Visa policy of Iraq
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 Iraq portal |
In accordance with Iraqi law, citizens of most countries require a visa to visit Iraq.[1] However, visitors from certain countries are given a visa on arrival in select airports and certain countries are banned from entering Iraq.[2]
On the 15th of March 2021, the Iraqi government lifted pre-arrival visa requirements for citizens from 37 countries, allowing citizens from those countries to apply for on-arrival visas at approved land, sea and air border crossings.[3]
From March 1, 2025, Iraq has suspended its visa-on-arrival policy for most nationalities. Travelers who were previously eligible for visas upon arrival must now apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) before traveling. The application process is available online through the official Iraqi government platform. However, journalists and NGO workers are not eligible for the e-Visa and must obtain a visa through an Iraqi embassy or consulate.
Visa policy map
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Visa exemption
[edit]Ordinary passports
[edit]Holders of ordinary passports of the following country may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:[4]
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30 days |
1 - Only for people under 15 and above 50.
Non-ordinary passports
[edit]Holders of diplomatic or service passports of the following countries may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:
D - Diplomatic passports
S - Service passports
1 - 6 months for diplomatic passports, 3 months for service passports.
2 - 90 days
3 - 45 days
4 - 30 days
Iraq signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports with Indonesia in September 2024 and it is yet to be ratified.[7]
Visa on arrival
[edit]Citizens of the following countries can apply for a visa on arrival at any entry point land, sea, and air.[8][9][10]
Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival at Al Najaf International Airport or Basra International Airport:
Since 1st March 2025, the visa on arrival to Federal Iraq has been suspended for 37 countries.[11][12] The e-visa system is used instead, and the cost is approximately 160 USD.
Prior to 1st March 2025, citizens of the following countries could apply for a visa on arrival at any entry point land, sea, and air.[13][14][15][16]
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Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
[edit]In April 2024, Iraq launched an electronic visa system for visits of 30 days.[17][18]
Iraqi Kurdistan
[edit]As March 1 2023, all travelers traveling to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will require a visa. Some citizens may obtain an e-Visa / visa on arrival, while others will need to apply an e-Visa through a guarantor (local sponsor).[19]
List A Countries
[edit]Citizens of the following countries may obtain an e-Visa or visa on arrival for up to 30 days:[19]
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List B Countries
[edit]Citizens of other countries (except Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen) may obtain an e-Visa for up to 30 days, but they must have their guarantor apply for the e-Visa on their behalf.
The guarantor is a sponsor registered with the Ministry of Interior, such as a law firm or a manpower company, who supports the application process by providing a unique verification code and arranging payment for the visa on the applicant’s behalf. Once the application is completed online, the guarantor will receive a notification on its status within five business days and if approved, the e-Visa will be issued accordingly.[19][20]
Entry restrictions
[edit]- Nationals of Israel are banned from entering and transiting in Iraq, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight.
- Bangladeshi citizens are barred by the Bangladeshi government from entering Iraq since 2019, but they can transit through Iraq.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Important Update". TimaticWeb2. IATA. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ "Iraq lifts requirement to obtain pre-arrival visas for citizens of 36 countries". 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Iran plans to expand tourism ties with Iraq". 11 May 2022.
- ^ "Iran and Iraq start visa waiver programme". 27 Oct 2021.
- ^ Iraq, Indonesia sign visa exemption agreement
- ^ "Iraq lifts visa requirements for Lebanese citizens". 3 March 2023.
- ^ "Lebanese nationals no longer need advance visa to enter Iraq". 3 March 2023.
- ^ "Malaysian citizens get visa on arrival to enter Iraq". 21 January 2025.
- ^ "VISA – The General Consulate of Iraqi in Texas". The General Consulate of Iraqi in Texas. 2025-03-01.
- ^ VisasNews (2025-03-12). "Iraq imposes electronic visa requirements on 37 countries". VisasNews. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "العراق يعفي مواطني 37 دولة من تأشيرة الدخول لهذا السبب". 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Around World journal". 19 December 2019.
- ^ "القائمة خلت من البلدان العربية وتركيا وإيران.. العراق يعفي مواطني 37 دولة من التأشيرة | أخبار سياسة | الجزيرة نت". Aljazeera.net. 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
- ^ "Norwegian nationals get visa on arrival to enter Iraq". 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Iraq eVisa".
- ^ Launching the Electronic Visa System for Iraq
- ^ a b c "Iraqi Kurdistan eVisa".
- ^ "Information about List B countries".