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and Immigration: Navigating Government Obstacles in Search of New Opportunities

As economic, social, and political pressures intensify in Iran, immigration has become a widespread response across all segments of society. From skilled workers to entrepreneurs, many Iranians are exploring ways to leave the country in search of stability and opportunities elsewhere. A significant part of this trend involves the youth, with many young Iranians choosing education as a pathway for immigration. In contrast, Iranian authorities are increasingly implementing strict measures to curb this immigration, targeting the very institutions that assist students in studying abroad.
### The Rising Trend of Educational Immigration
Educational immigration has become a preferred option for young Iranians seeking opportunities abroad. Faced with limited job prospects, economic instability, and political restrictions, many young people view foreign universities as gateways to a brighter future. However, Iranian officials have responded with policies designed to halt the exodus of young people leaving the country. These measures include rising costs for obtaining academic degrees, frequent cancellations of English proficiency exams, currency restrictions, and crackdowns on agencies that facilitate study abroad programs.
Recently, local media reported that the Iranian judiciary has begun actively targeting institutions that assist students in studying abroad. According to Valiollah Mahboubi, Tehran's Deputy Prosecutor General, institutions that do not operate under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Science or the Ministry of Health are deemed "unlicensed." This classification allows authorities to shut down these institutions, block their websites, and prevent them from continuing their services. Mahboubi claims this is part of a campaign "to protect public rights and prevent crime," while the judiciary justifies these actions by accusing unlicensed institutions of exploiting students' desires to emigrate for financial gain and violating citizens' rights.
### Systematic Obstacles for Aspiring Students
Many of these institutions are private agencies that facilitate sending students abroad, capitalizing on the growing demand among young Iranians for overseas education. With stringent regulations and financial burdens imposed on them, students often find themselves resorting to these private entities despite the associated costs and risks. Authorities allege that such agencies exploit vulnerable students and families for substantial profits, yet the root of the issue—the factors driving this trend of immigration—remains unaddressed.
In early October, the Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, reported that licenses for 60 student recruitment agencies had been revoked over the past three years, leaving only 120 government-approved agencies operating. These organizations are subject to a task force comprised of representatives from multiple ministries, including Science, Health, Foreign Affairs, Media, Justice, and Islamic Guidance, with all applications for operating licenses scrutinized. Any agency operating without the approval of this group is considered illegal.
### Religious and Ideological Requirements for Foreign Students
Students seeking to study abroad through government-approved channels must meet strict ideological requirements. According to Iran's laws on sending students abroad, only those who demonstrate loyalty to the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Republic are eligible for legal support. Additionally, female students holding bachelor's degrees or higher are only permitted to study abroad if they are married and accompanied by their husbands.
Due to these restrictions, many students opt to apply privately or independently. However, by circumventing government channels, these students and the universities they attend are classified as "unlicensed." As a result, the Iranian Ministry of Science often does not recognize degrees obtained from these foreign institutions, making it challenging for these graduates to return and work in Iran with foreign qualifications.
### Financial and Logistical Obstacles
In recent years, Iranian authorities have heightened financial barriers to deter student immigration. According to the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Science, graduates must pay substantial fees for the "issuance" of their degrees, which the government retains to ensure compliance with post-graduation requirements. For instance, bachelor's degree holders are required to pay 40 million tomans annually for degree issuance, while master's graduates face an annual fee of 50 million tomans. Costs are significantly higher in medical fields, reaching up to 120 million tomans annually for dentistry, translating to a minimum of 500 million tomans for a complete medical program.
Additionally, the repeated cancellations of the IELTS exam—an English proficiency test required by many foreign universities—have compounded the burdens on aspiring immigrants. This cancellation forces students to incur additional travel expenses to neighboring countries like Turkey to take the exam.
### Official Discourse vs. Reality of Youth Immigration
Despite these measures, authorities have been reluctant to acknowledge the root causes driving young Iranians abroad. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has publicly criticized those who leave the country after completing their education, accusing them of serving foreign powers. He claims that these individuals are "nurtured and developed in Iran, but when they reach their peak, they leave and provide their talents' benefits to others." However, his comments ignore the overarching challenges within Iran that push young people to seek opportunities elsewhere.
According to the Iranian Migration Observatory, economic instability, political repression, social discontent, and a job crisis are significant factors propelling immigration trends. Rather than addressing these underlying issues
By Saeed Abadi
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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