Country
United Kingdom
Iranians mostly know the UK for the one-year master's followed by the Graduate visa: strong universities, English-taught and short, but expensive. The main work route is Skilled Worker with an offer from a licensed sponsor, Health and Care for doctors and nurses, and Global Talent for leaders in their field. For biometrics, Persian sources say the Tehran visa centre reopened in June 2026 (check when booking); otherwise Turkey, the UAE or Armenia.
Pathways for United Kingdom
United Kingdom — Study (Bachelor's degree (usually with a foundation year))
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.
- 1Preparation
- 2Applications
- 3Funds and CAS
- 4Visa
- 5Travel
- Cost
- 8,658,000,000 – 19,047,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 15 months
United Kingdom — Study (Master's degree (usually one year) on a Student visa)
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.
- 1Preparation
- 2Applications and offer
- 3ATAS, funds and CAS
- 4Visa
- 5Travel and arrival
- Cost
- 9,523,000,000 – 16,161,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 7 – 14 months
United Kingdom — Study (PhD on a Student visa)
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.
- 1Preparation
- 2Supervisor and admission
- 3ATAS and CAS
- 4Visa
- 5Travel
- Cost
- 1,732,000,000 – 17,315,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 18 months
United Kingdom — Work (Global Talent visa (research, digital technology, arts))
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.
- 1Assessment
- 2Endorsement
- 3Visa
- 4Travel and settling in
- Cost
- 1,443,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 12 months
United Kingdom — Work (Health and Care Worker visa (doctors, nurses, health professionals))
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 new applicants from abroad on 22 July 2025.
- 1Language and documents
- 2Professional registration
- 3Job and CoS
- 4Visa
- 5Travel
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,886,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 24 months
United Kingdom — Work (Skilled Worker visa (job offer from a licensed sponsor))
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.
- 1Preparation
- 2Job search
- 3CoS and documents
- 4Visa
- 5Travel and start
- Cost
- 2,020,000,000 – 4,040,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 18 months
Do not base a decision on any figure without a counselor's confirmation.