GoIraq Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

（1） In March 2021, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced the implementation of a visa on arrival policy for Chinese citizens entering the country. Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports can apply for a visa on arrival at the airport customs clearance without the need for an invitation letter, with a visa stay period of 2 months.

According to the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Iraq on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements for Personnel Holding Diplomatic, Special, Official, and Official Ordinary Passports, starting from December 19, 2023, the Agreement stipulates that holders of passports can stay in Iraq for 30 days and still need to stamp their entry and exit stamps at the airport.

At the same time, according to the Law on the Residence of Iraqi Foreigners, foreign citizens holding travel visas and visiting visas are not allowed to engage in paid or unpaid work in Iraq. Please apply for a work visa in advance before going to work in Iraq. If you come to work in Iraq with a non work visa, you will face penalties such as fines and detention.

In addition, individuals with Israeli visas on their passports must obtain a new passport, otherwise they will be prohibited from entering the country.

（2） The consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Erbil is located in the three provinces of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk in Iraq (belonging to the Kurdish region, abbreviated as the Warehouse Area). On March 17, 2021, the Ministry of Interior of the reservoir area government issued a statement announcing that Chinese citizens can apply for landing visas at the border ports of the reservoir area starting from that day. After entering the country with a visa on arrival, one can generally stay in the storage area for 30 days. Before expiration, one can apply for an extension at the Directorate of Residence in the storage area, with a maximum of 2 applications. Those who stay for more than 30 days without extension will be fined and bear corresponding legal consequences. Please refer to the requirements for applying for electronic signatures in the warehouse area for details https://visit.gov.krd/ .

Holders of warehouse visas can only operate within the warehouse area. If traveling to other provinces in Iraq, they must apply for an Iraqi visa separately.

（3） For specific matters, please consult the Iraqi Embassy in China (phone numbers: 0086-10 65321873, 65323385).

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 Customs regulations

In addition to clothing, food and other luggage for personal use, you can carry 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of alcohol, 500 ml of perfume, etc. Customs inspects the luggage carried by passengers, and items that exceed the tax-free range must pay customs duties. Electronic products, vaccines, viruses, drugs, chemicals, animals, obscene publications, weapons, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products are prohibited from being carried during customs clearance. There is no clear regulation on the types and amounts of currency carried in and out of customs.

According to Iraqi law, illegal sale and import of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Chinese citizens are requested to abide by the laws of their host country and respect local customs and traditions.

2、 Epidemic prevention requirements

Except for the holders of diplomatic passports, men over 60 years old, women over 50 years old and children under 14 years old, all foreigners must provide blood test reports (physical examination certificates) that do not detect high-risk infectious diseases when entering Iraq. AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis and leprosy patients are prohibited from entering Iraq.

Residency and Naturalization

1. Foreign citizens holding ordinary passports who stay for more than 10 days after entering the country need to go to designated hospitals for blood tests and obtain test reports before going to the local immigration office to handle relevant procedures.

2. Foreigners' residence policies and relevant procedures are as follows: (1) Foreigners shall submit their applications to the Immigration Office within 15 days after entry, except those who settle in Iraq and hold tourist and visiting visas. (2) When foreigners change their residence, they should notify the immigration office. If they go to other cities or regions, they should notify the local immigration office within 48 hours after arriving at the new residence. (3) The above procedures can also be handled by the local police station and reported to the immigration bureau. (4) Foreigners applying for visa extension shall apply for a residence visa of no more than one year at the immigration office before the expiration, and apply again one month before the next expiration, which can be repeated many times. (5) The Immigration Bureau has the right to refuse the visa, and foreigners can make representations to the Ministry of the Interior within 15 days after receiving the notice. (6) If a residence application is rejected and a formal notice is obtained, but still remains in Iraq, the immigration department has the right to expel them from the country. (7) The following foreigners can obtain three years' valid long-term residence visas for many times: those who were born and have been living in Iraq; Those who have entered the country legally and settled in Iran for 15 years or more; Reside in Iran for 3 years or more and work in the fields of education, culture, and art; Those who have resided in Iraq for no less than 6 years, initially signed an employment contract with the government, and continue to stay in Iraq after the contract expires; Those who meet the first and second requirements above and stay outside Iraq for no more than two months per year, with valid reasons, can consider this visa valid; Foreign women who marry Iraqi citizens may apply for a residence visa in accordance with Article (7).

Foreigners working in the reservoir area can apply for the reservoir area residence permit (only for use in the reservoir area) to the immigration department of the reservoir area government through the employer after entering the country. They must complete the following procedures: fill in the application form for the reservoir area residence permit, submit the medical examination report of the local hospital, the color copy of the passport information page and the entry seal page, submit the copy of the legal labor contract with a validity period of not less than one year, and obtain the work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor of the reservoir area government. The maximum validity period of the residence permit in the warehouse area is 1 year and can be extended. If the employer terminates the labor contract with a foreign employee after one year, they shall be responsible for their return to their home country. The government of the reservoir area has no authority to confer Iraqi citizenship.

3. Nationality and immigration policies:

Iraqi citizenship can be obtained in the following situations: (1) If both or one of the parents is an Iraqi citizen. (2) My parents are stateless or of unknown nationality, and I was born in Iraq. (3) If the mother is an Iraqi citizen and the father is stateless or of unknown nationality, and the individual was born overseas but has reached adulthood, they should apply for Iraqi citizenship within one year of reaching adulthood and reside in Iraq at the time of application. (4) My father is a non Iraqi citizen born in Iraq and has been residing in Iraq since the birth of the child, and I have applied for Iraqi citizenship.

Non Iraqi citizens applying for citizenship must meet the following conditions: (1) be of legal age. (2) Legal entry, residing in Iran at the time of citizenship application. Except for those who were born and settled in Iraq and have obtained a citizenship card but have not yet naturalized. (3) Those who have legally and continuously resided in Iran for no less than ten years before applying for citizenship. (4) Individuals with good behavior and no criminal record. (5) Those who have a normal way of making a living. (6) Not carrying any infectious pathogens.

There are currently 13 orange (high-risk) areas in Iraq, while the rest of the areas are red (extremely high-risk). Specifically, as follows:
1、 Orange region: 13 provinces including Karbala, Wasit, Najaf, Diwania, Musana, Dhi Qar, Missan, Basra, Erbil, Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah, Babylon, Baghdad, etc. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to travel to the above-mentioned areas with caution in the near future. Local personnel and institutions have closely monitored the development of the situation, maintained high vigilance, strengthened security precautions and emergency preparations, and ensured personal and property safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                     

2、 Red areas: areas outside the 13 provinces mentioned above. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to areas outside the 13 provinces mentioned above in Iraq in the near future. Personnel and institutions already in the area should evacuate or transfer to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security risk situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

Currently, the security situation in Iraq remains complex and severe, with frequent terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, and hazardous materials or explosives left over from war scattered throughout the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Iraq remind Chinese citizens to be cautious when traveling to 12 provinces in Iraq, including Karbala, Wasit, Najaf, Diwania, Musa, Dhi Qar, Missan, Basra, Erbil, Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah, and Babylon. Local personnel and institutions have closely monitored the development of the situation, maintained high vigilance, strengthened security precautions and emergency preparedness, and ensured personal and property safety. Do not go to other areas of Iraq temporarily. Local personnel and institutions are requested to evacuate or transfer to relatively safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the embassy or consulate in Iraq.

Given the special circumstances in the above-mentioned regions, if Chinese citizens insist on going to or staying in the relevant areas, it may lead to extremely high security risks for the parties involved and affect the effectiveness of obtaining assistance.

In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese Embassy in Iraq. The emergency hotline for Iraq is 130, and the emergency hotline is 105; Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24 hours):+86-10-12308+86-10-65612308. Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Embassy in Iraq:+964-7901912315. Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Erbil:+964-7515477820. Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Basra:+ 964-7858618940.

natural disaster

Sandstorms occur frequently in spring and autumn, with hot and humid summers and heavy rainfall in winter. Urban drainage facilities are not perfect, and in the event of high-intensity precipitation, urban waterlogging is prone to occur.

FDA

The purification level of tap water treatment is insufficient, and it is not suitable for direct consumption. It is recommended to drink bottled water as much as possible.

Urgent Help

Local emergency hotline: 130 (Kurdish region emergency hotline: 144, 124, 104)

Emergency hotline: 105 (Kurdish region emergency hotline: 122);

Fire alarm: 115 (Kurdish region fire alarm hotline: 066125, 066115)

air traffic

Iran International Airlines has direct flights with China, Jordan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Türkiye, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark and other state-owned airlines. There are only national airline routes within Iran, with few flights and frequent delays or cancellations. On July 6, 2024, Iran Air resumed direct flights with Beijing.

The main airports include Baghdad International Airport, Erbil International Airport, Sulaymaniyah International Airport, and Basra International Airport.

There are two international airports in Irbil and Sulaymaniyah in the Iraqi Kurdish region. At present, there are flights to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Türkiye, Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Germany and other countries.

Departing passengers should arrive at the airport three hours before the flight takes off; Encourage passengers to book tickets and check-in online.

Erbil International Airport:+964 (0) 66 211 3300,+964 (0) 66 281 0000, website:

http://erbilairport.com/Main/Main.aspx

Sulaymaniyah International Airport:+964 (0) 53 317 3322, website: http://www.sul-airport.com/index.php

land transport

Mainly relying on road transportation, the road network covers the whole country with a total length of 39700 kilometers, most of which were built before the first Gulf War in 1991. Affected by the war, the roads and bridges in Iraq have been severely damaged. Currently, most of the roads have been repaired, but the road conditions are poor. Due to the unstable domestic security situation in Iran, there is no safety guarantee for long-distance land transportation. The railway has a total length of 2027 kilometers, mainly including three trunk lines centered on Baghdad: Baghdad Kirkuk Erbil line, Baghdad Mosul Türkiye line, and the former Soviet Union aided Baghdad Umm Qasr port line. Due to the impact of war and international sanctions, most of the Iranian railway lines have been damaged, or have been in disrepair for a long time and have been artificially destroyed in the post-war turbulent situation, resulting in difficulties in ensuring safety, incomplete stations along the line, unreliable timetables, and high ticket prices.

Road transportation is the main mode of transportation between cities in the Kurdish region, and passengers can take taxis or long-distance buses (with fewer routes and quantities). There are roads leading to Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk and other cities, as well as Türkiye, Iran and Syria. Due to the current severe security situation in Iraq, the safety risks of long-distance land transportation are relatively high, especially when traveling to cities outside the reservoir area.

water communication

There are mainly some waterways such as the Tigris River, Euphrates River, Shatt al Arab River, and artificial canal (Saddam River). The main ports are Umm Qasr Port and Becker Port.

Due to the impact of the war, the only seaport in southern Basra is currently only for freight transportation.

Urban transportation

Taxi is the main mode of transportation in the city, with a lack of public transportation and only a small number of buses. Taxis do not have a meter and require negotiation. The vehicle is driving on the right side.

major city

Baghdad: the capital of Iraq, the capital of Baghdad Province, and a historic and cultural city in the Islamic world. Baghdad originates from Persian and means' gift from God '. Baghdad spans both banks of the Tigris River, only over 30 kilometers away from the Euphrates River, and is located on a transportation hub between the east and west. The Tigris River and Euphrates River extend northward to Syria and Türkiye, and southward to the Persian Gulf.

Basra: Iraq's second largest city and largest port city, located on the west bank of the Shatt al Arab River at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in southeastern Iraq, 120 kilometers south of the Persian Gulf. It is the only hub connecting the Persian Gulf and inland water systems. In the past, Basra was a picturesque city and a famous tourist destination in Iraq. In history, Basra was an Arab cultural, scientific, commercial, and financial center, and also one of the oldest ports in the world. It is now the center of Iraq's oil industry.

Erbil: the capital of the Iku District, the capital of the Erbil Province, and the political and economic center of the reservoir area; The population is mostly Kurdish, with a permanent population of about 1.43 million (2023). There are castles and spires in the city, and tourist attractions such as Korik Mountain and Kori Ali Beko Waterfall on the outskirts of the city.

Sulaymaniyah: the capital of Sulaymaniyah Province, with a predominantly Kurdish population, known as the "cultural and educational capital" of the reservoir area; There is the Sulaymaniyah Museum (the second largest museum in Iraq) in the city, and tourist attractions such as Mount Azmar and Lake Dukan on the outskirts of the city.

Duhuk: The capital of Duhuk Province, with a predominantly Kurdish population. The city is home to tourist attractions such as the Duhuk Reservoir.

Commodity prices

The main crops are wheat, barley, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, etc. A large amount of food and daily necessities rely on imports, and the overall price level is relatively high.

The Iranian government implements government parity supply and market free supply. The government supplies a small portion of daily necessities (including rice, flour, sugar, and tea) to each Iraqi citizen at parity every month based on the supply tickets issued. The main supply relies on citizens purchasing at a price in the free market, and currently prices in the Iranian market are generally high.

Currency and exchange rate: The official currency is the Iraqi Dinar, with 1 US dollar equivalent to 1310 Iraqi Dinar (2023).

Payment method: Cash payment is the main method, and Iraqi dinar and US dollar cash payments are generally accepted. A small number of shops and hotels can use local or international credit cards, and card swiping usually requires an additional handling fee of about 3%.

Banking and financial services: Due to the impact of war and international sanctions, the vast majority of banks are limited to providing personal transfer or credit services to basic customers; Private banks mainly facilitate financial transfers from the central government to provincial regulatory authorities or individuals, rather than providing business such as corporate loans.

State owned banks include the Central Bank of Iraq, Al Rafidain Bank, Al Rasheed Bank, and Trade Bank of Iraq.

Listed joint-stock bank: Small in scale, only engaged in domestic business, limited to commercial services such as domestic currency (Iraqi dinar) savings settlement and project financing.

Insurance Medical

Affected by the war, the medical insurance system in Iraq is not sound, with a lack of medical equipment and personnel. Clinics and hospitals usually only provide simple treatment. Public hospitals provide free medical care to citizens and individuals with residence permits, but the medical and health conditions are limited and overcrowded, while private hospitals have relatively better medical and health conditions but high medical costs. Foreign employees in Iran usually apply for international medical insurance.

The overall level of medical and health conditions in the Kurdish region is not high, with a lack of medical equipment and insufficient medical personnel, and can only treat general diseases. Public hospitals provide free medical care to local residents, but the medical and health conditions are limited and overcrowded. Private hospitals have relatively good medical and health conditions but higher costs.

Customs taboos

Main holidays: January 1st, New Year's Day; January 6th, Army Day (established on January 6th, 1921); March 21st, Naurus Day (Kurdish Spring Festival); April 17th, Fa'ao Liberation Day (liberated from Iranian occupation on April 17th, 1988); May 1st, International Labor Day; July 14th, National Day (1958 Revolution Day); August 8th, Great Victory Day (ceasefire of the Iran Iraq War on August 8th, 1988). Main holidays in the reservoir area: January 1st, New Year's Day; January 6th, Iraqi Army Day; March 5th, commemoration day of the rebellion against Saddam Hussein; March 14th, Kurdish National Movement Leader's Day. Mustafa Barzani's birthday, commemoration of the chemical weapons attack on Halabja in the Kurds on March 16th, Nauraz Festival (Kurdish Spring Festival) on March 21st, commemoration of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime on April 9th, commemoration of the Anfal Operation on April 14th The first Wednesday after April 14th is Yazidi New Year's Day, May 1st is International Labor Day, July 14th is Iraq's National Day, and December 25th is Christmas Day.

Islamic festivals (according to the Islamic calendar) include New Year on January 1st, Ashura on January 10th, Muhammad's birthday on March 12th, Eid al Fitr on October 1-3, and Eid al Adha on December 10-13.

Customs taboos: In Iraq, women in southern regions mostly wear black robes, and in Shia holy sites, female Muslims are not allowed to wear Western clothing. Although the weather is hot, men generally do not wear shorts when going out. Green represents Islam and is a color favored by Arabs, which is prohibited for commercial use. Black is used for mourning. Avoid blue. It is forbidden to use pigs, pandas, and hexagonal stars as patterns. 13 "is a taboo number. Fasting on pork, dead animals, blood, and animals slaughtered in the name of Allah in diet. The main residents of the reservoir area are Kurds, who mainly believe in Islam and belong to the Sunni sect. They generally abide by the religious taboos and obligations of Islam. Chinese citizens should abide by local religious customs and traditions. In the reservoir area, Kurds generally wear traditional Kurdish clothing or ordinary casual clothes, suits, etc. Men should not wear vests, shorts, slippers, etc. on the streets in the local area, and women should be careful not to wear them too revealing. When Kurds invite friendly foreigners to their homes, women generally do not shy away, but male guests should not joke with women. The common language in the reservoir area is Kurdish, and most Kurds understand Arabic and basic English. The common language in the reservoir area is Kurdish, and most Kurds understand Arabic and English.

Communications Power

Power interface type: European standard specification, with a few using British standard specification, standard voltage: 230V 50Hz

The development of fixed line networks in Iraq has been slow, with serious user loss. Currently, there are about 1.3 million users, while mobile users are developing rapidly. There are existing operators such as ASIACELL, ZAIN, KORAK, etc., but the call quality is unstable. The network speed in Iraq is slow and expensive, with EarthLink being the main network company kalimat、itisaluna。 The local mobile network standard is GSM CDMA， Compatible with Chinese mobile phones.

The development of fixed telephone services in the Kurdish region is slow and the popularity is low, with most of them being used by government departments, companies, institutions, etc. Mobile users are developing rapidly, mainly through operators such as KOREK, ASIACELL, ZAIN, etc. The mobile network standards are GSM, WCDMA, and LTE (limited to urban areas only), which are compatible with mainstream Chinese brand mobile phones. The Internet in the reservoir area has developed rapidly, mainly using ADSL broadband and optical fiber for Internet access. The main network companies are NEWROZ, FASTLINK, etc.

contact information

1. Contact Information of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Iraq

Office location: MAHALA 929, ZUKAK 25, BUILDING NO.33, ARASAT AREA, BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Office hours: 08:30-12:30, 13:00-15:00, 19:00-21:00 (closed on Fridays and Saturdays)

contact number: 00964（0）7901912303

Insurance hotline: 00964（0）7901912315

website: http://iq.chineseembassy.org/chn/

Embassy email: chinaemb_iq@mfa.gov.cn

Consular Consultation Email: baghdad@csm.mfa.gov.cn

2. Contact information of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Erbil

Office location: Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Gulan Street (south west of Naz City), Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Republic of Iraq.

Office hours: 08:30-12:30, 13:30-17:30 (closed on Fridays and Saturdays)

Contact phone number: 00964 (0) 66 210 3902

Insurance hotline: 00964 (0) 751 547 7820

E-mail chinaconsul_erbil@mfa.gov.cn

3. Contact information of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Basra

Office location: 6/1 Al Siraji District, District No. 14,Basra,Iraq

Office hours: 08:30-16:30 (closed on Fridays and Saturdays)

Contact phone number: 00964 (0) 785 861 8939

Insurance hotline: 00964 (0) 785 861 8940

E-mail chinaconsul_basra@mfa.gov.cn

4. Websites of major government departments in Iraq:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://mofa.gov.iq/

Ministry of Interior: www.moi.gov.iq

Cabinet Secretariat: http://cabinet.iq

Immigration website: http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq

Warehouse area government portal: https://gov.krd

Chairman's Office in the Warehouse Area: http://president.gov.krd/

External Relations Department of the Warehouse Area: https://gov.krd/dfr-en/

Labor Department of Warehouse Area: https://gov.krd/molsa-en/

+964 (0) 750 446 9134

+964 (0) 770 446 9134

+964 (0) 750 404 9945

Ministry of Interior of the Warehouse Area: https://gov.krd/residency/

+964 (0) 66 264 7407

Immigration Bureau of Erbil Province in the reservoir area:+ 964 (0) 750 451 4311

Sulaymaniyah Province Immigration Bureau:+ 964 (0) 770 154 8926

Immigration Bureau of Duhuk Province in the Warehouse Area:+964 (0) 750 446 1201