Country
Italy
Italy is mainly a study destination for Iranians: low public tuition, many English-taught programmes and needs-based regional DSU grants. The main work routes are the EU Blue Card and the researcher permit, both outside quotas; Decreto Flussi quotas are very limited for Iranians.
Pathways for Italy
Italy — Study (English-taught bachelor's (Laurea))
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.
- 1Documents and language
- 2Choose programmes and apply
- 3Admission and pre-enrolment
- 4Visa in Tehran
- 5Travel and first tasks
- Cost
- 2,597,000,000 – 4,906,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 9 – 15 months
Italy — Study (English-taught master's (Laurea Magistrale))
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 embassy.
- 1Documents and language
- 2Choose programmes and apply
- 3Admission and pre-enrolment
- 4Visa in Tehran
- 5Travel and first tasks
- Cost
- 2,597,000,000 – 5,195,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 14 months
Italy — Study (Medicine/Dentistry in English (IMAT))
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.
- 1Test and language prep
- 2Test registration and pre-enrolment
- 3Test and ranking
- 4Visa
- 5Travel and first tasks
- Cost
- 2,886,000,000 – 5,772,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 10 – 18 months
Italy — Study (PhD (usually funded))
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.
- 1Find calls
- 2Application and selection
- 3Admission and pre-enrolment
- 4Visa
- 5Arrival
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 12 months
Italy — Work (Decreto Flussi quota (in practice domestic care only))
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 high scam risk.
- 1Preparation
- 2Find an employer
- 3Quota and nulla osta
- 4Visa
- 5Arrival
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,154,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 8 – 18 months
Italy — Work (Digital nomad / remote worker)
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.
- 1Income and qualification
- 2Insurance and housing
- 3Visa
- 4Arrival
- Cost
- 866,000,000 – 2,309,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 3 – 8 months
Italy — Work (EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE))
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.
- 1Prepare your profile
- 2Job search
- 3Nulla osta
- 4Visa
- 5Arrival
- Cost
- 577,000,000 – 1,732,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 6 – 18 months
Italy — Work (Researcher / postdoc (art. 27-ter))
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.
- 1Preparation
- 2Find a position
- 3Nulla osta
- 4Visa
- 5Arrival
- Cost
- 433,000,000 – 1,443,000,000 Toman
- Time
- 4 – 12 months
Do not base a decision on any figure without a counselor's confirmation.