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]

Visa policy map

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Visa policy of Iraq
  Iraq
  Visa not required
  Visa upon arrival at any entry point
  Visa upon arrival at certain airports
  Visa required

Visa exemption

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Ordinary passports

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Holders of ordinary passports of the following country may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:[4]

30 days

1 - Only for air travel. All other means of travel require a pre-arranged visa.

2 - Only for people under 15 and above 50.

Non-ordinary passports

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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

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Citizens of the following countries can get visa on arrival at any entry point land, sea, and air.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival at Al Najaf International Airport or Basra International Airport:

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

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In April 2024, Iraq launched an electronic visa system for visitors.[14][15]

Iraqi Kurdistan

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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).[16]

List A Countries

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Citizens of the following countries may obtain an e-Visa or visa on arrival for up to 30 days:[16]

List B Countries

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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.[16][17]

Entry restrictions

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  • 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Important Update". TimaticWeb2. IATA. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Iraq lifts requirement to obtain pre-arrival visas for citizens of 36 countries". 15 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Iran plans to expand tourism ties with Iraq". 11 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Iran and Iraq start visa waiver programme". 27 Oct 2021.
  7. ^ Iraq, Indonesia sign visa exemption agreement
  8. ^ "العراق يعفي مواطني 37 دولة من تأشيرة الدخول لهذا السبب". 21 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Around World journal". 19 December 2019.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Iraq lifts visa requirements for Lebanese citizens". 3 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Lebanese nationals no longer need advance visa to enter Iraq". 3 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Norwegian nationals get visa on arrival to enter Iraq". 2 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Iraq eVisa".
  15. ^ Launching the Electronic Visa System for Iraq
  16. ^ a b c "Iraqi Kurdistan eVisa".
  17. ^ "Information about List B countries".