Iraq visa options for United States passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Iraq

Rules are written primarily for non-Arab "Western" foreign nationals (e.g. EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan) who since March 2025 fall under Iraq's mandatory e-visa system; Iranians and a few exempt nationalities, and the separate Kurdistan Region regime, differ.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist / Visit e-Visa (Federal Iraq)

  Up to 30 days (1 month), single entry; verify on application

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no Iraqi government source mandates travel health insurance for tourists; strongly recommended given limited healthcare access and security conditions.

  Good for

  Leisure, cultural and religious-pilgrimage visitors from the ~37 nationalities now required to apply online (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan and others).

  Requirement

  Online e-visa application (visa-on-arrival suspended for most nationalities since March 2025); passport valid 6+ months. Official MOFA visit-visa fee listed at approx US$30, though third-party guides cite higher all-in e-visa costs (~US$75-160) — verify.

• Tourist

  Normal / Short-Stay Visa (3-month residence)

  Residence of up to 3 months; entry within 3 months of issue

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by the government; recommended for the duration of stay.

  Good for

  Visitors needing a longer continuous stay than the standard 30-day tourist visa, including extended family or general visits.

  Requirement

  Visa application; mandatory registration at the Directorate of Residence within 10 days of arrival. MOFA-listed fee approx US$40 (verify).

• Tourist

  Kurdistan Region (KRI) Visa — separate regime

  Up to 30 days for 'List A' nationalities (reportedly 60 days at some entry points); extendable ~30 days at a local residency office — verify

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by KRI sources; recommended.

  Good for

  Visitors entering only the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok), which runs its own immigration system separate from Federal Iraq.

  Requirement

  Apply via the official KRI portal (visit.gov.krd); 'List A' countries get e-visa or visa on arrival, 'List B' countries need a local sponsor/guarantor. A KRI visa does NOT by itself permit travel into Federal Iraq — verify current cross-region rules before relying on it.

• Business

  Business Visa

  Typically 30-90 days initially per immigration-firm sources; varies — verify

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required; recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign professionals attending meetings, negotiations or short-term commercial activities (not hands-on employment).

  Requirement

  Invitation/sponsorship from an Iraqi-registered company; passport valid 6+ months. Often issued as a multiple-entry visa (MOFA multi-entry fee approx US$100). Does not authorise paid local work.

• Work

  Work / Employment Visa + Work Permit

  Work permit valid 1 year, renewable annually; held with a residency permit

  Insurance

  RequiredA medical examination report from an approved clinic is mandatory for the work-permit file; no separate private health-insurance mandate is documented — verify with employer/sponsor.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up paid employment with an Iraqi-registered employer.

  Requirement

  Employer sponsorship by an entity registered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs; employment contract; labour-market test (no qualified Iraqi available); register with the Department of Labor within ~7 days of entry and obtain residency. Foreign staff capped at ~50% of a company's workforce.

• Study

  Student Residence (University Enrolment)

  Tied to course/enrolment; renewed while studies continue

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot documented as a government requirement; recommended. Confirm with the host institution.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals admitted to an Iraqi university, institute or school, often under cultural-exchange agreements.

  Requirement

  Official letter of acceptance for a full-time course at a recognised institution and proof of continued enrolment; processed as a residence permit rather than a standalone 'student visa' category. Details vary by institution — verify with the university and Ministry of Higher Education.

• Residence

  Residency Permit (Long-Stay)

  Issued/renewed in line with the underlying purpose (e.g. annual for workers); varies

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot separately mandated in sources found; recommended for long stays. Verify any medical/exam requirement with the residency office.

  Good for

  Foreign workers, accompanying family, students and others needing legal long-term residence after entry.

  Requirement

  Apply at the Directorate of Residence within ~15-30 days of arrival; supported by sponsor/employer, passport, and required documents (medical exam, police clearance for work cases). Distinct from the entry visa.

• Transit

  Transit Visa

  Up to 7 days; single entry within 3 months of issue (a 'non-stop' transit option exists for passage without stopping)

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required; recommended.

  Good for

  Travellers passing through Iraqi territory en route to a third country.

  Requirement

  Onward travel documentation; passport valid 6+ months with a blank page. Fee not specified by MOFA — verify.

Visa rules change often and vary sharply between Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region (KRI); always confirm with an Iraqi embassy or the official e-visa portal before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United States → Iraq: frequently asked

Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit Iraq?

e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United States passport holder live or work long-term in Iraq?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Iraq has 8 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Iraq?

Entry to Iraq never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Iraq visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.