Country
Canada
Canada remains a top destination for Iranians: strong public universities, post-study work permits (PGWP) and a clear PR path through Express Entry. But Canada has no embassy or VAC in Iran, biometrics must be done abroad and Iranian files take longer (per IRCC about 20 weeks for study and 57 weeks for work permits). Main routes: master's/PhD at a public university; for work, Express Entry (especially category and French draws), provincial nomination or an LMIA job offer. The Start-up Visa is closed to new applicants and its announced replacement hasn't launched yet.
Pathways for Canada
Canada — Study (Bachelor's degree)
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.
- 1Preparation in Iran
- 2Applications and admission
- 3Exit readiness
- 4Study permit application
- 5Arrival in Canada
- Cost
- 7,215,000,000 – 16,161,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 18 months
Canada — Study (College diploma or post-graduate certificate)
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 list.
- 1Preparation in Iran
- 2Program choice and admission
- 3Funds and study plan
- 4Study permit application
- 5Arrival in Canada
- Cost
- 6,926,000,000 – 9,812,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 16 months
Canada — Study (Funded PhD)
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 files needing extra security screening take longer.
- 1Preparation in Iran
- 2Supervisor and applications
- 3Exit readiness
- 4Study permit application
- 5Arrival in Canada
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 20 months
Canada — Study (Master's at a public university)
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 experience.
- 1Preparation in Iran
- 2Applications and admission
- 3Funds and exit readiness
- 4Study permit application
- 5Arrival in Canada
- Cost
- 6,926,000,000 – 12,409,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 20 months
Canada — Work (Employer job offer with LMIA (employer-specific work permit))
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 from Iran.
- 1Preparation
- 2Employer and LMIA
- 3Work permit
- 4Arrival
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 14 – 30 months
Canada — Work (Express Entry (FSW + category-based draws))
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 (and French) at around 470+.
- 1Assessment and language
- 2Documents
- 3Pool and invitation
- 4PR application
- 5Approval and landing
- Cost
- 1,010,000,000 – 4,040,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 12 – 30 months
Canada — Work (Express Entry via French-language proficiency)
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 takes time.
- 1French
- 2Documents
- 3Pool and invitation
- 4PR application and landing
- Cost
- 1,299,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 18 – 36 months
Canada — Work (Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP))
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.
- 1Choose a province
- 2Job offer or EOI
- 3Nomination
- 4Federal PR and landing
- Cost
- 1,154,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 18 – 36 months
Do not base a decision on any figure without a counselor's confirmation.