Visa & Residence Guide: USA, Canada, Schengen & Gulf Countries

🇺🇸 How to get a U.S. visa?

U.S. visas require an interview at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate and submission of form DS-160.

Common Visa Types:

• B1/B2: Tourism or business (most common)
• F1: Student visa
• H1B: Work visa for professionals
• L1: Intracompany transfer
• Green Card (Permanent Residency): Available through employment, family sponsorship, or diversity lottery

Key Steps:

1. Complete the DS-160 form at ceac.state.gov
2. Pay the non-refundable application fee ($185 for B1/B2)
3. Schedule and attend the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy (Tehran or Urmia)
4. Bring: valid passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo, financial documents, and proof of strong ties to Iran (employment, property, family)

Official U.S. Travel Site

🇨🇦 How to get a Canadian visa?

You must first determine which type of visa or permit you need:

• Visitor Visa: Short-term stays for tourism, family visits, or medical treatment
• Study Permit: For enrollment in designated learning institutions
• Work Permit: For legal employment, often requiring a job offer and LMIA
• Permanent Residency (PR): Through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), or family sponsorship

Required Documents:

• Valid passport
• Digital photo meeting specifications
• Proof of financial means (bank statements, pay stubs)
• Invitation letter (if visiting family/friends)
• Proof of ties to home country
• Online application form via IRCC portal

Express Entry System:

Canada’s primary pathway for skilled workers:

• Use the Come to Canada tool to check eligibility
• Obtain official language test results (IELTS/CELPIP for English, TEF for French)
• Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if educated outside Canada
• Create an Express Entry profile with work history, education, language scores, and job offers
• Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score; receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if ranked high enough
• Submit full application for PR within 60 days of receiving ITA

Official Express Entry Portal

🇪🇺 What is a Schengen visa, and how to get one?

A Schengen visa allows travel to 29 European countries including:

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇸🇲 San Marino .

Required Documents:

• Valid passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond return date)
• Travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage)
• Flight itinerary and confirmed accommodation
• Proof of sufficient funds (€60–€80 per day)
• Completed Schengen visa application form
• Recent passport-sized photo
• Proof of employment or enrollment

Important Notes:

• Apply at the embassy or visa center of your main destination (longest stay)
• If visiting multiple countries equally, apply at the first point of entry
• Processing time: 15 calendar days, but allow 3–4 weeks during peak season

Official Schengen Visa Information

🇫🇷 How to get a French visa and residence?

Visa:

• Long-Stay Visa (D): Required for stays >90 days
• Work Visa: Requires a job offer and work authorization from French authorities
• Student Visa: Proof of enrollment in accredited institution + proof of funds (€700/month)
• Digital Nomad Visa: Minimum monthly gross income of €2,763 (2025 requirement)
• Investor Visa: Investment in French business or innovation project
• Family Reunification: For spouses and dependent children of French residents

Residence:

Upon arrival, apply for a Titre de Séjour at your local prefecture within 3 months. Valid for 1 year, renewable. After 5 continuous years of legal residence, apply for permanent residency.

Citizenship:

• By Birth: Born in France to at least one French parent
• By Descent: At least one French parent, regardless of birthplace
• By Marriage: 4 years of marriage if residing in France, 5 years if abroad + B1 French language
• By Naturalization: 5 years of legal residence (2 years if graduated from French university), B1 language, financial independence, clean criminal record, integration into French society
• Special Cases: Former citizens, military service, exceptional contributions to France

Application fee: ~€55. Processing time: up to 18 months for naturalization.

Official French Visa Portal | French Public Services

🇩🇪 How to get a German visa and residence?

Visa:

• Work Visa: Requires a job offer and approval from the Federal Employment Agency
• Study Visa: Proof of university admission + blocked account (€11,208/year)
• Self-Employment Visa: Viable business plan demonstrating economic benefit and job creation
• Investment Visa: Minimum investment of €250,000 + creation of at least 5 full-time jobs
• EU Blue Card: For highly qualified professionals with a job offer and minimum annual salary (€45,300 in 2025)

Residence:

• Temporary Residence Permit: Issued for up to 3 years
• EU Blue Card: Fast-track to permanent residency
• Permanent Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis): After 5 years of legal residence (or 33 months with Blue Card, or 21 months with B1 German language certificate)
• Requirements: stable income, health insurance, social security contributions, German language at B1 level

Official Make it in Germany | Federal Foreign Office

🇪🇸 How to get a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?

Requirements:

• Minimum annual gross income of €33,500 (2025 requirement)
• Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity)
• Criminal record certificate from every country lived in over the past 2 years (apostilled and translated into Spanish)
• Proof of professional experience (3+ years) or university degree
• Health insurance valid in Spain
• Proof of income (bank statements, contracts)
• Simple Spanish-translated resume

Residence:

Apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) upon arrival. Initial validity: 1 year (if applied abroad) or 3 years (if applied within Spain). Renewable. Permanent residency after 5 continuous years of legal residence.

Spanish Government Portal | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

🇨🇭 How to get a Swiss residence permit?

Permit Types:

• L Permit: Short-term (up to 12 months) for temporary employment
• B Permit: Long-term (>1 year) for employment, study, or family
• C Permit (Permanent Residency): Full rights to live and work without restrictions

Eligibility for C Permit:

• EU/EFTA nationals: after 5 years of legal residence
• Non-EU nationals: typically 10 years, but reduced to 5 years for citizens of USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and others
• Requirements: stable income, health insurance, clean criminal record, integration into Swiss society (language, culture)

State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

🇵🇱 How to get a Polish visa and residence?

Visa:

• Work Visa: Requires a job offer and work permit issued by the Voivodeship Office
• Student Visa: Acceptance letter from Polish university + proof of funds (approx. €500/month)
• Family Reunification: For spouses and children of Polish residents
• Business Visa: For entrepreneurs establishing or managing a company

Residence:

• Temporary Residence Permit: Issued for up to 3 years, renewable
• Permanent Residency: After 5 continuous years of legal temporary residence

Official Polish Foreigners Portal

🇨🇾 How to get permanent residency in Cyprus?

Pathways:

• Fast Track Permanent Residency: Purchase property valued at ≥ €300,000 (plus VAT), proof of stable annual income ≥ €50,000, and €30,000 bank deposit held for 3 years
• Regular Permanent Residency (Category F): Prove sufficient annual income to live without employment, obtain temporary residence permit (“pink slip”) first, renew annually, apply for permanent residency after 5 years

Cyprus Ministry of Interior

🇴🇲 How to get a visa for Oman?

Visa Options:

• e-Visa: Apply online via Royal Oman Police portal. Requires: valid passport, digital photo, travel itinerary, accommodation proof, and evidence of sufficient funds
• Visa on Arrival: Available for citizens of eligible countries (e.g., USA, UK, Canada) at designated ports of entry

Residence:

Oman offers a “Golden Residency” program for investors and skilled professionals. Details vary by category (e.g., real estate investment, business ownership, high-income employment). Consult official sources for updated thresholds.

Royal Oman Police – e-Visa Portal

🇦🇪 How to get a visa or residence in the UAE?

Residence Pathways:

• Golden Visa: 5–10 year residency for investors (min. AED 2M property), entrepreneurs, scientists, and exceptional talents
• Remote Work Visa: For employees of foreign companies earning at least AED 15,000/month
• Standard Residence Visa: Sponsored by employer or property owner

UAE Visa Portal

🇸🇦 How to get residency in Saudi Arabia?

Residence Pathways:

• Premium Residency: 1-year or lifetime residency for investors and professionals (min. SAR 2M investment)
• Visit Visa: Single or multiple entry for tourism and business
• Investor Visa: For significant business investment and job creation

Saudi Tourism Portal | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

🇶🇦 How to get residency in Qatar?

Residence Pathways:

• Qatar Investor Visa: For investments in real estate, business, or government-approved projects
• Green Visa: For skilled professionals and self-employed individuals
• Family Sponsorship: For dependents of residents

Qatar Ministry of Interior

Important Notes for Iranian Applicants

• All official visa and residence applications are free. Never pay individuals or agencies claiming to “guarantee” approval.
• Always use official government websites (domains ending in .gov, .gov.uk, .eu, .ca, .gov.om, .ae, .sa, .qa, etc.).
• Apply at least 2–3 months in advance for Canada and USA; 2–3 weeks for Schengen countries.
• Provide truthful, complete documentation. False information leads to refusal and potential bans.
• Proof of financial means is required for all long-term visas. Avoid showing large, unexplained deposits.
• Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay. Some countries may have additional scrutiny for Iranian applicants.