Moving to the UK from Iran: Complete Guide

The Iranian Community in the UK

The Home Office does not publish a count of Iranian nationals resident in the UK, so this guide gives none. The community is concentrated in London. West London — particularly Kensington (sometimes called "Tehrangeles West" in reference to the larger LA community), Hammersmith, and Ealing — has the highest concentration of Iranian residents. There are also communities in Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle.

The Iranian community in the UK is diverse, encompassing professionals who emigrated after the 1979 revolution, students, those who arrived on family routes, and people who have been granted asylum or humanitarian protection. Persian cultural institutions, restaurants, shops, and community organisations provide a support network for new arrivals.

Visiting Rather Than Moving

Iran is on the UK's visa national list, so an Iranian citizen needs a visit visa before travelling, even for a short trip. The £20 electronic travel authorisation is not an option: it is for people who are not visa nationals. A visit visa does not let you work or settle, and a stay of more than 6 months needs one of the routes below.

Visa Routes for Iranian Citizens

Family Visas

Family reunion is one of the most common routes for Iranians moving to the UK. If your spouse, partner, or parent is a British citizen or has settled status, you can apply for a spouse visa. The UK-based sponsor must meet the financial requirement of £29,000 per year. Given the sanctions-related difficulties with transferring money from Iran, the financial evidence often comes primarily from the UK-based sponsor's income.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence at the salary threshold of £41,700 a year, or the published going rate for the occupation code if that is higher. Since 22 July 2025 a new applicant's job must also be at graduate level (RQF 6). If the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List, the salary threshold and the application fee are lower, but the full going rate for the occupation still applies.

Student Visa

The Student visa is a significant route for Iranians. The UK has a long tradition of educating Iranian students, particularly at postgraduate level in engineering, sciences, and medicine. After completing a degree, the Graduate route provides 2 years of work permission (18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027; 3 years for a doctorate).

Asylum and Protection Routes

Some Iranians arrive in the UK seeking asylum or humanitarian protection due to political persecution, religious persecution (particularly for religious minorities and converts), or persecution based on sexual orientation. These routes are governed by separate legal frameworks and are outside the scope of this visa guide. If you are seeking protection, legal advice from a specialist immigration solicitor or organisations such as the Iranian Association is essential.

The Dual Nationality Issue

This is one of the most important issues for Iranian nationals. Iran does not recognise the renunciation of Iranian citizenship. Under Iranian law, anyone born to an Iranian father is an Iranian citizen for life, regardless of what other nationalities they hold. This creates specific complications:

• No British consular access in Iran. If you hold both Iranian and British citizenship and travel to Iran, the UK government cannot provide consular assistance. Iran considers you solely Iranian.
• Travel risk. Dual nationals (Iranian-British) have been detained in Iran. The UK government advises against all travel to Iran, and says British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. This is not a theoretical risk.
• Military service. Iranian men who have not completed military service (sarbazi) may face restrictions when renewing Iranian documents or attempting to leave Iran.
• British citizenship implications. Obtaining British citizenship does not release you from Iranian citizenship obligations. You should factor this into your long-term planning.

Document Requirements for Iranian Applicants

• Valid Iranian passport. Iranian passports must be valid for the duration of your intended stay. Some Iranians hold both a passport and a shenasnameh (birth certificate/identity booklet).
• Criminal record certificate. From the Iranian police (NAJA). Must be attested by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Vezarat-e Omur-e Kharejeh). If you cannot obtain this due to security or practical reasons, explain the circumstances in your application.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. Iranian documents require attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for international use. This functions similarly to apostille in Hague Convention countries (Iran is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention).
• Certified English translation. All Farsi-language documents must be translated by a certified translator.
• Shenasnameh. Your Iranian birth certificate/identity booklet may be requested as supporting evidence.

Tuberculosis Test

Iran is not on the Home Office list of countries where a tuberculosis test is needed for a visa of 6 months or more, so Iranian nationality alone does not trigger the requirement. Iran does appear on a second, separate list — countries that have approved test clinics — which is there for people who need the test and are being tested outside the country that triggered it.

The test follows where you have lived, not your passport. If you have lived for 6 months or more in a country that is on the list, and were living there within the last 6 months, you need a certificate whatever your nationality.

English Language Requirement

Iranian citizens must prove English language ability:

• Skilled Worker: CEFR B2 for applications made from 8 January 2026 (B1 still accepted for extensions on the same route)
• Spouse visa (initial): CEFR A1
• Spouse visa (extension): CEFR A2
• Indefinite leave to remain (settlement): CEFR B1, rising to B2 from 26 March 2027 for people settling from the Skilled Worker, Global Talent and several other routes

IELTS for UKVI is available in Tehran when the test centre is operational. If unavailable, you can take the test in Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara), the UAE (Dubai), or other neighbouring countries. Many Iranian applicants choose to test in Istanbul or Dubai.

VFS Global and Biometrics

VFS Global has historically operated a visa application centre in Tehran for UK visa applications. However, the availability of this centre can be affected by diplomatic circumstances between Iran and the UK. Check the GOV.UK Iran page for current status.

If the Tehran centre is unavailable, Iranian applicants commonly travel to:

• Istanbul or Ankara, Turkey — the most popular alternative, with frequent flights from Tehran
• Dubai or Abu Dhabi, UAE — another common option
• Yerevan, Armenia — close to Iran and accessible overland

Financial Evidence: Navigating Sanctions

International sanctions on Iran create significant challenges for financial evidence. The key issues are:

• No direct bank transfers. International sanctions mean Iranian banks cannot transfer funds directly to UK banks through the SWIFT network. This makes it nearly impossible to demonstrate financial capability through direct bank-to-bank transfers from Iran.
• Alternative financial evidence. Iranian applicants commonly demonstrate finances through: funds held outside Iran (in Turkey, UAE, or other countries); the UK-based sponsor's income and savings; exchange house (sarafi) records showing currency conversion; or property and asset ownership documentation.
• What the published rules require. The documents that count as proof of income and savings are listed in Appendix FM-SE for family applications, and in the route's own appendix for work and study. GOV.UK does not publish a separate evidence rule for applicants affected by sanctions, so the standard lists are what applies. We cannot say how any individual application will be decided.
• Currency. The Home Office publishes its fees in pounds and converts other currencies at the exchange rate on the day you pay, so there is no fixed rial figure to plan against. Official and market rates for the rial diverge, which makes any conversion printed in a guide misleading by the time you read it.

What It Costs

The Home Office publishes its fees in pounds. It does not publish a rial, dollar or euro price, and the exchange rate it applies is the rate on the day you pay, so this guide gives no conversion.

• Skilled Worker visa, applying from outside the UK: £819 for 3 years or less, £1,618 for more than 3 years
• Health and Care Worker visa: £324 for 3 years or less, £628 for more than 3 years
• Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 a year, or £776 a year for students, their dependants and anyone under 18
• Student visa: £558
• Partner (spouse) visa from outside the UK: £2,064
• Settlement (indefinite leave to remain): £3,226
• Becoming a British citizen: £1,709, plus a £130 ceremony fee
• No tuberculosis test cost: Iranian nationality alone does not trigger the requirement

GOV.UK publishes no price for an English language test, for Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, for a certified translation, or for travelling to a visa application centre in another country. Those are real costs, but nobody publishes a figure for them, so this guide gives none. See our UK visa fees guide.

Paying the healthcare surcharge does not make the National Health Service free at the point of use. In England a prescription costs £9.90 and dental treatment is charged in bands of £27.90, £76.60 and £332.10. Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Common Issues for Iranian Applicants

• Financial evidence difficulties. The most common issue. Provide thorough documentation of your financial situation and explain any sanctions-related limitations clearly in your application.
• Long processing times. Applications from Iran can take longer than standard processing times due to additional security checks. Be prepared for delays, particularly for family and settlement routes.
• Document attestation. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation process can be slow. Start this well before your planned application date.
• Dual nationality risks. If you acquire British citizenship and later travel to Iran, you may face serious risks. Some dual nationals have been detained. Factor this into your long-term planning.
• Military service (men). Iranian men who have not completed sarbazi may face difficulties renewing their Iranian passport or obtaining exit permits from Iran. Resolve any military service obligations before planning your move.
• Name transliteration. Farsi names can be transliterated into English in multiple ways. Ensure consistency across all documents. Discrepancies between your passport name and other documents can cause delays.

Practical Tips for Moving from Iran to the UK

Flights and Arrival

Direct flights from Tehran (IKA) to London are limited and can be affected by diplomatic circumstances. Indirect routes via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Muscat are common. Flight time is roughly 6 hours direct, or 8 to 14 hours with a connection. Fares change constantly, so this guide gives none.

Iranian Community in the UK

The Iranian community in London is centred in West London, particularly around Kensington, Hammersmith, and Ealing. Persian restaurants, supermarkets (selling Iranian produce and brands), bookshops, and cultural centres are well established. The Iranian Association, the Iran Heritage Foundation, and numerous community groups provide support, social events, and practical assistance. Nowruz (Persian New Year, around 21 March) is widely celebrated in the community with events across London.

Cultural Adjustment

Iranian arrivals generally appreciate the cultural and political freedoms in the UK but find the weather, food, and social norms different. London's cosmopolitan nature and the existing Persian community help ease the transition. Many Iranians report that the social isolation of the first few months is the biggest challenge — connecting with the Iranian community early can make a significant difference.

After Arrival

• Set up your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa (biometric residence permits are no longer issued)
• Apply for a National Insurance number
• Open a UK bank account — Iranian nationals may face additional identity verification due to sanctions compliance
• Register with a GP
• Understand your employment rights

Path to Settlement and Citizenship

After 5 years on a qualifying visa, apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), which costs £3,226. You must meet the continuous residence requirement, pass the Life in the UK test, and demonstrate CEFR B1 English (B2 from 26 March 2027 if you settle from the Skilled Worker, Global Talent or several other routes).

After 12 months with settlement, you can apply for British citizenship. Remember: Iran does not recognise renunciation of Iranian citizenship. You will remain an Iranian citizen in the eyes of Iranian law regardless of obtaining British citizenship.

Next Steps

Start by identifying your visa route. If joining a partner, read the spouse visa guide. If you have a UK job offer, explore the Skilled Worker visa. Gather your documents and start the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation process early.

For official information, visit GOV.UK Iran guidance and the GOV.UK Iran sanctions guidance.

Questions and answers