gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Work & skilled workersPublishedMedium impactVerified

UK Updates Iran Country Policy and Information Notes for Asylum and Human Rights Applications, Including Military Servic

🇬🇧 United KingdomAsylum1 recorded versionLast change 26 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The new Version 4.0 substantially updates the country information and assessment rather than introducing a new statutory rule. The updated note states that: compulsory military service applies to all Iranian males aged 18–49; service lasts 14–24 months; conscientious objection is not generally available; exemptions exist on medical and specified non-medical grounds; gay men and transgender people can qualify for exemption because Iranian authorities classify them as having a mental disorder; people who evade service by leaving Iran remain liable to military service on return until age 50, although people over 40 are more commonly subject to a fine; draft evaders can lose certain social benefits and civil rights; and people who remain liable for prosecution can potentially face imprisonment. The new assessment nevertheless concludes that draft evaders and deserters are generally unlikely to face treatment amounting to persecution or serious harm solely because of evasion or desertion. There is, however, an important qualification. The updated CPIN says that an Iranian draft evader or deserter who also belongs to a minority ethnic group, such as a Kurd, may potentially establish a Convention reason where the authorities perceive the evasion or desertion as evidence of disloyalty or political opposition. The new guidance also records evidence from January 2026 concerning the treatment of military personnel who refused orders during nationwide protests. One conscript was reportedly sentenced to death for refusing an order to shoot protesters, while a human-rights organisation reported that dozens of security personnel in Kermanshah Province were arrested for refusing to fire on protesters. Importantly, the Home Office does not conclude from these incidents that ordinary Iranian conscripts generally face such a risk. It says there is otherwise no evidence indicating that conscripts are generally likely to be involved in acts contrary to the basic rules of human conduct.

Overview

The UK Home Office has published an updated Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN) on military service in Iran on 26 August 2026. The document is Version 4.0 and replaces the previous military-service guidance dating from November 2022. The updated CPIN reviews the situation of Iranian military conscripts, draft evaders and deserters, including compulsory service, exemptions, conditions of service, treatment of people refusing orders, penalties for evasion or desertion, and the potential relevance of military service to asylum and humanitarian-protection claims. The updated assessment is particularly important because it incorporates more recent information from 2025 and 2026, including developments during periods of civil unrest and international conflict. It notes, for example, reports that one Iranian conscript was sentenced to death after refusing orders to shoot protesters during the January 2026 nationwide protests, while also concluding that there is otherwise insufficient evidence that ordinary conscripts are generally forced to participate in acts contrary to the basic rules of human conduct. The Home Office's overall assessment remains that draft evasion or desertion in Iran will generally not, by itself, establish a Refugee Convention claim, and that ordinary military service generally does not create a real risk of persecution or serious harm. However, the guidance identifies circumstances in which an individual case may require a different assessment, including particular ethnic or political profiles and evidence concerning the treatment of an individual.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • UK Visas and Immigration officials making decisions in asylum and human rights applications related to Iran
  • Individuals seeking asylum or human rights protection in the UK based on military service in Iran

What changed in the latest version

Before

The old Home Office Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN) on military service was Version 3.0, from November 2022. It said that military service was compulsory for Iranian men aged 18 to 49. It usually lasted for 18 to 24 months. It listed different medical and non-medical reasons for exemption. This included exemptions for gay men and transgender people. The old assessment generally concluded: * evading or deserting military service did not normally fit a Refugee Convention reason for asylum; * compulsory military service itself did not normally count as persecution; * Iranian conscripts were not generally expected to commit acts against basic human behaviour rules; and * the normal conditions and penalties for military service did not generally show a real risk of persecution or serious harm. So, the old guidance was already quite strict in how it viewed normal military service claims.

After

The new Version 4.0 largely updates the country information and assessment. It does not introduce a new law. The updated note says that: * compulsory military service applies to all Iranian men aged 18 to 49; * service lasts 14 to 24 months; * conscientious objection, which is the right to refuse military service for moral or religious reasons, is not generally allowed; * exemptions exist for medical reasons and specific non-medical reasons; * gay men and transgender people can get an exemption. This is because Iranian authorities see them as having a mental disorder; * people who avoid service by leaving Iran must still do military service if they return, until they are 50 years old. However, people over 40 are more often given a fine; * people who evade the draft can lose certain social benefits and civil rights; and * people who can still be charged with a crime might face prison. However, the new assessment still concludes that draft evaders and deserters are generally unlikely to face treatment that counts as persecution or serious harm. This is if their reason is only draft evasion or desertion. But there is an important exception. The updated Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN) says that an Iranian draft evader or deserter who is also from a minority ethnic group, such as a Kurd, might be able to show a reason for asylum under the Refugee Convention. This could happen if authorities believe the evasion or desertion shows disloyalty or political opposition. The new guidance also includes information from January 2026. This concerns how military personnel were treated if they refused orders during nationwide protests. One conscript was reportedly sentenced to death for refusing to shoot protesters. Also, a human rights organisation reported that dozens of security staff in Kermanshah Province were arrested for refusing to fire on protesters. Importantly, the Home Office does not conclude from these events that ordinary Iranian conscripts generally face such a risk. It says there is no other evidence showing that conscripts are generally likely to be involved in acts against basic human behaviour rules.

This update is important. The new 'military service, Iran, August 2026' Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN) will now be the main guidance. UK Visas and Immigration officials will use it to assess asylum and human rights applications about military service in Iran. Applicants and their legal representatives must know this updated content. Decisions will be based on this most recent assessment. Relying on old information could lead to applications being decided unfavourably. This would happen if the facts or understanding of risk have changed. This update directly affects the evidence and arguments used in these cases.

Explained simply

Imagine you're trying to prove to the UK that you need to stay because of problems with military service in your home country, Iran. The UK government has just updated its official guidebook that judges these kinds of cases. So, if you're making this argument, you and your helper need to read the brand-new guidebook to make sure you're using the most current information and rules. It's like getting the newest edition of a game's rulebook; you wouldn't play by old rules, would you?

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v8Effective 26 Aug 2026PublishedMedium impact
    UK Updates Iran Country Policy and Information Notes for Asylum and Human Rights Applications, Including Military Service

    UK Visas and Immigration has updated its Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs) for Iran. These notes help officials decide asylum and human rights applications. The last update was on 26 August 2026. A new note has been published. Its title is 'Country policy and information note: military service, Iran, August 2026'. This new note replaces all old guidance about military service in Iran. This update affects people who apply for asylum or human rights protection in the UK. These people may be affected by military service rules in Iran.

Other routes in this country

1 / 6