Moving to Iran

Iran is a country with an ancient history and a unique culture, located in the western part of Asia. This country is famous for its Sassanid monuments, the poetry of Ferdowsi, the exquisite Persian carpets and the hospitality of its people. However, before moving to Iran to take up permanent residence, one should make a sober assessment of all the possible difficulties one may encounter in this country.

Firstly, you should bear in mind that Iran is a country with a strong Islamic tradition. Sharia law governs many areas of public life, which imposes certain restrictions, especially on the lives of women. In addition, Iran has a rather conservative society in which traditional values are upheld. This can lead to difficulties when integrating people with a different cultural background.

However, if you are prepared for such difficulties, moving to Iran can be an exciting adventure. Living in this country will allow you to get to know the unique Persian culture better, open up many interesting work and business opportunities and make new contacts. With careful preparation and realistic expectations, Iran can be a great place to immigrate to.

Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran. It is the center of cultural and business life in the country. Tehran offers a wide range of employment opportunities due to the large number of companies and representative offices of international firms. The city's infrastructure is well developed, which makes it attractive for businesses and pleasant to live in. However, high housing prices and traffic congestion are disadvantages to be considered when choosing where to live.
Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran and is located in the north-east of the country. It is known for its historic tomb of Imam Reza, which makes it an important pilgrimage destination. Mashhad is also an important industrial and tourist center. In contrast to Tehran, Mashhad offers a more relaxed pace of life.
Isfahan, a city with a rich cultural and historical heritage, is one of the centers of Persian art. Isfahan has a well-developed infrastructure and offers numerous business opportunities in the fields of tourism and entertainment.
Shiraz is the city of poets and flowers, the cradle of Persian poetry. It has a wonderful climate and a rich natural environment. Light industry is developed and there are also opportunities for entrepreneurship. One of the advantages of Shiraz is the low cost of living.
Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan province, is an industrial and cultural center. Business and employment opportunities in industry and trade are available here. When choosing Tabriz, one should consider its advantages as an industrial center and its infrastructural possibilities.

When choosing a city to live in Iran, you should consider your area of work, infrastructure requirements, climatic preferences and other factors to make an informed decision that suits your personal preferences and requirements.

1. respect the Muslim traditions. Sharia law applies in Iran, follow the rules of conduct.
2. observe the dress code. It differs for men and women. Choose modest clothing, cover your shoulders and knees.
3. English is common in the service industry. Menus, signs, signage - often reproduced in English.
4. pay with cash or a local bank card. International credit cards do not work.
5. take into account the climatic differences between the regions. It can snow in northern cities and be hot in southern cities.
6 Iran does not recognize dual citizenship. If you apply for an Iranian passport, you must give up your other passports.
7. learn the basics of taarof - the rules of social etiquette in Iran. This will help you avoid getting into an awkward situation.
8 The local currency is the Iranian rial. In colloquial language, however, toman is used (10 toman = 1 rial).
9. get used to the Iranian calendar. The week starts on Saturday and ends on Friday.
10. avoid physical contact with members of the opposite sex. It is not customary.

• Tourist visa. It can be issued by the Iranian embassy for a short-term stay and to get to know the country. It is usually valid for 30 days.
• Visa for a temporary stay. It is issued for a period of 3 to 12 months. To obtain it, you must submit a letter of motivation and proof of financial solvency.
• Residence permit. Issued by the National Immigration Office of Iran on the basis of an application with a package of documents. The validity period is 1 to 5 years and can be extended further.
• Work permit. Required for legal employment in Iran, issued separately.
• Family reunification visa. Can be issued by the spouse or close relative of the immigrant.

Proof of residence, health insurance, criminal record and other mandatory documents are also required here. It is recommended that you contact the Iranian consulate in advance to find out about visa requirements.

Citizens of other countries living in Iran cannot rely on state health insurance. They have to pay for medical services themselves.
Compared to most developed countries, however, medicine in Iran is characterized by accessibility and low prices. Both public and private clinics are well represented here.
To minimize the risks, expats are advised to take out international health insurance that covers treatment costs worldwide.
Another option is to take out a policy with a private Iranian insurance company. Although this is cheaper, it only covers Iranian medical centers.
In any case, with the right insurance, medical care should not be a problem for foreign nationals who have moved to Iran for a permanent stay.

The Iranian labor market offers foreign professionals many opportunities for successful employment.
Some of the most sought-after areas are energy, agriculture and the service sector. The Iranian energy sector is actively developing and requires qualified personnel. The country is also encouraging investment in the modernization of agriculture, which opens up opportunities for specialists in the fields of agronomy, veterinary medicine and the processing industry. The service sector, especially tourism, is growing dynamically and creates a need for staff in hotels, restaurants and travel companies.
Professionals with higher education and extensive work experience in sought-after industries have the best chances of finding employment in Iran. Letters of recommendation from previous employers are an additional advantage.
However, foreign nationals require a special permit to work legally in Iran.
To do so, they must apply for a work visa, submit a letter of motivation from the employer, fill out application forms, pay the visa fee and pass an interview.
The work visa is then extended for one year, with the possibility of a further extension.
Thus, if all formal procedures are followed, Iran opens up wide employment opportunities for highly qualified foreign professionals.

Advantages:

• Rich cultural and historical heritage, unique architecture and traditions.
• Growing economy, presence of international companies, career opportunities.
• Hospitable and friendly population.
• High quality and affordable medicine, good education system.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living and expensive housing in major cities.
• Risk of political instability and conflict in some regions.
• The need to adapt to the local culture and traditions.
• Hot, dry climate in summer.

In general, moving to Iran is a serious decision that requires a balanced consideration of the pros and cons. It makes sense to find out about the situation in the country in advance in order to be prepared for possible difficulties.