The Law on Supporting Iranians Abroad, consisting of 16 articles and 11 notes, has been finalized after completing all legal procedures and has now been communicated to the relevant agencies for implementation.

The text of this law is as follows:

Law on Supporting Iranians Abroad

Article 1 – Definitions

Iranians Abroad: Individuals who hold Iranian nationality and reside outside the country.
Executive Agencies: Agencies defined in Article (5) of the Civil Service Management Act, enacted on 8/7/1386 (29 September 2007) with subsequent amendments, as well as paragraph (P) of Article (1) of the Seventh Five-Year Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, enacted on 1/3/1403 (21 May 2024).

Article 2

The Government is obligated to facilitate the recruitment of those Iranians abroad who, based on the Strategic Document on National Elites approved on 11/7/1391 (2 October 2012) by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, are identified as scientific elites and individuals with exceptional talent, into educational and research centers, knowledge-based companies, and other executive agencies, within the framework of applicable laws and regulations.

Note — The executive bylaw of this Article shall be prepared within three months from the date this law becomes enforceable, by the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, in cooperation with the Administrative and Employment Affairs Organization, and the Ministries of Science, Research and Technology; Health, Treatment and Medical Education; Foreign Affairs; Justice; Intelligence; and the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and shall be approved by the Cabinet.

Article 3

Executive agencies are required to take necessary measures to facilitate investment by Iranians abroad, particularly through knowledge-based and job-creating companies or institutions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall identify and introduce Iranians abroad to enable them to benefit from domestic capacities and opportunities.

Note 1 — The executive bylaw of this Article, including facilitation of the process of transferring and bringing capital from Iranians abroad, shall be prepared within three months from the date this law becomes enforceable, by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Industry, Mining, and Trade; Justice; the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Legal Department of the Presidency; and the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, and shall be approved by the Cabinet.

Note 2 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is obligated, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, to establish an Investment Facilitation Office in Iranian embassies, within existing capacities, and shall submit annual performance reports of this office to the High Council referenced in Article (14) of this law. The executive bylaw of this Note shall be prepared within three months from the enforceable date of this law by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Finance; Industry, Mining, and Trade; the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy; and the Administrative and Employment Affairs Organization, and approved by the Cabinet.

Article 4

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology is obligated, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Cyberspace Center, to provide access for Iranians abroad to the National Smart Government Services Window, within the framework of national cybersecurity and software/network security standards.

Article 5

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must, within six months from the enforceable date of this law, take necessary measures to establish a database of Iranians abroad and develop mechanisms for communication with them, and shall submit an annual comprehensive report to the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament).

Article 6

The Judiciary is obligated to create a dedicated online platform for Iranians residing abroad within three months from the enforceable date of this law, enabling them to:

A. Submit and follow up on lawsuits, complaints, and appeals in competent judicial authorities and the Administrative Court of Justice.

B. Submit electronic applications for pardon or sentence reduction for individuals convicted under Article (96) of the Islamic Penal Code, enacted on 1/2/1392 (21 April 2013), with subsequent amendments, which shall be sent for review by the Pardon and Clemency Commission.

Note — The procedures for identity verification, notifications, payment of fees, required documents, and regulations concerning confidentiality and data security shall be defined in a bylaw prepared within three months by the Judiciary, in compliance with relevant laws and bylaws, including resolutions of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, and approved by the Head of the Judiciary.

Article 7

To facilitate the safeguarding of rights of Iranian nationals harmed within foreign territories and to assist in the protection of all their rights— including property, financial interests, intellectual property, and particularly the rights of children and adolescents, women, and prisoners, as well as ensuring the security of judicial and non-judicial correspondence— the Legal Department of the Presidency, in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, is obligated to establish a Legal Services Platform for receiving legal requests from Iranians abroad. Necessary legal follow-ups shall be carried out in accordance with international rules and binding treaties. When needed, legal action shall be taken before competent international authorities. An annual report shall be submitted to the High Council referenced in Article (14).

Note 1 — The executive bylaw of this Article shall be prepared within three months by the Legal Department of the Presidency in cooperation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Judiciary’s Information Protection Center, and approved by the Cabinet.

Note 2 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall provide access for Iranians abroad to legal advisory services.

Article 8

The Government is obligated, in urgent cases, to provide necessary protective measures— including relocation to safe areas and provision of required medical and health services— for Iranians abroad through Iranian diplomatic missions, in cooperation with international organizations and using available assistance and capacities, within annual budget limits or through the participation of institutions such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the Red Cross, in coordination with the host or third-country governments and in compliance with international law. The executive bylaw of this Article shall be prepared within three months from the enforceable date by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (responsible agency), in cooperation with the Ministries of Intelligence and Health; the General Staff of the Armed Forces; the Plan and Budget Organization; and the Iranian Red Crescent Society, and approved by the Cabinet.

Article 9

The Government is obligated to preserve and strengthen the Iranian–Islamic identity of Iranians abroad and maintain their cultural ties with the homeland, including through teaching Iranian studies, the Persian language, and Iranian culture and arts. The executive bylaw of this Article shall be prepared within three months by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (responsible agency), in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Education; Science, Research and Technology; and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts; the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB); the Center for Management of Islamic Seminaries; and the Iranology Foundation, and approved by the Cabinet.

Article 10

To facilitate the travel of Iranians residing abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall form a committee composed of representatives from the following entities:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ministry of Intelligence
Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Judiciary

The committee is obligated to create an inquiry system enabling Iranians abroad and member agencies to obtain up-to-date information on the status of foreign-based Iranian travelers. Certificates issued by this committee shall require unanimous approval by all members and shall be binding on all executive agencies.

Note 1 — The secretariat of the committee shall be located within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Note 2 — Any officials who refuse to comply with the certificates issued by the committee shall be punished under Degree Six penalties defined in Article (19) of the Islamic Penal Code.

Note (additional) — The executive bylaw of this Article—including details on meeting procedures, duties of the secretariat, inquiry processes, and access mechanisms for agencies—shall be prepared within three months by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approved by the Cabinet.

Article 11

Iranians who left the country illegally prior to the enforceable date of this law shall not be subject to penalties under Articles (34) and (35) of the Passport Law enacted on 10/12/1351 (1 March 1973), with subsequent amendments, upon their return to Iran.

Article 12

A note is added to Article (18) of the Passport Law as follows:

Note — For children under eighteen years of age of Iranian mothers residing abroad, when the father is also residing abroad but is absent or unjustifiably refuses to grant permission, preventing the completion of documents, a passport shall be issued upon the request of the Iranian mother, based on the determination of the head of the diplomatic mission, with the child’s place of residence abroad recorded.

Article 13

In Article (989) of the Civil Code enacted on 27/11/1313 (16 February 1935), with amendments, the following phrase is deleted:

“…however, all immovable property belonging to him shall be sold under the supervision of the local prosecutor, and after deducting the costs of sale, the proceeds shall be given to him, and in addition…”

Additionally, the conjunction “and” is added before the phrase “from employment.”

Article 14

To organize and maintain Iranian–Islamic identity, protect rights, and attract investment from Iranians abroad, the High Council for Iranian Affairs Abroad is established as the supreme authority for policymaking, regulation, decision-making, coordination, and oversight regarding affairs of Iranians abroad. The Council shall operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It shall be chaired by the President and shall include:

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces
Ministers of Foreign Affairs; Justice; Interior; Culture and Islamic Guidance; Intelligence; Economic Affairs and Finance; Education; Science, Research and Technology; Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare; Health; and Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts
Vice President for Women and Family Affairs
Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy
Head of IRIB
Head of the Intelligence Organization of the IRGC
Attorney General
Commander of the Law Enforcement Command
Secretary of the Human Rights Headquarters and Deputy for International Affairs of the Judiciary
Head of the Islamic Seminaries
Chair of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (as observer)

Note — The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall serve as the Secretary and Deputy Chair of the Council. The secretariat shall be located within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Article 15

To establish a sustainable network of top Iranian specialists, elites, investors, and entrepreneurs inside and outside Iran, and to promote internationalization and export of knowledge-based, technological, and creative companies, the Innovation and Prosperity Fund is authorized to engage in joint investment with Iranian investors abroad—within legal frameworks—on Iranian knowledge-based projects inside or outside the country, in cooperation with the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 16

The Government is obligated to offer incentives—within existing legal frameworks—to increase collaboration between universities, research centers, knowledge-based companies, and domestic non-governmental entities with Iranian specialists abroad, including through joint projects.

Note — The executive bylaw of this Article shall be prepared within three months by the National Elites Foundation, in cooperation with the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, and the Ministries of Science, Research and Technology; Health; Foreign Affairs; and the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and approved by the Cabinet.

The above law, consisting of sixteen articles and eleven notes, which had been submitted to the Parliament by the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, was approved in the public session of Wednesday, 23 Mehr 1404 (15 October 2025), and confirmed by the Guardian Council on 14/08/1404 (5 November 2025)

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