Iran: Information on the relationship among exit permits, exit visas and exit stamps (stamps placed in passports of Iranians at the time of their departure from Iran indicating legal exit)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN24491.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Information on the relationship among exit permits, exit visas and exit stamps (stamps placed in passports of Iranians at the time of their departure from Iran indicating legal exit), 1 July 1996, IRN24491.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4cb.html [accessed 25 January 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of Middle East Watch in New York provided the following information on the above-mentioned subject during a telephone interview on 11 July 1996.
The terms "exit permits" and "exit visas" are translations from Persian of ejaze-ye khouroug, which correctly translates "exit permit." After checking their records, the Iranian authorities issue exit permits to individuals who wish to leave Iran. These permits indicate that, as far as the government is concerned, there is no reason (e.g., security) to prevent these individuals from travelling abroad, and therefore exit permit holders are permitted to leave the country. A stamp is placed in the passport of these individuals indicating they have permission to travel abroad.
Exit stamps are different from exit permits and are not related to exit permits. Passport officers place exit/entry stamps in the passports of individuals when they enter or exit Iran. These stamps indicate that these individuals legally exited/entered the country on a specific date. They have the same significance as entry/exit stamps in other countries.
A representative of Shahrvand, a Persian newspaper in Toronto, provided the following corroborating information on the above-mentioned subject during a telephone interview on 11 July 1996.
The terms "exit permit" and "exit visa" are translations of ejaze-ye khouroug. The correct translation of the latter Persian words is "exit permit," although some translators might prefer "exit visa" for stylistic reasons. After checking the records of Iranians wishing to travel abroad, the Iranian government issues them exit permits, which are placed in their passports. These stamps indicate that the government has checked their records and that they are permitted to leave the country.
Passport officers place exit or entry stamps in the passports of individuals who legally leave or enter Iran. These stamps indicate only that the holders legally left or entered the country on a specific date. These stamps are placed in the passports after the holders have passed through different passport and exit permit checks, and thus "exit stamps" are different from "exit permits."
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Middle East Watch, New York. 11 July 1996. Telephone interview with representative.
Representative of the Persian newspaper Shahrvand, Toronto. 11 July 1996. Telephone interview.
