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]

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.

As of September 2025, the Iraqi federal government's 'e-Visa Portal' is solely responsible for providing visas for foreign visitors and it can be used to enter all parts of the country, including to and from Kurdistan Region.^[4]

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Iraq

  Iraq

  Visa not required

  Visa upon arrival

  Visa upon arrival under certain conditions

  eVisa

  Visa required

Visa exemption

Ordinary passports

Holders of ordinary passports of the following country may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:^[5]

30 days Iran[6][7] Turkey^1

_{1 - 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:

China^4 ^D ^S Iran^4 ^D ^S Kuwait^4 ^D ^S Lebanon^1 ^D ^S

Russia^2 ^D ^S Serbia^2 ^D ^S South Korea^4 ^D Turkey^3 ^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.^[8]

Visa on arrival

Citizens of the following countries can apply for a visa on arrival at any entry point land, sea, and air.^[9][10][11]

Lebanon Malaysia

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

Bahrain Kuwait Oman

Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates

Since 1 March 2025, the visa on arrival to Federal Iraq has been suspended for 37 countries.^[12][13] The e-visa system is used instead, and the cost is approximately US$160.

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

In April 2024, Iraq launched an electronic visa system for visits of 30 days, which is also valid for travel into Iraqi Kurdistan.^[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 either an eVisa or a visa on arrival. A visa on arrival can be issued at Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports for 30 days, and at Kirkuk airport for 60 days.^[5][16]

All European Union member states Albania Australia Bahrain Brazil Canada China Iceland Iran Japan Jordan Lebanon Kuwait Liechtenstein New Zealand Norway Oman Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia South Korea  Switzerland Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Vatican City

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]

Entry restrictions

• Nationals of Israel are banned from entering and transiting in Iraq, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight.

See also

• Iraq portal

• Visa requirements for Iraqi citizens
• Tourism in Iraq
• Iraqi nationality law
• Iraqi passport

References

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. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
4. "مجلس الوزراء يوافق على اعتماد منظومة الفيزا الإلكترونية الاتحادية وتشمل كردستان". Baghdad Today (in Arabic).
5. "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
6. "Iran plans to expand tourism ties with Iraq". 11 May 2022.
7. "Iran and Iraq start visa waiver programme". 27 Oct 2021.
8. Iraq, Indonesia sign visa exemption agreement
9. "Iraq lifts visa requirements for Lebanese citizens". 3 March 2023.
10. "Lebanese nationals no longer need advance visa to enter Iraq". 3 March 2023.
11. "Malaysian citizens get visa on arrival to enter Iraq". 21 January 2025.
12. "VISA – The General Consulate of Iraqi in Texas". The General Consulate of Iraqi in Texas. 2025-03-01.
13. VisasNews (2025-03-12). "Iraq imposes electronic visa requirements on 37 countries". VisasNews. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
14. "Iraq eVisa".
15. Launching the Electronic Visa System for Iraq
16. "Iraqi Kurdistan eVisa".
17. "Information about List B countries".