COVID-19 and Traveling in Iraq

• With consideration of reciprocity, the Iraqi Higher Commission for Health and Safety allows the travels to Iraq of citizens of a group of countries that has been banned from travelling to Iraq. However, the new arrivals should isolate themselves in their workplaces and not mingle with others. https://bit.ly/3waUdfb
• For travelers from other countries, a negative printed PRC test not older than 24 hours must be shown at Iraqi airports before departure and arrival.
• For those arriving at the country with positive PRC test, they should stay at a quarantine hotel specified by the government at their expenses for 14 days.
• Waiting period for travelers with negative PRC test could be between 3-5 hours.
• To contain the pandemic, the Higher Committee for Health and Safety issued a decision allowing travelers to Iraq to enter the country from airports only.
• For travelers who wish to leave Iraq and have a positive PRC test, they authority will not allow them to leave.
• For those who wish to travel to the Kurdish Region of Iraq, no PCR test is required on arrival, if the traveler submits a negative PCR test no older than 24 hours from time of arrival, or submits proof that she/ he both doses of Covid- 19 vaccine.
• PCR test must be done in a recognized center which are:
  • In Baghdad: The Al-Istishari Medical Lab Located next to Al-Yarmook Hospital, Baghdad with cost of 135 USD.
  • In Erbil: Zanko Medical Center, Google Maps coordinates: 5229 + C6. The cost of the test is 40,000 IQD (around 28 USD).

• German nationals who are travelling to Iraq for business will be granted a single-entry visa on arrival. However, they must bring with them printed documents that prove they are visiting the country for business, for example, a letter from their company stating that they are visiting the country for a specific project, or a letter from the Iraqi entity they are working with proving that they are visiting Iraq for a certain project. Also, the visitor needs to submit a valid passport, proof of hotel accommodation booking for the duration of stay and pay 75 USD visa fee. Visa is valid for whole Iraq including KRI.
   
•  For those who are travelling to the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI), kindly note that the Ministry of Interior there issued a visa regulation letter No. 309 on 4th of January 2021. The letter stated that EU countries passport holders traveling to KRI should pay visa fee of 100,000.00 IQD (or equivalent of 70 USD) at their arrival. Travelers from Iraqi origin are exempted, and they don’t have to pay this visa fee, in condition that their EU passports mention an Iraqi place of birth. Diplomats and service passports holders are exempted as well. Moreover, you will be charged 40 USD for mandatory Covid- 19 test. Kindly note, this visa is to be used in KRI only and not for the rest of Iraq.

The German Embassy Baghdad, the German General Consulate Erbil and the VFS center are imposing restrictions on those who would like to apply for visa. However, and starting from 25th of June visa process is open to those who have double vaccination - except for the Sinopharm vaccine, which is not accepted.

For more information please visit:
irak.diplo.de/iq-ar/-/2321950 (Arabic)
irak.diplo.de/iq-de/-/2321918 (German)

Please check the following websites before you apply for a visa:
www.bmi.bund.de
irak.diplo.de/iq-de
irak.diplo.de/iq-de/vertretungen/generalkonsulat1
visa.vfsglobal.com/irq/en/deu