Educational migration, especially for young people and the educated workforce of Iran, is no longer just a decision to achieve higher income. In recent years, this decision has turned into an effort to achieve job security, social peace, and a predictable outlook for the future. However, economic, administrative, and international barriers have turned this path into a serious challenge.
Economic Challenges and Their Impact on Migration
Restrictions on oil revenues and disruptions in foreign trade have posed challenges to the country's supply chain and production. This situation has created an economy that not only threatens factory closures and shortages of essential goods but can also lead to social unrest.
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The increase in currency rates and the decrease in the value of the national currency have significantly raised the dollar costs of migration. Iranian applicants face difficulties accessing educational services and language tests, and changes in the immigration policies of destination countries and the prolonged review process have created uncertainty. In this situation, many individuals do not know whether to continue on the migration path or return to life within the country.
Uncertain Narratives of Migration
In conversations with individuals who have been on the migration path, images of uncertainty and various obstacles emerged. One couple who decided to pursue educational migration mentioned concerns about economic conditions and the lack of peace as the main reasons for this decision. They initially intended to proceed through educational means, but despite the suitable educational background of the spouse, the competition for acceptance and the difficulties of this path led them to conclude that continuing might result in serious financial problems.
This couple decided to halt their educational migration plans and instead focused on their original path. However, the future remains uncertain for them. One of them states: "The longing for a normal and quality life" are feelings that many migration applicants struggle with.
Another applicant who, along with their spouse, has applied through the startup visa for Canada, despite receiving the necessary approval, is still waiting for their case to be resolved due to changes in Canadian government policies. This couple has been involved in this process for about two years and has spent approximately $100,000 on this path.
The prolonged migration process has led to new challenges for this couple. Childbearing, as an important life goal, has now been postponed for them, and they may even reconsider permanent migration in the future due to the economic conditions in Iran.
Another applicant involved in the migration process speaks of various obstacles such as not having a language certificate and rising currency costs. They say: "Maintaining my current job and dedicating time to learning the language is very difficult under the current circumstances. At the same time, I have no hope of rebuilding my life in Iran, and the migration path has become more difficult for me."
These challenges are not limited to securing the initial costs of leaving the country. Migration applicants face multiple obstacles in taking language tests and the need to travel to other countries to participate in these tests. This situation adds psychological and economic pressure on them.
For many young Iranians, migration has turned into a multi-year project that has affected various aspects of their lives during this time. Uncertainty in decision-making and feelings of insecurity about the future are results that many of these applicants face.
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