Application processing in Iran has resumed according to rumors.

Recruiting highly qualified professionals internationally often resembles a logistical puzzle. When diplomatic tensions or sudden embassy closures are added to the mix, academics, expats, and HR departments alike face a severe test. After weeks of speculation and a period of total uncertainty, however, there are now concrete signs of relief: the processing of visa applications in Iran has officially and gradually resumed .

Behind the scenes at immigration law firms, rumors had been swirling for several days due to the occasional visa reissuance. Now, the situation is clear. As a specialized law firm, we are closely monitoring this development to provide reliable guidance to employers and highly skilled professionals – including those from the US, Canada, or the UK who coordinate global teams in the region. But what is the current reality, and what should those affected expect?

Why did visa issuance in Iran come to a standstill and what has changed?

Following the temporary closure of the German embassy in Tehran, the entire application process for national visas came to a complete standstill . Since May 31, 2026, the external service provider TLScontact has resumed its operations in Iran with limited capacity. This partial reopening is strictly regulated. It is primarily aimed at individuals who were already on the waiting list before mid-January, whose appointments had to be canceled due to the embassy closure, or who missed their appointments due to internet outages. A mandatory prerequisite is prior approval from the immigration authorities in accordance with Section 81a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG ). Family reunification for spouses and minor children, legally enshrined in Sections 29 and 30 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), is also being processed again under this new system.

How does the process via TLScontact and the embassy currently work?

In legal practice, we are currently seeing a two-pronged approach, which the authorities are handling with a highly pragmatic attitude. TLScontact is working through the existing waiting lists chronologically by telephone . According to recent reports from the expedited proceedings before the administrative courts, the service provider is currently contacting applicants who registered in autumn 2025. Since capacities in Tehran remain severely limited, the Federal Foreign Office is resorting to a transnational alternative: Many visa appointments are currently being transferred to the German Embassy in Yerevan (Armenia) . Skilled workers are being assigned from Tehran to Yerevan to apply for their national visas there. At the same time, there are initial positive signs directly from Tehran, where the embassy is contacting applicants directly in individual cases – for example, in cases of family reunification – to issue visas on-site.

What hurdles do employers and skilled workers now have to consider?

The turbulent times in the HR departments of German companies are not entirely over with the resumption of the application process, as it is subject to strict conditions. When TLScontact contacts applicants, the current status of their documents determines their further progress. If the preliminary approval according to Section 81a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) and a current, uninterrupted employment contract are available, an appointment is scheduled immediately.

If documents are outdated or incomplete, the authorities grant a grace period of exactly one month , during which the documents must be updated with priority. Failure to meet this deadline will result in re-registration at the bottom of the waiting list. There is, however, some bureaucratic relief regarding language proficiency: the Federal Foreign Office currently accepts language certificates even if they are older than one year. Those without prior approval in the accelerated procedure, however, must remain on the waiting list until further visa categories are released.

Conclusion

The resumption of application processing in Iran via TLScontact and the cooperation with the embassy in Yerevan sends a much-needed signal to businesses and skilled immigrants. While the chronological processing of waiting lists requires patience, experience shows that the accelerated skilled worker procedure under Section 81a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) is once again effective. Companies and academic professionals should take the strict one-month deadline for document updates extremely seriously. As a law firm, we support you in managing these processes in a legally compliant manner and effectively minimizing delays.