Overall Rank: #138 out of 199 countries
Iran ranks #138 out of 199 countries and territories in the Globevisa Passport Ranking, placing it in the below-average category. Across the five core dimensions — Mobility (#188), Governance (#126), Security (#111), Education (#48), and Quality of Life (#121) — Iran performs strongest in education (#48), followed by security (#111). Its weakest dimension is mobility (#188).
Mobility: #188 (score 6/100), Governance: #126 (score 37/100), Security: #111 (score 45/100), Education: #48 (score 76/100), Quality of Life: #121 (score 40/100)
Iran ranks #138 globally in the 2026 Globevisa Passport Ranking, which evaluates 199 countries and territories worldwide. Unlike traditional passport indices that focus solely on visa-free destination counts, the Globevisa Passport Ranking provides a comprehensive structural assessment across five core dimensions: Mobility, Governance, Security, Education, and Quality of Life. In terms of strengths, Iran excels in Education (#48, score 76). However, Quality of Life (#121) and Governance (#126) and Mobility (#188) represent structural areas of concern.
Country Overview: Iran is a resource-rich Middle Eastern nation facing significant geopolitical instability, economic sanctions, and highly restricted immigration pathways. / Limited mobility passport with restricted immigration pathways (Not currently recommended).
Identity Attributes: Not Recommended
Global Taxation: Yes (Worldwide Taxation)
Cost of Living: Low
Culture & Adaptation: Significant language barriers with Persian dominance; high cultural distance due to strict social and legal norms; challenging adaptation for those unfamiliar with regional traditions
Employment & Development: Economy dominated by hydrocarbons and manufacturing with significant state involvement; highly restricted opportunities for foreign professionals due to sanctions and strict work permit regulations; significant barriers to entry with limited career growth potential for expatriates.
Holding an Iranian passport does not provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, or the United States, and formal visa applications are required for entry into these regions. Internationally, the passport is recognized as having limited mobility, with its ranking reflecting restricted diplomatic reach and significant security-related vetting. While there is no current visa-free agreement to be suspended by major Western regions, the document remains subject to intense scrutiny and high refusal rates in many jurisdictions due to the prevailing geopolitical environment. Consequently, any expansion of travel privileges or easing of visa requirements for holders remains unlikely for the foreseeable future.
Iran’s investment residency policies are relatively volatile, as they are deeply integrated with the country's fluctuating economic and geopolitical situation. While legal frameworks such as the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act remain in place, the practical stability of these pathways has historically been challenged by the imposition of extensive international sanctions and financial restrictions. Future applicants may encounter intensified regulatory and compliance scrutiny, particularly regarding the movement of capital and the potential for sudden policy adjustments in response to international pressure. This environment requires a cautious approach, as the long-term viability of residency programs could be affected by evolving global compliance standards and local administrative shifts.
Iran's political stability is characterized by a highly centralized theocratic system that maintains order through a strong security apparatus, though it faces recurring internal dissent and significant regional geopolitical tensions. While general crime rates are relatively low in major urban centers, safety risks increase significantly in border regions, particularly near Afghanistan and Iraq, due to potential conflict and smuggling activities. Personal and property security are enforced by the Law Enforcement Force and the Revolutionary Guard under a legal system that strictly monitors social conduct and political activity. Residents and visitors are advised that while institutional control is pervasive, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the lack of independent judicial oversight can impact real-world security for certain individuals.