Iraq Visa Application Method 2023

Iraq Visa

Irsa GulJune 25, 2023Last Updated: June 25, 2023

0 6 minutes read

If you’re planning a trip to Iraq in 2023, obtaining an Iraq visa is an essential step in the process. The Iraqi government has specific requirements for obtaining a visa, and the process can be complex and time-consuming. However, with the right information and guidance, applying for an Iraq visa can be a relatively straightforward process. In this article, we will lead you through the application process, providing all the necessary information you need to apply for a visa to visit Iraq in 2023.

Types of Iraq Visa

There are several types of visas that the Iraqi government offers to foreign travelers. Here are the most common types of visas:

Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Student Visa
Transit Visa
Work Visa
Journalist Visa
Pilgrimage Visa

Who must require an Iraq Visa?

Foreign nationals who wish to enter Iraq for any purpose, including tourism, business, study, work, or journalism, are generally required to obtain a visa before their arrival in the country. Iraqi visas are issued by the Embassy of Iraq in the traveler’s country of residence or the consulate in their region.

There are a few exceptions to the visa requirement for certain nationalities. Citizens of the following countries are eligible to travel to Iraq through the Iraq visa-on-arrival policy only at Al Najaf International Airport and Basra International Airport;

Bahrain
Kuwait
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

Citizens of the following countries, having a diplomatic passport are also eligible to travel to Iraq without an Iraq Visa;

China
Iran
Kuwait
Lebanon
Serbia
Turkey

Citizens of the following countries are eligible to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan through a visa-on-arrival policy for up to 30 days;

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
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
United States

To find the Iraqi Kurdistan offices around the world, visit the given link.

Required documents to apply for an Iraq Visa

The required documents for an Iraq visa application typically include:

Valid passport with at least six months validity remaining beyond the intended stay
Completed visa application form
Passport-sized photo
Invitation letter (if applicable)
Travel itinerary
Proof of financial means to cover the expenses during the stay (such as bank statements or a letter from an employer)
Payment of the visa fee

Application Process

Here are the general steps involved in the Iraq visa application process:

Determine the type of visa required and review the specific requirements for that visa type.
Obtain all necessary supporting documents, including a valid passport and any additional documents required for the visa type.
Complete the visa application form, which can be done online or in person at the nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate.
Pay the visa fee, which varies depending on the visa type and the traveler’s nationality.
Submit the application and supporting documents to the Iraqi embassy or consulate. This can be done in person or through a courier service.
Wait for the processing of the application, which can take several weeks depending on the workload of the embassy or consulate.
Once the visa has been approved, the embassy or consulate will affix the visa to the traveler’s passport.
Travelers should review the visa details and ensure that they understand the visa conditions and any restrictions before departing for Iraq.

List of Diplomatic Missions

Following is the list of diplomatic missions started by Iraq around the world;

Africa

Algeria, Algiers (Embassy)
Egypt, Cairo (Embassy)
Kenya, Nairobi (Embassy)
Libya, Tripoli (Embassy)
Mauritania, Nouakchott (Embassy)
Morocco, Rabat (Embassy)
Nigeria, Abuja (Embassy)
Senegal, Dakar (Embassy)
South Africa, Pretoria (Embassy)
Sudan, Khartoum (Embassy)
Tunisia, Tunis (Embassy)

Americas

Brazil, Brasília (Embassy)
Canada, Ottawa (Embassy)
Canada, Montreal (Consulate-General)
Canada, Toronto (Consulate-General)
Mexico, Mexico City (Embassy)
United States, Washington, D.C. (Embassy)
United States, Detroit (Consulate-General)
United States, Los Angeles (Consulate-General)
Venezuela, Caracas (Embassy)

Asia

Armenia, Yerevan(Embassy)
Azerbaijan, Baku (Embassy)
Bahrain, Manama (Embassy)
Bangladesh, Dhaka (Embassy)
China, Beijing (Embassy)
Georgia, Tbilisi (Embassy)
India, New Delhi (Embassy)
Indonesia, Jakarta (Embassy)
Iran, Tehran (Embassy)
Iran, Ahvaz (Consulate-General)
Iran, Kermanshah (Consulate-General)
Iran, Mashhad (Consulate-General)
Japan, Tokyo (Embassy)
Jordan, Amman (Embassy)
Kazakhstan, Astana (Embassy)
Kuwait, Kuwait City (Embassy)
Lebanon, Beirut (Embassy)
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (Embassy)
Oman, Muscat (Embassy)
Pakistan, Islamabad (Embassy)
Philippines, Manila (Embassy)
Qatar, Doha (Embassy)
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh (Embassy)
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah (Consulate-General)
South Korea, Seoul (Embassy)
Sri Lanka, Colombo (Embassy)
Syria, Damascus (Embassy)
Syria, Aleppo (Consulate-General)
Turkey, Ankara (Embassy)
Turkey, Gaziantep (Consulate-General)
Turkey, Istanbul (Consulate-General)
United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (Embassy)
United Arab Emirates, Dubai (Consulate-General)
Yemen, Sana’a (Embassy)

Europe

Austria, Vienna (Embassy)
Belgium, Brussels (Embassy)
Bulgaria, Sofia (Embassy)
Croatia, Zagreb (Embassy)
Czechia, Prague (Embassy)
Denmark, Copenhagen (Embassy)
Finland, Helsinki (Embassy)
France, Paris (Embassy)
Germany, Berlin (Embassy)
Germany, Frankfurt (Consulate General)
Greece, Athens (Embassy)
Holy See, Rome (Embassy)
Hungary, Budapest (Embassy)
Italy, Rome (Embassy)
Netherlands, The Hague (Embassy)
Norway, Oslo (Embassy)
Poland, Warsaw (Embassy)
Portugal, Lisbon (Embassy)
Romania, Bucharest (Embassy)
Russia, Moscow (Embassy)
Serbia, Belgrade (Embassy)
Spain, Madrid (Embassy)
Sweden, Stockholm (Embassy)
Switzerland, Bern (Embassy)
Ukraine, Kyiv (Embassy)
United Kingdom, London (Embassy)
United Kingdom, Manchester (Consulate-General)

Oceania

Australia, Canberra (Embassy)
Australia, Sydney (Consulate-General)

Multilateral organizations

Cairo (Permanent Representation to Arab League)
Geneva (Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organizations)
New York (Permanent Mission to the United Nations)
Paris (Permanent Mission to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

Processing time required

The processing time for an Iraq visa application can vary depending on a number of factors. However, here are some general points to keep in mind regarding processing time:

Visa processing times may vary depending on the type of visa being applied for and the workload of the embassy or consulate handling the application.
It’s recommended to apply for the visa well in advance of the intended travel dates to allow for processing time.
Processing times can range from several days to several weeks, depending on the embassy or consulate’s workload and the complexity of the application.
Some embassies or consulates may offer expedited processing for an additional fee, which can reduce the processing time.

Iraq Visa Costs

The cost of an Iraq visa can vary depending on the type of visa being applied for and the traveler’s nationality. Generally, visa fees are as follows:

Single-entry visa: US$80
Multiple-entry visa: US$120
Journalist visa: US$160
Business visa: US$160
Student visa: US$60

Pilgrimage places in Iraq

Iraq is home to several important pilgrimage sites for Shia Muslims. Here are some of the most significant pilgrimage places in Iraq:

Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf: The Imam Ali Shrine is the final resting place of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin, and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the first Shia Imam. The shrine is located in the city of Najaf and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world for Shia Muslims.
Al-Abbas Mosque in Karbala: The Al-Abbas Mosque is located in the city of Karbala and is dedicated to Abbas ibn Ali, the half-brother of Hussein ibn Ali. The mosque is an important pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims and is particularly significant during the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala: The Imam Hussein Shrine is the final resting place of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Imam. The shrine is located in the city of Karbala and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world for Shia Muslims.
Samarra Shrine in Samarra: The Samarra Shrine is a complex of Shia shrines located in the city of Samarra, including the Great Mosque of Samarra and the Al-Askari Shrine. The Al-Askari Shrine is the final resting place of the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hassan al-Askari.
Imam Musa al-Kadhim Shrine in Baghdad: The Imam Musa al-Kadhim Shrine is located in the Kadhimiya neighborhood of Baghdad and is the final resting place of Musa al-Kadhim, the seventh Shia Imam. The shrine is an important pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims and is particularly significant during the annual Sha’aban pilgrimage.