Work visas
Iranian Work Visa and Work Permit
The route for foreign nationals to take up employment in Iran, requiring both a work entry visa and a work permit before starting a job.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Work-permit maximum validity (one year) and processing time (approx. 4–5 weeks) are from secondary/law-firm sources and should be confirmed against the labour ministry's official regulations.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Iran government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Work Entry Visa (Type E/work) + Work Permit
- Route type
- Employment visa plus separate labour permit
- Permit issued by
- Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare
- Permit duration
- Up to one year, renewable
- Reported maximum initial validity; confirm officially.
- Labour-market test
- Permit granted where no equivalently qualified Iranian is available
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals with a job offer or assignment in Iran
- Foreign technicians and executives of overseas firms operating in Iran
- Foreign nationals who have set up an enterprise in Iran
Requirements
- An Iranian employer to sponsor and submit the application
- Evidence that the role cannot be filled by an equivalently qualified Iranian
- A work entry visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- A work permit issued by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare
What you can do
- Take up the specific employment authorised by the permit
- Renew the permit subject to continued eligibility
- Not permitted: work outside the scope stated in the permit
How to apply
- Employer submits the work-permit application and documents to the labour ministry
- Obtain the work entry visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / an Iranian consulate
- Enter Iran and finalise the work permit and residence formalities
- Renew the permit before expiry as required
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.