Iran's Special Residence Permit for Non-Iranian Elites is a talent-based program that lets foreign nationals with exceptional abilities in science, technology, entrepreneurship, research, and culture live and work in Iran on the basis of personal merit — with no local employer and no capital investment required. It was established under the Regulation for Supporting Non-Iranian Geniuses and Elites, approved by the Cabinet in January 2023 at the proposal of the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy. The program is run jointly by the Vice Presidency, the National Elites Foundation, and the Ministry of Interior's Commission for Organizing Foreign Nationals and Immigrants, as part of Iran's broader strategy to counter brain drain and attract international talent to its knowledge-based economy.
Applicants must be non-Iranian nationals with higher education credentials and noteworthy achievements. Eligibility is assessed using criteria from the National Elite Development Strategy, including:
Applicants must also align with Islamic Republic values and national interests, which introduces a subjective element to the evaluation.
Specific document requirements are determined during the online application process.
Permits are issued for 1, 3, or 5 years depending on the applicant's qualification level. Holders are exempt from annual residence document renewal — a significant advantage over Iran's standard work permit, which is limited to one year and requires yearly renewal.
Holders receive work authorization comparable to Iranian citizens and can obtain business licenses, establish medical practices, and register companies. The permit also grants access to banking services, government digital services, SIM card registration, and insurance. In effect, holders enjoy most citizenship rights — but not nationality itself. They cannot vote and are barred from certain positions under Article 982 of the Civil Code, including the Presidency, Cabinet ministries, parliamentary seats, judicial and military command roles, Foreign Ministry employment, and intelligence/security posts.
Iran taxes residents on worldwide income, and non-Iranian elites with special residence permits are treated similarly to Iranian citizens for tax purposes.
Applications are submitted online through the Connect / i-CONNECT platform (connect.isti.ir), the official gateway of the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy. Applicants submit their credentials, achievements, and proposed activities in Iran. The Vice Presidency's evaluation working group reviews each application with the National Elites Foundation and relevant agencies, then introduces qualified individuals to the Ministry of Interior's Commission within two weeks of document completion. The Commission must issue the residence permit within two months of approval, after which the Police Headquarters (FARAJA) issues the permit booklet.
Foreign elites typically first receive a science and technology visa allowing a three-to-six-month stay, during which their eligibility is evaluated based on the acceptance of their ideas and projects, before transitioning to the full residence permit.
The regulation primarily addresses the elite individual. Family members can access residence through Iran's standard immigration framework for dependants of foreign nationals.
The program remains active under the January 2023 regulation. As of 1404 (2025), the Vice Presidency reported 65 approved applicant files and 114 special residence cards issued to international specialists and entrepreneurs, alongside more than 895 active scientific collaborations with elites abroad.