Iraq:Visa Requirements

IraqLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Iraq Visa Requirements Map

Iraq: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • Visa exemption is applied not as a general program open to all ordinary passport holders, but within the scope of specific personal circumstances, passport types, or international agreements.
  • Persons whose place of birth is shown as Iraq in their passport or travel document are not required to apply for a visa for entry into the Kurdistan Region. If the place of birth is not indicated in the passport, additional documentation proving birth in Iraq must be presented at the border crossing. Some diplomatic missions may require the original Iraqi identity document or official visa exemption letter to be shown during check-in for the flight.
  • The applicability of the exemption for children traveling with a parent born in Iraq may vary depending on the mission and the region of entry. In such cases, the Iraq-born parent may need to travel with the child and carry documents proving the family relationship.
  • Visa exemptions applicable to diplomatic, service, or special passports depend on bilateral agreements. Travelers should confirm with the relevant Iraqi diplomatic mission that the exemption for their passport type is in effect.
  • No central checklist applicable to all exempt travelers has been published regarding blank passport page, financial sufficiency, return ticket, accommodation, insurance, or any specific health certificate for visa-free entry. These details are not definitively stated in the central official source.

E-Visa Application Requirements — Federal Iraq e-Visa

  • The applicant must have a valid passport. The general visa requirements of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stipulate that the passport must be valid for at least six months.
  • For the application, a digital photograph, a document showing the residence status in the country of application, and a personal email address accessible to the applicant must be prepared. Personal information and basic travel details are filled in online in the application form.
  • The required files are uploaded to the system and the visa fee is paid via a secure online payment method. The approved e-visa is received by email or through the application system. For the federal system, the electronic visa document must be printed and presented at the airport.
  • It is stated that the federal e-visa is valid for 30 days and can be issued as single or multiple entry. Whether the visa is single or multiple entry should be checked according to the application result and the issued visa document.
  • The exact fee for the federal e-visa, the standard processing time, and how many days before travel the application must be made are not definitively stated on the central public pages.
  • Detailed technical specifications for the size, background color, file size, and resolution of the digital photograph have not been published in the public section of the federal portal. Which pages the passport scan should cover is also not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • Blank passport page, machine-readable or biometric passport requirement, return ticket, hotel reservation, bank statement, minimum financial amount, travel insurance, insurance coverage, fingerprint, and interview requirements are not definitively stated on the central public e-visa pages. If additional documents specific to the individual are requested on the application screen, the list generated in the system should be taken as a basis.

Iraq Kurdistan Region e-Visa

  • The Kurdistan Region e-visa is issued through a separate regional system. The passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry.
  • The applicant must first select the type of travel document and the issuing authority. After this information is entered, the system displays the visa types available to the applicant. The appropriate visa for the purpose of travel should be selected.
  • All answers in the form must be filled in English using the English alphabet. Incorrect or incomplete information may lead to the application being rejected. The summary displayed by the system should be checked before the application is submitted.
  • A digital image of the personal photograph and the first page of the passport containing the identity information must be uploaded. A full-page image of the passport is not accepted.
  • The passport image must be in color and in JPEG format. The file size must not be smaller than 10 KB and not larger than 5 MB. The image must be at least 800 × 600 pixels in size, in landscape orientation, correctly exposed, sharp, and with all information legible.
  • The personal photograph must be in color and in JPEG format. The file size must be between 10 KB and 5 MB. The image must be at least 400 × 600 pixels, and the face must cover approximately 70–80 percent of the photograph.
  • The photograph must be taken within the last six months, against a plain white or off-white background. The applicant must look directly at the camera, with eyes open and clearly visible. No digital alteration or enhancement that changes the appearance should be made.
  • Glasses are normally not accepted. In cases where glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons, a medical explanation signed by a health professional may be required. Headgear that covers the hairline or face should not be worn, except for religious purposes.
  • If an existing printed photograph is to be scanned, the photograph must be scanned at a size of 51 × 51 millimeters and a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. Photographs taken from a driver's license or other identity document are not accepted.
  • An accessible email address must be used for the application. The application cannot be completed without entering the verification code sent to the email address. If the verification is not completed within three days, the application expires and must be restarted.
  • Some applications can be completed directly online. For applications requiring a sponsor, an agreement must be made in advance with a guarantor located in the Kurdistan Region and the code obtained from the guarantor must be entered into the application. The guarantor receives the application, carries out the procedures, and pays the fee on behalf of the applicant.
  • Applications that can be directly finalized can normally be issued within a few minutes. Additional manual checks may be carried out. Applications requiring a guarantor are expected to be finalized within a maximum of five business days after the guarantor completes the process and pays the fee.
  • The administrative application fee is stated as 100,000 Iraqi dinars on the central service page of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Regional missions abroad may apply different collection methods via local currency, card, or PayPal. The paid application fee is not refundable even if the visa is rejected.
  • Kurdistan Region visas must be used within 90 days from the date of issuance. The standard permitted duration of stay is 30 days from the date of entry. The tourist e-visa is single entry.
  • The regional visa issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government is valid only within the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government. One cannot travel to other regions under federal administration of Iraq with this document. If traveling to other Iraqi regions, a separate federal Iraq visa must be obtained.
  • Minor foreigners must enter accompanied by their parents, one of their parents, their legal representatives, or an authorized organization that will receive them. The format of the parental consent form, notarization, or apostille requirement is not definitively stated in the central regional source.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • Visa on arrival is applied not as a general system for Iraq's federal entry points, but as a regional e-visa at certain entry points of the Kurdistan Region.
  • Travelers whose eligibility is verified by the regional system can obtain an electronic visa at official entry points in the Kurdistan Region. Eligibility is determined after the country of issuance and type of the passport or travel document are entered into the system.
  • The traveler must present a valid passport and a personal photograph. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
  • On the central service page of the Kurdistan Regional Government, an administrative fee of 100,000 Iraqi dinars is stated for the e-visa issued on arrival. The exact payment method accepted at the border crossing is not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The regional visa issued on arrival grants a 30-day stay and is valid only in the Kurdistan Region. This visa does not entitle travel to other regions under federal administration of Iraq.
  • The issuance of visa on arrival at Baghdad International Airport has been suspended as of March 1, 2025. Travelers to federal Iraq must obtain a federal e-visa or another appropriate prior visa before travel.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • Consular application may be used when the e-visa system is not available, for diplomatic or official passport applications, and for special visa types for which the Iraqi mission requires a physical application. The instructions of the Iraqi embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's place of residence should be taken as a basis.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months and undamaged. The consulate may request a color copy of the passport together with the original passport.
  • The application form must be completed fully on a computer or typewriter, printed, and signed where required. Handwritten forms may not be accepted by some missions.
  • For general consular applications, two identical, recent, front-facing color photographs may be requested. The size published by the Embassy in Washington is 2 × 2 inches, approximately 5 × 5 centimeters. The background must be white.
  • An official letter explaining the purpose of travel and the planned duration of stay must be submitted. Depending on the nature of the application, a letter of invitation may be requested from the Iraqi authority, the inviting company, the host organization, or the meeting or fair organizer. The applicant's valid telephone number should also be included in the application.
  • According to the general conditions of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the applicant must be able to cover the expenses of their stay in Iraq. However, the period of the bank statement, the minimum amount required in the account, or other accepted financial evidence are not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The applicant must not have any condition that prevents entry into Iraq in terms of public health, security, public morals, or the national economy.
  • The general processing time published by the Embassy in Washington for foreign applicants is 15 business days, subject to approval from the Iraqi authorities. This period may differ for other embassies, countries of residence, and visa types.
  • In the general list published by the Embassy in Washington, a cash fee of 50 US dollars is shown for single-entry visa, transit visa, visit visa, religious visit visa, and tourist visa. For three to six-month multiple-entry visas, 100 US dollars is stated, and for one-year multiple-entry visas, 150 US dollars. Fees may vary by mission and on the basis of reciprocity.
  • The Washington mission states that it accepts only cash payment. The payment method may differ at other missions and should be verified before application.
  • An approved general single-entry consular visa may be valid for three months from the date of issuance. In some cases, a six-month or one-year multiple-entry visa may be issued. The permitted duration of stay varies by visa type and should be checked on the issued visa document.
  • From applicants of Iraqi origin, a color birth certificate, an Iraqi identity document of one of the parents, or an Iraqi citizenship document may be requested. Consular fees may not be charged for such applications.
  • For applications based on marriage to an Iraqi citizen, the marriage certificate, the Iraqi spouse's identity or citizenship document, and the original passport may be requested. The marriage certificate may need to be certified by the competent authority in the country of application. Requirements for certification, translation, and legalization vary by the mission applied to.
  • For diplomatic and official passport applications, the application form, original passport, passport copy, two photographs, and a diplomatic note from the sending state authority are required. The note must state the applicant's name, position, passport type, travel dates, and purpose of travel. Fees may not be charged for such applications.
  • For religious visit, work, investment, press, diplomatic, or official duty applications, additional documents such as prior approval from Iraq, corporate letter, work permit, or invitation from the relevant authority may be requested. Foreigners are not permitted to work in Iraq without obtaining a work permit.
  • Blank passport page, return ticket, hotel reservation, specific bank statement period, minimum financial amount, travel health insurance, minimum insurance coverage, biometric data, and interview requirements are not definitively stated in central official consular sources as a common requirement for all applicants.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • The Iraq transit visa can be used once within three months from the date of issuance and permits a maximum stay of seven days in Iraq.
  • The non-stop transit visa allows the traveler to pass through Iraqi territory without stopping, under the supervision of the competent authorities. This visa can also be used once within three months from the date of issuance.
  • Under general visa conditions, the passport must be valid for at least six months, the visa application form must be completed, and two photographs must be submitted. The applicant must be able to cover their expenses during the transit period and must not have any health, security, or public order condition preventing entry into Iraq.
  • For transit applications, the original passport and a color passport copy may be requested. The application must be made to the Iraqi diplomatic mission responsible for the region of residence.
  • The transit visa fee published by the Embassy in Washington is 50 US dollars, and this mission accepts only cash payment. The fee and payment method may differ at missions in other countries.
  • Ticket to the next country, flight reservation, hotel document, sufficient financial amount during transit, and exemption conditions for transfers made without leaving the international transit area of the airport are not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The central processing time for the transit visa is not definitively stated. The mission may request prior approval or additional documents from the Iraqi authorities.
Population
48,007,437(2026 est.)
Official language
Arabic, Kurdish; regional official languages: Turkmen, Syriac and other local languages where adopted
Government type
Federal parliamentary republic
Continent
Asia
Capital
Baghdad
Currency
Iraqi dinar
Area
437,072 km²
Phone code
+964

Iraq: Key Destinations

Baghdad is the capital and primary gateway to Iraq, offering international flights and a dense urban core. Basra in the south and Erbil in the north serve as major regional hubs with their own airports.

Iraq is home to ancient wonders such as Babylon, Ur, and the Erbil Citadel, alongside religious centers like Najaf and Karbala. The Kurdistan Region provides access to mountainous landscapes and diverse cultural heritage.

Travel itineraries often begin in Baghdad, then connect via domestic flights to Erbil for northern exploration or Basra for southern routes. Overland travel between cities is possible but requires careful planning and security awareness.