The number of Iranian students seeking education abroad has surged in recent years, with many increasingly choosing China as their destination amid mounting war-related challenges, economic hardship, and tightening sanctions. According to Bahram Salavati, former head of the Iran Migration Observatory, the annual outflow of students doubled from approximately 60,000 at the end of the 2010s to 120,000 last year. However, return rates remain extremely low, with only about 1 percent coming back to Iran.
The decision to pursue studies in China reflects a shift influenced by geopolitical and economic factors. Iran’s conflict with the United States, ongoing sanctions, and domestic inflation have made traditional Western destinations less accessible. In August, the U.S. Treasury revoked a permit known as General Licence G, which had previously allowed certain academic and educational exchanges with Iran. This move resulted in the Educational Testing Service—the leading provider of standardized tests—suspending exams inside Iran, affecting language proficiency tests and graduate admission exams such as the GRE.
These restrictions have disrupted the plans of thousands of Iranian students. Hamid, a 38-year-old mechanical engineer from Tehran, said visa uncertainties and halted testing services forced him to postpone his master’s studies in Germany. Similarly, Erfan, a 31-year-old nutritionist from Kerman, abandoned hopes of studying in the West, noting that many peers were turning to China and Russia instead due to quicker processing, favorable scholarships, and lower costs.
China’s growing appeal is tied to its strategic engagement with Iran as part of broader diplomatic outreach to the global south. Iran’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS has strengthened ties, with Chinese universities welcoming Iranian students and offering support such as tuition, accommodation, and stipends. Students report faster visa approvals and more flexible language requirements, although challenges remain, including restrictions on opening bank accounts, limited work opportunities, and extensive internet censorship.
Maryam, who moved to Xi’an in 2024 on a full scholarship to study international trade at Xi’an Jiaotong University, highlights both the benefits and difficulties of studying in China. She praised the financial stability and academic quality—citing the rapid advancement of Chinese institutions in science and technology—but also noted the strict controls over internet access.
Iranian students are not only redirected to China; Turkey and Russia have also seen significant increases in Iranian enrollments. Turkey hosted nearly 30,000 Iranian students in 2024, a rise attributed to geographic proximity, cultural links, and more accommodating residency policies. The number of Iranians studying in Russia grew by 75 percent.
Experts caution that the U.S. restrictions on Iranian students may have unintended consequences. Kerri Bitsoff, a former U.S. Treasury sanctions official, warned the policies could fuel anti-American sentiment among younger Iranians who generally oppose their government. Matin Mirramezani from Stanford’s Iran 2040 Project echoed this concern, suggesting that measures disrupting educational opportunities might erode U.S. soft power without substantially influencing Iran’s regime.
From a strategic standpoint, China’s support extends beyond education, including increased purchases of Iranian oil and exports of civilian and dual-use technology. Analysts point to Chinese provision of military technology and satellite services to Iran, facilitated by accessible trade routes via rail and the Caspian Sea.
For many young Iranians, the chance to study abroad remains a critical opportunity amid economic instability at home. “Choosing China was the best decision of my life,” said Maryam, emphasizing relief from inflation and currency devaluation. The trend reflects broader geopolitical shifts and highlights how international education pathways are adapting in response to evolving diplomatic and economic pressures.