Study immigration to the United States
The United States is one of the most sought-after study destinations for Iranians. World-class universities, advanced research facilities, and extensive job opportunities after graduation make this country a dream destination for further education. At the same time, visa problems for Iranians, the need for language proficiency, high tuition fees, and intense competition for scholarships are among the most important challenges of studying in the United States.
US student visas for Iranians suspended from January 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, the issuance of U.S. visas to Iranian nationals in all immigrant and nonimmigrant categories has been suspended. This decision also affects student and exchange visas, with only limited exceptions.
International student enrollment in the US to drop in 2025/26 academic year
New data from the Institute of International Education shows that the total number of international students in the United States fell in the 2025-26 academic year, and new enrollments also fell significantly. The trend is one sign of new pressures on the path to education in the United States.
A Closer Look at Social Media for a US Student Visa
The US Department of State has announced that starting March 30, 2026, students’ online presence on social media will be reviewed more carefully. Within this framework, some applicants will be required to keep their social media settings public.
Why America? Advantages and Challenges
The United States is globally popular due to the presence of large and prestigious universities such as Harvard University and MIT . Many students around the world dream of studying in the United States and enjoying the ideal educational, working, and living conditions.
The easiest way to get to the United States is through academic immigration . Although undergraduate education in this country is very expensive, many of the top universities in the United States offer many fully-funded scholarships for graduate studies that can cover all or even part of your education costs. Meanwhile, the opportunity to work as a student in the United States is also available to international students.
Challenges
Benefits
American education system
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctorate
Schools
Application time Early November to mid-January (November to December)
Studying in American schools
Foreign students who intend to study in American schools can only study in American boarding schools .
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Students in the United States, like most countries around the world, spend 12 years of schooling from elementary to high school. These 12 years of schooling include the following courses:
Undergraduate studies in the United States
Although it is possible to gain admission to American colleges , one thing that many institutions may hide from you is that the process of obtaining a visa to study in these courses for Iranians is very difficult and fraught with many risks.
The required score for undergraduate studies is 60 to 80 on the TOEFL test and 900 or higher on the SAT test.
Studying a Master's Degree in America
The required score for a master's degree is 80 to 100 on the TOEFL test and a GRE score of at least 300.
Studying a PhD in America
Studying for a doctorate in the United States usually consists of three to four full-time semesters, including advanced classes. These classes are usually held in small seminars. Students must pass written or oral exams before starting their dissertation. The dissertation in a doctoral program generally takes a year or more and is the length of a book.
After completing the thesis and defending it in the presence of a committee of three to five professors, students receive a doctoral degree.
Cost of studying in the US
The cost of studying in the United States varies for both domestic and international students. Your tuition costs will also depend on the type of degree and the university or school you choose. You can see the cost of studying in the United States in the table below.
Finding a job and living in the United States is one of the ways for international students to achieve permanent residency in the United States . The average monthly salary in the United States is estimated to be around $8,520 in 2026. The average cost of living for international students in the United States varies widely depending on the city and lifestyle choices. On average, students can expect to spend between $1,000 and $3,000 per month on accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses.
This amount can vary significantly based on whether you live in a more affordable city or a major urban center like New York or San Francisco. The table below provides some useful information regarding the cost of living for students in the cheapest cities in the United States.
Scholarships in America
American scholarships can cover your educational expenses as a grant so that you do not need to work in the United States . These scholarships are offered to outstanding students with high GPA; students who do not have a gap between their academic levels are also given priority for receiving scholarships. It should be noted that American universities have set age requirements for receiving scholarships at different levels.
Other factors that are considered as winning factors for obtaining a scholarship include submitting articles and publishing them in reputable international journals, participating and winning in scientific competitions related to the field of study, and registering a patent. The stronger the resume and documents you provide, the greater your chances of receiving a scholarship.
The amount of scholarship for studying in the United States will vary depending on the level of education and field of study of each individual. These scholarships are mostly offered to students at the master’s and doctoral levels. Fully funded US scholarships at the doctoral level can cover the student’s living expenses in the United States in addition to tuition fees.
Top universities in America
If you are planning to study in the US, it is good to know that the US has 83 universities ranked below 500 in the QS World
Steps for academic immigration to the United States
Requirements and documents required to study in the United States
Due to favorable economic and welfare conditions and significant advances in science and technology, the United States annually welcomes many immigrants who travel to this country for various purposes such as work, investment or education. The United States is among the top countries in the world in terms of educational level and offers various scholarships every year for those interested in studying in the United States.
Equivalency of documents for studying in the United States
Please note that the documents you submit to WES must be translated into English by certified translators. In addition, your documents must have a stamp of approval from the relevant centers, such as the Department of Education (for diplomas and pre-university degrees) or the university.
Language certificate
Bachelor's degree: 6 to 6.5
Master's degree: 6.5 and above
Doctoral degree: 6.5 to 7 and above
Grade point average requirement
Age requirement
Documents required to study in the USA
Students who intend to study at American universities must submit the required documents to their desired university in order to obtain academic admission and then wait for a response from them. Those students who, after submitting their documents to American universities, succeed in obtaining academic admission from these universities must submit their documents along with the academic acceptance letter to the American embassy and apply for their student visa.
The documents required to study in the United States for admission to a bachelor’s degree include the following:
- 12-year high school diploma
- Academic records and transcripts
- SAT or ACT test scores
- TOEFL or other English language test results
- Proof of financial means (1 year of tuition plus $20,000)
The documents required for academic immigration to the United States to obtain admission to master’s and doctoral programs include the following:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Academic records and transcripts
- TOEFL or other English language test results
- Recommendation letters from 2 professors
- Financial support (1 year of tuition plus $20,000)
- Application for admission
Best cities to study in America
The best student cities in the US are usually those that offer a combination of high-quality education, affordable cost of living, safety, job opportunities, and a vibrant social life. According to reputable reports like QS Best Student Cities and WalletHub , cities like Boston (with renowned universities like Harvard and MIT), Ann Arbor, Michigan (home to the University of Michigan), Austin, Texas (with a vibrant cultural scene and the presence of the University of Texas), and San Francisco (with a focus on technology and innovation) are among the most popular and best destinations for international students.
Quieter cities like Madison, Wisconsin, and Boulder, Colorado are also popular for their high quality of life, beautiful scenery, and close-knit student communities. Overall, choosing the best city depends on your academic goals, budget, major, and lifestyle, but most of these cities offer students a space for academic, professional, and personal growth.
Student city of Ann Arbor: Home to the University of Michigan, which has a significant student population, it combines a good academic environment with student-friendly city life.- Austin, Texas: Some reports, such as WalletHub, have ranked Austin as the number one “student city/student friendly city.” The city combines a good university (University of Texas at Austin) with job opportunities, culture, and entertainment.
- Bozeman, Montana: Ranked #1 on the list of the best “college towns” for 2024. Beautiful nature, a quieter environment than very large cities, and opportunities for off-campus recreation are all advantages of this city.
Student work in America
Students in the US, like in many other countries, can work part-time as students in the US . One thing to note is that students are not allowed to work outside of the university during their first year of study. In the US, you are allowed to have a part-time job for 20 hours per week. Even if you work for multiple employers, you should make sure that your working hours do not exceed this amount.
Requirements for US residency through study
If you are studying in the United States, you may be thinking about obtaining US residency after completing your studies. You can stay in the United States as long as your F1 visa is valid. After the validity of this visa expires, you can stay in the country for up to 12 months through the OPT program to get a chance to change your visa. Apply for a longer stay in the United States through one of the following ways:
- Obtaining a job offer from an employer in the United States
- Marrying an American citizen
Comparing the United States to other countries
Studying in the United States ranks very high in terms of educational quality, research facilities, and university diversity compared to countries like Canada, Australia, and European countries. American universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford are among the world’s top academic centers, and their research facilities and direct connections to industry are stronger than many universities in other countries.
However, the cost of studying and living in the US is generally higher and the immigration and visa system is more complicated. In contrast, Canada and Australia also offer quality higher education and have easier visa and residency processes; Canada in particular, with its more open immigration policies, is a more popular destination for students seeking permanent residency after graduation.
Compared to European countries (such as Germany, the Netherlands, France or Sweden), the United States offers more freedom and variety in choosing majors and universities, but tuition fees are often several times higher. Many European countries offer public universities with low or even free tuition fees (especially for postgraduate studies), although admissions for international students are more limited and competition is high.
Europe is also known for its multicultural lifestyle, safety, and high quality of life, but the US offers more international work and research opportunities. Overall, if your main goal is to advance your academic and professional career on a global scale, the US is a great choice; but if cost, immigration, and work-life balance are more important, European countries, Canada, and Australia are better options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get our educational qualifications recognized in the United States?
How to immigrate to the United States for study?
What is the best immigration agency to the United States?
What is the minimum GPA to study in the United States?
Does the US also offer postdoctoral courses for international students?
Can I bring my spouse and children to the United States with a US student visa?
What are the top universities in America?
Is it possible to study for free in America?
Cost of studying in Russia
Scholarships in Russia
Despite the fact that Russia has low tuition fees compared to other countries, it also provides applicants with the opportunity to receive scholarships . Russian scholarships are offered by organizations, governments, and universities. With a suitable resume or a suitable academic process, it is possible for individuals to receive scholarships.
Scholarships offered in Russia can cover all or part of a person’s education costs.
One of the most important scholarships in Italy is the DSU scholarship and the Milan Provincial Scholarship, and many students immigrate to Italy every year to receive these scholarships.
Italian universities have a good academic reputation worldwide, and hence studying at these universities helps in finding a suitable job in many countries of the world. There are a total of 30 universities in Italy. Out of the total 30 universities in Italy, 14 universities are in the list of the top 500 universities in the world .
The reputation of Italian universities is not limited to just a few fields. In the country’s universities, a variety of fields are offered with appropriate quality and up-to-date international standards. It should be noted that many of these fields are taught in English at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.
The following are the names of the top universities in Italy, along with their academic rankings in 2024, according to the prestigious QS ranking :
Cost of studying in Russia
Scholarships in Russia
Despite the fact that Russia has low tuition fees compared to other countries, it also provides applicants with the opportunity to receive scholarships . Russian scholarships are offered by organizations, governments, and universities. With a suitable resume or a suitable academic process, it is possible for individuals to receive scholarships.
Scholarships offered in Russia can cover all or part of a person’s education costs.
One of the most important scholarships in Italy is the DSU scholarship and the Milan Provincial Scholarship, and many students immigrate to Italy every year to receive these scholarships.
Italian universities have a good academic reputation worldwide, and hence studying at these universities helps in finding a suitable job in many countries of the world. There are a total of 30 universities in Italy. Out of the total 30 universities in Italy, 14 universities are in the list of the top 500 universities in the world .
The reputation of Italian universities is not limited to just a few fields. In the country’s universities, a variety of fields are offered with appropriate quality and up-to-date international standards. It should be noted that many of these fields are taught in English at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.
The following are the names of the top universities in Italy, along with their academic rankings in 2024, according to the prestigious QS ranking :
