each year since 2022. Large refugee returns to Afghanistan in 2025 are recorded by UNHCR.

Official sources: World Bank: net migration, Iran · UNHCR: population data for Iran (API)

Do I need a visa to visit Iran?

Iranian government websites, including those of the Central Bank of Iran and the Statistical Centre of Iran, could not be reached on 15 October 2026, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its e-visa service, so current visa rules for Iran could not be read from an official source on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

What share of Iran's population are immigrants?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Iran at 4.2% in 2024. That compares with 3.3% in 2015. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.5%, and Iran placed 13th highest of 22. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 100th highest.

How many people move to Iran each year?

In 2025, net migration in Iran was 116,786, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -180,680 (2020) to 765,873 (2005). It is 4th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -376. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 14th highest.

How many refugees live in Iran?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Iran was 770,514 in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 15,377; Iran is 2nd highest of 22. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 11th highest.

How many people from Iran are refugees?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 157,912. The peak was 158,171 in 2024 and the low 68,398 in 2007. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 7,322, and Iran placed 4th highest of 22. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 20th highest.