Investor Residence Permit

Iran's Investor Residence Permit enables foreign nationals to obtain long-term residence by depositing funds in Iranian banking institutions or making direct or indirect investments in the country's economy. The program operates under two legal frameworks. The foundational legislation is the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPPA) of 2002, which provides three-year renewable residence permits for investors with approved FIPPA investment licenses. A more recent deposit-based pathway was introduced under the Regulation on Facilitating and Granting Residence to Applicants for Deposit or Currency and Rial Investment, implementing Article 29(a) of the Law on Financing Production and Infrastructures. This regulation was adopted by the Cabinet in January 2025, and specific investment tiers were set by a guideline approved by the National Financing Council in November 2025. The program is administered by the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, with involvement from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Police Force (FARAJA).

Direct investment:

• €100,000–€300,000 — 2-year residence permit
• €300,000–€500,000 — 2 to 5-year residence permit
• €500,000+ — 5-year residence permit

Deposit pathway:

• €150,000–€350,000 — 2-year residence permit
• €350,000–€600,000 — 2 to 3-year residence permit
• €600,000+ — 3-year residence permit

Multiple investments or deposits can be combined to determine the total residence duration. The new tiered system denominates thresholds in euros, replacing the older framework that used US dollars.

Under FIPPA, there is no minimum investment threshold, but a business plan and OIETAI approval are required. FIPPA investments may include cash, machinery, equipment, raw materials, or intangible assets.

Under the 2025 regulation, applicants obtain forms through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the national investment integrated information system (investiniran.ir), or the Ministry of Interior. Documents can be submitted directly to the commission secretariat or through Iranian diplomatic missions abroad, which must forward documentation within five business days. The secretariat reviews applications within 15 days and may request additional information. The commission then reviews within 10 days. Approved applicants are referred to Iranian credit institutions within 5 days of approval, and funds must be deposited within two months — otherwise the application becomes void.

Under FIPPA, investors apply for an investment license through OIETAI. Upon approval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues single-entry or multiple-entry visas (maximum three-year validity) with 90-day residence per entry within 3 business days. Upon entering Iran with a FIPPA-endorsed visa and an OIETAI certificate, the investor applies to the police force for a three-year residence permit.

Required documents include an application form, valid passport, proof of foreign-source funds, and supporting investment or deposit documentation. Under FIPPA, an investment license, business plan, and evidence of capital importation are also needed.

Deposited funds must be of foreign origin, transferred through the banking system or Central Bank-approved transfer methods. Deposits are placed in licensed banks and non-bank financial institutions authorized by the Central Bank. Principal and interest of deposits are guaranteed by the Central Bank, including transfer abroad. Under FIPPA, capital may be invested as cash, machinery, equipment, raw materials, or intangible assets, and profits and capital can be repatriated after Board approval.

Up to 5 dependants are covered under the primary investment or deposit: spouse, male children under 18, single female children, and parents. Additional family members beyond 5 require €30,000 per person in additional investment or deposit. Under FIPPA, immediate relatives in the same categories receive residence permits alongside the investor.

Depositors and FIPPA investors with residence permits may obtain work permits. The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare must issue work permits within 7 business days upon OIETAI request.

Residence permit holders under FIPPA are exempt from exit and re-entry visa requirements, allowing unlimited travel in and out of Iran during the permit validity. Under the deposit-based framework, there is similarly no limit on exit and return during the residence period. Extension requests must be submitted 3 months before permit expiration. Renewal follows the same approval procedures as the initial application. Under FIPPA, permits are renewable indefinitely for the duration of the investment project. Automatic cancellation of the residence permit occurs if approved project funds are not invested within six months of receiving the foreign investment license.

Iran taxes residents on worldwide income, and foreign investors are subject to Iranian tax law during their residence. Under FIPPA, profits and capital can be repatriated after Board approval. Permit holders have access to healthcare, education, driver's licenses, and domestic travel services equivalent to their legal residence period.

International sanctions on Iran create significant practical challenges for transferring funds through the banking system — prospective applicants should investigate viable fund transfer methods in advance. Deposited funds under the older framework could not be withdrawn before two years without Special Commission approval, and early withdrawal forfeited all accrued interest. Deposits may be converted to foreign investment under FIPPA, allowing holders to access additional legal protections under that law. The permit does not directly lead to permanent residency or citizenship. Provincial authorities have also been delegated authority to issue investor residence permits, decentralizing the process.