Destinations
Countries
Countries with a published work or study pathway. If a country is missing, its content has not been reviewed yet.
Published countries
Last update: 14 October 2026
- Canadaکانادا8 published pathwaysPublished
- Franceفرانسه7 published pathwaysPublished
- Germanyآلمان8 published pathwaysPublished
- Iraqi Kurdistanکردستان عراق4 published pathwaysPublished
- Italyایتالیا8 published pathwaysPublished
- Swedenسوئد6 published pathwaysPublished
- Switzerlandسوئیس5 published pathwaysPublished
- Turkeyترکیه7 published pathwaysPublished
- UAEامارات5 published pathwaysPublished
- United Kingdomبریتانیا6 published pathwaysPublished
Published pathways
64 pathways
A short-term permit does not allow work, but if valid for at least 6 months an employer can apply for your work permit from inside Türkiye. A tourism-based permit is not guaranteed, and Iranians are not eligible for…
- Cost
- 1,732,000,000 – 4,329,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 1 – 4 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Türkiye's Turquoise Card gives you and your family indefinite work and residence rights and becomes permanent after a three-year transition period. Scoring is points-based and strict, best suited to high-earning…
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 2,020,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
The most common legal work route: the employer obtains a work permit from the Ministry of Labour, which also serves as your residence permit. The hard part is that the employer must meet the 5-Turkish-employee, capital…
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
Full Turkish government scholarship from bachelor's to PhD: tuition, dorm, insurance, flights, a Turkish year and a monthly stipend. Applications run 10 January-20 February each year and competition is very tough.
- Cost
- 144,000,000 – 866,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
Master's and PhD admission in Türkiye is run by each university, with many English-taught options. State fees are very low and graduate students may work with a permit from day one.
- Cost
- 1,010,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 5 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Turkish state universities run international quotas and admit on TR-YÖS, SAT or a very high diploma GPA. Tuition is far lower than private universities, but admission is competitive and Turkish-taught programmes need…
- Cost
- 1,299,000,000 – 3,174,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Turkish private universities set their own admission rules and fees; many admit on diploma GPA or prior degree without a central exam and offer English-taught programmes. It is often the fastest route for Iranians, but…
- Cost
- 2,453,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 8 months
- Difficulty
- Fairly easy
With a master's or PhD you can get up to nine months in Sweden to look for work or explore starting a business. The key requirement is SEK 13,000 per month in funds; if you find a job you apply for a work permit from…
- Cost
- 1,068,000,000 – 3,088,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 8 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
For graduates (or five years' experience) with a high salary: pay must be 1.25 times Sweden's average gross salary, currently SEK 53,625 a month. Since June 2026 it is issued for up to four years, and permanent…
- Cost
- 326,000,000 – 880,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
Sweden's main work route: a Swedish employer offers you a job and starts the application. Since 1 June 2026 the salary must be at least 90% of the Swedish median, currently SEK 34,470 a month; 75% applies to some listed…
- Cost
- 332,000,000 – 895,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
In Sweden, applying for a PhD means applying for a job: universities advertise positions, there is no tuition and you get a monthly salary. Competition is high, but since 11 June 2026 permanent residence is possible…
- Cost
- 317,000,000 – 606,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
With an Iranian upper secondary diploma (three years in the new system) you can apply for a bachelor's via universityadmissions.se. Tuition and funds work like master's but you need to plan for three years, and exit…
- Cost
- 5,425,000,000 – 8,167,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The most common Swedish route for Iranians: apply for a master's through the central portal universityadmissions.se, pay the first tuition instalment, then get a student residence permit from Migrationsverket. Non-EU…
- Cost
- 5,425,000,000 – 8,167,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
For specialists working remotely for foreign clients or employers with at least EUR 28,000/year in provable income. No Italian employer needed, but proving income is usually the hardest part for Iranians.
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 8 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
For PhD or master's holders with a research post at a registered university or institute. Outside quotas, nulla osta within 30 days, and family can join.
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
Italy's yearly employer-sponsored quota. Iran is not among general or seasonal quota countries, so for Iranians it's practically the domestic-care quota (plus a few self-employed categories). One click day a year and…
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,154,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
The main skilled-work route for Iranians because it's outside quotas and nationality-neutral. The hard part is finding an employer who hires from Iran at a salary above the ISTAT floor.
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
A three-year PhD through each university's call; most seats are funded and the scholarship replaces visa proof of funds. Competition is high and your proposal and research record decide.
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
Six-year English-taught medicine at a public university via IMAT; in 2026 the semestre filtro reform didn't replace IMAT for English courses. Non-EU seats are few, competition is heavy, and the test isn't held in Iran.
- Cost
- 2,886,000,000 – 5,772,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
A three-year English-taught bachelor's at an Italian public university with a 12-year diploma. Visa and funds rules match the master's route, but men who haven't done military service practically cannot leave.
- Cost
- 2,597,000,000 – 4,906,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 15 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
The most common Italian route for Iranians: an English-taught master's at a public university with relatively low tuition and possible regional DSU grants. You pre-enrol on Universitaly and get a D visa from the Tehran…
- Cost
- 2,597,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
You enter on the 30-day visit visa (no visa needed in advance), interview in person, and if an employer hires you, get the work permit and residency card on site under their sponsorship. Fast and cheap, but working…
- Cost
- 346,000,000 – 952,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 1 – 4 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
The usual way to work in the KRI: a registered employer sponsors your residency and gets your work permit from the Ministry of Labour. No visa is needed in advance and government fees are low, but foreigners are capped…
- Cost
- 289,000,000 – 808,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 2 – 6 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
With a bachelor's from a recognised Iranian university and IELTS 6, you can do a master's at UKH for USD 3–5k a year. Your Iranian degree can be equalised in the KRG, but not the reverse: no KRG university is on Iran's…
- Cost
- 2,164,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 10 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
The nearest, cheapest English-taught bachelor's for Iranians: no visa needed in advance, most programmes cost USD 3–5k a year, and the diploma is equalised in Erbil. But no KRG university is on Iran's Ministry of…
- Cost
- 2,164,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 9 months
- Difficulty
- Fairly easy
For leaders or potential leaders in research, digital technology or the arts. No job offer needed and settlement can come after 3 years, but endorsement is demanding.
- Cost
- 1,443,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
For doctors, nurses and health professionals with an offer from the NHS or its suppliers; cheaper visa and no IHS. You first need professional registration (GMC for doctors, NMC for nurses). Care worker roles closed to…
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,886,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The main UK work route: a licensed sponsor must hire you and issue a certificate of sponsorship. Since July 2025 the job usually has to be graduate level (RQF 6) and salary floors are higher, so it's hard from Iran.
- Cost
- 2,020,000,000 – 4,040,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
An Iranian high school diploma usually isn't accepted directly for a UK bachelor's, so a foundation year comes first. Long and expensive, but leads to the Graduate visa.
- Cost
- 8,658,000,000 – 19,047,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 15 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A 3–4 year PhD that lets you bring family and gives a 3-year Graduate visa afterwards. Full funding for international students is competitive, and STEM projects almost always need ATAS.
- Cost
- 1,732,000,000 – 17,315,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The most common UK route for Iranians: a one-year master's, then the Graduate visa to work. Tuition and living costs are high, and sensitive STEM subjects need ATAS.
- Cost
- 9,523,000,000 – 16,161,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 7 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Only for people who earned a master-level degree (or licence professionnelle) in France itself; an Iranian degree doesn't qualify. For Iranians it is the most realistic work route: a master's in France first, then the…
- Cost
- 2,886,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 21 – 50 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
For holders of at least a master's who have a hosting agreement from a French research body or university. No work authorisation is needed and the VFS appointment goes through Campus France Iran.
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
If your salary is below the Blue Card threshold, the employer must obtain a work authorisation online. Unless the job is on the shortage list (métiers en tension), it must first be advertised for 3 weeks with the public…
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 5 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
The usual route for specialists hired from Iran on a high salary (e.g. IT, engineering). No work authorisation is needed, but salary must be at least €59,373 gross/year (2026 figure), and family can join via a…
- Cost
- 721,000,000 – 2,020,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
French PhDs have no separate admission programme: you find a topic and supervisor and are usually paid via a doctoral contract (a three-year employment contract). The visa is a Talent Passport researcher visa with a…
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 3,463,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 15 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
With an Iranian high-school diploma you can apply for first-year licence at public universities through a DAP request on Études en France. Courses are almost all in French, so French B2 is effectively the key…
- Cost
- 3,463,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 20 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The most common French route for Iranians: apply for a master's via the Études en France platform and Campus France Iran, then get a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) through VFS Tehran. Public-university tuition for…
- Cost
- 3,752,000,000 – 5,483,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A one-year job-search visa with a points system (at least 6 points) and EUR 13,092 in funds. Open to Iranians on paper, but the Tehran embassy is not issuing appointments for its list and has given no date.
- Cost
- 4,040,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
For doctors, nurses and health professions: a German authority assesses your qualification, then you either get a licence directly or use a §16d visa for up to 18 months to close the gaps in Germany. German B1 is needed…
- Cost
- 721,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
For people with a recognised academic or vocational qualification and a job offer below the Blue Card salary. Currently impossible to apply without a German pre-approval, and for non-medical jobs the §81a fast-track…
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,587,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 15 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The best work route for graduates with a well-paid offer: 2026 minimum salary EUR 50,700, or EUR 45,934 for shortage occupations and career starters. Family can come at the same time and settlement is possible from 21…
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Paid dual vocational training, suited to people with German B1 who have no degree or do not want to use it. Right now a visa application in Tehran is not possible without a training contract and a German pre-approval.
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 3,463,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
A German PhD usually starts with finding a supervisor or a paid research position, with no tuition. A research contract allows the researcher visa, but that list currently moves more slowly at the Tehran embassy.
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 4,329,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
With an Iranian school certificate you usually first do a one-year Studienkolleg (German-taught preparatory course); with one successful year at an Iranian university you can enter a related bachelor directly. Longer…
- Cost
- 3,752,000,000 – 5,483,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 12 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The most common study route for Iranians: most public universities charge no tuition and many programmes are taught in English. The main bottleneck right now is the Tehran embassy, which works in a limited mode with no…
- Cost
- 3,896,000,000 – 5,772,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Moderate
For PhD holders: a postdoc at a Swiss university is outside the quota if it starts within two years of the doctorate, and the contract replaces proof of funds. ETH/EPFL security screening for Iranians still applies.
- Cost
- 721,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 10 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The only general work route for Iranians: a Swiss employer must prove no Swiss or EU candidate was found and you need a degree plus several years of experience. Permits are quota-bound but quotas are not filled; the…
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
An Iranian diploma alone does not get you into a Swiss bachelor's: most universities want a 12/20 average, a Konkur admission and the in-person ECUS exam in German or French, while ETH and EPFL set their own entrance…
- Cost
- 7,215,000,000 – 10,101,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 12 – 24 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
A Swiss PhD is a well-paid job, so no separate proof of funds is needed and the permit is outside the quota. The hard parts are finding a supervisor and the ETH/EPFL security screening, which is serious for Iranians in…
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,020,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The most common Swiss route for Iranians: English-taught master's with relatively low tuition but very high living costs. ETH and EPFL screen Iranian applicants to technical programmes for sanctions and export control,…
- Cost
- 6,926,000,000 – 9,523,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 15 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
A Canadian employer must show no Canadian was available (LMIA), then you get an employer-specific work permit. Legitimate but finding an employer from Iran is hard, and IRCC shows about 57 weeks to process work permits…
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 14 – 30 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
Provinces pick PR nominees and a nomination adds 600 Express Entry points. But in 2026 most streams need a job offer or a provincial connection; Ontario, for example, closed its no-job-offer streams.
- Cost
- 1,154,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 18 – 36 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
French draws were the largest category draws of 2026, with cut-offs (about 382-420) far below the rest. If you can reach NCLC 7 in all four skills, it's the most realistic direct PR route from Iran, but learning French…
- Cost
- 1,299,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 18 – 36 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The main direct PR route from Iran without a job offer: create an FSW profile and compete on CRS score. There have been no general draws in 2026; realistic chances come from categories like healthcare, trades, transport…
- Cost
- 1,010,000,000 – 4,040,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 12 – 30 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
Shorter, practical college programs; but since November 2024 a PGWP requires the program to be on the eligible field list, a PAL is needed and spouses get no open work permit. Only sensible if your program is on the…
- Cost
- 6,926,000,000 – 9,812,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 16 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
For high-school graduates; the most expensive study route because international tuition is high and scholarships are scarce. Needs a PAL and counts under the national cap, but leads to a PGWP with no field-of-study rule.
- Cost
- 7,215,000,000 – 16,161,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 18 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
For applicants with strong research records who secure a supervisor, a PhD usually comes with university funding and lower personal cost. Since 2026 it is cap- and PAL-exempt and IRCC targets 14-day processing, but…
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 20 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
The most common study route for Iranians. Since 2026, master's and PhD students at public universities are exempt from the cap and PAL; graduates can get a PGWP of up to 3 years and move to PR through Canadian work…
- Cost
- 6,926,000,000 – 12,409,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 20 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
A one-year renewable residence for people working remotely for a company outside the UAE with at least USD 3,500 monthly income. As of October 2026 effectively closed to Iranians, and proving income from Iran is very…
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,597,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 1 – 4 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
Self-sponsored 5-year residence: for skilled employees with a UAE contract, a bachelor's and at least AED 15,000 a month, or freelancers with a MOHRE freelance permit and at least AED 360,000 a year over the past two…
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 2,597,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 12 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
The most common UAE work route: the employer gets a MOHRE work permit and entry permit, you arrive, and after the medical test and Emirates ID a two-year residence is issued. A job-seeker visit visa exists for higher…
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 2 – 8 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
Some Abu Dhabi research universities give international master's and PhD students scholarships with free tuition, housing and, for PhDs, a monthly stipend. Competition is tough and it's mostly STEM and AI. As of October…
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 14 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
The university admits you and sponsors your student residence visa (usually one year, renewable). Tuition ranges roughly AED 50,000–110,000 a year. As of October 2026 visa issuance for Iranians is on hold and payments…
- Cost
- 5,772,000,000 – 12,698,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 10 months
- Difficulty
- Very hard
How content is reviewed
The content team writes each pathway from official sources and records those sources beside it. Another team member then reviews it. A pathway is not published until it is reviewed, and the review date sits beside every figure.
Country information is collected and reviewed by the content team; the review date sits next to every pathway. Visa rules change; confirm with a counselor before acting.