Visa policy of Iraq

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

Visa exemption

Ordinary passports

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

30 days

Iran¹ ^[5]^[6]
Turkey²

_{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

Holders of diplomatic or service passports of the following countries may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:

China⁴ ^D
Iran⁴ ^D ^S
Kuwait⁴ ^D ^S

Lebanon¹ ^D ^S
Serbia² ^D ^S
Turkey³ ^D ^S

_{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

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

All European Union member states

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

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

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

Iraqi Kurdistan

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

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

All European Union member states

List B Countries

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]