Iran student visa: eligibility certificate and application

According to the MFA, the education visa is for foreign students and religious scholars who intend to study in Iran. It names three groups: school students, students in higher education and researchers. Short academic visits by faculty members and researchers on educational and cultural programmes can also be made on the A entry visa, which works with an invitation instead.

The core requirement is a certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant student status. It is issued by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, the Ministry of Education or an accredited academic institution once you have been admitted. The MFA's department for scholarships and students also handles certificates that foreign students and religious students need to apply for a passport and visa, and verbal notes for scholarship holders of the Iranian government.

UNHCR Iran notes that Afghan Amayesh card holders who want to enrol at Iranian universities may be asked to give up that status for a passport with a student visa.

Once the certificate exists, file the online application on the MFA e-visa portal. The form will ask for your previous education and work history, so keep your diplomas and CV at hand. Select the mission where you will collect the visa, verify your email within three days and follow the status with your tracking code; the portal expects about 10 business days unless an interview is held.

The MFA e-visa portal does not describe the residence formalities for students after arrival. Ask your university or school before travelling how your stay will be regulated once the visa period ends.