Will visiting Iran cause a problem while entering US for an F-1 visa student?

Question

I have to go to Iran to take a TOEFL test. Im currently on F-1 visa and planning on returning to US a few days after i come back from Iran. Im afraid that visiting Iran will cause probelms for me in US or I will be denied entrance into the country. Can someone clarify this for me please.

Answer 1

Iranians aren't usually denied entry in the US simply for being Iranians or for going back home to visit. Are you a citizen of some other country? The only real problem I see, is that Iranian citizens only get single entry student visas that are valid for 3 months. So, if you're currently in the US on a student visa, you'll have to reapply for a new student visa to return. Since we don't have an embassy in Iran, you'll have to apply in Dubai or Ankara. And that could easily delay your return, certainly by more than a few days. Is there some reason you can't take a TOEFL exam here in the US?

Answer 2

I have been to Iran, and held both a J-1 as well as an F-1 visa after. Granted, I'm a Norwegian citizen and was only in Iran for 5 days as a tourist, but other than the obvious "what were you doing in Iran" question, I had no problems at all getting the visa. You say you have to go to to Iran for the TOEFL test, if you don't live in Iran, why not take the test where you live?

Answer 3

I'm surprised!! Why do you have to come to Iran to take TOEFL test when we go abroad for the same test??