Visa on Arrival in Iraq: Facilitating Entry and Promoting Openness

The Iraqi government is striving to enhance economic and tourist openness by simplifying the visa-on-arrival process. This step is part of a broader plan to attract more visitors and investors from around the world by allowing passport holders from various countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, European Union countries, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea—to obtain a visa upon arrival at Iraq's land, air, or sea entry points.

Benefits of Visa on Arrival:

1. Visa Validity: The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of arrival, giving travelers ample opportunity to explore and enjoy their stay in Iraq without complicated prior arrangements.
2. Fees: The fee for obtaining a visa on arrival is $75, with exceptions made for those of Iraqi origin, provided they present proof of their Iraqi nationality.
3. Objectives: These measures aim to boost cultural and religious tourism, attract foreign investments, support the Iraqi economy, and create job opportunities.

Basic Requirements for Visa on Arrival:

• Valid Travel Document: The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
• Health Regulations: Travelers must comply with applicable health and safety requirements, including COVID-19 related protocols.
• Accommodation Details: Visitors must provide the full address of their accommodation during their stay in Iraq.

Other Available Visa Types:

Visit or Tourism Visa: Allows single entry within three months of issuance and a stay of up to one month for tourism or religious visits.

Normal Visa: Permits single entry within three months of issuance with a stay not exceeding three months, and requires notifying the Residency Directorate within ten days of arrival.

Political Visa: Granted to officials on official missions, diplomats, and international organization workers, providing special residency status.

Service Visa: Issued to holders of service passports based on official memoranda, under the principle of reciprocity.

Transit Visa: Allows entry once within three months of issuance with a stay of up to seven days.

Non-stop Transit Visa: Permits transit through Iraq without stopping, under supervision, and valid for a single use within three months.

Urgent Visa: Issued by residency officers at border crossing points to foreigners without a prior visa if the officer is convinced of the reasons for not obtaining one earlier.

1. Multi-Entry Visa: Available for three months, six months, or one year, contingent upon meeting legal requirements.

General Guidelines for Issuing Visas:

• Verify the accuracy of information in the application and passport validity.
• Health certificates are required for children under 15 to confirm vaccination against polio.
• Follow specific protocols in exceptional situations, such as border closures, to facilitate entry without delays.