COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Iraq (23 July Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents of Iraq are allowed to enter the country.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Most foreigners are not allowed to enter Iraq. Tourist entry to Iraq is suspended until further notice. Iraqi nationals, government delegations, diplomats and employees of international organizations and unspecified experts who work on projects of public interest are excluded from the entry ban.

• Iraq has suspended all travel to/from India.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes

• Passengers must have a COVID-19 PCR test at airports and other border-crossings at their own expense. Travellers should be prepared to pay in cash for testing on arrival.

• Travellers arriving in the Kurdistan region without a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours prior to travel or verified evidence of a second dose of vaccination will have to undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the Kurdistan Region airports at their own expense.

*Is a test certificate accepted? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Printed PCR test certificates from other countries are accepted if issued by a government-approved laboratory and are in Arabic or English.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes

• A certificate for a negative PCR and/or serology test performed within 72 hours prior to entry into Central Iraq is mandatory.

• Travellers arriving in the Kurdistan region will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours prior to travel or verified evidence of a second dose of vaccination.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All incoming travellers will be subjected to 14 days self-quarantine upon arrival.

• Official delegations, business travellers and tourists on short-stay trips to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region are not required to enter quarantine, subject to presenting a negative PCR test certificate. All other travellers to the region are required to go through self-quarantine for 14 days.

• Based on the above restrictions, most of the travellers will be required to enter self-quarantine for 14 days.

*Entry form required? *

• No with exceptions

• Arriving travellers may be required to complete a “Pledge Form”.

Is insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Is COVID-19 vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

• Proof of vaccination may be required for all service and hospitality industry workers, medical staff at private and public clinics and hospitals, and teachers and educators in Iraq.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Airline flights are operating.

• Authorities have suspended the air routes with India until further notice.

• Depending on the regulations of other destinations, airlines may require a negative PCR test before permitting a passenger to board.

• Passengers without a face mask or with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board any flight.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Tourist entry into Iraq is suspended until further notice.

• Entry to Iraq is only allowed through Iraqi international airports. The entry and exit options at the land borders of Iraq are severely restricted. All borders are open for the entry of goods and other cargo.

• The Iraqi government has launched an exceptional programme to remove the requirements to obtain entry visas before arrival in Iraq for citizens of the following countries:

• Countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council (USA, UK, France, the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China)

• European Union countries: Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, France, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Greece, and Germany.

• Visas on arrival are available at Iraq's airports and land and sea borders for all the above-mentioned countries. However, all foreign nationals must comply with all relevant COVID-19 restrictions and entry requirements.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• A partial curfew is in effect from 23:00 to 05:00.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Social distancing must be followed.

• Workers in retail stores, restaurants, malls, factories and other places of business subject to health control measures will be required to present proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Restrictions on inter-provincial travel are in effect until further notice.

• Taxis, trains, and public buses, and some mini-buses are allowed to operate while maintaining safety protocols.

• Movements between the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq have resumed.

• The Kurdistan Region of Iraq may impose or lift travel restrictions between provinces with very short notice. These restrictions are updated on this site.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

• Malls are allowed to operate with capacity restrictions for limited hours.

• Starting 1 September, businesses and private institutions must either present a vaccination certificate or provide a negative PCR test weekly. If neither is provided, staff will be considered absent.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels are allowed to open with social distancing protocols.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to operate in outdoor spaces with capacity restrictions for limited hours.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes

• Cafes are allowed to operate in outdoor spaces.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• No

• Tourism is not allowed in Iraq. Group travel for tourism purposes from Iraq to all countries is banned until further notice.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Holy sites and shrines are open.

• Museums and tourist sites are closed.

*Personal care services open? *

• No

• Most personal care services are closed.

*Places of worship open? *

• No

• Places of worship are closed until further notice.

*Events allowed? *

• Yes

• Weddings and any other events are allowed with capacity restrictions for limited hours.

• All large gatherings are prohibited in funerals, weddings, concerts, sporting events, and conferences

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• People must wear face masks in public places, including when travelling by taxis and buses. In Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), a fine will be imposed on anyone without a face mask in public places, private institutions, and vehicles.

Other

• Government departments are permitted to resume working with limited attendance.

• Entertainment centres, event halls, parks, cinemas, sports halls, gyms and swimming pools are closed

• Elementary schools and universities remain closed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.