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. I am from Iranian descent and I left/ fled Iran about 10 years ago when I was around 20 years old. 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. But the. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Sign in to follow this . 2014a)], and whom after entering their 13 years of age, have been living abroad for a minimum of 2 years (as substantiated through presentation of relevant exit and entry stamps as placed in the applicant's passport by Iranian border guards and officials), are eligible for buying themselves out of Military Duty and thereby obtaining an Exemption card, upon paying the sum of 100,000,000 Rials [$4315 CAD (XE 27 Mar. There are many reasons a man could be exempted, including, but not limited to, payment in lieu of service, medical reasons, being the only son in his family, having elderly parents, and having a brother currently serving in the military. Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Alireza's military service exemption card made it plain that he was homosexual On Tuesday, May 4, a young ethnic Arab man in Ahvaz was murdered because of his sexual orientation. These cards facilitate the United States in honoring its host country obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), [] Both versions include a space for notes, death information, and where the registration office records any changes or corrections to the information in the document, such as a legal name change or a correction to the date or place of birth. For those who live in the country, paying to avoid military service has not always been offered". Desertion is punishable by two to 12 months' imprisonment in case the deserter surrenders himself to the authorities. It was commented that young dissatisfied individuals could be perceived as a potential source of unrest by the authorities. [Accessed 20 Mar. "Iran Cuts Military Service Term." The old and new versions differ in their presentation of information related to marriages and children. "We are a Buried Generation." The World Factbook. . IranSource Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for. There's no guarantee she will issue you a visa even if you're able to do so. Joint Report from the Danish Immigration Service, the Norwegian Landinfo and Danish Refugee Council's Fact-finding Mission to Tehran, Iran, Ankara, Turkey and London, United Kingdom. January 2009. Country of Origin Information Report. According to the IFOR Main Representative to the UN, in Iran, "persons who are unwilling to perform military service, for whatever reason, are either recruited against their will or seek to escape or evade recruitment" (18 Mar. On a case-by-case basis, the Department of State can request that the Department of Homeland Security grant waivers for nonimmigrant visa applicants with past mandatory military service in the IRGC. 19 June 2009. In addition, the law provides exemptions for those with severe medical conditions or the bread winners of the family. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. General Kamali reportedly added that "for those who live outside of the country, the option of paying off military service had been cancelled earlier this year. N.d.a. Procedure for Obtaining: Marriage and divorce certificates can only be obtained by the current/former parties to the marriage. Alternate Documents:There are no alternate documents. The legal provision can be found in Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 US Code 1182. Those dismissed from mandatory military service due to their sexual orientation received special exemption cards indicating the reason for their dismissal. . Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for. In a document sent to the DIRB by a representative of the Committee for Humanitarian Assistance to Iranian Refugees in New York, a non-partisan organization that performs advocacy work on behalf of Iranian refugees, the representative indicated that based on personal correspondence with former Iranians, a military exemption card or a military . The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest. By In the past, a consistent weakness of the armed forces had been the high illiteracy rate among conscripts and volunteers. On 30 June 2009, Press TV, Iran's first international news network that broadcasts in English (Press TV n.d.), reported that a bill, which was to be enforced in 2011, would reduce military service by 2 to 10 months for conscripts with university degrees (Press TV 30 June 2009). Arash Karami. Of about 8 million males between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, nearly 6 million were considered physically and mentally fit for military service. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. Embassy in the Hague. Of that number, an estimated 220,000 were conscripts. 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" with "branches, affiliates and groups in more than 40 countries" who has been monitoring issues of military service and conscientious objection worldwide 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. The IHRDC indicates that this applies to both secondary and university students that are attending classes (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013). [Accessed 13 Mar. Presently, military service lasts generally 18 months, but there are shorter terms for college graduates. Sources indicate that students can postpone their military service (Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013; IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. You'll also get priority processing on your application. The bill was later modified in the 1980s after Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins invasion of Iran in 1980; it states that its the duty of all Iranians to defend Irans independence and territorial integrity. The news met with widespread outrage. 2012), while the US CIA World Factbook states that volunteers start at 16 (US 26 Feb. 2014). General Kamali, the chief conscription officer of the armed forces, stated 19 December 2013 that "many exemptions, deductions and options to pay to avoid military service will be removed" in the "following year". According to 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; being the sole caretaker of a parent, a minor or ill sibling or ill grandparents or, only children caring for parents; being a man who has demonstrated exceptional scholastic achievement; members of the Basij are exempt from military service, which is a possibility if they are active in the Basij for 5 years or more; those who work in industries vital to the government or military may also be exempt. The majority of the population, moreover, is under 25 years of age and thus has no personal memory of the Iranian Revolution. Comments: Available but unreliable. Baha'i marriages should be evidenced with both documents, as well as the registration of the union in both parties shenasnameh documents. Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Every year about 580,000 men reach conscription age of 18 years for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army). 4 May 2013. Both parties birth certificates, national ID cards, medical reports, and the brides fathers birth certificate are required. Comments:Military service completion and exemption cards and reliable English translations are readily available in Iran. 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. The IHRDC indicates that "many young males of military age" attempt to avoid military service through "exemptions or by informal and illegal means through monetary bribes to officials" (7 Nov. 2014). N.d. "IFOR - International Fellowship of Reconciliation." Please contact the consular sections in Bern and Vienna for additional details on the application process. Sources indicate that military service is mandatory for all males in Iran (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013; Human Rights Watch Dec. 2010, 23). Lawyers, for example, may work as the equivalent of a US military judge advocate general, investigating crimes committed by service members. "Iran." "Compensated Living Kidney Donation in Iran: Donor's Attitude and Short-Term Follow-up." [Accessed 14 Mar. A copy of the military regulations governing medical exemptions in Iran could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. military service of the penalties likely to be faced if the person refuses to undertake, evades, or deserts from, military service 1.2 Points to note 1.2.1 Military service is compulsory for all males aged between 18 and 49 although there are some grounds for exemption (see Eligibility). Registration Criteria:A notary public (daftar-e asnad-e rasmi) registers divorces and marriages for Muslims and those who practice recognized minority religions (Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism). "About." On 21 December 2013, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran's official news agency (World-newspapers.com n.d.), reported that the High Council of Iranian Affairs Abroad was seeking authorization to reduce service for students studying abroad "in return" for presenting their research studies. "Shamsi to Gregorian Converter." Charles Recknagel. The 1955 U.S.-Iran Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights is now terminated. 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). UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. With respect to educational exemptions, Chapter 4, Article 33 states that, 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. According to the latest Majlis ratification, military service for conscripts with a PHD falls 10 months. Comments:The booklet includes the individuals name and surname; place and date of birth; gender; unique ID number; parents names and places of birth; date and place of issuance; and identifying information of the individuals spouses and children. 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. On Saturday, January 29, a spokesman for the Iranian parliament's Budget Committee for 2022-23 said members had agreed that exemptions from military service could again be sold to individuals at a cost of 250 to 600 million tomans (US$9,000 to $21,500). Home Office. It could also have meant that conscription was not replacing war losses or retirements. In general males are expected to serve for a period of 20 months and for service in impoverished areas, the duration can last 24 months while service in boundary areas can last 22 months. Sources report on various non-health related circumstances that could lead to an exemption of military service, including: being the only son of the family (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2014). It was commented that young dissatisfied individuals could be perceived as a potential source of unrest by the authorities. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973) 8,744,000 served, but by the time conscription ended in 1973, only a quarter of elligible males were actually being conscripted. Further information on the implementation of the proposed service extension could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. According to the IHRDC, Article 33, paragraph 8 of the regulatory code that governs medical exemptions from military service notes that "'moral and sexual deviancy, such as transsexuality'" is considered to be grounds for a medical exemption (19 June 2013). In December 2013, media sources reported that, according to General Kamali, due to a shortage of personnel, Iran may increase the length of military service to 24 months. Military card for Turkish applicants are not required. It was considered that by allowing them to leave, the authorities were thereby getting rid of dissent. Procedure for Obtaining:There is no procedure for obtaining. Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Certified Copies Available:Not available. 2014], _____. People who refuse military service cannot get a passport. December 2010. These cards will include basic biographical information, such as name and date of birth. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook indicates that the military branches in Iran in 2011 consisted of the, Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations); Law Enforcement Forces. This exemption is for a man who is the only male in the family and his father is over 65 years old. "Iran and Israel: Comparing Military Machines." 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. Anyone any idea what I can do?!!!?!?!?!!?! 2014], _____. Irans interest in developing a nuclear deterrent is often attributed to the Islamic Republic. New military ID cards list the subsection of the law dictating their exemption on their ID cards, which identifies them as gay or transgender and puts them at risk of physical danger and. 2014). . Indeed the Iranian diaspora community is one of the most successful ethnic minority groups in the US, with many celebrated scholars, scientists, and academics.