Country
UAE
For years the UAE was the closest and easiest work/study destination for Iranians: short flights, English-taught universities and foreign branch campuses, and employer-sponsored work visas. Since the war that began in late February 2026 and Iranian strikes on the UAE, this has changed completely: the UAE embassy in Tehran is closed, new entry permits for Iranians are on hold, since 19 August 2026 the UAE has halted all trade and financial transactions with Iran, and since 24 September 2026 there are no direct flights. The routes below (study at UAE universities, employer work visa, green visa, remote-work visa) exist on paper, but as of October 2026 they are effectively closed to applicants applying from Iran.
Pathways for UAE
UAE — Study (Funded master's and PhD (e.g. Khalifa University, MBZUAI))
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 2026 visa issuance for Iranians is on hold.
- 1Check and prepare
- 2Tests and supervisor
- 3Apply and scholarship
- 4Visa, travel and arrival
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 14 months
UAE — Study (Self-funded bachelor's or master's at private universities and branch campuses)
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 from Iran are not possible.
- 1Check status and prepare
- 2Language and university choice
- 3Apply and admission
- 4Visa and travel
- 5After arrival
- Cost
- 5,772,000,000 – 12,698,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 10 months
UAE — Work (5-year green visa (skilled employee or freelancer))
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 years. As of October 2026 effectively closed to Iranians.
- 1Check eligibility
- 2Documents
- 3Permit and entry
- 4Green visa issuance
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 2,597,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 12 months
UAE — Work (Employer-sponsored work visa (MOHRE))
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 skill levels. As of October 2026 this is on hold for Iranians.
- 1Check and prepare
- 2Find a job
- 3Documents and permits
- 4Arrival and residence
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 2 – 8 months
UAE — Work (Remote (virtual) work visa for employees of foreign companies)
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 hard.
- 1Check and prepare
- 2Provable income
- 3Visa application
- 4After arrival
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,597,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 1 – 4 months
Do not base a decision on any figure without a counselor's confirmation.