COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Iraq (24 April 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 central 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.

• Indonesian citizens may not be allowed to enter via Basra (BSR) or Najaf (NJF).

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes

• Passengers are required to have PCR COVID-19 tests at airports and other border-crossings, 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 test performed within 72 hours of entry into Central Iraq and the Kurdistan-Iraq region is required. The result must be printed out in English or Arabic.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers to Iraq arriving from high-risk countries must self-quarantine for 14 days.

• Based on the above restrictions, incoming travellers will be required to spend between zero to 14 days in quarantine.

*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.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Airports are open.

• International flights are operating but could be suspended with short 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

• Moderate

• 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 entry of goods and other cargo.

• Travellers who have been in Iran in the past 30 days are banned from entering Iraq through Erbil (EBL) or Sulaymaniyah (ISU).

• The Iraqi government launched on 15 March 2021 an exceptional programme to lift the requirement to obtain entry visas prior to arrival in Iraq for citizens of:

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

• Visa on arrival facility is 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 full curfew is in effect on Fridays and Saturdays. A partial curfew has been implemented during the month of Ramadan (roughly April 12 to May 12) from 20:00 to 05:00.

• Iraqi security forces, Ministry of Health staff, service departments, bakeries, grocery stores, and pharmacies are exempted from the full curfew.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Social distancing must be followed.

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 maintaining safety protocols.

• Movements between the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq are banned until further notice with the exception of NGOs, diplomats, other official personnel, and commercial transportation.

• Any individual entering the Kurdistan region must show a COVID-19 negative certificate from a test undertaken within 72 hours prior to arrival.

• 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 with exceptions

• Malls and shops are open with strict adherence to health protocols and curfew hours.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels are allowed to open with social distancing protocols.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• Restaurants are allowed to open with strict adherence to COVID-19 health protocols and curfew hours.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes

• Cafes are allowed to open with strict adherence to COVID-19 health protocols and curfew hours.

*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 with exceptions

• Personal care services are closed.

*Places of worship open? *

• No

• Places of worship are closed until further notice.

*Events allowed? *

• No with exceptions

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

• Wedding ceremonies at event halls are banned until further notice.

• Funeral services and mourning rites are banned. A fine can be imposed for any violation of these rules,

*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

• All public and private educational institutions and schools will use online and distance learning.

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

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.