# Visa policy of Iraq

In accordance with Iraqi law, citizens of most countries require a visa to visit Iraq. However, visitors from certain countries are given a visa on arrival in select airports and certain countries are banned from entering Iraq.
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.
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 exemption
### Ordinary passports

Holders of ordinary passports of the following country may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:
* 30 days
* Iran$^1$
* Turkey$^2$
$_{1-Onlyforairtravel.Allothermeansoftravelrequireapre-arrangedvisa.}$
$_{2-Onlyforpeopleunder15andabove50.}$

### Non-ordinary passports

Holders of diplomatic or service passports of the following countries may enter Iraq without a visa for the following period:
| China$^4$ $^D$  Iran$^4$ $^D$ $^S$  Kuwait$^4$ $^D$ $^S$  Lebanon$^1$ $^D$ $^S$ | Russia$^2$ $^D$ $^S$  Serbia$^2$ $^D$ $^S$  Turkey$^3$ $^D$ $^S$ |
$_{D-Diplomaticpassports}$ $_{S-Servicepassports}$ $_{1-6monthsfordiplomaticpassports,3monthsforservicepassports.}$ $_{2-90days}$ $_{3-45days}$ $_{4-30days}$
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.

## Visa on arrival

Since 1st March 2025, the visa on arrival to Federal Iraq has been suspended for 37 countries. 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.
| Australia  Canada  China  Japan  New Zealand | Norway  Russia  South Korea  Switzerland  United Kingdom  United States |
Citizens of the following countries can apply for a visa on arrival at any entry point land, sea, and air.
* 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 |

## Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

In April 2024, Iraq launched an electronic visa system for visits of 30 days.

## 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).

### List A Countries

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

## 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.
* Bangladeshi citizens are barred by the Bangladeshi government from entering Iraq since 2019, but they can transit through Iraq.