Iranian nationality law
Iranian nationality law contains principles of both jus sanguinis and jus soli. Children acquire nationality of Iran through their fathers, but not their mothers.[1] The full nationality law is defined in Book 2 of the Civil Code of Iran, Articles 976 through 991.[2]
Definition of Iranian nationals
Article 976 of the Civil Code of Iran defines who is an Iranian national:[3]
- All persons residing in Iran except those whose foreign nationality is established; the foreign nationality of such persons is considered to be established if their documents of nationality have not been objected to by the Iranian Government.
- Those born in Iran or outside whose father is Iranian.
- Those born in Iran of unknown parentage.
- Persons born in Iran of foreign parents, one of whom was also born in Iran.
- Persons born in Iran of a father of foreign nationality who have resided at least one more year in Iran immediately after reaching the full age of 18; in other cases their naturalization as Iranian subjects will be subject to the stipulations for Iranian naturalization laid down by the law. New legislation passed by the Iranian Parliament in 2012 grants permanent residency to children born to Iranian mothers and foreign fathers.[4]
- Every woman of foreign nationality who marries an Iranian husband.
- Every foreign national who has obtained Iranian nationality.
Multiple citizenship
Iran does not recognize dual citizenship as such. For the Iranian government, in practice, dual citizens are Iranian citizens only.[5] However, article 977 of the Civil Code of Iran deals with multiple citizenship. As a consequence of Paragraphs 4 or 5 of Article 976, some Iranian minors may have multiple citizenship. If they wish to retain the non-Iranian nationality after age 18, they have to inform Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[6]
Travel freedom
In 2016, Iranian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 37 countries and territories, ranking the Iranian passport 98th in the world according to the Visa Restrictions Index.
See also
Notes
References
- Birth Registration in Iran: An analysis of the state of relevant laws in Iran (PDF), Iran Information Series, UNICEF, 2005, retrieved 2009-10-20
- Civil Code of Iran (last amended 1985), Refworld, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2009, retrieved 2009-10-20
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1 British Overseas Territories. 2 Open border with Schengen Area. 3 Russia is a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. The vast majority of its population (80%) lives in European Russia, therefore Russia as a whole is included as a European country here. 4 Turkey is a transcontinental country in the Middle East and Southeast Europe. Has a small part of its territory (3%) in Southeast Europe called Turkish Thrace. 5 Azerbaijan and Georgia (Abkhazia; South Ossetia) are transcontinental countries. Both have a small part of their territories in the European part of the Caucasus. 6 Kazakhstan is a transcontinental country. Has a small part of its territories located west of the Urals in Eastern Europe. 7 Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Cyprus (Northern Cyprus) are entirely in Southwest Asia but having socio-political connections with Europe. 8 Egypt is a transcontinental country in North Africa and the Middle East. Has a small part of its territory in the Middle East called Sinai peninsula. 9 Partially recognized.
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