Country
Germany
Germany draws Iranians with almost tuition-free public universities, many English-taught programmes and a large labour market for engineers, IT specialists and health professionals. Main routes: master's and PhD, bachelor via Studienkolleg, vocational training (Ausbildung), EU Blue Card, skilled-worker visa, recognition for doctors and nurses, and the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). Important: the German Embassy in Tehran is currently working in a limited mode and appointment waiting times are unknown.
Pathways for Germany
Germany — Study (Bachelor's (via Studienkolleg or direct entry))
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 route and good German is needed.
- 1Assessment and language
- 2Applications
- 3Admission and funds
- 4Visa and travel
- Cost
- 3,752,000,000 – 5,483,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 12 – 24 months
Germany — Study (Master's degree (English- or German-taught, via uni-assist or direct))
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 published waiting time.
- 1Language and documents
- 2Programme choice and applications
- 3Admission and funds
- 4Visa
- 5Travel and arrival
- Cost
- 3,896,000,000 – 5,772,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 18 months
Germany — Study (PhD and research (§16b or researcher visa §18d))
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.
- 1Find a position
- 2Admission or contract
- 3Visa
- 4Travel and arrival
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 4,329,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 18 months
Germany — Study (Vocational training (Ausbildung, paid))
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.
- 1Language and occupation
- 2Find a company
- 3Visa
- 4Travel and start
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 3,463,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 24 months
Germany — Work (Doctors and nurses: recognition route (§16d))
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 from the start.
- 1Language and documents
- 2Recognition
- 3Visa
- 4In Germany
- Cost
- 721,000,000 – 4,617,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 24 months
Germany — Work (EU Blue Card)
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 months. The Tehran embassy is currently issuing appointments for this list.
- 1Degree recognition
- 2Job search
- 3Visa
- 4Travel and start
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
Germany — Work (Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) for job search)
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.
- 1Points check
- 2Waiting list, documents and funds
- 3Visa
- 4Job search in Germany
- Cost
- 4,040,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 24 months
Germany — Work (Skilled-worker visa (§18a/§18b) with pre-approval)
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 list is effectively the only active one.
- 1Recognition
- 2Job search
- 3Visa
- 4Travel and start
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,587,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 15 months
Do not base a decision on any figure without a counselor's confirmation.