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Iran

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
83,245
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
8,963
UK visas issued, 2025
15,072
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
26.3%
NationalityIRISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<IRIRAN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
IR7<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Iran need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Iran move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany23,352
  2. Türkiye14,495
  3. Canada10,680
  4. United States8,790
  5. Italy4,318
  6. Australia3,651
  7. Netherlands3,481
  8. Austria2,650
  9. Denmark2,166
  10. Sweden1,944
  11. France1,328
  12. Finland1,046
  13. Belgium1,025
  14. Hungary814
  15. Switzerland599

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

57k115k200020032006200920122015201820212023
57k115k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200031,433
200130,284
200233,725
200324,661
200427,587
200529,282
200633,269
200728,303
200831,527
200939,182
201040,569
201142,110
201243,955
201346,882
201450,057
201559,139
201676,003
201767,234
201883,702
201989,414
202048,047
2021114,839
202291,209
202383,245
Share going to the top destination
28.1%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Iran who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. United States431,405
  2. Germany283,454
  3. Canada205,304
  4. Türkiye199,735
  5. United Kingdom124,200
  6. Sweden89,047
  7. Australia88,697
  8. Israel61,572
  9. Netherlands44,869
  10. Austria29,559
  11. Italy23,973
  12. Denmark21,174

Living abroad by year

867k1.73M19901995200020052010201520202024
867k1.73M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990604,892
1995701,961
2000835,113
2005875,530
20101,028,854
20151,163,612
20201,442,650
20241,733,468
Living abroad, 2024
1,733,468
Change since 2000
+107.6%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
24.9%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Iran by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B26,837
  2. F1886
  3. K1259
  4. J1217
  5. F2173
  6. G2124
  7. G4121
  8. J289
  9. G145
  10. H1B42

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

8,90618k201720182019202020212022202320242025
8,90618k20172019202120232025
Data table
201710,522
20186,014
20194,228
20202,201
20213,355
202210,470
202317,812
202417,381
20258,963
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR52,437
  2. DV1,151
  3. F4483
  4. IR1414
  5. E2306
  6. F3266
  7. F1140
  8. F2B93
Immigrant visas, FY2025
5,757
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
338
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Iran who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Iran with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

6,89514k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
6,89514k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201513,110
201613,300
201713,790
201810,120
20196,640
20208,810
20215,730
20229,410
202311,450
202410,050
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens4,400
  2. Employment-based preferences2,350
  3. Diversity visa lottery1,460
  4. Family-sponsored preferences1,090
  5. Refugees and asylees720
  6. Other classes30
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)100
  2. Spouses and children100
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)70
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)40
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)10
  6. Other temporary workers10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Iran)
10,050
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Iran)
7,740
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
18,490
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Iran (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Iran (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor9,078
  2. Family3,054
  3. Study1,541
  4. Work1,290
  5. Other109

Visas issued by year

14k27k201020122014201620182020202220242025
14k27k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201023,630
201127,149
201211,377
201310,639
201410,174
201510,613
201610,998
201713,816
201812,671
201913,086
20205,892
20218,208
202215,580
202320,462
202419,861
202515,072
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
3,465
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Iran, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202549532,5659,5457,4351,585
202452044,86011,31011,1451,950
202396551,26015,21510,6902,235
20224559,33013,90011,1101,075
20212858,39512,47011,3101,720
20202054,9607,4853,8151,555
20192154,89510,0906,0551,230
20181203,0257,2805,5051,030
2017402,1104,8704,7351,075
2016451,9753,1206,465400
2015101,1552,41011,630215
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Iran, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

2014022005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
2014022005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0679
2006–07173
2007–08290
2008–09314
2009–10164
2010–11167
2011–12270
2012–13241
2013–14226
2014–15215
2015–16180
2016–17168
2017–18140
2018–19169
2019–20123
2020–21100
2021–22143
2022–23280
2023–24313
2024–25338
2025–26402
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills284
  2. Specialist Skills102
  3. Medium-term8
  4. Short-term7
  5. Labour Agreement1
Granted, 2025–26
402
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.6%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Iran living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

2,2164,4312012201420162018202220242025
2,2164,4312012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20123,997
20133,971
20143,976
20153,996
20163,999
20174,037
20184,090
20194,170
20224,237
20234,313
20244,399
20254,431
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident2,604
  2. Spouse or Child of Japanese National314
  3. Student311
  4. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services265
  5. Dependent246
  6. Long-Term Resident238
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident130
  8. Designated Activities89
  9. Skilled Labor62
  10. Professor58
Residents, December 2025
4,431
In work-related statuses
483
Share in work-related statuses
10.9%
Students
311
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Iran

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Iran, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Germany39,14632,2286,80017.4%
France37,20530,48210,05127.0%
Italy18,7439,4898,51545.4%
Spain13,7289,0023,87528.2%
Switzerland13,44011,8831,3109.7%
Netherlands11,8538,3743,29127.8%
Greece4,4923,0551,24927.8%
Sweden4,4682,2991,79940.3%
Austria3,8852,3681,50838.8%
Finland2,4521,90548819.9%
Belgium2,2621,37683937.1%
Hungary2,0731,61146222.3%
Denmark1,7951,26359233.0%
Bulgaria1,6981,14345927.0%
Poland1,31273456242.8%

Applications by year

137k274k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
137k274k200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009154,632
2010171,136
2011182,876
2012168,783
2013135,035
2014160,145
2015189,861
2016224,502
2017264,727
2018273,580
2019225,514
202040,861
202127,160
2022142,243
2023162,026
2024162,017
Refusal rate, 2024
26.3%
Refusal rate, 2019
33.2%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Iran in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education14,567
  2. Family12,517
  3. Other reasons11,318
  4. Work7,061
First permits by country
  1. Germany18,718
  2. Italy3,645
  3. Spain3,616
  4. Netherlands3,156
  5. France2,342
  6. Denmark2,249
  7. Hungary1,839
  8. Finland1,574
  9. Austria1,489
  10. Sweden1,380
  11. Greece1,303
  12. Belgium823
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card1,293
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)1,653
  3. Researchers1,269
  4. Other paid activities2,846
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
3,503
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
15,342
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
72,595
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
890
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
279,800
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
15,115
Changed status into work, 2025
4,803
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
4
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
12
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Iran in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20252,2721,0121,100766222
Sweden202596113911947918737
Netherlands20252,8656209301,08022015
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251,322771,245
Austria20251,8867941,092
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark1,012
  2. Sweden139
  3. Netherlands620
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Iran living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. International law, humanitarian or political reasons35,675
  2. Permanent residence title26,690
  3. Application for a residence title pending22,445
  4. Family reasons19,780
  5. Employment13,185
  6. Education and training12,770
  7. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure12,520
  8. Neither tolerated nor permitted9,335
  9. Tolerated stay (Duldung)6,570
  10. Special residence rights and national visas2,325
  11. EU free movement470

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

81k162k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
81k162k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201463,064
201572,531
201697,710
2017102,760
2018114,125
2019121,835
2020123,400
2021129,105
2022143,555
2023155,215
2024161,610
2025161,780
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
161,775
With a residence title for employment
13,185
Permanent residence title
26,690
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Iran, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

2,4314,8612016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,4314,861201620182020202220242025
Data table
20161,396
20171,452
20181,801
20191,600
2020972
20212,390
20223,694
20234,861
20243,604
20253,594
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Study2,945
  2. Family427
  3. Work119
  4. Asylum and protection88
  5. Other reasons15
New permits, 2025
3,594
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
27,324
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
6,969
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Iran

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Iran, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan12—
Algeria1——
Argentina1——
Armenia1——
Australia1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan11—
Bangladesh1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
Chile1——
China11—
Croatia1——
Cyprus1——
Czechia1——
Côte d’Ivoire1——
Ecuador1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
Ghana1——
Greece1——
Guinea1——
Hungary1——
India1—2
Indonesia1——
Iraq1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Malaysia1——
Mexico1——
Netherlands1——
New Zealand1——
Norway1——
Pakistan—1—
Palestine1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Romania1——
Russia1—1
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1——
South Africa1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Tunisia1——
Türkiye13—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Uruguay1——
Countries
59
Missions
69
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Iran, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

5891,178200020032004
5891,178200020032004
Data table
2000536
2001682
2002851
20031,178
20041,032
Remittances received, 2004
US$1,032 million
Share of GDP, 2004
0.5%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2004

All corridors from Iran

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Iran → Germany
  • Iran → Türkiye
  • Iran → Canada
  • Iran → United States
  • Iran → France
  • Iran → Italy
  • Iran → Australia
  • Iran → Netherlands
  • Iran → Spain
  • Iran → Switzerland
  • Iran → Austria
  • Iran → Denmark
  • Iran → Sweden
  • Iran → Finland
  • Iran → Belgium
  • Iran → Greece
  • Iran → Hungary
  • Iran → Romania
  • Iran → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more