IranWork

Iran work visa: employer sponsorship, labour certificate and work permit

Temporary work visa (F)

In short

Foreigners who want to work in Iran need the F temporary work visa. It rests on a labour certificate that a sponsoring employer in Iran obtains and that the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare approves; with that approval you file the e-visa application. The visa is meant for skilled workers, specialists in fields such as medicine and industry, and engineers.

Apply on Iran MFA e-visa (evisatraveller.mfa.ir) checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
As printed on the visa; the stay is then covered by residence and a work permit
Fee
IRR 12,000,000Work permit issuance for Iranian year 1404 (March 2025 to March 2026) as reported by UNHCR Iran from the Budget Law; extension IRR 10 million. The fee is set each year; the visa fee itself is separate.
Processing time
Labour certificate first; then about 10 business days for the visa application
Work
Yes, for the sponsoring employer, with a valid work permit
Where to apply
Employer applies in Iran; you file the e-visa application and collect the visa at a mission

Who needs the F visa

The MFA describes the F visa as the visa for foreign citizens who intend to work in Iran and names skilled workers, specialists in medical, industrial and similar fields, and engineers. Business visits without employment fall under the A entry visa; reporters use the H media visa.

The labour certificate

Before any visa application, the employer in Iran must obtain a labour certificate for you that is approved by the labour ministry. Only with this approval can the F visa be requested. UNHCR Iran adds that, depending on the province, foreigners may have to work within the job categories open to them; the Department of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare in the province can say which these are.

Visa application

With the approval in place, file the application on the MFA e-visa portal, entering your education and work history in detail, and choose the mission that will issue the visa. Verify your email within three days. Processing on the portal normally takes up to 10 business days, plus an interview if the mission asks for one.

  1. Get the prerequisite for this visa ready: have your Iranian employer obtain a labour certificate approved by the labour ministry.
  2. Open the online non-immigrant visa application on the MFA e-visa portal, choose the visa type, your nationality and the mission where you will collect the visa.
  3. Fill in every field in English letters only, upload the photo and passport scan, then review the answers before submitting.
  4. Enter the verification code sent to your email within 3 days, then print the confirmation page and note the tracking code.
  5. Wait for the decision (the portal works with about 10 business days) and attend an interview if the mission asks for one.
  6. Collect the visa, travel, and complete the residence and work permit formalities with your employer.

Forms

Work permit after arrival

UNHCR Iran explains that adult foreign nationals may only work legally with valid residence and a valid work permit issued by the government; holders of a passport with a work visa are among those who can obtain one. The permit fee is set every year in the Budget Law: for Iranian year 1404, issuance cost IRR 12 million and extension IRR 10 million, plus administrative charges such as card printing. Working without a valid permit can lead to arrest and deportation.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Digital personal photo meeting the portal photo standard
  • Digital image of the passport data page meeting the portal standard

Travel

  • Passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned travel date

Work

  • Labour certificate obtained by the Iranian employer and approved by the labour ministry
  • CV with education and work history

Other

  • Working email address, verified during the application

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Work

  • Diplomas and professional certificates

Frequently asked questions

Can I find a job in Iran and then change my visa?

The F visa is based on a labour certificate obtained by an employer before the application, so the employer's approval has to come first.

What does an Iranian work permit cost?

The fee is set yearly in the Budget Law. UNHCR Iran reports IRR 12 million for issuance and IRR 10 million for extension in Iranian year 1404, plus administrative charges.

Can I work in Iran on a visa waiver?

No. Waivers cover tourism; work needs the F visa, based on a labour certificate, applied for on the e-visa portal with documents proving the purpose.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Iran

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Full waiver countries: as set by each agreement (Türkiye: 90 days within 180 days). 15-day waiver countries: 15 days once every six months. Visa holders: as printed on the visa.
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: As printed on the visa; the Berlin embassy fee table lists transit visas for 7 days
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: As printed on the visa

Business and self-employment

Study and training

Family

Online travel permits

  • Visa on arrival Maximum stay: As printed on the visa issued at the airport

Protection

Iran visa guide