Iran Enacts New Law Intended to Facilitate Travel and Return of Iranians Abroad
Iran has enacted a new law designed to ease travel and strengthen legal protections for Iranians living abroad.
Iran has enacted a new law designed to ease travel and strengthen legal protections for Iranians living abroad, marking one of the most comprehensive policy shifts impacting the diaspora in recent years. The “Law for the Support of Iranians Abroad,, approved by Parliament and confirmed by the Guardian Council, is now fully binding across government institutions.
The legislation requires state agencies to streamline a wide range of services for expatriates, including passport facilitation, online judicial access, emergency support, investment assistance, and integration into the national smart-services platform. Officials describe the law as a structured effort to replace past security-based perceptions with an approach centered on opportunity and rights.
In recent years, the arrest of dual citizens—often on charges related to national security—has drawn international criticism and complicated Iran’s relations with Western governments. Several of these cases became matters of diplomatic negotiation or prisoner exchanges, creating deep uncertainty for Iranians abroad who contemplate travel back to the country. Multiple administrations have issued statements of welcome toward the diaspora returning, yet continued arrests have contributed to fears abroad. The U.S. State Department also publishes a travel guidance warning Iranians against travel to Iran under any circumstances due to the risks of political arrest. The underlying fears are seen as a driving force behind the adoption of this new law.
A key feature of the new framework is a pre-travel clearance system. Iranians abroad may now submit their information through a national platform to determine whether any legal obstacles—such as debts, financial disputes, inheritance claims, judicial cases, or security-related concerns—could lead to restrictions during their stay in Iran. A five-agency committee reviews each request, and if no issues are found, the applicant should receive an official “green light” certificate.
Crucially, if a traveler receives this clearance, no Iranian authority is supposed to be permitted to arrest, detain, or initiate proceedings against them at any point during their time inside Iran. The law goes further by introducing accountability measures: officials who violate a valid clearance certificate may be prosecuted under Grade 6 disciplinary penalties, which can include suspension, fines, and other judicial consequences.
Supporters argue that the law is designed to restore peace of mind for Iranians abroad—particularly dual nationals—who have avoided travel due to fears of unexpected legal or security complications. Iranian officials involved in drafting the law emphasize that over 98% of Iranians abroad have no security issues, and that negative perceptions were exacerbated by external political narratives.
The legislation also includes additional reforms, such as allowing individuals who left Iran illegally before the law’s enactment to return without facing punishment, and updating century-old provisions to protect the property rights of dual-national Iranians inside the country. Still, analysts caution that it is unclear how effectively this law will build confidence among Iranians abroad, given the history of politically sensitive arrests and the broad discretion previously exercised by various agencies. U.S. officials have condemned the arrest of New York-based Kamran Hekmati earlier this year, and reports indicate other American dual nationals may currently be held by Iran. Observers note that the law’s impact will depend largely on transparent implementation and consistent interagency compliance.
Nevertheless, Iranian officials present the law as part of a long-term strategy to rebuild trust with the diaspora. They argue that Iran’s global community of citizens represents a significant cultural, professional, and economic asset, and that this legal framework is meant to support their mobility, engagement, and contributions to the country’s future.