We, the undersigned international students, academic applicants, and global citizens, urgently call on Pearson PLC and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to immediately address and reverse the suspension/cancellation of the Pearson Test of English (PTE) for Iranian individuals.

Recently, Pearson canceled scheduled PTE exam appointments and invalidated vouchers for Iranian test-takers, citing compliance with OFAC sanctions. This decision has caused immense, irreversible academic and financial damage to thousands of regular citizens who have no involvement in political matters.

Why this decision is unfair and counterproductive:

 * Education is a Human Right: Access to education and language proficiency assessment is a fundamental individual right recognized under Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Academic mobility must not be weaponized.

 * Exemptions for Educational Services: Standard standardized exams (such as TOEFL and IELTS) have historically operated under General Licenses issued by OFAC (such as GL G), which explicitly allow certain educational services, testing, and exchanges. Pearson’s overly broad and risk-averse interpretation disproportionately harms individual test-takers rather than targeted political entities.

 * Severe Life Disruptions: Many candidates have prepared for months, spent hard-earned personal savings, and are now missing strict university application and visa deadlines. Canceling tests at the eleventh hour ruins careers and futures.

We demand that:

 * Pearson PLC proactively seek formal guidance or a Specific License from OFAC to clarify that routine English language testing for individuals does not violate sanction frameworks.

 * OFAC issue explicit guidance affirming that standard international language examinations for students and professionals are exempt from sanctions.

 * Pearson VUE immediately provide clear, official communication, allow affected students to complete their examinations, or guarantee expedited, unpenalized full refunds where re-scheduling is genuinely impossible.

Depriving regular students of an English test does not advance peace, security, or policy goals—it only punishes aspiring minds. We urge Pearson and OFAC to act swiftly and ethically.