Visa update: Everything you need to know about travel and visas in Iraq and Kurdistan

Is Iraq on your bucket list? Are you curious to see what the country looks like after the period of ISIS? Or do you dream of witnessing Babylon with your own eyes? Good news: we organize trips to Iraq! Since March 2025, there have been some changes in the visa application process, so keep that in mind. In this blog, you’ll find all the details.

The current Iraq is essentially made up of two different parts. On one hand, there is Kurdistan, the Kurdish region in the northeast of Iraq, and on the other hand, there is Central and Southern Iraq, with cities like Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra. While both regions are officially part of Iraq, they actually function quite independently from each other. Kurdistan is largely autonomous and has many of its own powers, including its own government and its own military.

Since March 2025, the visa procedure for Iraq has changed. Previously, travelers could obtain a Visa on Arrival, but now the application process goes through us and our local partner only for travelers who book a tour with us. We do not provide visa services separately. If you’ve booked a tour with us, we can obtain a visa for you. We will let you know what we need from you. You can apply for your own visa here.

Kurdistan’s visa process is actually quite easy. Due to its independence status, the region has its own visa policy and you can easily apply online. To get to Kurdistan, fly directly to Erbil, the start destination of your trip. To enter Erbil, you will need an Iraqi Kurdistan visa. Kurdistan offers an e-visa service, which allows most nationalities to submit their application online in advance and pay the $75 fee directly. If your payment is declined on the website, try another card linked to a bank that allows you to pay in/to Iraq. You can check with your bank to avoid having your card frozen or payment blocked.

Processing e-visa takes some time. You must then print this document in colour and show it to immigration officials on arrival at Erbil International Airport. In addition, it is important that your passport remains valid for at least six months upon departure. Need help applying for your visa? Read step-by-step how to apply for a visa here.

People from the following countries/regions can use an E-visa in Kurdistan:

• European Union (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Czech Republic & Sweden)
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Russia
• China
• South Korea
• Japan
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand

For most nationalities not listed above, we can arrange an e-visa for $250, for example for travellers from Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. Please note that some countries, such as India and South Africa, are blacklisted by the Kurdish regional government and cannot get a visa.

Important: the Kurdish region visa is not valid in the rest of Iraq, you need a different visa there. We explain that below.

As mentioned above, Iraq has a different visa policy than Kurdistan. You can get a visa at the airport on arrival in Baghdad. We explain further how it works below. On arrival in Baghdad, you can get your visa at the visa counter at the airport after paying $70-100. Please note that not all payment cards are accepted, making it wise to bring cash to avoid any payment problems.

People from the following countries/regions can apply for a visa-on-arrival upon arrival in Iraq.

• European Union (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Czech Republic & Sweden)
• United States
• Canada
• Great Britain
• Russia
• China
• South Korea
• Japan
• Australia

If you join our combined tour through Iraq and Kurdistan, you do not need a separate visa for Kurdistan. Your visa for Federal Iraq is also valid in Kurdistan, as long as your stay falls within the 30-day validity period. However, for the Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Tour, a separate visa is required.

Traveling through Southern Iraq involves passing through numerous checkpoints. This is especially true north of Baghdad (toward Mosul) and around the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, where you will encounter soldiers or local militias every few kilometers, checking passports and travel documents. While this is generally not a problem, you must have the correct paperwork. Even with a valid visa, tourists in Iraq cannot move freely everywhere. Our local guide ensures that the necessary permits are arranged for each area, allowing you to travel smoothly and safely as a tourist.

Want to make a trip to Iraq? Check our grouptours or private tours.