by Shokofeh AminSANCTIONS ON INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN IRAN’S FINANCIAL SECTOR
SANCTIONS ON INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN IRAN’S FINANCIAL SECTOR
Under the provisions of E.O. 13902, the Secretary of the Treasury identified the financial sector of Iran’s economy as an additional avenue that funds the Iranian government’s malign activities. Today’s sanctions targeted major banks operating in Iran’s financial sector.
Amin Investment Bank, Bank Keshavarzi Iran, Bank Maskan, Bank Refah Kargaran, Bank-e Shahr, Eghtesad Novin Bank, Gharzolhasaneh Resalat Bank, Hekmat Iranian Bank, Iran Zamin Bank, Karafarin Bank, Khavarmianeh Bank (also known as Middle East Bank), Mehr Iran Credit Union Bank, Pasargad Bank, Saman Bank, Sarmayeh Bank, Tosee Taavon Bank (also known as Cooperative Development Bank), and Tourism Bank were previously identified as Iranian financial institutions pursuant to E.O. 13599. Today, they were sanctioned as entities operating in Iran’s financial sector.
Additionally, Islamic Regional Cooperation Bank, also previously identified as an Iranian financial institution under E.O. 13599, was sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by Eghtesad Novin Bank.
In May 2020, Hekmat Iranian Bank, a bank servicing Iran’s armed forces, merged with Bank Sepah, which has served as a financial platform for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) to pay its agents abroad. Bank Sepah was designated on November 5, 2018 pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided support to MODAFL. Today, Hekmat Iranian Bank was also designated pursuant to E.O. 13382, as an entity owned or controlled by Bank Sepah.
The banks sanctioned today are subject to the supervision and regulation by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), which was previously designated under E.O. 13224 for providing support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), its Qods Force (IRGC-QF), and its terrorist proxy, Hizballah.
by Shokofeh AminEverything about Iranian Power of Attorney (vekalatnameh)
A power of attorney, (POA) (VEKALATNAMEH) is a legally binding document to gives one or more persons the power to act on your behalf as your agent to manage your property, financial or administrative affairs. The agent is expected to place the principal’s interests ahead of his or her own, which is why it is important for you and your loved one to pick a trusted individual.
The type of POA you create dictates which affairs you are granting power over. The decision-making power of an attorney-in-fact takes effect at different times depending on which POA you choose.
The power may be limited to a particular activity, such as sale of your home, or be general in its application. The power may give temporary or permanent authority to act on your behalf.
The agent or attorney-in-fact is a fiduciary. That means they are responsible for managing some or all another person’s affairs. The fiduciary must act responsibly and practically and in a way that is fair to the person whose affairs they are managing. Anyone who violates these duties can face criminal charges or can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.
No matter which type, any POA is automatically revoked with the death of the principal or agent. power of attorney may be revoked and so require written notice of revocation to the person named to act for you.
Composing, drafting, and legalizing of powers of attorney for performing legal and administrative duties in Iran are regulated by laws in Iran and need specific language. Absence of properly understanding this language can cause monetary damages. To make your POA legally binding, sign and execute your document according to the laws of Iran. which involves either signing in person in the Interest Section of Iran in Washington DC or we can set up a Skype interview to eliminate being personally in the embassy to certify your power of attorney.
The first step for obtaining a POA is through “MIKHAK” website. Pre drafted forms in MIKHAK site are incomplete and require additional editing based on individual needs.
Our office can prepare and obtain a power of attorney by former Iranian attorney, Ms. Shokofeh Amin, in one week and send it to Iran. your agent can receive a certified copy of vekalatnameh from branches of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simultaneously.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
by Shokofeh AminOFAC
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.
by Shokofeh AminPower of attorney (vekalatnameh)
We have received a huge number of Iranian – Americans requesting a vekalatnameh . Whether you reside in Dallas , Texas , San Francisco , Los Angeles, Orange County, Sandiego, San Jose, Florida, Las Vegas, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, Houston, Chicago and other cities and estates… .
we are only a phone away . Here is a brief description of Vekalatnameh for those who like to know more about Iranian power of attorney.
Power of attorney (POA) also called Vekalatnameh .
is a legal authorization that gives a designated person, termed the agent or attorney-in-fact, the power to act for another person, known as the principal. The agent may be given broad or limited authority to make decisions about the principal’s property, finances, investments, or medical care.
The type of POA you create dictates which affairs you are granting power over. The decision-making power of an attorney-in-fact takes effect at different times depending on which POA you choose.
The power may be limited to a particular activity, such as sale of your home, or be general in its application. The power may give temporary or permanent authority to act on your behalf.
The agent or attorney-in-fact is a fiduciary. That means they are responsible for managing some or all another person’s affairs. The fiduciary must act responsibly and practically and in a way that is fair to the person whose affairs they are managing. Anyone who violates these duties can face criminal charges or can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.
No matter which type, any POA is automatically revoked with the death of the principal or agent. power of attorney may be revoked and so require written notice of revocation to the person named to act for you.
Composing, drafting, and legalizing of powers of attorney for performing legal and administrative duties in Iran are regulated by laws in Iran and need specific language. Absence of properly understanding this language can cause monetary damages. To make your POA legally binding, sign and execute your document according to the laws of Iran. which involves either signing in person in the Interest Section of Iran in Washington DC or we can set up a Skype interview to eliminate being personally in the embassy to certify your power of attorney.
The first step for obtaining a POA is through “MIKHAK” website. Pre drafted forms in MIKHAK site are incomplete and require additional editing based on individual needs.
Our office can prepare and obtain a power of attorney by former Iranian attorney, Ms. Shokofeh Amin, in one week and send it to Iran. your agent can receive a certified copy of vekalatnameh from branches of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simultaneously.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
by Shokofeh AminIDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR CHILDREN BORN TO AN IRANIAN MOTHER AND A FOREIGN FATHER LIVING ABROAD
Identification cards for children born to an Iranian mother and a foreign father living abroad
(Iranian birth certificate – shenasnameh Irani)
In December 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the registration started for the issuance of birth certificates for children of Iranian mothers abroad.
According to the law, children of Iranian women and non-Iranian men who were born before or after the law can be Iranian citizens in case the Iranian mother requested if they have no security problem before the age of 18.
These children, after reaching the age of 18, can apply for Iranian citizenship if not requested by the mother, then will be granted Iranian citizenship in case of no security problem.
Statelessness: a global issue
Although Iran is not a party to the UN Conventions on Statelessness, the Government of Iran is taking steps towards the prevention and reduction of statelessness in the country.
While the law does not give mothers and fathers equal rights to confer nationality to their children, it represents significant progress.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees also has welcomed the law as a step toward reducing statelessness around the world.
UNICEF also welcomed the implementation of the Iranian nationality law.
Around the world, stateless people can face a lifetime of exclusion and discrimination and are often denied access to education, health care, and job opportunities – making them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Worldwide, statelessness affects millions of people, leaving them without the basic rights and official recognition that most of us take for granted. Some 3.9 million stateless people appear in the reporting of 78 countries, but UNHCR believes the true total to be significantly higher.
“No child chooses to be stateless,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Iran last year. “Without identity and official documents, stateless people are often excluded from society. The Government of Iran is leading by example through its new law. It is a hugely positive move for these children and their families.”
Please call our office if you need to apply “Identification cards for children born to an Iranian mother and a foreign father living abroad”
(Iranian birth certificate – shenasnameh Irani)
by Shokofeh AminObtaining Visa for Iran
Obtaining visa for Iran
A visa is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport. There are several different types of visas, each of which afford the bearer different rights in the host country.
The most common visa types are family, tourist, student, work and transit visas.
Depending on where you are traveling, a visa can be valid for single or multiple visits.
Some visas require an application to be filed prior to entering the country and other visas are granted upon entering the country.
Certain countries require an interview or medical screening prior to applying for a visa.
INDIVIDUAL VISA APPLICATION for Iran
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Application is submitted electronically to Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the application to process the visa application and may be combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
Visa applicants must submit a completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants applying for Entry, Tourist, Work, Treatment, Press, Student, Family, and Investment visas.
Directory of Visa Categories
Your purpose of the trip as well as other factors will determine what type of visa suits you best based on the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As an applicant, you should be able to fulfil all the visa requirements. A consulate officer will go through your application and documents, and in case of approval, the type of visa you are eligible for will be determined.
The chart below shows different types of non-immigrant visas as well as all the related information.
| Visa Types | Description | Who can apply | Documents needed |
| A – Entry | Visa for Foreign citizens who have an invitation letter from ministries, governmental organizations, private & public sectors, … for the purpose of negotiating, signing contracts, setting up purchased machineries, …. |
|
|
| B – Tourist | Visa for Foreign citizens who intend to travel to Iran for tourist purposes. |
|
|
| C – Pilgrimage | Visa for Foreign Muslims who intend to pilgrimage to holy places in Iran. |
|
|
| D – Diplomatic S – Service |
|
|
|
| E – Education | Visa for foreign students or religious scholars who intend to study in Iran |
|
|
| F – Temporary Work | Visa for foreign citizens who have the intention to work in Iran |
|
|
| G – Transit | Visa which allows foreign citizens to pass through Iran with no purpose of stay. |
|
|
| H – Media | Visa for foreign media, including members of the radio, prints, digital, press, as well as directors and producers of films, reports, … traveling to Iran to work in their profession. |
|
|
| I – Investment | Visa for foreign investors whose investment permit is approved by the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran. |
|
|
| M – Marital | Visa for foreign men who are married to Iranian women, as well as their offsprings. If the marriage has not been registered within the Iranian legal system yet, Entry Visa (Relatives) may be applied for. |
|
|
| T – Medical | Visa for foreign citizens who wish to travel to Iran for medical purposes and have already received an approval letter from one of the authorized medical centers |
|
|
Important Notice
Take care to answer all questions on the electronic visa application form accurately and completely; otherwise, you may have to reapply your application and reschedule your visa interview appointment.
Electronically submitting your online application is the FIRST STEP in the visa application process. Some visa applicants will need to attend a visa interview, though some applicants may qualify for a visa without interview. You should wait until your application pass all required process within 10 business days. If the embassy or consulate at which you apply informs that you must have a visa interview, the visa application process cannot be completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer. By changing your application status, an Status email will be send to your email address. You also can check the application status online.
Our office can help you to apply for your Iranian Visa ویزای ایران
We need the following documents to obtain the Visa
A pic of 2*2 passport photo
A pic of the first page of American passport
A pic of birth certificate of applicant
A pic of birth certificate of Iranian mother and National Identification Number
A pic of marriage certificate
Marital status of applicant
Occupation
Email address
Phone number both in Iran and America
Mailing address both in Iran and America
Duration of applicant’s Travel
Purpose of Travel
Approximate arrival and departure date
Please Call our office if you have any questions.
by Shokofeh AminOBTAINING VISA FOR IRAN
Obtaining visa for Iran
تقاضای صدور ویزا برای ایران
A visa is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport. There are several different types of visas, each of which afford the bearer different rights in the host country.
The most common visa types are family, tourist, student, work and transit visas.
Depending on where you are traveling, a visa can be valid for single or multiple visits.
Some visas require an application to be filed prior to entering the country and other visas are granted upon entering the country.
Certain countries require an interview or medical screening prior to applying for a visa.
INDIVIDUAL VISA APPLICATION for Iran
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Application is submitted electronically to Evisa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the application to process the visa application and may be combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
Visa applicants must submit a completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants applying for Entry, Tourist, Work, Treatment, Press, Student, Family, and Investment visas.
Directory of Visa Categories
Your purpose of the trip as well as other factors will determine what type of visa suits you best based on the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As an applicant, you should be able to fulfil all the visa requirements. A consulate officer will go through your application and documents, and in case of approval, the type of visa you are eligible for will be determined.
The chart below shows different types of non-immigrant visas as well as all the related information.
| Visa Types | Description | Who can apply | Documents needed |
| A – Entry | Visa for Foreign citizens who have an invitation letter from ministries, governmental organizations, private & public sectors, … for the purpose of negotiating, signing contracts, setting up purchased machineries, …. |
|
|
| B – Tourist | Visa for Foreign citizens who intend to travel to Iran for tourist purposes. |
|
|
| C – Pilgrimage | Visa for Foreign Muslims who intend to pilgrimage to holy places in Iran. |
|
|
| D – Diplomatic S – Service |
|
|
|
| E – Education | Visa for foreign students or religious scholars who intend to study in Iran |
|
|
| F – Temporary Work | Visa for foreign citizens who have the intention to work in Iran |
|
|
| G – Transit | Visa which allows foreign citizens to pass through Iran with no purpose of stay. |
|
|
| H – Media | Visa for foreign media, including members of the radio, prints, digital, press, as well as directors and producers of films, reports, … traveling to Iran to work in their profession. |
|
|
| I – Investment | Visa for foreign investors whose investment permit is approved by the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran. |
|
|
| M – Marital | Visa for foreign men who are married to Iranian women, as well as their offsprings. If the marriage has not been registered within the Iranian legal system yet, Entry Visa (Relatives) may be applied for. |
|
|
| T – Medical | Visa for foreign citizens who wish to travel to Iran for medical purposes and have already received an approval letter from one of the authorized medical centers |
|
|
Important Notice
Take care to answer all questions on the electronic visa application form accurately and completely; otherwise, you may have to reapply your application and reschedule your visa interview appointment.
Electronically submitting your online application is the FIRST STEP in the visa application process. Some visa applicants will need to attend a visa interview, though some applicants may qualify for a visa without interview. You should wait until your application pass all required process within 10 business days. If the embassy or consulate at which you apply informs that you must have a visa interview, the visa application process cannot be completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer. By changing your application status, an Status email will be send to your email address. You also can check the application status online.
Our office can help you to apply for your Iranian Visa ویزای ایران
We need the following documents to obtain the Visa
A pic of 2*2 passport photo
A pic of the first page of American passport
A pic of birth certificate of applicant
A pic of birth certificate of Iranian mother and National Identification Number
A pic of marriage certificate
Marital status of applicant
Occupation
Email address
Phone number both in Iran and America
Mailing address both in Iran and America
Duration of applicant’s Travel
Purpose of Travel
Approximate arrival and departure date
Please Call our office if you have any questions.
by Shokofeh AminTHE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION BETWEEN AN IRANIAN MAN AND A WOMAN OF FOREIGN NATIONALITY
THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION BETWEEN AN IRANIAN MAN AND A WOMAN OF FOREIGN NATIONALITY
In accordance with the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran, when an Iranian national marries a woman of a foreign nationality, the wife will be regarded as an Iranian citizen and the marriage should be duly registered with the appropriate authorities of the Iranian government. As an Iranian citizen by marriage, the wife may maintain passport of origin, however she will not be allowed to travel to Iran using any passport other than an Iranian one.
Documents Needed:
Register in website mikhak.mfa.gov.ir for marriage and obtain the barcode
Register in website mikhak website for new birth certificate for wife and obtain the barcode
The husband’s original Iranian new Birth Certificate (Shenasnameh)
The husband’s original valid Iranian passport.
The wife’s original certificate of live birth (long form). If the birth certificate was issued in a country other than the U.S., its authenticity must be verified by the Embassy of that country and if it is not in English, it must be translated and verified by the Embassy of that country. It can also be verified by an Iranian consulate at the country of birth. The original birth certificate must include the gender of the child and full name of parents. The birth certificate will not be returned.
A copy of the first page of the wife’s valid passport.
A certificate stating that the wife has become Muslim; required only if the husband is Muslim.
The original Islamic marriage certificate, either in Farsi or English; which can be obtained from a Mosque or an Islamic center. The certificate should include the signatures of the wife, husband, two witnesses, and the person who has performed the marriage ceremony.
Original marriage license. If the marriage license was issued in a country other than the U.S., its authenticity must be verified by the Embassy of that country and if it is not in English, it must be translated and verified by the Embassy of that country.
Four (4) identical passport photographs of the wife, based on the photo requirement sheet.
A photocopy of Iranian national ID (Karte melli) or passport of the two witnesses.
Please Contact us if you any questions.
by Shokofeh AminIRANIAN ISSUANCE OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE THROUGH PROOF OF PATERNAL IDENTITY FOR CHILDREN (18 AND OVER)
Iranian Issuance of Birth Certificate Through Proof of Paternal Identity for Children (18 and Over)
Regarding issuance of Iranian birth certificate and passport for a child (18 and over) whose father is deceased or refuses to cooperate, please note that you must first obtain proof of paternal identity. To do so, you must first forward the following documents to Interest Section of Iran in Washington DC, to be verified. They will then be returned to you upon completion so that you can send them to Iran to go through the Iranian Judicial system by your appointed attorney. After obtaining the proof of paternal identity, you should again contact the embassy to apply for Iranian birth certificate and passport. This process will take about 3 years and you need to hire experienced and professional attorney.
(In verdicts regarding proof of identity issued by the court, the name, surname, birth certificate number, and date of birth of both parents must be indicated)
Required documents:
Power of Attorney, (must contain the required information about the child and it must be signed and notarized). If you are located in California, Orange County, our office will notarize your application.
Original birth certificate (long form)
Original and valid foreign passport
Original birth certificate of the father (If you do not possess the original or copies of every page of this document, you must obtain a copy from Iran’s Vital Statistics Department). If the father is deceased, you need to register paternal demise.
Original birth certificate of the mother
Original American marriage license
If you have any questions, please contact us.
by Shokofeh AminIslamic republic of Iran Passport
Islamic republic of Iran Passport
Gozarnameh Irani
Passport is a formal document issued by an authorized official of a country to one of its citizens that is usually necessary for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance with visa requirements, and that requests protection for the citizen while abroad. A visa is a document issued by a government to foreign visitors, providing them with legal entry into a foreign country.
A passport is used to verify one’s country of citizenship. Passports include your photo, name, birth date, gender, national Id (Melli) and birth certificate ( Shenasnameh) number.
there are two types of passports that can be issued in Iran, regular passports and
diplomatic passports.
anyone whose father is Iranian cannot get a visa and must obtain an Iranian passport in order to travel to Iran. for a newborn from an Iranian father, you need to obtain a separate passport and cannot be added to parent’s passport. only father can apply for a passport of children under 18.
Iranian passports expire in 5 years and cannot be extended.
following documents to get a new passport issued:
The Original and a photocopy of old passport
The original Birth Certificate (Shenasname), as well as a photocopy of all the pages. (Birth certificate of individuals above 15 years of age must contain an ID photo)
A photocopy of the individuals residence permit card or foreign passport
2 passport photos (2*2 inches) passport photos taken within the past six month, (Including a full face, front view, open eyes, a plain white background & without a hat, glasses or neck scarves). According to the regulations of the IRI, women applicants should be wearing head scarves.
photocopy of Completion of Military Service or Exemption from Service, or applying for granting permission to exit twice a year (90 days in one year) for those required to do Military service.
A photocopy of national (Karte Melli) card.
Obtained barcode from Mikhak website.
Our office can obtain your passport in one week.
If you have any questions, please contact us.