Iraq is one of the most well-known countries in the Middle East. As the war in Iraq is over and Iraq is building itself back, it started to attract more tourists. Although we cannot say it is completely safe to travel to Iraq, you should not be worried too much as well. Apart from the safety measures, if you are planning to travel to Iraq, you should also consider the legal aspects. Not everyone is eligible for an Iraq visa, and just like many foreign citizens, you may have to make an Iraq visa application.
Guidelines for Iraq Visa
In this guideline, we will be answering all of your questions about the Iraq visa, and other issues regarding your trip to Iraq. We will explain who needs a visa for Iraq, how can you apply for an Iraq visa, Iraq visa requirements, how can you be safe when you are in Iraq, and Iran visa fees. We believe that by the end of this guideline, you will be less concerned about your trip to Iraq, and be more focused on what Iraq has to offer! You will have the chance to experience the soul of Middle Eastern culture and its religious nature!
Who needs an Iraq Visa?
Due to safety concerns, Iraq visa policy is strict and Iraq is demanding a visa from almost any foreign citizens. Unfortunately, you cannot apply for Iraq visa online. All applications are made at an Iraqi Embassy/Consulate. However, you should know that if you are planning to visit the autonomous region of Kurdistan as well, you may face a different visa policy. If you are a citizen of Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and The United Arab Emirates, you are eligible to apply for an Iraq visa on arrival. However, this is only possible if your flight lands at the Najaf International Airport and Basra International Airport.
If you have a diplomatic passport that allows you to travel to many countries, you should know that Iraq may not be one of them. If you are not a citizen of China, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Serbia, or Turkey, you must apply for an Iraq visa.
Last but not least, if you are a citizen of Israel or Bangladesh, you are banned from entering the Iraqi Territory due to diplomatic and political conflicts.
Visa Requirements for Iraq
There are some strict Iraq visa requirements that you should know of. Any failure with providing the necessary documents may result in the rejection of your Iraq visa application. To prevent any situation from happening to you, we have listed all of the Iraq visa requirements below:
- A valid passport that has at least 6 months to its expiration date and 2 blank pages.
- A carefully filled Iraq visa application form. You can obtain this form at the Iraqi embassy.
- 2 Iraq visa photos
- Proof of sufficient financial means that covers your expenses during your stay in Iraq
- Proof of criminal records
- Proof of accommodation. You are required to show on paper where you are going to stay (E.g. Hotel Reservation )
- A letter of invitation from your sponsor in Iraq or a statement of purpose written by you.
- Payment of the Iraq visa fee
Additionally, you may be asked to submit a medical test for Iraq visa.
Iraq visa photo requirements
As the Iraq visa photo has a different set of requirements and size, we have listed all the Iraq visa photo requirements you should know of:
- The background should be white or off-white. Any other color is not acceptable.
- Iraq visa photo must be in color.
- When getting an Iraq visa photo, your facial expression should be neutral.
- Iraq visa photo size is 2 inches (51 mm), and the height of the photo is 2 inches (51 mm)
- Casual clothing is highly recommended. Extravagant outfits or uniforms may cause your Iraq visa to be rejected.
- Excessive make-up may lead your Iraq visa to be rejected. Your face should be recognizable.
- You should directly look into the camera with your full face in view.
How can you apply for an Iraq Visa?
If you are not eligible to apply for an Iraq visa on arrival, you must apply for the Iraq visa at the Iraqi embassy/consulate. Unfortunately, there is no option for you to apply for Iraq visa online. You can get the Iraq visa form at the embassy and apply for the visa type that fits your needs. There are a number of Iraq visa types that you can choose from. Here is the list of Iraq visa types you can apply:
- Iraq Tourist Visa
- Iraq Visit Visa
- Iraq Visa for Business
- Iraq Normal Visa
- Iraq Transit Visa
If you are planning to travel to Iraq as a tourist, you need to apply for an Iraq tourist visa. This visa type allows you to stay in Iraqi territory for up to 30 days. If you are traveling to Iraq for religious purposes, you should apply for an Iraq visit visa. This visa type allows you to visit holy sites like historical mosques and you can stay in Iraq for up to 30 days. If you are conducting business in Iraq, or maybe you are going to attend a business meeting, then you need to apply for an Iraq visa for business. This visa type allows you to conduct your business activities within 30 days in Iraq. If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days in Iraq, then we suggest you apply for an Iraq normal visa. This visa type allows you to stay in Iraq for up to 3 months. However, bear in mind that within 10 days after your entry to Iraqi territory, you need to register yourself to the Iraqi Directorate of Residence. Lastly, if Iraq is not your final destination but you have booked a flight transferring from Iraq, then you should apply for an Iraq transit visa.
Unfortunately, you cannot extend your Iraq visa. For this reason, we advise you to be careful when choosing an Iraq visa to apply for.
Iraq Visa Fee
There are two types of Iraq visa fees you should know of. The price difference depends on your choice of entry type. If you would like to apply for a single entry visa, then the Iraq visa cost is between $30 to $40. Nevertheless,the Iraq visa fee for multiple-entry visas is $100. We advise you to choose the one that fits best for your needs.
Should you be worried about traveling to Iraq?
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding traveling to Iraq is if it is safe or not. Well, yes and no! Iraq can be very dangerous if you are lost or if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time! Due to terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflicts, many countries such as the United States warn their citizens about traveling to Iraq. Although the war is over in Iraq, we still see some ISIS conflict at the Iraqi border. So, we suggest you stay away from the border sides and any other place that seems unusual. Usually, big cities like the capital are safer than the others as they are better protected. Also, the autonomous region of Kurdistan is known to be safer than Iraq. Also, it is easier to get a visa for the Kurdistan region as it offers a Kurdistan Iraq visa on arrival.
Iraq Kurdistan Visa on Arrival
If you are a citizen of the following countries, you can apply for a Kurdistan Iraq visa on arrival: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and The United States.
Unlike the Iraq visa, the Kurdistan Iraq visa can be extended for another 90 days, and even converted to an Iraq work visa.
Iraq Visa for US Citizens
Iraq visa requirements for US citizens are the same as for anyone else. As an American, even if you intend to stay less than 30 days in Iraq, you still need to apply for an Iraq visa at the embassy. If you are traveling as a tourist to the Kurdistan region, a short-period Kurdistan Iraq visa on arrival for US citizens can be your go-to choice. Keep in mind that you can also apply for a Kurdan visa extension to explore more about the Kurdistan region. We suggest you evaluate your expectations before you travel to Iraq and apply for an Iraq visa based on your needs.
