iraq travel restrictions

Understanding Iraq Travel Restrictions: Everything You Need To Know

• Last updated Sep 16, 2023
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category United States

Iraq travel restrictions have been a subject of intense debate and concern in recent years. With ongoing conflicts and security threats, the Iraqi government has implemented strict travel regulations to protect its citizens and maintain national security. Understanding these restrictions and the reasons behind them is crucial for anyone planning to visit this historic and culturally rich country. From visa requirements to mandatory security checkpoints, navigating through Iraq's travel restrictions can be challenging but necessary for those seeking to explore its ancient history and vibrant culture.

What You'll Learn

What are the current travel restrictions in iraq due to the covid-19 pandemic, are there any specific entry requirements for foreigners visiting iraq, are there any specific areas in iraq where travel is prohibited or not recommended, are there any restrictions on traveling within iraq for domestic residents, are there any specific procedures or documents required for departing from iraq.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions in Iraq have been put in place to help control the spread of the virus. Here is an overview of the current travel restrictions in Iraq:

International Travel Restrictions:

• Entry Restrictions: Iraq has suspended entry for all foreign travelers, except Iraqi nationals. Only Iraqi citizens, consular staff, diplomats, and UN staff are allowed to enter the country.
• Testing and Quarantine Requirements: All travelers entering Iraq, including Iraqi nationals, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 48 hours before their departure. They are also required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Domestic Travel Restrictions:

• Curfew: Iraq has implemented a nationwide curfew from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. This curfew restricts movement between cities and provinces during these hours.
• Interprovincial Movement: Permission is required for interprovincial movement, and strict controls are in place to monitor travelers and prevent the spread of the virus.
• Public Transport: Public transport services, including buses and trains, are operating at reduced capacity to ensure social distancing measures are followed.

It is important to note that these travel restrictions are subject to change based on the evolving situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are advised to stay updated with the latest information from official sources, such as the Iraqi government or relevant embassies, before planning any travels to or within Iraq.

Additionally, it is essential to follow all COVID-19 safety guidelines, such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and frequently washing hands, to protect oneself and others from the virus.

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If you are planning a trip to Iraq, it's important to understand the entry requirements for foreigners. While Iraq has made efforts to encourage tourism in recent years, there are still certain restrictions and guidelines that need to be followed.

Visa Requirements:

Most foreigners will need a visa to enter Iraq. This includes citizens of most countries, with a few exceptions. Some nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry, while others can obtain a visa on arrival or must obtain a visa prior to their trip.

To determine the specific visa requirements for your country, it is best to check with the nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information and guide you through the application process.

Iraqi Kurdistan:

If you plan to visit the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, there are separate visa regulations in place. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has implemented its own visa policy, which is different from the rest of Iraq. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Erbil or Sulaymaniyah International Airports. However, it's advisable to check the latest updates with the KRG authorities before your trip.

Passport Validity:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of your stay in Iraq. It's important to check the expiration date of your passport before you make any travel arrangements. If your passport is close to expiring or has less than six months of validity remaining, you may be denied entry into the country.

Visa Renewal and Extensions:

If you are already in Iraq and need to extend your stay, you should contact the Iraqi immigration authorities for guidance. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information and assistance. Keep in mind that overstaying your visa can result in fines, deportation, or other legal consequences.

Travel Advisories:

Before traveling to Iraq, it's advisable to check the travel advisories issued by your country's government. These advisories provide important information about the security situation and any specific risks or concerns for travelers. It's always a good idea to stay informed and take appropriate precautions for your own safety.

Other Considerations:

Aside from the entry requirements, there are a few other considerations you should keep in mind when planning your trip to Iraq. The security situation in the country can be volatile, so it's important to stay updated on current events and follow the advice of local authorities. It's also recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, as well as any unexpected events.

In conclusion, there are specific entry requirements for foreigners visiting Iraq, including the need for a visa and a valid passport. It's important to check with the Iraqi embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information and to follow any travel advisories issued by your own government. By being prepared and informed, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Iraq.

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Iraq is a country located in the Middle East with a rich history and cultural heritage. However, due to security concerns and ongoing conflicts, there are certain areas in Iraq where travel is either prohibited or not recommended. It is important for travelers to stay informed and aware of the current situation before planning a trip to Iraq.

One of the most dangerous areas in Iraq is the western region, particularly near the Syrian border. This area is known for its active presence of terrorist organizations such as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and other militant groups. These groups have been involved in frequent attacks and targeted violence. The Iraqi government has placed restrictions on travel to this area due to the high risk of kidnapping, bombing, and other acts of terrorism.

Another area of concern is the disputed territories in northern Iraq, particularly the areas controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and those under dispute between the KRG and the central Iraqi government. Tensions between these two entities have resulted in occasional clashes and armed conflicts. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about the current situation in this region before planning a visit.

Additionally, the provinces of Anbar, Nineveh, and Salahuddin are among the areas that have seen significant violence and instability. These provinces have witnessed intense battles against ISIS and other armed groups. Although these areas have experienced significant improvements in security in recent years, sporadic violence and incidents continue to occur. Travelers are advised to consult with local authorities and follow the guidance of security forces when planning a trip to these regions.

It is essential to note that travel restrictions and security assessments can change frequently in Iraq due to the evolving security situation. It is highly recommended for travelers to regularly consult with their country's embassy or consulate in Iraq for up-to-date travel advisories and security information.

In conclusion, there are specific areas in Iraq where travel is either prohibited or not recommended due to security concerns. These include the western region, particularly the border with Syria, disputed territories in northern Iraq, and certain provinces with a history of violence and instability. Travelers should stay informed about the current security situation and consult with local authorities and their country's embassy or consulate before planning a trip to Iraq. By doing so, they can ensure their safety and have a more enjoyable travel experience.

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Traveling within Iraq for domestic residents is subject to certain restrictions due to various factors such as security concerns and the ongoing conflict in certain areas of the country. While there are no specific restrictions on domestic travel, residents are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about the latest security situation.

The security situation in Iraq remains volatile, with the presence of armed groups and ongoing military operations. As a result, some areas within the country are considered high-risk and should be avoided. These include the provinces of Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Diyala, Kirkuk, and Anbar, where the Islamic State (IS) and other armed groups still maintain a presence.

Travelers are encouraged to consult the latest travel advisories issued by their respective embassies or consulates before planning any trips within Iraq. These advisories provide updated information on the security situation in different areas of the country and guidance on travel restrictions.

It is also important to note that road travel can be risky due to the possibility of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other security threats. Travelers are advised to use well-known and secure routes, travel during daylight hours, and avoid traveling alone if possible. Additionally, it is recommended to travel with a reliable local guide who is familiar with the region and can provide assistance in case of emergencies.

Air travel within Iraq is relatively safe, with several domestic airlines operating regular flights between major cities such as Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. It is advisable to book flights with reputable airlines and to confirm the availability of flights and any potential schedule changes before departure.

It is worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected travel within Iraq, with restrictions and measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Travelers are advised to follow the guidelines and regulations set by the Iraqi government, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and adhering to any quarantine or testing requirements.

In conclusion, while there are no specific restrictions on domestic travel within Iraq, residents are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about the security situation in different areas. Travel advisories and guidelines should be consulted before planning any trips, and safety precautions should be taken, especially when traveling by road. Following the advice of local authorities and maintaining awareness of the COVID-19 situation are also essential for a safe and smooth travel experience within the country.

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If you are planning to depart from Iraq, whether for travel or to permanently move to another country, there are certain procedures and documents you will need to complete and obtain. It is important to ensure you have all the necessary requirements in order to have a smooth departure process.

• Valid Passport: The most essential document you will need is a valid passport. Make sure your passport is up to date and has not expired. If it is about to expire, it is recommended to renew it before your departure.
• Visa: Depending on your destination country, you may need a visa to enter. Check with the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit or move to for their specific visa requirements. Each country has different entry requirements and it is important to ensure you have the correct visa before departing.
• Exit Visa: In addition to the visa of your destination country, you will also need an exit visa from Iraq. This document is obtained from the Immigration and Passport Office in Iraq. You will need to provide your passport, registration documents, and other supporting documents to obtain the exit visa. It is important to start the process early as it may take some time to obtain the exit visa.
• Proof of Vaccinations: Some countries may require proof of certain vaccinations before entering. Check the vaccination requirements of your destination country and ensure you have the necessary vaccinations and documentation. This is especially important during times of health crises or pandemics.
• Travel Insurance: While not mandatory, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance when departing from Iraq. Travel insurance can provide coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances. It is important to read and understand the terms and coverage of your travel insurance policy.
• Proof of Travel Itinerary: It is advisable to have a copy of your travel itinerary, including flight details, hotel reservations, and any other relevant travel documents. This can be useful in case you need to provide proof of your travel plans.
• Customs Declarations: If you are carrying any valuable items, large amounts of cash, or restricted items, you may need to declare them at customs. Be aware of the customs regulations of your destination country and ensure you comply with them to avoid any unnecessary delays or penalties.
• Other Considerations: Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be additional procedures or documents required. For example, if you are traveling with pets, you may need to provide pet health certificates or quarantine arrangements. If you are leaving Iraq for employment purposes, you may need to complete certain employment or visa-related procedures. It is important to research and understand the specific requirements for your situation.

In conclusion, when departing from Iraq, it is important to have a valid passport, obtain the necessary visas, including an exit visa from Iraq, and comply with any vaccination requirements. It is also advisable to have travel insurance, proof of your travel itinerary, and be aware of the customs regulations of your destination country. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be additional procedures or documents required, so it is important to research and understand the specific requirements for your situation.

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Frequently asked questions.

Yes, there are travel restrictions in place for Iraq. Due to ongoing security concerns, several countries have issued travel advisories advising their citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq. Additionally, Iraq has placed restrictions on entry and exit at its borders, making it difficult for non-Iraqi nationals to enter the country.

If you have urgent business or family matters to attend to in Iraq, it is advisable to contact your nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate to inquire about the current travel restrictions and any exemptions that may apply. In certain cases, exemptions may be granted for travel to Iraq for compelling reasons.

Even with the travel restrictions in place, individuals who are granted permission to enter Iraq may still be required to meet certain requirements. This may include having a valid visa, a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of travel insurance, and adherence to quarantine or self-isolation protocols upon arrival.

The duration of the travel restrictions imposed on Iraq may vary depending on the security situation and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to stay updated with the latest travel advisories issued by your government and to monitor the situation closely before making any travel plans to Iraq.

Exceptions to the travel restrictions for humanitarian or diplomatic purposes may be granted on a case-by-case basis. It is advisable to contact the relevant authorities, such as the Iraqi embassy or consulate, to discuss the specific circumstances and seek guidance on the necessary steps to be taken.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Iraq travel advice

Latest updates: Laws and culture – updated information on Ramadan 2025

Last updated: April 15, 2024 14:40 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, iraq - avoid all travel.

Avoid all travel to Iraq due to a continued volatile, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous security situation. If you are in Iraq, consider departing by commercial means if it is safe to do so.

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There is a threat of terrorism in Iraq. Car bombings, vehicle ambushes, drones, mortar and rocket attacks occur weekly across the country. Further attacks are likely, particularly during religious or public holidays. The security situation could worsen with little warning. Attacks have also targeted residential areas to maximize casualties.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• Iraqi security forces
• large public gatherings
• public areas and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. The risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time remains high.

Threats to foreigners

The threat of attacks against Western interests and of terrorist attacks in general continues to be real. Foreigners could be prime kidnapping-for-money targets for criminal and terrorist groups.

• Stay in secure, guarded accommodations
• Travel with close protection teams at all times, and take all necessary security precautions
• You should employ a professional security company and follow their advice for the duration of your stay

Border areas

Avoid travelling to border areas. You may encounter serious problems with local authorities when crossing borders or risk of injury or death as a result of ongoing clashes, air strikes or other violent incidents that are common to border areas in Iraq. People suspected of illegally crossing the Iraq-Syria border risk being detained by the Iraqi authorities and charged with terrorism, which can result in capital punishment.

Crime, including carjackings, robberies, kidnapping and corruption, is common. Security conditions get much worse after dark in most areas. Violent conflicts involving organized criminals, street gangs, militants, rival militias and Iraqi security forces pose grave dangers.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

Demonstrations

Violent demonstrations and attacks are common throughout Iraq.

Clashes between protestors and security forces can occur. Security forces may use tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse crowds.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Checkpoints

Security checkpoints are common across the country. An Iraqi police or army uniform is not a guarantee that the wearer is operating in an official capacity.

• Be very respectful and cooperate fully at security checkpoints
• Exercise particular caution at ad hoc checkpoints, where murders, kidnappings and robberies frequently occur

Authorities impose curfews on short notice throughout the country. Monitor local media in order to stay informed.

Cellular Network

Telecommunications services are very poor or non-existent in remote areas. Cellular network coverage is widespread in major cities.

The Arba’ een

The Arba’ een is an annual pilgrimage that has the potential to attract a large number of pilgrims each year.

The next event will take place around September 5, 2023.

Before and during the pilgrimage, you can expect:

• an increased police surveillance
• a higher volume of traffic
• street closures
• transportation delays
• limited available accommodations

Be alert at all times if you travel to Iraq during the pilgrimage. Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters, particularly in the northern Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab El Mandeb regions. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Drivers do not respect traffic laws and speeding and tailgating are common practices.

Travel by road remains highly dangerous. Fatal roadside bombings and attacks on military and civilian vehicles continue to happen. There is also a risk of carjacking and robbery.

Due to the country’s high liability risk, it is difficult to obtain car insurance.

Public Transportation

Busses run irregularly and routes are subject to frequent changes. Rundown transit vehicles are frequently involved in accidents.

Avoid travelling by rail, as the railroad is old and poorly maintained.

The Government of Iraq has begun to take measures to improve the structural integrity of the Mosul Dam.

A dam failure could cause significant flooding and disruptions to essential services from Mosul to Baghdad, along the Tigris River as well as areas adjoining the dam. A failure of the Mosul Dam cannot be predicted. Monitor local media reports and prepare contingency plans. The Government of Canada cannot provide consular services if there is a dam failure.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Iraqi authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Iraq.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Canadians must have a visa to visit Iraq.

After 10 days in the country, you must register your arrival with the Iraqi Residence Office (Ministry of Interior). After three months in Iraq, you must apply for a one-year residence permit.

You will be subject to additional screening measures prior to being issued an Iraqi visa if your passport contains an Israeli visa or border stamp. This does not apply to Canadians travelling to the region of Kurdistan.  

Kurdistan Region of Iraq

You can obtain a 30-day visa for Kurdistan upon arrival at both Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah International Airport. If you plan to travel outside of Kurdistan to other regions of Iraq, you must obtain an Iraqi visa prior to travelling to Iraq. If you are leaving via the airport in Baghdad without a visa, you may be required to pay a penalty fee at departure. 

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Cutaneous and mucosal   leishmaniasis   causes skin sores and ulcers. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin.  In some cases, it can be fatal.  It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick.  Risk is generally low for most travellers.  Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock.  There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza   is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers.

Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds (alive or dead) and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked.

Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those: 

• visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms
• working with poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks)
• hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals
• working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes)

All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited in availability. Medical facilities in Iraq are scarce. You will likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

The work week is from Sunday to Thursday.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long detention or even the death penalty.

A new law is prohibiting importing, manufacturing, and selling alcoholic beverages. It is being challenged in court, and its application at ports of entry and inside Iraq remains unclear. You should nonetheless avoid travelling to Iraq with alcohol or risk heavy fines if convicted.

Do not drink alcohol outside licensed facilities. There is a zero tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Although the laws of Iraq do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, homosexuality is not socially tolerated.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Iraq.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Iraq.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Iraq, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Travellers with dual citizenship

According to Iraqi law, the child of a male Iraqi national is considered an Iraqi national. Even if the name of the child is written in the mother’s foreign passport, Iraqi authorities may consider the child an Iraqi national and the child will require the father’s permission to travel.

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Iraq.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Iraq by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Iraq to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Religious preaching is forbidden.

Islamic practices and beliefs form the basis of the country’s customs, laws and regulations.

To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• dress conservatively
• behave discreetly
• respect religious and social traditions

In 2025, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around February 28.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, be discreet when:

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Identification

You must carry photo identification as well as a legally certified copy of your visa and registration at all times. Keep a photocopy of your passport, visa and registration in a safe place, in case they are lost or confiscated.

Customs authorities strictly enforce regulations concerning the import or export of pieces of art and antiquities. It is strictly forbidden to take antiquities, archeological finds or antique carpets out of Iraq.

There are strict laws regarding:

• purchase and exportation of antiquities and objects of special significance to the country's cultural heritage
• access, excavation, research, filming and photographing of archeological sites

To avoid any difficulties, make sure you:

• obtain and carry the required legal paperwork to purchase or export antiquities
• have the proper permit to conduct activities related to cultural heritage and archeological sites

Failure to comply can lead to severe punishment, including heavy fines, jail sentences and possibly the death penalty.

The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD). The economy is primarily cash-based. U.S. dollars are accepted. There are very few ATM’s.

You cannot leave Iraq with more than US$10,000 in cash, unless you declared the amount when you entered the country.

Dust storms

The weather is very dry and hot from May to October. Sand storms and dust storms may occur any time, particularly during the summer months.

Sand-laden winds can blow at high speeds for days, creating difficult driving conditions. Poor visibility can also affect flights. These storms can also cause respiratory problems, which can be fatal for some individuals.

During a storm:

• stay indoors
• keep windows closed
• follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

• Avoid the affected areas
• Keep informed of regional weather forecasts

Local services

There is no centralized number to reach emergency services. Research the contact information for local police and medical facilities, and carry it with you.

Consular assistance

The ability of the Embassy of Canada in Baghdad to provide consular and other support throughout Iraq is severely limited. Until further notice, contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa for emergency consular assistance.

Kurdistan, Iraq

For emergency consular assistance, you may contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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Iraq Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Iraq.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Cholera is  presumed to be present  in Iraq. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Iraq.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Iraq. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Iraq.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Iraq. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Iraq, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Iraq. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Avoid Bug Bites

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

• Scientists do not fully understand how the MERS virus spreads
• May spread from to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes
• May spread to people from camels.

Middle East Respiratory virus syndrome (MERS)

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Iraq, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Iraq. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Iraq include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Iraq. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Iraq’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Iraq may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Iraq, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Iraq for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Latest update

We continue to advise:

Do not travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, due to the volatile security situation and the threat of terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping and violent crime.

Iraq (PDF 766.89 KB)

The Middle East (PDF 1.45 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Advice levels

Do not travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Do not travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, due to the volatile security situation and the threat of terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping and violent crime.

See Safety .

• An increased threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region and ongoing military action in the Occupied Palestinian Territories could lead to increased tensions in other locations in the Middle East. Demonstration and protest activity may occur, and localised security situations could deteriorate with little notice. Avoid all demonstrations and protests. 
• This may also result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and flight diversions and other travel disruptions. 
• Due to the current security environment, and as a precaution, Australian government officials posted in Iraq have been directed not to travel outside the greater Baghdad region.
• The security situation in Iraq remains volatile, and there's a risk of violence, armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorist attacks. The security situation could deteriorate with little warning. You should leave immediately by commercial means if it's safe to do so.
• If you decide to travel to or stay in Iraq, despite our advice, you should remain vigilant and have robust security arrangements and contingency plans in place. You should get professional security advice and keep up-to-date with the latest developments.
• Large protests and political rallies occur regularly across Iraq. These can quickly turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings. If you're caught in an affected area, stay indoors. Follow the advice of local authorities or your security provider.
• There's an ongoing threat to foreign interests. A US national was attacked and killed in November 2022.
• Terrorist attacks can occur without warning. Avoid possible targets such as crowded places and public spaces, including markets, transport hubs, places of worship and government facilities. If you must visit them, always have an exit plan.
• There's a high threat of kidnapping throughout the country. Terrorists and criminal gangs may kidnap expats working in Iraq. Academics, journalists and aid workers are at a higher risk. You should review your security arrangements regularly and carefully consider any travel plans.
• Violent crime and corruption are common. Crime includes kidnapping, murder and robbery. Organised criminal gangs, militia and tribal groups are significant threats. If you decide to travel to or stay in Iraq, despite our advice, ensure your vehicle doors are locked and windows up. Secure your accommodation against intruders.
• Be alert to scams. Scammers may claim to represent the Australian or Iraqi governments, or say they're Iraqi importers. Tell the  Australian Embassy in Baghdad  if you're contacted by people or websites claiming to represent the Australian Government. Contact the  Iraqi Embassy in Canberra  before making any payments to people claiming to be from the Iraqi Government. Get legal advice if an Iraqi importer contacts you or your company.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Insect-borne diseases are common. Malaria is widespread in the southern province of Basra and areas below 1500m. Consider taking anti-malarial medicine if you're travelling to these areas. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.

HIV/AIDS is common. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

• Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include haemorrhagic fever, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food.
• Iraq is no longer affected by wild poliovirus. However, the disease may still come in from nearby countries. Ensure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.
• Medical facilities in major cities are limited. In remote areas, they're very basic or not available. In case of a serious accident or illness, you may require a medical evacuation. Ensure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation. Ensure your travel insurance covers you in Iraq. Some companies do not provide coverage when you are in a do not travel area.
• The temperature in summer months can exceed 50°C (122°F), which can result in dehydration and serious health problems.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Iraq is a predominantly Muslim country, which is reflected in its laws. Many laws in Iraq are different to those in Australia. Ensure you always respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious customs. Especially during the holy month of Ramadan, when eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours is illegal, or when visiting places of religious significance.
• It's illegal to preach anywhere except in a place of worship. It's also illegal to try to convert a Muslim or for Muslims to abandon their faith. 
• There are severe penalties, including the death penalty, for murder, treason, drug offences, kidnapping, smuggling antiquities, espionage and terrorism.
• It's illegal to photograph or film government buildings, checkpoints, military bases and embassies. Get approval if you want to film in a public place. Journalists lacking appropriate approvals have been arrested.
• Iraq has banned the import, manufacture, and selling of alcoholic beverages of all types, punishable by fines of up to IQD 25 million. Customs officers may also confiscate prohibited goods or items deemed a threat to the peace, security, health, environment, or social order of Iraq.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• If you're in Iraq despite our advice, leave as soon as you can.
• If you intend to travel to Iraq despite our advice, you may be eligible for a visa on arrival. Fees apply. Contact an  Iraqi embassy or consulate  for details. In the current environment, if you travel to Iraq or stay in Iraq despite our advice, it may not be possible to return to Australia when you want to.
• You'll require a visa to travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. You can apply for an e-visa online before arrival on the e-visa portal of the Kurdistan Region Government. It's also possible to obtain a visa on arrival. This visa is valid for travel in Kurdistan only. If you plan to travel outside of Kurdistan to other regions of Iraq, you must obtain an Iraqi visa before travelling to Iraq.
• Iraq has banned the import, manufacture and selling of alcoholic beverages of all types, punishable by fines of up to IQD 25m. Customs officers may also confiscate prohibited goods or items deemed a threat to Iraq's peace, security, health, environment, or social order.
• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Check requirements with your airline before you travel.
• There are security checkpoints throughout Iraq. Follow the instructions of officials at checkpoints. Criminals and terrorists have used false security checkpoints to stage kidnappings, robberies and murders or launch attacks.
• Road travel is dangerous. Risks include roadside bombs, attacks at checkpoints and robberies. If you need to travel by road, get professional security advice from a reputable company.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
• Our ability to provide consular services in Iraq is extremely limited.
• The Australian Embassy in Baghdad provides limited consular services by appointment only. Visit the Australian Embassy website for the latest information on consular and passport services.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

The security situation in Iraq is unstable and could deteriorate with little warning.

You should leave immediately by commercial means if it's safe to do so. If there are no commercial options for leaving Iraq, the Australian Government can't help you leave.

Curfews and other security conditions can change at short notice.

If, despite our advice, you travel to or stay in Iraq:

• get professional security advice and regularly review your security measures
• have contingency plans
• never visit areas of military activity, including border areas
• obey restrictions set by local authorities
• monitor the media for new safety or security threats
• always be alert to your surroundings

Australian officials have adopted enhanced security measures.

There's a risk of terrorist attacks in Iraq. Terrorist attacks occur without warning and are more frequent in areas where Daesh had a strong presence, including: 

• Salah ah-Din

Armed opposition groups are active throughout Iraq. They have conducted major coordinated attacks against the Government of Iraq and civilians.

Attacks using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) occur throughout Iraq, including in certain parts of Baghdad.

Attacks can occur at any time, but there's an increased risk during religious events, including Ramadan, Ashura and Arba'een. Attacks may also occur during political events, including international meetings, conferences or political rallies.

Targets for terrorist attacks include:

• Iraqi security forces
• government facilities
• checkpoints
• police stations
• recruiting centres
• military establishments

Terrorists may also target:

• Baghdad International Airport (BIAP)
• International Zone
• public transport (and hubs)
• mosques and churches
• markets, schools and universities
• funerals and religious gatherings
• foreign embassies
• other civilian infrastructure

The International Zone in Baghdad and BIAP are regularly targeted by rocket attacks and drones.

Avoid possible targets. If you must visit them, always have an exit plan. 

Iraqi security forces often conduct security operations across the country with little warning.

There has also been fighting between armed groups and Peshmerga forces in the Kurdistan region. 

A number of areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq remain susceptible to sporadic attack by artillery, drones and rockets.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorist threats

There's a high, ongoing threat of kidnapping throughout Iraq.

Sources report that terrorists and criminal groups continue to look for opportunities to kidnap Westerners throughout Iraq. Kidnappers have targeted:

• journalists
• people working for NGOs
• people working for foreign companies

Criminal gangs and terrorists demand large ransoms for releasing hostages. Ransom payments to terrorist groups are likely to breach Australian anti-terrorism financing laws.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

Regularly re-assess your security arrangements and carefully consider any travel. Close protection security is important, but it does not completely protect you.

Civil unrest and political tension

Demonstrations and protests.

Political rallies and protests often happen in Baghdad and other regions of Iraq.

Large crowds can quickly gather and turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings. Security restrictions, including curfews and interruption to internet and social media service, may occur with little notice.

If, despite our advice, you travel to or stay in Iraq, monitor the media and other sources about possible unrest.

In Baghdad, most rallies and protests are held in Tahrir Square, near the entrance to the former International Zone or government buildings.

There have previously been violent clashes in and around the International Zone in Baghdad as well as other governorates of Iraq.

• On 29 August 2022, protesters entered the Government Palace and other government buildings in and around the International Green Zone in Baghdad, resulting in violent clashes.

Protests can occur in areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq due to regional tensions.

If you're in an affected area, stay indoors and follow the advice of local authorities or your security provider.

The security situation throughout Iraq remains volatile. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for updates.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Violent crime

Violent crime and corruption are common. Kidnappings, murders and robberies occur.

Organised criminal gangs, militia and tribal groups are significant threats.

If, despite our advice, you travel to Iraq:

• travel with your vehicle's doors locked and windows up, even when moving
• secure your accommodation, including when you're inside

Scams and fraud

Some fraudulent websites and Facebook accounts in the past claimed to represent the Australian Government in Iraq. They approached local businesses for tender opportunities or individuals for visa application.

Tell the Australian Embassy in Baghdad if you're contacted by fake sites.

Some Australian businesses have been contacted by companies claiming to be Iraqi importers. They offer to do business in unusual or suspicious ways. Scammers may have knowledge of the industry and appear legitimate.

Get legal advice if you or your company is contacted.

Australian companies have been contacted by people claiming to represent the Government of Iraq. They are looking for payments associated with recently won contracts.

Get advice from the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Canberra before making any payments.

Some individuals offer to produce Iraqi identification cards. These cards are not accepted by local authorities and, if used, you could be arrested. Only obtain identification cards from relevant Iraqi authorities.

People claiming to represent the Australian Government have contacted some individuals to offer visas. To protect yourself from visa scams, you should only deal with official Australian Government channels such as the departmental website, Australian Visa Application Centres, or the Australian High Commission or Embassy in your country. Visit the Australian Government's  Visa Scams page for tips on identifying scams.

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Climate and natural disasters

Iraq can experience  severe weather  and is in an active earthquake  zone.

Sandstorms and dust storms are common during the spring and summer months. Where possible, you should remain inside during severe storms, and seek medical advice if you have breathing difficulties. Flights can also be delayed or cancelled at short notice during severe storms.

From July to September, daytime temperatures can be over 50°C.

If, despite our advice, you travel to or stay in Iraq and there's a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe location
• monitor local media and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• stay in touch with friends and family

The Government of Iraq has improved the structural integrity of Mosul Dam. However, a dam failure would cause significant flooding from Mosul to Baghdad. It could interrupt essential services. A failure of the Mosul Dam cannot be predicted.

If, despite our advice, you travel to or stay in Iraq and you're in an area near the Tigris River, including Baghdad:

• monitor local media reports
• have a contingency plan that covers evacuation

The Australian Government can't help you if commercial flights and other transport options aren't available.

If the Mosul Dam fails:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

You'll probably need a special insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for travel to Iraq.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away.

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need.

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location .’

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Iraq. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use only

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Insect-borne diseases are common.

Malaria is widespread in the southern province of Basrah and areas below 1500m. This includes the northern provinces of:

• Sulaymaniyah

Other diseases caused by insect bites in some regions of Iraq include:

• Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
• cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis

To reduce your risks from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• always insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Bird flu (avian influenza)

The World Health Organization has confirmed human cases of bird flu in Iraq.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases happen. These include:

• haemorrhagic fever
• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness and disease:

• drink boiled or bottled water
• avoid ice cubes
• don't eat raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If an animal bites or scratches you, get medical help straight away.

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Iraq is no longer affected by wild poliovirus. However, it's still at risk from international spread of the disease.

Stay up to date with vaccinations against polio (poliomyelitis) . Get a booster dose before you travel.

Medical care

Medical facilities in major cities are limited. In remote areas, they're very basic or not available. Stocks of medical equipment and medicines are severely depleted.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated.

Medical evacuation is very expensive and may be difficult to arrange because of the security situation.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long jail terms and the death penalty.

Carrying or using drugs

Death penalty

Iraq applies the death penalty for a range of crimes, including for murder, espionage, rape, kidnapping, terrorism, war crimes, smuggling antiquities and drug trafficking.

On 20 February 2023, the Iraqi national gazette published the new Municipalities Income law, which includes a provision prohibiting the import, manufacture, and selling of alcoholic beverages of all sorts, punishable by fines of up to IQD 25m. Customs officers may also confiscate prohibited goods or items deemed a threat to the peace, security, health, environment, or social order of Iraq.

Get professional advice for local legal matters. Know your rights and responsibilities, especially in family law, such as:

• child custody
• child support

It's illegal to:

• take antiques or artefacts out of the country
• preach anywhere except in a place of worship
• attempt to convert a Muslim
• abandon the Islamic faith if you're Muslim

Unauthorised filming in a public place is against the law. Authorities have arrested several foreign journalists for filming without approval.

It's also illegal to take photos or film government and security buildings, including:

• military bases

Although the laws of Iraq do not prohibit consensual sexual acts between people of the same sex, these acts could be illegal under other provisions of the law, such as public indecency.  Homosexuality is not socially accepted and l ocal attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ people may be hostile. There are no legal protections against discrimination. Violence against LGBTQIA+ people occur.

Local laws can change without notice. Check legal requirements with an embassy or consulate of Iraq .

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• National security
• Staying within the law and respecting customs
• Forced marriage

Dual citizenship

Iraq recognises dual nationality.

If a dual-national child has an Iraqi father and the child wants to leave the country, you may need to provide proof of the father's permission.

Dual nationals

Local customs

Hotels may not allow couples to stay unless they can provide proof that they're married.

The holy month of Ramadan  is observed in Iraq. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time. 

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking is illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are.

Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

If you travel to Iraq despite our advice, you may be eligible for either a 30-day visa on arrival (Visitor) or a 60-day visa on arrival (Regular), if you're travelling on an ordinary passport. Different rules apply for official and diplomatic passport holders. Visa fees apply.

Authorities may refuse entry to Iraq if your passport contains Israeli stamps or visas.

From 1 March 2023, people travelling to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will require a visa. You can find details and apply on the e-visa portal of the Kurdistan Regional Government. If you arrive in Kurdistan without a visa you can apply online using the e-visa portal or obtain a visa on arrival. These visas are valid for travel in the KRI only. If you plan to travel outside of Kurdistan to other regions of Iraq, you must obtain an Iraqi visa before travelling to Iraq.

Ensure you understand the conditions of your visa, especially if you are travelling as a member of a group.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules, contact either:

• an embassy or consulate of Iraq , or
• the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (Arabic)

If you're in Iraq, you should leave as soon as you're able to do so. If you travel to Iraq despite our advice, contact your travel provider or the nearest  embassy or consulate of Iraq  for the latest information on entry requirements prior to departure.

Other formalities

For a child travelling without a parent, the guardian must carry documentation saying that the child's parents allow the travel.

An Australian-Iraqi dual national child with an Iraqi father may need to obtain permission from the child's father before authorities will let the child leave Iraq.

Land borders

If despite our advice, you travel to border areas note that border crossings can close with little or no warning.

Sensitive border areas, especially with Syria and Türkiye ,  are military targets.

Checkpoints

Security checkpoints are stationed throughout Iraq. 

At these checkpoints:

• follow the instructions of local authorities
• exercise extreme caution

Criminals and terrorists have used false security checkpoints to:

• stage kidnappings, robberies and murders
• launch attacks

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for at least 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who want to use your identity to commit crimes. Always keep it in a safe place.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

The local currency is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD).

On exit and entry you must declare all amounts in excess of IQD200,000, US$10,000, or the same value in other foreign currencies. Gems, jewellery or other items valued at US$10,000 or more must also be declared.

US dollars and euros are the easiest foreign currencies to exchange at local commercial banks and exchange bureaus.

Local travel

Road travel.

Road travel is dangerous.

Dangers include:

• roadside bombs
• attacks at checkpoints
• drivers not following road rules
• poor driving

Drink driving is illegal. See Local laws

If, despite our advice, you need to travel by road, first:

• get professional security advice from a company with a good reputation
• arrange personal security measures
• make contingency plans
• get local advice on possible routes

Driving or riding

Airport closures or flight suspensions may happen. Double-check your flight arrangements before travelling to the airport.

In the past, some airlines have suspended flights to and from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah International Airports due to political tensions.

Aviation safety and security standards may not meet those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Iraq's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Consular contacts.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian Embassy, Baghdad

Consular services are severely limited due to the security situation.

The Australian Embassy  provides limited consular services by appointment only.

Visit the embassy website to make an appointment.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Iraq?

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Iraq Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Visit in 2024

Updated March 2024 , Iraq Travel Guide was originally published in January 2022

I first stepped foot in Iraq back in 2019, visiting the far north- only to spiral my curiosity into the country even further (the same thing happened to me in Afghanistan years ago, so I should have known better), bringing me back to travel Iraq yet again in 2021 (and spilling into 2022). So without too much carrying on, I’ve created a quick guide to traveling Iraq after traveling both independently and running a tour here, including everything you need to know to plan your visit in 2024.

Need Travel Insurance and Evacuation Services for Iraq?

Start shopping for travel insurance plans over at  IATI Insurance . Readers of the Adventures of Nicole get a 5% discount off your plan.

The Adventures of Nicole partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading medical evacuation and security advisory services. To travel with peace of mind, shop evacuation coverage at Global Rescue .

Going to Iraq and don’t have much time? Check out my 7 Day Iraq Itinerary for ideas

Iraq Travel Basics

Language:  Iraqi Arabic in Federal Iraq and Kurdish dialects (mainly Kurmanji and Sorani) in Iraqi Kurdistan. Note that English as a second language is popular in all of Iraq, so getting around without knowledge of Arabic is not too difficult. I’d recommend memorizing the Arabic numbers to make reading distances, times, license plates, etc. a little easier and learning a few keywords such as hello ‘ salaam ’, thank you ‘ shrukran ’ (Arabic) ‘ spos ’ (Kurdish), etc. 

Money:  The  Iraqi Dinar  is the official currency of Iraq and is currently ( February 2024 ) exchanging at  1,310 ID to $1 USD . You can easily exchange from dollars (Euro and GBP aren’t as popular with exchangers) to dinars at stalls and exchange shops in most cities. Many hotels will also offer exchange services (at a slightly less favorable rate) and larger purchases can usually be done in US dollars. 

Cash is still king in Iraq, so you will inevitably pay in cash for most things, however, in some more upscale hotels and restaurants you may be able to pay with a card (but don’t always count on it, it’s common for only one or two staff members knowing how to use the card machine or for it to be out of service). 

ATMs:  In general, ATMs in Iraqi Kurdistan are more reliable namely in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk. In southern Iraq it’s a bit more likely that ATMs will be out of service, but it’s not impossible to withdraw money. That said, bringing cash to exchange is a smart idea. Worst case scenario Western Union and Moneygram are both available in Iraq). 

Only have a week to explore Iraq? Check out my 7 day Iraq itinerary and start planning

Iraqi Visas For Travelers

Note that there are actually two different visas for Iraq, the visa for Federal Iraq and an Iraqi Kurdistan visa. You can enter Iraqi Kurdistan with a Federal Iraq visa but you cannot enter Federal (south/Arab) Iraq on an Iraqi Kurdistan visa. 

Visa for Federal Iraq 

Starting in March 2021, it became possible for 38 nationalities to purchase an Iraqi visa on arrival ($77 USD) good for 60 days at Iraqi international airports in Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf. These nationalities include Australia, Canada, China, European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden), Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States. 

Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are eligible for a visa on arrival free of charge at Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf airports. 

Those not on either list above will need to apply for a full on visa the old fashioned way- through an embassy. 

The Iraqi visa on arrival officially costs $75 USD, but at the visa window in the airport they will tell you $77. If you don’t have exact change they’ll gladly take your $80. This was my experience as I forgot to grab cash for the visa before leaving home and withdrew $80 from an ATM on a layover- though this is exactly what I expected to happen and was met with an ear to ear grin and a wink from the guy at the counter. 

In total, it took all of about five minutes to receive my Iraqi visa on arrival and go through the immigration window, but fair warning my flight to Baghdad was nearly empty (don’t be surprised if the guy at the immigration window is smoking a cig when he stamps you in, welcome to Iraq!). Most travelers report waiting 30 minutes to an hour for their visa on arrival so plan for it to take approximately that long. 

Note that  visa on arrival is now available on land borders! , they used to be only possible at international airports but are now possible to get on all of the land border crossings. 

Iraqi Kurdistan Visa

Citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, South Korea, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States are eligible for a visa on arrival in Iraqi Kurdistan both by land border crossings and at the airports in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The visa is good for 30 days. 

A change from my initial visit in 2019 is that the  Iraqi Kurdistan visa on arrival now costs $75  (it was free back then). 

As mentioned earlier,  you cannot travel to Federal (South/Arab) Iraq on the Iraqi Kurdistan visa , legally anyway (there are reports of people sneaking past checkpoints successfully, but personally I wouldn’t want to deal with the hassle). You can, however, travel to Iraqi Kurdistan from Federal Iraq on an Iraqi visa. 

Plan your trip to Iraqi Kurdistan with this 10 day itinerary

Getting to Iraq

Iraqi airports .

The easiest way to enter Iraq is via one of the international airports. In Federal Iraq, you can enter at  Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf  Airports. In Kurdistan at  Erbil and Sulaymaniyah  Airports. 

Iraqi Land Borders

There are land border crossings with Turkey, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

Read: The Iran-Iraq border crossing at Haji Omaran

Any travelers that may have first-hand experience crossing land borders with Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria please leave a comment at the end of this article, I’d love to hear about it and add relevant information to this Iraq travel guide to help others. 

Traveling Iraq: Independent Travel or Organized Tour?

Both independent travel and organized tours of Iraq have their advantages. I have actually done both, having traveled on my own and leading a tour. 

Of course, the easiest way is to travel on an organized tour of Iraq. Your local guides will handle all the headaches like checkpoints, permits/permissions, hotel bookings, etc. If you are interested in joining a group tour check out the April Baghdad to Basra tour being offered through my local partners. 

Independent travelers will need to navigate checkpoints and everything on their own. It’s not the most difficult undertaking but you really have to ask yourself if this is something you want to deal with. If you have a lot of experience traveling independently, especially in the Middle East region, and aren’t on a time crunch then independent travel in Iraq can be quite rewarding. 

The Best Time to Travel in Iraq

Undoubtedly the fall and spring months of October, November, March, and April are the best time to travel in Iraq with comfortable temperatures for exploring. Kurdistan’s weather is a bit cooler, making September and May good months additionally too. 

The summer months are best avoided (June, July, August) due to scorching temperatures throughout the country. 

Winter can be a nice time to visit Iraq, but you can expect cool temperatures, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan. Pack a warm waterproof jacket too as rain is a bit more prevalent this time of year. 

Destinations in Iraq

I’ve listed the main destinations around Iraq that most travelers would visit and the main sites in each of them below. If I’ve written an in-depth mini-guide to an Iraqi destination you’ll find it linked below, and expect more to pop up here as I get caught up on all these blog posts in the coming months! 

Baghdad is the capital of Federal Iraq and its most populous city. Most likely, Baghdad will be your first stop in Iraq so get ready for a dizzying array of sites, smells, foods, and interactions. Also, be prepared for some of the worst traffic you’ll ever see (it takes forever to get anywhere unless it’s late-night or early morning). 

Read: 10 best things to do in Baghdad + Baghdad Travel Guide

Things to do in Baghdad

• Baghdad National Museum (best organized by a guide to get permissions to visit) 
• Al Shaheed (Martyr Monument)
• Al Khadimhiya (Yassin) Mosque
• Tahrir Square
• Mustanasiryah Madrasa
• Al Mutanabi Street 
• Shabandr Cafe
• Safafeer Copper Market

Best Hotels in Baghdad

• Shanasheel Palace
• Coral Baghdad Hotel
• Babylon Rotana

Samarra is most famous for its 9th century Grand Mosque of Samarra and 52 meter Malwiya Minaret that offers sweeping views over the city. Note that the Shia militant group Saryat as Salaam mans the checkpoint leading into Samarra and can lead to some hold-ups while crossing through- you’ll find more on the checkpoint later in the post.

• Malwiya Minaret & Great Mosque of Samarra 
• Al Askari Shrine

Hatra 

Hatra is famous for its iconic ruins but has been notably difficult to visit in the past. I didn’t get to Hatra myself, but others have- check out this post by Quit and Go Travel who visited Hatra along with Mosul .

• Hatra ruins 
• Officially Hatra is closed for foreigners, though people can and have gotten there. It may be easiest to arrange a visit with the help of a local guide 

To be totally honest, there’s not a whole lot to see in Kirkuk. Most who go to Kirkuk are just passing through between Baghdad and Erbil, though if you’re bound and determined you can take a shared taxi there and make Kirkuk a brief stopover between the two cities.

• Kirkuk Citadel
• Tomb of Daniel

Mosul was one of my favorite destinations I visited in Iraq actually. I found the city and its history quite fascinating and worthy of a spot on any Iraq itinerary.

Sadly, many people know Mosul because of the brutal attacks that gravely damaged much of the city at the hands of ISIS in 2014.

Read: Visiting Mosul on a day trip, Iraq’s destroyed city

• Mosque of the Prophet Yunus
• Ruined buildings of Old Mosul
• Mosul Souks
• Saddam’s Mosque
• Ancient Walls of Ninevah 
• Al Nuri Mosque
• Bash Tapia Castle

Ctesiphon is a famed ancient Persian city that was founded in the 2nd century and served as the winter capital of the Sassanian Empire. The building is impressively large, though much of the wall section has been more recently rebuilt. The grand arch Ctesiphon is most famous for is in danger of collapse and as of January 2022 had extensive scaffolding inside to prop it up.

The main attraction of Hillah is the ruins of ancient Babylon and Saddam’s Babylonian Palace that overlooked the ruins.

• Saddam’s Babylonian Palace

No Iraq itinerary would be complete without a visit to ancient Babylon. You’ll likely end up spending most of a day here taking in all the historic sites that would have made up the famed ancient capital.

• Ishtar Gate
• Labyrinth of Babylon
• Walls of Babylon
• Lion Statue

Karbala 

Karbala is one of Iraq’s holiest cities. The city is home to the Imam Hussein Shrine that millions of followers make a pilgrimage to each year for Arbaeen.

• Imam Hussein Shrine
• Imam Abbas Shrine

Best Hotels in Karbala

• Baron Hotel

Like Karbala, Najaf is another holy city for the Shia and no visit would be complete without at least a visit to the Imam Ali Mosque & Shrine and the Wadi as Salaam Cemetery.

• Imam Ali Mosque & Shrine
• Wadi as Salaam Cemetery 

Best Hotels in Najaf

• Aghnar Hotel

Kufa is a short taxi ride away from Najaf and is worth tacking on to your day in the holy city. Its main attraction of course is the Grand Mosque of Kufa.

• Grand Mosque of Kufa
• Al Saleh Mosque

Nasiriyah & Chibayesh

• Ziggurat of Ur
• Jumping off point for the Mesopotamian Marshes (Chibayesh)
• Cruise around in a mashuuf (traditional boat) in the marshes 
• Visit the Marshland reed houses

There isn’t a lot to do in Nasiriyah itself but it is a great jumping-off point for other adventures in the general vicinity but the Nasiriyah Museum and the Euphrates Riverfront are worth checking out.

Outside Nasiriyah, the Ziggurat of Ur is a must. It’s a well-maintained relic to the ancient city-state of Ur that would have ruled over the Mesopotamia region around 2200 BC.

The other attraction outside of Nasiriyah is the fascinating Mesopotamian Marshes. Personally, cruising the Mesopotamian Marshes by mashuuf (a traditional canoe-like boat) to see the traditional marshland reed houses were a highlight of traveling around Iraq for me.

Note that there is a checkpoint going into Nasiriyah that is notoriously difficult to get through. You do need to have a local contact in the city and possibly for them to come met you at the checkpoint (though in February 2022 I had seen posts of people stating that this is no longer the case). For updates from recent travelers and to find contacts in Nasiriyah, check out the Iraqi Travellers Cafe page on Facebook.

Best Hotels in Nasiriyah 

• Al Zaitoon Hotel

Basra is the southern port city of Iraq, situated close to both Iran and Kuwait. A river cruise on a small boat on the Shatt al Arab is a must in Basra, as well as wandering the streets of Old Basra (Shanasheel) and visiting the photogenic fish markets. The Basra Museum is supposed to be quite nice, but getting through the checkpoint at the gate can sometimes be a pain, they wouldn’t let us through when I visited Basra.

• Take a cruise on the Shatt al Arab
• Wander around Shanasheel (Old Basra)
• Visit the fish markets
• Basra Museum
• Imam Ali Mosque (Old Mosque of Basra)

Best Hotels in Basra

• Shams al Basra
• Horizon Hotel

Heading to Iraqi Kurdistan? Check out this quick Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide

Erbil is a quite modern city despite its long history. No visit to Erbil would be complete without a stop at the Erbil Citadel and Erbil Square. The meandering maze-like Qaysari Bazaar is another favorite spot of mine in the city too.

If beautiful architecture is what you’re after, don’t miss Jalil Khayyat Mosque. Of course, Shanider Park and Minaret Park are worth visits on a nice day.

• Erbil Citadel
• Erbil Square
• Qaysari Bazaar 
• Jalil Khayyat Mosque
• Shanidar Park
• Minaret Park

Read: Top things to do in Erbil

Best Hotels in Erbil

• Bella Roma Hotel
• Fareeq Hotel
• Divan Hotel

Read: Visiting the Yazidi holy site of Lalish

Lalish is a fascinating destination and one of my favorite places in all of Iraqi Kurdistan. Lalish serves at the holiest location for the Yazidi, an ethnoreligious group that practices Sharfadism (the Yazidi religion) which blends a number of aspects from Islam, Christianity, ancient Mesopotamian religions, Zoroastrianism, among others.

The Yazidi have been heavily persecuted historically with their most recent being in 2014 at the ISIS. Despite this, I found the Yazidi quite welcoming.

Visiting the Sheikh Abi Ibn Musafir Temple is an absolute must for those coming to Lalish.

• Temple of Sheikh Abi Ibn Musafir (note that to enter Lalish you need to be barefoot, so leave your socks and shoes in the car)

Alqosh 

Alqosh is home to the Chaldean Catholic Church’s holy site of Rabban Hormizd Monastery that clings impossibly to a beautiful mountainside. Similar to Lalish, Alqosh was brutally attacked by ISIS in 2014.

• Rabban Hormizd Monastery

Read: The Rabban Hormizd Monastery in Alqosh

Mar Mattai’s main attraction is its monastery.

• Mar Mattai Monastery 

Dohuk 

There’s not really much to see in terms of sites but is a good place to stay when exploring Amedi, Zakho, and other destinations in the far northwest of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Best Hotels in Dohuk

• Kristal Hotel

Amedi is an ancient Assyrian citadel that rises impossibly from a wide valley floor in the far north of Iraqi Kurdistan and was another of my favorite places I visited in Iraqi Kurdistan. It’s believed to have been home to the biblical three wise men.

I would recommend taking a hike opposite the citadel to get the best aerial views from a distance before going through the Bahdinian Gates and exploring the citadel itself.

• Go to the viewpoint opposite Amedi
• Bahdinian Gate
• Great Mosque of Amedi 
• Tomb of the Prophet Hazkial

Read: Visiting the ancient Assyrian Citadel of Amedi

Akre is a beautiful spot, the main thing to do is to the famous viewpoint for the past panorama of the picturesque town.

Rawanduz Canyon

Rawanduz Canyon is an outdoor lover’s paradise with a canyon to trek all over, waterfalls, and gorgeous nature.

• Hike along Rawanduz Canyon
• Trek to Bekhal Waterfall
• Visit Geli Ali Beg Waterfall

Halgurd-Sakran National Park

Halgurd-Sakran National Park is another outdoor junkie’s dream. There is an endless array of mountains to be hiked in, including a summit of Iraq’s highest peak, Mount Halgurd (permit required, but it’s free of charge).

Gomi Felaw overlooks Halgurd-Sakran National Park and was my favorite nature spot in all of Iraq with its dazzling little pond overlooking snow-capped mountain views. Gomi Felaw is accessible by heading off the famous Hamilton Highway as you near the Iranian border at Choman. 

Read: How to get to beautiful Gomi Felaw, Iraqi Kurdistan

Dore Canyon

Dore Canyon has been nicknamed ‘Iraq’s Horseshoe Bend’ and is yet another beautiful scenic spot in Iraqi Kurdistan. From the town of Barzan, it’s possible to follow a 4WD track or walk to Dore Canyon. 

Read: How to get to Dore Canyon

Dukan Lake is the largest lake in Iraq and is actually a reservoir. It’s a great place for a picnic and there are a scattering of restaurants near the lake too.

Sulaymaniyah 

Sulaymaniyah (also called Slemani or Suli) is a modern city and you’ll find a lot of university students here as many people come from all over Iraq to study here. There isn’t a lot in terms of things to do for tourists in Suli, but the Amna Suraka Museum and the Sulaymaniyah Archeological Museum are well worth a visit.

Suli is surrounded by mountains, some of which have roads leading up where it’s perfect to have a picnic or enjoy the sunset. There’s also the possibility of paragliding from the mountaintops.

• Amna Suraka Museum
• Sulaymaniyah Bazaar
• Sulaymaniyah Archeological Museum

Best Hotels in Sulaymaniyah 

• Dolphin Hostel
• Grand Millennium Suleimani

Halabja 

Halabja is a nice city break from nearby Suli. Halabja sadly suffered one of Saddam’s brutal chemical attacks that killed many of its residents.

• Halabja Museum
• Memorial Cemetery 

Getting Around in Iraq

Between Cities

For independent travelers, getting around Iraq is pretty straightforward with minibusses and shared taxis plying routes between most major cities. There’s also a train between Baghdad and Basra on certain nights. For those wanting ultimate freedom, it’s possible to rent cars in both Federal Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Small buses are a common way to get from city to city in Iraq. They can be a bit cramped but it’s a convenient and cheap way to get around. 

Shared Taxis 

You’ll find two different types of shared taxis between cities in Iraq, standard cars that hold up to four passengers and larger SUV (usually a GMC) that hold up to seven. Note that the front seat will cost a little more than a backseat. 

Shared Taxi Prices on Common Routes

Note that prices listed are one-way and are for regular shared taxis unless stated otherwise. You can expect prices to be a bit higher for GMC/SUV shared taxis and a little lower for a seat in a minibus. You can usually add 2,000-5,000 ID to the price (depending on the length of the ride) if you want the front seat. 

• Baghdad-Samarra:  15,000 ID (130 km)
• Baghdad – Hillah:  10,000 ID (115 km)
• Baghdad – Karbala:  10,000 ID (115 km)
• Hillah (Babylon) – Karbala:  2,000 ID (45 km)
• Karbala – Najaf:  8,000 ID (85 km)
• Hillah – Najaf:  7,500 ID (60 km)
• Najaf – Nasiriyah:  15,000 ID (250 km)
• Nasiriyah – Chibayesh (Marshes):  – 5,000 ID (90 km)
• Nasiriyah – Basra:  15,000 ID (195 km)
• Basra – Baghdad:  30,000 ID  (350 km) 
• Baghdad – Mosul:  25,000 ID (400 km)
• Baghdad – Erbil:  30,000 ID (365 km)
• Baghdad – Sulaymaniyah:  30,000 ID (340 km)
• Mosul – Erbil:  10,000 ID (90 km)
• Erbil – Sulaymaniyah:  15,000 ID (180 km)
• Erbil – Dohuk:  15,000 ID (160 km) 
• Sulaymaniyah – Halabja:  6,000 ID (80 km) 
• Erbil – Akre:  10,000 ID (95 km)

Looking for Shared Rides in Iraq? If you aren’t sure where to go to catch a shared taxi, SUV, or minibus, just ask for the name of the city you’re going + garage (ie: Karbala Garage). Garage is the word used in Iraq rather than bus station or taxi stand. 

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights trains go between Baghdad and Basra, leaving around 7 pm and arriving around 6 am. Seats go for 10,000 ID and beds (inside a two-bed compartment) go for 40,000 ID.

Tickets must be bought at the train station, but I’ve read and been told conflicting information on when you can do so. Recently I have seen people saying that you need to go to the station at 7 am the day of departure to purchase your ticket, but I’ve also been told that you should go to the station a day or two before departure to purchase the ticket.

In order to book a ticket, you will need to go down to the train station with your passport and visa in order to book. One thing to note is that you can send someone to purchase the ticket for you. All they need is a copy of your passport and visa.

I didn’t take the train myself as I wasn’t going to be traveling on the right day when there was a departure.

Within Cities

Within the cities of Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Najaf, and Erbil the Careem app is available, making getting from one place in the city to another a breeze. Of course, regular taxis are always available too but plan to haggle. 

Checkpoints in Iraq

You will inevitably cross through many checkpoints on your travels in Iraq. In general, they’re pretty straightforward, though some are a bigger pain in the ass than others. 

Checkpoints can be found as you enter pretty much every city and along roads between them. Typically they will just flick through your passport to look at your ID page and for your Iraqi visa and sometimes the officers will even chat with you or ask for a photo. Some checkpoints they may not even stop to check at all (I found this to be the case a lot for me, but mostly on the account that I can pass as Arab I was told). 

Checkpoints are mostly manned by the Iraqi police or military in South/Arab Iraq and by Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan. Though you will find some checkpoints are controlled by armed militia groups. 

Checkpoints with a reputation for being more difficult or require some more checking include Samarra, Nasiriyah, Mosul, and between Iraq-Iraqi Kurdistan, all of which I’ve included some info about below. 

Samarra Checkpoint

The armed Shia militia group Saryat as Salaam mans the checkpoint to Samarra and they are very suspicious of foreigners. Even those on a guided group tour can expect a bit of a hold-up at the Samarra checkpoint. Just be patient. 

If visiting independently, it would be wise to find some local Iraqis to accompany you on your day trip to Samarra to make getting through the checkpoint easier and without wasting hours waiting to get through. 

Nasiriyah Checkpoint

Nasiriyah is home to the high-security al Hoot prison where many dangerous ISIS fighters are held (you will drive past the prison on your way to the Ziggurat of Ur). Because of this the Nasiriyah checkpoint usually takes a little while. Technically you need to have a sponsor in Nasiriyah (ask in Iraqi Travelers Cafe and you will easily find one) with a phone number you can give to the guards at the checkpoint. 

Recently (February 2022), I’ve seen a couple of posts in Iraqi Travellers Cafe saying that they went through the Nasiriyah Checkpoint with a local contact and that it is no longer a requirement to cross through. I am not certain that this is an actual change to the rules or if the officers were being lax or whatever. Either way, I would still have a contact lined up just in case you end up needing them.

Mosul Checkpoint

Officially you need a sponsor (similar to visiting Nasiriyah) in Mosul in order to cross through the checkpoint independently, but you may be able to cross through eventually. Mosul is a sensitive destination due to the devastating attacks on the city at the hands of ISIS in 2014. 

My friend Brett and I ended up opting to hire a driver from Mosul to do a day trip into the city from Erbil. There were three checkpoints (one-way). I was never checked, Brett’s passport was at each of them. 

Of course, if you are visiting as a day trip like we did, or as part of an organized trip, your guide or driver will help facilitate this if there is any scrutiny. 

Iraq-Iraqi Kurdistan Checkpoint

Crossing between the two Iraqs is straightforward but you do have to deal with being registered at the main checkpoint outside of Kirkuk. Local Iraqis have to register too, so all cars plying the route will stop here. 

This requires you to go inside the building and show your passport at window #1. After, walk through to the far side of the building and go to window #2 where your passport will be scanned and you will be registered. If you appear at all confused you can almost certainly expect some friendly Iraqi locals to point you in the correct direction, I also found that the drivers tend to help tell you were to go- whether you have any shared language abilities or not. 

Once this is complete you can go back out to your vehicle. As you leave the area you will cross a checkpoint where your passports will be checked again, but once out of this you’re officially crossed into Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Getting an Iraqi SIM Card

Getting an Iraqi SIM Card is easiest done at the airport on arrival, with Asiacell and Zain Iraq being the most popular mobile providers, Korek being another popular one mostly in Iraqi Kurdistan. You will need your passport and visa in order to purchase one. 

You can pop into one of the mobile provider’s offices once you are in Iraq too. 

What to Wear in Iraq

What to wear in Iraq obviously has more concerns for women than for men, but know that it’s not quite as conservative here as you might assume. Since the dudes can wear pretty much the same things they’d wear at home (though I’d advise against shorts and tanks/singlets) I’m going to focus this section on the ladies. 

As a general rule for what to wear in Iraq, women will be most comfortable erring on the more modest side. Looser-fitting tunic-style tops or full-length dresses are good choices, but with that said, it’s not super uncommon to see girls and women out in jeans and t-shirts. 

Always keep a scarf handy to cover your hair for certain sites and for the really holy sites you can pick up an all-enveloping abaya/chador for around 5,000-10,000 ID that can be found for sale outside. 

Places to note include Karbala, which is a holy city requiring women to be fully covered in an abaya/chador to even enter the city itself. Najaf and Kufa are also holy cities but not quite as strict as Karbala- though the main reason for visiting them is to visit holy shrines and mosques so you may as well just pop the chador on for the entirety of your visit in both. 

Safety in Iraq

I’ll split this section into two, separating safety in Federal Iraq from that in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Safety in Federal Iraq

Iraq has a reputation for being among the most dangerous countries in the world but more recently the security situation in the country has greatly improved. That said, there still are risks nonetheless, as the country has seen decades of strife from the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, the wrath of Saddam Hussein’s rule, the 2003 US Invasion, and the rise of the Islamic State. 

It would be wise to do some research previous to your visit and keep an eye out on current events as your trip to Iraq nears- for this, the Iraq Travelers Cafe Facebook page can be a great resource. 

From my personal experience, I felt quite safe in my travels in Iraq and faced few issues, but realize that the situation in Iraq could change at any moment. 

It’s also a bit easy to forget the fragile state Iraq is in even as you travel around as a tourist. For example, on my most recent visit, there was a rocket attack on Baghdad’s Green Zone just before I was departing the country (though I was far from the action at the time at least). 

For those more concerned about their safety while traveling Iraq, I would definitely recommend joining a group tour or organizing a private trip with a local guide/company where these details are handled and mitigated by a local team. 

Safety in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurdistan, in terms of security, is a different world from Federal Iraq. I’ve found Iraqi Kurdistan to be incredibly safe on both my visits. Of course, the usual precautions apply but in general Iraqi Kurdistan is a breeze to travel around whether joining a group or solo backpacking your way across the region. 

Read: Solo female travel in Iraqi Kurdistan

Have Any Questions About Traveling in Iraq?

Ask in the comments section below. 

More Posts from Iraq:

Erbil Travel Guide + 7 Things To Do In Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan

Visiting The Ancient Assyrian City Of Amedi, Iraqi Kurdistan

The 10 Best Things to do in Baghdad, the Capital of Iraq

Iran-Iraq Border Crossing Report At Tamarchin/Haji Omaran

Rabban Hormizd Monastery in Alqosh

Visiting Dore Canyon Near Barzan, Iraqi Kurdistan

Solo Female Travel In Iraqi Kurdistan

A Quick Guide To Iraqi Kurdistan Travel

Soaring Mountains & Alpine Lakes In Gomi Felaw, Iraqi Kurdistan

Visiting The Yazidi Holy Site Of Lalish, Iraqi Kurdistan

Visiting the Malwiya Tower & Grand Mosque in Samarra, Iraq

The Best Road Trips In The World

A Day Trip to Mosul, Visiting Iraq’s Destroyed City

10 Day Iraqi Kurdistan Itinerary

One Week Iraq Itinerary

Iraq Tour: April 2022

10 Off The Beaten Path Destinations For 2021

5 thoughts on “iraq travel guide: everything you need to know to visit in 2024”.

Crossing land border from Iran to Iraq at Shalamcheh / Al Shalamshah is possible. Visa on arrival is available there too. We crossed by vehicle registered in Germany. They can deal with all of the formalities.

Hi, the VOA is available at land borders, just FYI. I came into Iraq via the land border at Safwan (for Basrah) a few days ago, and paid the same $77.

Awesome, thanks for the update- great news! Also got your email as well

Hi, Loved your Posts, Planning to Visit Iraq, How did you book your Hotels/ Hostels? Booking . com works there?

Thanks! Yes, some were booked using booking.com and some we just showed up or called to ask if they had rooms availble.

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A guide to traveling in Iraq in 2024

By Joan Torres 64 Comments Last updated on April 11, 2024

Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass?

Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Iraq, where we’ll visit Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more

May 19th to 26th, 2024

This country is truly an adventure, and this guide contains absolutely everything you need to know to travel to Federal Iraq , including visa procedures, how to move around, where to stay, going through checkpoints, budget, money, security tips, and much more.

By the way, this guide refers to traveling independently in Iraq proper, which includes Baghdad, Mosul , the Marshes, and everything in between, but it doesn’t focus on the autonomous region of Kurdistan. For that, read our Kurdistan travel guide ,

Don’t forget to check my Iraq itinerary

In this Iraq travel guide, you will find:

Table of Contents

• Travel insurance
• Recommended books
• Independent travel vs organized tour
• Top experiences
• Iraqi culture
• Iraqi cuisine
• Best time to visit
• Internet & connectivity
• Budget & money
• Moving around
• Checkpoints
• Where to stay
• Solo female travel
• More information

Introduction: why visit Iraq?

After decades (literally) of being pretty isolated from the outside world, Iraq finally decided to open its borders to international travelers, making a dream for many come true.

This is the cradle of modern civilization and the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, home to Babylon, the City of Ur and Nineveh, once the center of the world, and today epic archaeological sites awaiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers.

The country, however, is much more than just archaeological sites; Iraq is made of its people, kind-hearted Iraqis who will accompany you in your journey, offering you unprecedented doses of Arab hospitality and generosity.

Jaw-dropping shrines, the lively streets of Baghdad, and a surprisingly elaborate local cuisine: there are many reasons to travel to Iraq.

🪪 How to get a tourist visa for Iraq

For your information, you can travel to Iraq since March 2021, when they finally introduced a very long-awaited Visa on Arrival (VOA) regime.

The visa on arrival for Iraq proper is available at:

• Baghdad International Airport
• Basra International Airport
• Jordan-Iraq border
• Kuwait-Iraq border
• Iran-Iraq border
• Saudi-Iraq border

Warning: The Turkey-Iraq border is also open but that border takes you into the region of Kurdistan. You can get a VOA for Kurdistan but remember that the Kurdish visa is not valid for Iraq proper and that you can’t get an Iraqi visa at the Kurdish/Iraq border, but you need to fly into Baghdad.

Which countries can get a visa on arrival (VOA) for Iraq?

All EU passport holders, and also the United States (yes, Americans can travel to Iraq), United Kingdom, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland

Bonus: What happens with the rest of the nationalities?

If you are not one of the lucky countries, you can still travel to Iraq, but you will need approval from the respective Ministry, something which you must arrange through an authorized Iraq tour company.

For this service, they usually charge between $250 and $300, plus you need to join one of their guided tours.

This approval takes up to 4 weeks but once it’s issued, you’ll be able to collect your visa at your desired Iraqi embassy.

How to get an LOI for traveling to Iraq

As mentioned, one must first book a guided tour in Iraq.

By joining one of our expeditions, we can easily get the LOI for you.

Check below our upcoming Iraq departures :

• May 19th to 26th, 2024. APPLY NOW
• Sep 30th to Oct 10th, 2024. SOLD OUT
• Oct 23rd to Nov 3rd, 2024. APPLY NOW
• Dec 6th to 16th, 2024. ( Spanish ) APPLY NOW

How long is the Iraq VOA valid for?

The visa allows you to travel in Iraq for 60 days.

How much does the Iraq VOA cost?

Today, the Iraqi visa costs 80 USD.

They raised it from 77 USD to 80 USD in November 2023.

How to get your VOA at the airport: procedures

Getting my Iraq travel visa on arrival was surprisingly easy.

Upon my arrival at the airport, all I had to do was fill out a form and pay the respective fee.

They processed my visa in less than 15 minutes.

Up to mid-2023, having a hotel reservation in one of the authorized hotels was also a requirement, but this isn’t the case anymore.

Iraq is becoming more and more tourist-friendly by the day.

Is the Iraq travel visa valid for the Kurdistan region?

Yes, it is.

Once you are in possession of an Iraqi tourist visa, you can travel freely all over the country, from Baghdad to Erbil , including by land.

However, if you enter Iraq via the Kurdistan region, the Kurdistan visa (75 USD, on arrival) is not valid for Federal Iraq.

Therefore, given that the visa for Federal Iraq is only available if flying in, you will have to fly from Erbil to Baghdad.

Iraq travel tip – If you are planning to visit all over Iraq, including the Kurdistan region, it’s better to fly into Baghdad first, so you will only have to purchase one visa.

✍️ How to sign up for a tour in Federal Iraq

Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun!

Against the Compass has several Iraq expeditions scheduled all year long, and the next one is on:

Also, click here to learn more about our Iraq Tours

Private and bespoke tours for Iraq

Do you wish to join a small group, but you can’t travel on any of the above dates?

No problem, just shoot us an email at [email protected] indicating:

• How many people you are
• How many days do you want to spend in Iraq
• Which dates

And we will try to find other travel buddies you may travel with. Otherwise, know that we can also organize private, tailored trips. 

🚑 Travel Insurance for Iraq

For obvious reasons, regular insurance companies don’t cover travel in Iraq.

One of the very few companies which does cover, however, is IATI Insurance , a travel company based in Europe, which I recommend because:

• It offers different plans for all types of travelers: from families to budget backpackers
• Covers senior citizens
• Valid for multi-country trips
• Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount .

📚 Useful books for planning your trip to Iraq

Iraq travel guide by bradt.

If you follow my blog, you will see that I always recommend Bradt guides for all destinations, so Iraq will be no different. They have the most insightful guidebook to Iraq.

The Rise of the Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn

This is my favorite journalism book ever and it is written by Patrick Cockburn, one of the world’s top experts on the Middle Eastern conflict. In this book, he gives an extremely perceptive introduction to the origins of ISIS, with many references to Iraq, of course. A really useful book to understand the complexity and origin of the conflict.

A pictorial guide to Iraq by Sian Pritchard-Jones & Bob Gibbons

My friends and fellow travelers Sian and Bob just published this pictorial guide to Iraq which also contains fresh and actionable advice to the country. 

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Iraq?

Safety is the number one concern for people visiting Iraq.

From the war between Iran and Iraq in 1980 to Saddam’s Hussein regime, the US invasion in 2003 and the more recent ISIS rule, decades of conflict and religious sectarianism made Iraq an actual war-torn country, labeled by all international media as one of the most dangerous destinations in the world.

While it’s true that for decades, Iraq was a pretty dangerous country to travel to, the situation has drastically improved.

This has been recently proved by the visit of Pope Francis in March 2021, thanks to whom – no kidding – Iraq finally opened its borders for tourism.

I traveled around Iraq independently, moving around by public transportation and I was particularly surprised by how calm and peaceful everything seemed to be, especially Mosul and around, an area occupied by ISIS just a few years ago.

Except for the endless checkpoints, everything else seemed pretty normal when traveling in Iraq, with the particularity that Iraqis, in general, were always extremely kind, helpful, and generous, like nowhere else you might have been to.

Nevertheless, remember that religious sectarianism still exists across the country and that occasional bombings may happen from time to time, in Baghdad in July 2021 .

Iraq is mostly safe to travel but even experienced travelers should keep an eye open because we can’t forget that the country is highly unstable.

Always stay up-to-date with the latest security updates but, instead of reading biased newspapers or the Iraq travel advice FCDO , do contact the local people.

For that, Iraq Travelers Café is an invaluable source of information, where you can get in touch with English-speaking Iraqis.

What about the Kurdistan region? Kurdistan is a different story. The region has always been safe, which is why it has been open to international tourism for quite a while now. For a better understanding, read: Is Kurdistan safe?

🤔 Iraq independent travel vs organized tour

May 19th to 26th, 2024 – APPLY NOW

For most people, Iraq is perceived as a challenging country to travel to, a destination only aimed at experienced backpackers, the reason why most travelers tend to visit Iraq with a local guide or on an organized tour group.

Traveling in Iraq independently – aka backpacking in Iraq

You would be surprised to know that independent travel in Iraq is completely doable, in fact much easier than in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan .

There’s plenty of public transportation, most cities have a range of hotels and local Iraqis are super helpful.

The only challenge you may encounter, however, is police and army checkpoints .

Some checkpoints are pretty easy to get through, but some may come with their own challenges, for which is best to have a local contact, which you can easily get from Iraqi Travelers Café . More on checkpoints later.

Nevertheless, some previous experience traveling alone in Arab countries like Palestine or Lebanon is highly recommended.

Traveling in Iraq with a local guide or on a group tour

That’s what most people do, and it’s fine.

Against the Compass (this site) is leading group expeditions into Federal Iraq.

Learn more: Against the Compass EXPEDITION to Federal Iraq .

🛖 Top experiences when traveling in Iraq

Remember to read my Iraq itinerary

Explore vibrant Baghdad

With its bustling bazaars and lively districts, Baghdad is a thrilling city with so much going on, the destination within Iraq where you need to spend at least one day.

Learn about the Islamic State’s legacy

The rule of the Islamic State in the north of Iraq is still latent in people’s life, living history I call it.

Witnessing the city’s reconstruction and the Iraqis’ struggle to return to normality is an unmissable part of their history to experience.

Touring the Mesopotamian Marshes on a boat

The Arab Marshes are a wetland ecosystem in south Iraq, a huge aquatic landscape in the middle of the desert, home to a distinct cultural group named the Marsh Arabs. Going through the Marshes on a traditional boat, visiting the different islands and the local people is a great experience.

Witness one of the largest pilgrimages in the world

The city of Karbala, along with Najaf and Samarra, are the holiest cities for Shia Muslims, cities that every year receive millions and millions of pilgrims from all over the world , especially from Iran .

Discover Iraq’s ancient history

Iraq was the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, the people who developed the first cities, writing and agriculture, between 10,000 and 3,000 BC.

Discover Iraq’s glorious past by paying a visit to the most relevant archaeological sites.

🕌 Iraqi culture, language and religion

Iraqis are proud Arabs, something you are likely to notice throughout your travels in Iraq.

They comprise 75% of the total Iraqi population, the rest being Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Yazidis, Armenians, Mandaeans, Shabaks, and other minority groups.

It’s an ethnically diverse country but these figures might have changed in recent years, especially those of Yazidis, Mandaeans and Turkmens, whose numbers have drastically decreased due to violence unleashed against them.

Getting to know local Iraqis

Before traveling to Iraq, I expected Iraqis to be very generous, similar to their Arab neighbors, but what surprised me the most is that they could be perfectly equal to Pakistanis , Afghans or Iranians – you know, the most hospitable countries in the world – unprecedented hospitality in the Middle East .

Topics aside, making friends in Iraq is particularly easy, and a lot of fun.

Local Iraqis will always be super happy to hang out with you, to show you around, something truly appreciated in a country where chances to meet other travelers are scarce.

They can, however, be over-protective sometimes, and will always want to pay for all your meals and buy you souvenirs. This made me feel awkward but that’s their culture, you are their guest and, although you should always attempt to pay for your own food, just go with their flow.

Language spoken in Iraq

Arabic is the common language throughout Iraq, understood by pretty much everybody, except for a large portion of Kurds.

English is relatively commonly spoken among highly educated people but not the rest of Iraqis, especially at checkpoints, so learning some Arabic words can prove very useful.

Religion in Iraq

More than 90% of Iraqis are Muslim, divided into Shia and Sunni Muslims by ≈ 50%, depending on the report.

This extreme division dictates Iraq’s everyday politics and is one of the reasons why religious sectarianism flourishes.

There is a large proportion of Christians too, around 7% according to some reports, mostly living in Baghdad, Mosul, and Erbil.

Close to Mosul, there is a city named Bakhdida, home to 300,000 people, 90% of whom are Christian, the largest Christian city in Iraq and perhaps in the whole Middle East .

Pope Francis visited it in March 2021, where he said Mass in a recently restored Catholic church that had been burnt down by ISIS.

🍲 Cuisine in Iraq

Before traveling to Iraq proper, I had spent two weeks in Kurdistan running two expeditions, eating nearly the same thing every single day.

In Iraq proper, where I also traveled for two weeks, I thought I’d be eating the same dishes again, but I was wrong.

While it’s true that shawarma, falafel, and grilled kebabs abound everywhere, being their staple foods, there are many must-try, elaborate dishes defining Iraq’s rich, complex history.

In the north, I found the food to be more sophisticated, more varied, probably because of their proximity to Syria and also because the land is more fertile.

The classic Syrian foul for example, which is like hummus but made of beans, could be found everywhere in Mosul.

In the south, I ate mandi on a few occasions, consisting of rice with meat on top, and the national dish in Yemen , but also in neighboring Saudi Arabia .

Alcohol in Iraq You would be surprised that liquor shops in Iraq abound, especially in Baghdad and Mosul, where you find the largest Christian populations. Drinking in the street is technically not allowed in Federal Iraq, but you can do it in your hotel and in Baghdad there are many Western-style bars. Kurdistan on the other hand, is way more permissive than Federal Iraq, with far more liquor shops.

Anyways, some more must-try dishes when you visit Iraq are:

Kubba – Consisting of a couscous paste filled with meat. It comes in plenty of different sizes and shapes, depending on the region in Iraq. I was always down for kubba 🙂

Masgouf – An old Mesopotamian dish consisting of a huge fish from either the Tigris or Euphrates, which they grill for hours sometimes.

Kahi with Geymar – The national breakfast, consisting of a sweet pastry with honey or syrup, covered with a creamy, thick white cream made from buffalo milk. Amazing.

Gus – Similar to shawarma but eaten with broth and floating pieces of bread. Typical from Mosul.

⛅ When is the best time to visit Iraq

Read: Places to visit in Syria

Best season to travel to Federal Iraq

From mid-October until March, when the temperature is pleasant.

You should know, however, that in winter, especially from December until January, the northern part (Mosul and surroundings) can get pretty cold (0ºC).

The south is warmer but it can also get chilly at night so, if you are traveling in Iraq during winter time, do bring some warm clothes.

Worst season to travel to Federal Iraq

Summer, late spring, early autumn.

During the warmer months, all Iraq can be too hot for traveling so, unless you can stand extreme heat (40 to 50ºC), I don’t recommend visiting Iraq at that time of the year.

What about Kurdistan? Kurdistan is a mountainous region, with extremely cold winters and extremely hot summers. In December-January, most of the region is covered by snow but in spring, the whole region is covered in lush green and colorful meadows, making it a visually appealing season to travel to. Autumn is a great season too, with pleasant temperatures and beautiful fall colors. Remember to check my Kurdistan itinerary

🛫 How to get to Iraq

Remember to get travel insurance for Iraq IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Iraq Get 5% discount if purchasing via this link

How to travel to Iraq by air

The International Airport of Baghdad has connections with pretty much any city in the Middle East, especially Dubai , Doha, Beirut , Amman and Riyadh .

If you are coming from Europe, Istanbul is a common stopover, Pegasus having the cheapest fares.

Erbil , the capital of Kurdistan, has an international airport too, with similar connections to Baghdad. Remember, however, that it’s recommended to fly into Baghdad first because the Iraqi visa can be used for Kurdistan too, while the Kurdish visa is only valid for Kurdistan.

Getting from Baghdad International Airport to the city center At the arrival terminal, there are branded official taxis that can take you to the city for 40,000IQD. To make it cheaper, you can take the bus (9,000IQD) that takes you out of the airport security zone. From there, you can take a taxi for 12,000-15,000IQD

How to travel to Iraq by land

Now that you can finally get a visa for Iraq at most landborders, things have improved a lot when it comes to overlanding into Iraq.

Traveling from Turkey to Iraq

You can easily cross into the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

There are direct buses from the city of Diyarbakir to Zakho, the first Kurdish town, and a visa is available on arrival.

However, remember that Turkey only connects with the Kurdistan region and that a Kurdistan visa is not valid for traveling in Iraq proper.

Traveling from Iran to Iraq

You can also cross into both Kurdistan, and the rest of Iraq, and the visa is available at both.

You cross the border on foot because direct transportation is not available.

I once crossed from Iran into Kurdistan at Bashmak-Penjwen .

Traveling from Jordan to Iraq

The border is open, and there are direct shared taxis from Amman for around $75.

Traveling from Kuwait to Iraq

The border is open as well, but transportation options might be more scarce.

Travel reports on this border are welcome in the comments section.

Traveling from Saudi Arabia to Iraq

The border is fully open, and you can get a visa on arrival.

Read my Saudi travel guide

Traveling from Syria to Iraq

The border is closed. Read my Syria travel guide

Don’t forget to check also our travel guide to Haiti .

💻 Internet & connectivity in Iraq

Buying a sim card in iraq.

You can buy a SIM Card in a phone shop but not all of them can sell one, you will have to enter and ask.

I recommend Zain. Typically, they have 1-week or 1-month plans, the 1-week plan starting at 10,000IQD, more or less, for 3-5GB.

If you start your journey in Kurdistan, don’t get Korek, a Kurdish operator with limited service in southern Iraq.

Connecting to Wi-Fi in Iraq

Relatively good hotels do have Wi-Fi, and some cafés too, but it’s not very reliable. Do buy a SIM Card to stay connected.

Get a VPN for traveling in Iraq

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content that is typically censored in Iraq. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 Money and budget: need to know

In Iraq, they use the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) and approximately:

1 USD = 1,459 IQD

Exchanging money in Iraq

Exchanging money in Iraq is fairly easy.

Exchange offices are plentiful, but one small issue I encountered is that Euros (€) are not accepted everywhere, especially outside of the big cities.

US dollars, however, can be changed all over.

This wasn’t the case in Iraqi Kurdistan, where both USD and € are widely accepted.

Withdrawing money in Iraq

ATMs are accepting both VISA and Mastercard but you need to look for them. It’s better to bring cash with you.

Also remember that except for a few fancy places, you can’t pay by credit card in Iraq, but only cash.

How much does it cost to travel in Iraq independently?

Baghdad was obviously the most expensive city in all Iraq, while Mosul was the cheapest.

Kurdistan lies somewhere in between and the rest of Iraq is pretty affordable. These are the cost of the most typical things:

• Visa: 80USD
• All entry sites to archaelogical sites cost 25,000IQD
• Budget (but comfortable) hotels in Baghdad: from 60,000IQD
• Budget (but comfortable) hotels in the rest of Iraq: 25,000IQD – 40,000IQD
• Bottle of beer in a liquor shop: 1,200IQD – 1,1200IQD
• Local eateries: 5,000IQD to 8,000IQD for a local meal
• Fancy restaurants: main courses starting at 14,000IQD
• Taxi rides within cities: 3,000IQD – 7,000IQD
• Transportation between cities: 5,000IQD – 25,000IQD depending on distance

Average daily backpacking budget for Iraq Starting from $45 – $65 a day

🛺 Transportation: how to travel around Iraq

Moving around Iraq by public transportation is fairly easy.

Typically, most towns and cities are connected with either local shared taxis or minibuses .

The local shared taxi is always a bit more expensive than the bus, but it’s way faster and more comfortable. I only took shared taxis and I recommend you do the same.

Shared taxis I took (with prices):

• Baghdad to Karbala – 10,000IQD (115km)
• Karbala to Hilla (Babylon) – 2,000IQD (45km)
• Hilla to Najaf – 7,000IQD (60km)
• Najaf to Nasiriya – 10,000IQD (250km)
• Nasiriya to Chibayish (Marshes) – 5,000IQD (90km)
• Nasiriya to Baghdad – 20,000IQD – 25,000IQD, depending on the seat (345km)
• Baghdad to Mosul – 20,000IQD – 25,000IQD, depending on the seat (400km)

Iraq Travel tip – garage is the word used for referring to a bus or taxi station. If you wish to go to Nasiriya, just ask for the Nasiriya garage and Iraqis will point you in the right direction,

Hitchhiking in Iraq

I didn’t hitchhike but in Karbala, when asking for the Hilla garage , a random Iraqi told me: I am going in that direction, you can join me . Does that count as hitchhiking?

In any case, hitchhiking in Iraq should be easy.

Taxis to move around Baghdad

If you have a SIM Card, get your Careem App , which is the regional version of Uber.

Taxi rides within Baghdad cost anything between 3,000-7,000IQD.

Checkpoints in Iraq

As mentioned, military checkpoints are the one challenge travelers need to face when backpacking in Iraq.

A few things about checkpoints in Iraq:

• There are checkpoints to enter each and every city, and also on roads.
• Checkpoints exist for security purposes.
• The authorities tend to be very friendly, and even ask for photos.
• Checkpoints can be operated by different armed groups. Most of them are run by the Iraqi police, but they can also be controlled by different local militias, mostly Shia but also Christian militias, like in Bakhdida.
• Most checkpoints are pretty straightforward, you either get through or they just quickly check your passport.
• One issue I encountered at many checkpoints was that, since the entry date of my visa was written in English, soldiers weren’t able to understand it. This meant waiting a bit extra, since they had to consult with a superior, but it never turned out to be an issue.

However, there are 2 checkpoints that can take a lot of time.

Based on my own experience, here’s an overview of each one of them:

Nasiriya checkpoint

Update 2024: A local contact/sponsor was required but this isn’t the case anymore

Nasiriya is a big city in southern Iraq and an unavoidable destination for anyone heading to Basra or the Marshes.

Its main peculiarity is that this is home to al-Hoot prison , an American-made high-security prison, today filled with ISIS fighters, and the reason why the Nasiriya checkpoint is a tricky one.

Basically, in order to enter Nasiriya, you are supposed to have a local to sponsor your visit . If you don’t have one, you will eventually make it through but there are reports from travelers who waited there for several hours.

In my case, I did have a friend in Nasiriya.

I gave his phone number to the authorities and after 45 minutes, they let me go. During those 45 minutes, all we did was have friendly chats, mainly about Spanish football. That’s it.

Samarra checkpoint

In 2006, the city of Samarra was affected by a suicide bombing targeting Al-Askari mosque , one of the holiest shrines in the world for Shia Muslims.

Since then, the armed group and Shia militia Sarayat al Salam has taken control of Samarra, establishing checkpoints all over the city, closing all hotels, and making Samarra the worst city to live today in Iraq, according to local Iraqis.

Sarayat al Salam is a paranoid group which is suspicious of everyone, especially foreigners. If you come to Samarra by yourself, without a local Iraqi, chances are that you can be waiting at the checkpoint all day before they let you through.

I visited Samarra with two local Iraqis actually from Samarra and even with them, we had to wait 15-20 minutes at each checkpoint before they let us through.

🏨 Where to stay in Iraq: accommodation guide

There are no hostels in Iraq, but you can find all sorts of hotels.

In Baghdad, they can be expensive for what you get but, in the rest of the country, they are pretty affordable.

Here’s a list of all the hotels I stayed during my trip to Iraq:

• Baghdad – Uruk Hotel – Around 70 USD a night. Very good location, comfortable and great Wi-Fi.
• Karbala – Al Karama Hotel – 15,000IQD. Very basic, but OK for one night. It was close to the shrine.
• Najaf – Qaem Hotel – 20,000IQD. Also basic but better than the one in Karbala. Amazing shower and good Wi-Fi.
• Nasiriya – Hotel Tourist – 50,000IQD. Quite good, and comfortable.
• Chibayish – I did a homestay, paying around $30 including dinner and breakfast.
• Mosul – Alsfer Hotel – $15. Surprisingly good for the price.
• Samarra – You are technically not allowed to stay in Samarra.

💃 Solo female travel in Iraq

According to female travelers I have been talking to, traveling in Iraq as a solo woman isn’t very different than in other Arab countries like Egypt or Jordan .

Occasional verbal harassment does happen, but it’s rare, and most Iraqis will be nothing but extra kind with any foreign women.

What to wear as a solo female traveler in Iraq

In cities like Baghdad, Mosul, or Nasiriya, you will see all sorts of women dressing in all different ways, some of them apparently quite liberal.

However, do always dress modestly in order to avoid unwanted attention, and bring a headscarf with you, since you may need it depending on the area you are visiting.

On the other hand, in Karbala and Najaf – two very holy cities – a full abaya covering your whole body is mandatory.

For more information, read this Iraq travel guide for females .

❗ More information for traveling in Iraq

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Iraq destination

• A City Guide to Mosul
• Visiting Syrian Refugee Camp
• Is Iraq Safe?
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq
• Iraq Itinerary
• Travel Guide to Amedi
• Erbil Travel Guide
• Tales of Backpacking in Iraqi Kurdistan
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan
• Iraqi Kurdistan Itinerary
• Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

• Iran Travel Guide
• Palestine Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Oman
• Travel Guide to Lebanon
• Syria Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
• Yemen Travel Guide

You will also like our Libya travel guide .

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

I hope you enjoyed this article, which I believe is the best travel guide to Iraq available on the internet. Any questions or concerns, kindly let me know in the comments section.

64 comments

Hi Joan! Very interesting and inspiring article, thank you for that 🙂 I’m looking to do a several month long trip in the middle east and I was wondering if it’s also possible to enter Iraq by land from Syria?

Hey man! No, no chance. VOA is not available and in any case, you can’t visit that part of Syria bordering Iraq, not possible.

Your posts are always riveting. Can’t wait to hit the road to the Middle East again. I have had nothing but the most amazing hospitality while travelling and studying/working there over the years.

Hi Joan! Truly inspiring and eye-opening article. I have become motivated to venture into Iraq and see it from a completely different lens. How many group tours are you planning on running in Iraq this year (and for the future)? Can you recommend other group tours if yours runs out of space?

Hey Paul! I will run more next fall, around November, definitely!

Hi Joan Another excellent, and useful, guide. It is good to know that other parts of Iraq are now safe to visit. Having been to Kurdistan using information supplied by yourself, it is great to have this new one.

Many thanks

Mike Robinson

Thank you, it’s a pleasure Mike!

These guides are invaluable; thank you so much! How would you recommend visiting the Mesopotamian Marshes? Is it possible to arrange a tour of the marshes from within Federal Iraq?

I just showed up in the city of Chibayish, went to the spot where boats departed from and asked for a boat tour. It’s a touristic area because local Iraqis come here too. That’s the cheapest way of doing it. Otherwise, you can also contact an Iraqi travel agency, but that will come with an extra cost.

Did you also arrange the homestay on the spot or was that through the Iraqi travelers Cafe. Also is there direct transport between Chibayish and Baghdad?

I arranged it on the spot itself No official direct transportation between Chibayish and Baghdad (as far as I know) but you must change in Nasiriya

Can you cross into Iraq from Kuwait (and vice versa)?

I don’t know to be honest, haven’t heard from any report about it

Hello! My name is Ana Peña

I would like to join your Irak your this March.

Can you email me and let me know how to reserve my spot if there is still one left?

Thank you!!!

[email protected] is my email adress:)

Hi Ana, Thanks for reaching out.- I’ll send you an email now.

Hello Jean Did you visit either the arch (Taq-i-Kisr / Arch of Ctesiphon) or Agarquf / Dur-Kurigalzu from Baghdad? I am thinking they would be worth a trip – but fear that they would both be private taxi trips… unless I get my thumb-out and hitch the road! Cheers Andy

I’ve heard that there are buses going from Abdali Amman, Jordan, to Baghdad, Irak. But here it says that there is no way to cross the border from Jordan to Iraq by land. Does someone have a recent experience here?

Cheers, Julia

Your blog posts are great thank you! I was wondering if there is any other way to get a VOA or visa for federal Iraq crossing by land from Iran. I had wanted to cross into Iraq Kurdistan which offers a land based VOA I believe but wasn’t sure how to then get a visa to go into federal Iraq. Does anyone have any insight into this?

I am a more ‘mature’ woman who is desperate to visit the archeological sites mainly north of Baghdad (where I lived for 4 years), i.e. ancient part of Mosul, Khorsabad, Nimrud, Nineveh, Hatra, Ashur (anything else??). I’ve been to Erbil a couple of times and have had private visits to the Citadel and bazaar so I don’t need to repeat. What I do need is a good guide who can explain, no 5-star accommodation, just clean and as much integration as possible. But unfortunately no trekking or hitchhiking, too old! Muchas gracias de antemano.

Hi Suzanne, any guiding-related stuff, kindly write me at [email protected]

Hi Joan, I have – as you have requested – sent you an email at the address above last week. Have you received it yet? Suzanne

Since you have covered the safety part, I’d like to ask about family visit to Iraq from Turkey and obviously via Kurdistan. Have you met ANY other foreign family (non-Arab) while you were in both Kurdistan and Federal Iraq? We are considering the option of crossing Iraq on our way home (UAE). The tricky part is that we are traveling with a 4 y.o. Any insights on foreign travelers with kids in Iraq? Gracias por adelantado

Hi Lora, I do know one family who overlanded from Turkey to Iraq via Kurdistan and had a great time. Irak is nowadays pretty safe, I’d definitely take my kid there, and I don’t think traveling with a kid is any different, safety-wise speaking. On the contrary, if they see you have a kid, you’ll be blessed with more hospitality.

Hi Joan, Thanks so much for a fantastic post. We are travelling in our campervan (covert transit van). We are currently in Turkey, we are waiting on visas for Iran, apparently for Irish people it is now mandatory to have a guide in Iran ? We expect the visas for take another three weeks and are thinking of heading to Iraq for the three weeks, do you know what the situation is like for travelling in a campervan? Also would we need to come back to turkey to drive into Iran or is it possible from Iraq? Is the carnet de passage necessary for Iraq? Thanks a million.

Hi Meabh, are you planning to visit southern Iraq or just Kurdistan part? Kurdistan definitely not a problem, many people drive there. South Iraq shouldn’t be a problem either but do have patience for all checkpoints. No problem overlanding in and out of Iraq, especially in Kurdistan part.

Hi Joan, Really happy to read your story about iraq. I’m Salli from indonesia. I plan to visit iraq also as solo female. Unfortunately, Indonesian citizen can’t enter Iraq with VOA. I need to get VISA for Iraq. So, just wondering if you have specific contact / travel agency in Iraq that can help me on visa invitation in Baghdad.

Hello Salli, at the moment, I can’t help you with that, I am very sorry!

Iraqi travellers group hasn’t approved my request to join the group for 5 days. Are there any other contacts you know of that can help me get a local contact to help me get through the checkpoints?

Hi Joan, I am trying to figure out whether a visit to Iraq would close my door to a future visit to the USA. As I understand this might completely block my visit visa issuance by the USA state. Any insights on this? Any non-US citizen who has been to Iraq and then decided to visit the USA and was denied access?

Thank you in advance

My family (2 adults, 2 young kids) and I are spending the summer in Jordan and are thinking of visiting Iraq for a short trip, maybe a week or less. We’d love to visit Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf. Do you think this is enough time to visit these places? Are there other places in Iraq you would recommend for a short visit?

Hello AJ, yes, with 1 week it’s more than enough, and you could even add Babylon and Samarra.

Hello Joan ! Wonderful web site. Congratulations !

Now the question 🙂 Are you absolutely sure that I can’t get an Iraqi visa at the Kurdish/Iraq land border, but I need to fly into Baghdad ? Is this info valid for April 2023 ? I checked many different websites and I didn’t find such restrictions… Could you be so kind and share with me the source of this message ?

I plan to go first to Kurdistan and then by land to Iraq so your answer is extremely important for me.

warm regards Pawel

Hi Pawel, there’s no official information about it but you can’t certainly cross and that reason is that it’s not an actual border, so there aren’t immigration authorities who can issue you a visa.

Hi Joan, many thanks for so fast reply. I assumed that the border is more or less official with Iraqi authorities able to issue a visa. So in practice I can enter proper Iraq through Kurdistan, even without visa, but at the first checkpoint I will be stopped and then the consequences can be severe for me… Am I right? Pawel

The problem is that if the Iraqi authorities ever set up a border there, it would mean that they recognize Kurdistan as an independent region or country, that’s the main issue. For them, there can’t be a border because Kurdistan is Iraq.

The solution would be for Iraqi authorities to be present along the Turkish border or at the Erbil airport but they can’t because in that area, immigration is controlled by the Kurds and Kurds give you Kurdish visas.

I don’t know what would happen if you ever sneaked in and traveled around Iraq. I did it a few years ago, just to go to Mosul, but that was before Iraq began issuing visas, so the checkpoints to Mosul didn’t really check that but apparently, now they do. In any case, I did it with a fixer who faked some NGO papers, something I don’t really recommennd.

Yes, clear. As I see I will have to start from Baghdad. The only problem is the price of the tickets which are expensive… Sunny day ! Pawel

Oscar Hotel link doesn’t work. How did you book this?

Maybe they stopped appearing on booking.com

Did you visit the ancient sites of Babylon, Ur & Ctisiphon ? Do we need permits ?

Hey John! no permits needed 🙂

Thanks Joan. Any tips for a good place for a cold Farida in Baghdad ?

Hi John! There are several bars on Sadoun street, around Baghdad Hotel. Those are very local bars, not particularly good places and usually with very loud music, but it’s an experience to try them once. Alternatively, there’s the Hunting Club, it’s a social club where the wealthy local community hangs out, an area with several bars and restaurants but if you aren’t a member, you may need to have an invitation, but I’d still try to go anyways

Hi Joan, as a British Iraqi, I am very happy to see such a great blog (albeit with a few errors!) about my home and I am using it to convince my non-Iraqi husband to visit. I just wanted to mention that Sarayat Alsalam (offshoot of Jaysh Al-Mehdi) were actually an invaluable group who defended and supported Iraq and Iraqis and were a major reason why ISIS were defeated. Many of them lost their lives with little recognition from the so-called government. Anyone spreading hate for them, do so for political reasons as they tend to be supporters of Iranian groups who believe Iraq belongs to the land of Persia.

Hi Sara! Thanks a lot for sharing your feedback on this 🙂 This is however turning into a political discussion that goes beyond my understanding, but something which I’d like what other Iraqi fellows think about.

Hi Joan, Has the visa situation improved since Iraq opened for tourism 2 years ago? Can you get a visa at the Jordanian land-border? Is there still a requirement to book hotels prior to your visit and show the receipt at the border? For how long are you allowed into the country? Thanks in advance, Yuval

Hi Yuval – You can know get a visa in land borders, including Jordan – Hotel receipt isn’t really needed anymore – You’re allowed to stay 30 days

Thanks for the amazing blog – this is so useful. I’d love to understand two things. Firstly how much planning before do you recommend? I’m experienced travelling Latin America, Asia and Europe where you can arrive last minute and talk to other travellers to learn how to enjoy a place. Secondly, as a solo traveller but no backpacker dorms in Iraq – will it be difficult to make friends? I’m trying to understand how lonely/fun it might be.

Hi Joan We have a security question. We planned to travel to Iraq between November 17 and December 9 (Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, Kufa, Basra, etc., all south of Baghdad). However, after what happened in Gaza, we hesitate. We know the Arab countries well, including the Middle East and Central Asia . We don’t speak Arabic, and the Persian I know isn’t likely to be useful here. As a student, I spent the revolution in Iran, we were caught up in the riots in Pakistan, we have been travelling around the world in very different conditions. Roughly, we have been travelling for over 40 years. What are we afraid of? That some hidden ISIS cells will be reborn, etc.

What is your opinion? And thanks for the suggestion about the hotel in Baghdad. Can you suggest accommodation in Kufa and Basra? Congratulations on your blog – it’s great. Greetings from Krakow (Poland) Elizabeth

Hello Elisabeth, we did cancel ours tours to Syria (since you enter via Lebanon) but our Iraq tours still go on, and we have a group there as we speak, all is normal there!

Are you sure, that these days the Saudi Iraq border is open and you can get there VOA? I’ve heard few different opinions

IATI Insurance doesn’t seem to cover Australian residents?

Hi! Do you know how to get invitation letter for all Iraq?I from Serbia and I need tourist visa before travel.I would like to travel without tourist guide

Try to ask in Iraqi Travelers Cafe FB group. There are some well-connected people who are willing to get the approval without booking a tour but they’ll charge around $400-$500

Hello Joan, I plan to drive myself in a rental car and head to some remote/rural regions in the south and east (and eventually continue on to Mosul and Erbil). I will always ask on site whether my planned route is considered safe (and adjust it if necessary). Do you think this is sufficiently safe or would you advise against driving alone in these areas?

Hi Matthias, I think anywhere in Iraq is nowadays safe.

Hi Joan, Thank you this page has been massively helpful in my research. I am planning a solo backpacking/hitchiking trip to Iraq. Beginning in Baghdad through Basrah and finally ending Kuwait to fly home.

I had a few questions:

I am a British citizen, do you know if the VOA is still applicable to British citizens, as I have heard mixed things.

Will I need a letter of invitation?

Would it be wise to contact the Iraqi embassy?

In terms of security given the current situation in Gaza and West Bank, would it be too dangerous for one to attemps a solo trip through Iraq?

Hey Finnian! VOA is totally available, and no LOI is needed for UK passports when traveling to Iraq. You don’t need to contact the embassy either. We are currently running many group expeditions into Iraq. Actually, we have one group there as we speak, life there is going on as usual! Have a safe trip to Iraq!

Hello! This is such an interesting guide and I’m really interested in visiting Iraq. I am a UK citizen and I live in Riyadh and I’m wondering if you know whether it’s possible to take a Saudi car over the border for a road trip?

Yes, it totally possible, they are really easing things for foreigners!

We travelled to Iraq – Feferal and Kurdistan November 2023.

Travelled with a British Passport.

Even though we were told that the visa was $80 (visa on arrival) we were charged $85. We were independent travellers.

Hi Lina, price of the Iraqi visa is 80 USD. We were there last week (running a tour) and that’s the price. Any additional they charge, they are trying to scam you

great information! thanks

is it a must to have the carne de passage?

for what exactly?

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Kurdistan Regional Government

Representation in the united states, monday 1 february 2021, covid-19 travel restrictions.

Washington, DC, USA (us.gov.krd) - The Kurdistan Regional Government has lifted COVID-19 restrictions. As of April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated Iraqi and foreign travelers will no longer need to present a recent negative PCR test ahead of traveling. Travelers above the age of 12 who have received one dose of Johnson & Johnson, or two doses of any other vaccine will no longer require evidence of a recent negative PCR test when traveling to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In cases where an individual cannot receive a vaccine, proof of a negative PCR test conducted in the previous 72 hours will be required. Travelers under the age of 12 are exempt from both, the PCR test and the COVID-19 vaccine.

We advise all who intend to travel to Kurdistan Region to check the KRG website for updates:  https://gov.krd/english/  and KRI international airports, EIA  https://erbilairport.com/Main/Main.aspx   and in ISU  https://www.sulairport.krd/

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Business Customs  

Visiting U.S. company representatives find Iraq’s business environment to be complex.  Business cards in English or in both English and Arabic are recommended.  Email addresses and websites should be included with your contact information.  English is more commonly spoken in the business community and in government offices but knowing and using a few words in Arabic will be useful.  In general, the dress code is formal in most business and official settings.  Businesspeople dress in suits.  Women should dress modestly in keeping with cultural norms.

Travel Advisory

The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to Iraq due to COVID-19, terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens. The current security environment slows economic development in many areas of Iraq and discourages U.S. corporate security offices from approving travel to Iraq.  Americans visiting Iraq are advised to check the U.S. State Department’s website at  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html / for the latest information on travel to Iraq. Travelers should check this link for any updates to the security situation before leaving the United States.

The Embassy is located on Al-Kindi Street, (Baghdad), The telephone number is 964-0760-030-3000 and the website is:  https://iq.usembassy.gov/  The Embassy is open Sunday through Thursday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Visa Requirements

To enter Iraq, passports must be valid for at least six months after the dates of travel.  In March 2021, the GOI began issuing two-month, single-entry visas-on-arrival at Iraqi airports and border crossings to U.S. citizens.  Since this is a new process, travelers are encouraged to check with the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, D.C. for the latest information.  Business visitors needing a longer stay can apply for a business visa at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington.  Foreign investors can request support from the National Investment Commission in expediting a visa.  You are encouraged to submit your visa application as far in advance of travel as you can.  Iraq has HIV/AIDS travel restrictions on all visitors that are unevenly enforced.  

The KRG also issues 30-day visas-on-arrival to U.S. citizens.  However, these visas are not valid outside the IKR.  U.S. citizens who plan to stay for a longer period should obtain an extension from the local residency office.  

Visit the Iraqi Embassy at http://www.iraqiembassy.us/ for the most current visa information. The Embassy is located at 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007; phone number is 202-742- 1600; fax number is 202-333-1129.

For the latest information on Iraqi visas, go to http://www.iraqiembassy.us/page/visas-to-iraq or call the Iraqi Embassy at (202) 483-7500.

Please also consult the Department of State’s International Travel page for Iraq:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iraq.html.

Local currency is the Iraqi dinar, which is divided into 1,000 fils. The rate of exchange is fixed at $1 = IQD1,450.

Telecommunications/Electric

Cell phone usage is widespread.  Internet usage is growing in popularity and performance.  4G Mobile phone services are reliable in major cities, with 3G in other parts of the country.  Prepaid Sim cards are widely available for visitors at reasonable cost.  Zain and AsiaCell are the two most widely subscribed mobile companies, and branches are found in most malls and commercial areas.   

Please see travel advisory above.  In Baghdad, official yellow taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Careem is the most popular rideshare service. Women traveling alone should sit directly behind the driver. Culturally, it is inappropriate for women to take the front seat next to the driver.

The official language is Arabic.  In Baghdad, English is widely understood and spoken among the educated classes including many businesspeople.  Kurdish is the main language in the IKR.

Public hospitals are in bad condition and lack many medications. Private hospitals can provide better service. There is no health insurance in Iraq, and Iraqi healthcare providers do not accept foreign health insurance.  Payment is due at time of service.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Iraq is eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (seven hours ahead during Eastern Daylight Time).  The work week is Sunday through Thursday.  The standard business hours for most banks are 8:30am-3:00pm.  Most businesses are open 8:30 am-1:30 pm and 3:30 pm-6:30 pm.  Government offices are normally only open 8:20am-2:00pm.  During the month of Ramadan, business hours are usually only six hours per day.  Business appointments on Friday should be avoided.  Government Offices Standard Business Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8:20am – 2:00pm. Banking sector: Monday:  8:30 – 15:00  

Iraq postpones vote on bill including death penalty for same-sex acts

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At least five rockets were launched from Iraq's town of Zummar towards a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria on Sunday, two Iraqi security sources and a U.S. official told Reuters.

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Three German nationals have been arrested on suspicion of working with the Chinese secret service to hand over technologies that could be used for military purposes, German prosecutors said on Monday.

North Korea fired "several" short-range ballistic missiles on Monday toward the sea off its east coast, South Korea's military said, drawing a swift condemnation from Seoul, which called it a grave threat to stability on the Korean peninsula.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Jordan Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 13, 2023, jordan - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Jordan due to  terrorism . Some areas have increased risk. 

Do not travel to:

• Within 3.5 km of the Jordanian border with Syria and east of the town of Ruwayshid in the direction of the border with Iraq due to  terrorism and armed conflict.
• Designated Syrian refugee camps in Jordan due to  Government of Jordan restrictions on entry into these camps .
• Zarqa, Rusayfah, and the Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha due to  terrorism  and  crime.

Reconsider travel to:

• Ma’an City and some areas of Ma’an Governorate due to  terrorism  and  crime .

Country Summary : Terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks in Jordan. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Jordan.

If you decide to travel to Jordan:

• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Avoid demonstrations and protests.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Jordan.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

The Border with Syria and Iraq – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to Jordan's border with Syria and Iraq given the continued threat of cross-border violence, including the risk of terrorist attacks.

All U.S. government personnel must adhere to U.S. Embassy travel restrictions for all official travel within 3.5 km of the Jordan-Syria border, and all travel must occur during day light hours only. U.S. government personnel must adhere to U.S. Embassy travel restrictions for official travel east of the town of Ruwayshid towards the Iraq border, and all travel must occur during daylight hours only.

Personal travel by U.S. government employees to these border areas is not authorized.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Refugee Camps – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to Syrian refugee camps in Jordan due to Government of Jordan restrictions on entry into these camps.

All U.S. government personnel on official travel to the four designated Syrian refugee camps listed below (formerly all refugee camps in Jordan) must adhere to U.S. Embassy travel restrictions.

• Azraq Syrian Refugee Camp, Azraq, Zarqa
• Za’atari Syrian Refugee Camp, Al Zatryah, Mafraq
• King Abdullah Park Syrian Refugee Camp, Ramtha, Irbid
• Emirati Jordanian Syrian Refugee Camp (Murijep al Fhoud), Al Jadedah, Zarqa

Personal travel by U.S. government personnel to these refugee camps is not authorized. 

Zarqa, Rusayfah, and the Baqa’a Neighborhood of Ayn Basha – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to Zarqa, Rusayfah and the Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha due to terrorism and crime.

All U.S. government personnel on official travel to Zarqa, Rusayfah and the Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha must adhere to U.S. Embassy travel restrictions, and all travel must occur during daylight hours only.  U.S. government personnel may transit through these cities on major highways during daylight hours only.

Personal travel by U.S. government personnel to these cities is not authorized.

Ma’an City and some areas of Ma’an Governorate – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to Ma’an city, all areas of Ma’an Governorate east of Highway 15 (“The Desert Highway”) and all areas of Ma’an Governorate within 2 kilometers to the west of Highway 15 due to terrorism and crime.

All U.S. government personnel on official travel to these areas must adhere to U.S. Embassy travel restrictions. U.S. government personnel on official travel may transit through this area on major highways outside of daylight hours.  

Personal travel by U.S. government personnel to these areas is permitted during daylight hours only, with the exception of direct transit through these areas, which may also occur during hours of darkness.

Travel Advisory Levels

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What we know so far about Israel’s strike on Iran

US confirms Israel carried out operation against Iran, while Iranian state media reports air defences are active near Isfahan

• Follow live for latest updates

US officials have confirmed that Israel has carried out military operations against Iran . The officials said Israel warned the Biden administration earlier on Thursday that a strike was coming in the next 24 to 48 hours. According to CNN, the Israelis assured their US counterparts that Iran’s nuclear facilities would not be targeted.

Iranian state media reported that air defence batteries had been activated after reports of explosions near a major airbase close to the city of Isfahan. The Iranian government appeared to play down the scale of the attack, with a senior commander in Iran’s army saying there was no damage in Isfahan, according to state TV.

Isfahan is home to sites associated with Iran’s nuclear programme, including its underground Natanz enrichment site. State television described all sites in the area as “fully safe” and the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed there was no damage to any nuclear sites.

The airbase close to Isfahan has long been home to Iran’s fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats – purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Airports in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan were closed and flights were cleared from the western half of Iran , the flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported. Local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed. At 8am local time some airports lifted restrictions, local media in Iran reported. The UAE-based FlyDubai cancelled all flights to Iran’s capital on Friday.

Tensions across the region remain high after Iran launched hundreds of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel on Saturday, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the country. It came in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed a senior figure in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers.

On Thursday, Iran’s foreign minister told CNN that if Israel chose to retaliate, Tehran’s response would be immediate. “If the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Friday that Iran had no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel. “The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack,” the Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.

At the G7 foreign ministers meeting Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, declined to comment on whether the US had any warning of Israel’s plans to strike Iran this morning but said: “The United States has not been involved in any offensive operations”. He also said Washington was committed to de-escalating tensions in the region.

• Middle East and north Africa

More on this story

Gulf states’ response to Iran-Israel conflict may decide outcome of crisis

Muted Iranian reaction to attack provides short-term wins for Netanyahu

Middle East crisis: Blinken calls for calm as Iran official says no plan for immediate retaliation to reported Israeli missile strike – as it happened

Israel has mounted airstrikes on iran, us confirms, as tehran plays down attack.

Iran and Israel playing with fire as old rules of confrontation are torn up

What’s in Isfahan? The city home to Iranian nuclear facilities

US to impose new sanctions against Iran after its air attack on Israel

Netanyahu aims to trap west into war across Middle East, says Iranian diplomat

Middle East conflict risks sharp rise in oil prices, says IMF

IDF chief of staff says Israel will respond to Iran missile attack

Most viewed.

• International

April 16, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war

By Kathleen Magramo, Sana Noor Haq, Maureen Chowdhury and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved  here .

Prime minister denies strikes on Israel launched from Iraqi territory

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq

Israel said some of Iran's missiles on Saturday were launched from Iraq, but Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani denied it to CNN Tuesday.

"It was not proven to us through the military reports we've received that any missiles or any drones were launched from Iraq," al-Sudani told CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an interview on Tuesday. "Certainly, our position is clear; we do not allow any non-governmental body to use Iraq to bring it back into the battle. We have been taking the legal procedures to keep Iraq safe and to distance Iraq away from the conflict arena," al Sudani added.

Al-Sudani spoke with Amanpour from Washington, D.C., after he met with US President Joe Biden on Monday. Both leaders discussed the importance of de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.

US conducts another airdrop of food into northern Gaza, CENTCOM says

The US military conducted another aid drop into northern Gaza on Tuesday, dropping approximately 25,300 meal equivalents, US Central Command said in a  post  on X.

"The joint operation included two C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies," CENTCOM said.

To date the US has dropped 891 tons of humanitarian assistance, CENTCOM said.

Remember:   Humanitarian organizations have warned  that airdrops are "good photo opportunities but a lousy way to deliver aid."

US sanctions are planned for Iran after its attack on Israel. Here's what you should know

From CNN staff

The United States is planning to impose new sanctions targeting Iran after it launched a large-scale attack on Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

Earlier Tuesday,  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen  announced the Biden administration would use sanctions “to continue disrupting the Iranian regime’s malign and destabilizing activity.” 

“From this weekend’s attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran’s actions threaten the region’s stability and could cause economic spillovers," she said at a news conference.

Here are headlines you should know:

• More from Iran: Israel’s war cabinet met again on Tuesday to discuss Israel’s response to Iran’s attack. After Iran closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday for "security considerations," Rafael Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency director general, told CNN that its inspectors are back in the facilities and the "situation seems to be business as usual." Also, the US will restrict the movements of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his delegation while they are in New York this week, a source familiar told CNN. 
• Developments on the ground: At least 13 people were killed , including seven children, and more than 25 people were wounded after a strike targeted the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital officials. Elsewhere, the Israel Defense Forces said its airstrikes killed three Hezbollah fighters , including two commanders, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. 
• World Central Kitchen updates: The US is continuing to review the findings of the Israeli investigation into the  deadly strike  on a World Central Kitchen convoy, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. The United States is “not at this time” calling for an independent investigation, Miller said. He said he did not have a timetable for when its assessment will be completed.
• Palestinian child’s death probe: The US will be going to Israel with new information from a  Washington Post report  that contradicts the results of an Israeli investigation into the death of 5-year-old Palestinian girl  Hind Rajab , who was found dead in Gaza in February. The US called on Israel to investigate Rajab’s death earlier this year, and Miller now says the US “would still welcome a full investigation into this matter, and how it occurred in the first place.”
• Probe problems: A United Nations Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of actively obstructing its efforts to collect evidence from victims and first-hand witnesses of Hamas’ attacks in southern Israel on October 7. The commissioner appealed to the Israeli government to cooperate and urged victims and witnesses to the events in southern Israel to contact the commission. 

US to impose new sanctions on Iran in the coming days, national security adviser says

From CNN's Donald Judd

 The United States is planning to impose new sanctions targeting Iran after its attack on Israel over the weekend, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

“Following Iran’s unprecedented air attack against Israel, President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and with bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response,” Sullivan wrote in a statement. “In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program as well as new sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Defense Ministry. We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions.” 

Earlier Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the Biden administration would use sanctions “to continue disrupting the Iranian regime’s malign and destabilizing activity.” 

In addition to new sanctions, Sullivan wrote Tuesday the administration will “continue to work through the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.”

Analysis: Netanyahu is betting Israeli blood on Iran’s read of his rift with America

From CNN's Nic Robertson

Israel, aided by its allies, dodged a bullet Sunday.

To be more precise, 60 tons of explosives aboard more than 350 Iranian projectiles, some bigger than a family car, failed to dodge Israel’s defenses.

Yet Israel, in defiance of US President Joe Biden’s warnings to “take the win” and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s threat of a “severe, extensive and painful” response to any retaliation, is contemplating just that.

Deterrence, shorthand for “meanest S.O.B. in the room,” Israel believes, is the cornerstone of its survival. Iran is stealing that brick.

When faced with existential threats in the past, Israel has executed the most audacious raids the region has ever witnessed. The point being, Israel won’t telegraph its attack plans as Iran did at the weekend.

Aside from the core members of Israel’s war cabinet, more than a dozen other people have sat at the table deep inside the Kirya, Israel’s maximum security defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, thrashing out their next move.

Netanyahu’s next move will likely try to lock in sanctions, and strike before negative Gaza headlines dump the international good will filling his sails.

The clock is ticking. He needs two things, time to prepare a significant surprise strike, and time to coalesce international diplomacy. As both march to different beats, his legendary political acumen faces one of its stiffest tests yet.

Netanyahu is famed as a political survivor. But now he faces the biggest gamble of his career. He is betting the blood of his nation over Iran’s read of his rift with America.

Israel's sense of reason has been replaced by revenge, new Irish prime minister says

From CNN's Niamh Kennedy

Ireland's newly appointed prime minister told CNN that Israel's sense of reason has been "replaced by revenge" as he addressed recent tensions between the Israeli and Irish governments.  

In his first television interview since being appointed last week, Taoiseach Simon Harris hit back at recent criticisms from the Israeli foreign ministry and the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich, accusing the country of being "on the wrong side of history" when it comes to the war in Gaza. 

"Excuse me for finding it a little bit hard to see where the representative of the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government is talking about being on the wrong side because I think the actions of the Netanyahu government right now, in terms of allowing this humanitarian catastrophe to unfold in Gaza, and the impact on women, children, civilians and civilian infrastructure is profound," Harris told CNN's Christiane Amanpour.  Harris went on to say that "Ireland is extraordinarily clear in its condemnation of Hamas ... and of the right of Israel to be able to live in safety and security. But we also believe that reason has now been replaced by revenge."

The prime minister doubled down on his call for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" in Gaza alongside his plan to convince fellow European Union leaders to formally recognize the state of Palestine. Harris laid out his belief that a peaceful solution to the war in Gaza "involves a number of countries that are like-minded coming together to recognize the state of Palestine." 

He reiterated that "Ireland stands ready to recognize the state of Palestine" and is very keen to do so alongside other EU member states to increase the "potential positive momentum."  

The Israeli foreign ministry has condemned Ireland's intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, maintaining in a press release last week that doing so would be awarding Hamas a "prize for terrorism."

IDF says its airstrikes in Lebanon killed 3 Hezbollah fighters

From CNN's Eugenia Yosef and Mohammed Tawfeeq

The Israel Defense Forces said its airstrikes killed three Hezbollah fighters, including two commanders, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. 

Muhammad Hussein Shahouri, "the Commander of the Rockets and Missiles Unit of Radwan Forces' Western Region," was killed in an airstrike in Kfar Dounine in south Lebanon, an IDF statement said. "As part of his role, Muhammad planned and promoted rocket and missile launches toward Israeli territory from the areas of Lebanon's central and western regions." 

Mahmoud Ibrahim Fadlallah, "an operative of Hezbollah's Rockets and Missiles Unit," was also killed in the same airstrike, the IDF added.

Earlier, the IDF said in a separate statement that its airstrike killed Ismail Youssef Bazz , "the commander of Hezbollah's coastal sector, in the area of Ain Ebel in Lebanon," in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of its three fighters without providing details on the circumstances of their deaths or ranks. 

At least 13 people killed, including 7 children, after strike on central Gaza's Al-Maghazi refugee camp

From CNN's Mohammad Al-Sawalhi in Gaza, CNN’s Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman and Zeena Saifi in Jerusalem

At least 13 people were killed, including seven children, and more than 25 people were wounded after a strike targeted the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital officials.

Graphic video obtained exclusively by CNN from eyewitness Nihad Owdetallah shows several casualties scattered on the floor, including children, with blood streaming around the area. Dozens of people appear to be running around in panic, screaming and trying to count and carry the dead bodies. A foosball table covered in dust is seen among the dead bodies. 

Owdetallah, who lives in the camp, told CNN he heard an explosion at around 3:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday. 

"I immediately walked to see what happened and found dead bodies thrown on the ground. People screaming, kids screaming. Kids dead on the ground. They were just playing foosball, and they were martyred," he said.

Footage shot for CNN from inside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital shows a continuous flow of causalities and injured people being ushered in, as the emergency room is crowded with patients, including several wounded children, crying out on the floor.

Video from inside a morgue at the hospital shows families trying to identify their loved ones among the deceased. Fatmeh Issa points to a white body bag with a young boy’s bloodied face exposed, telling CNN, "This is my son."

Another man cries out, “They have nothing to do with anyone! They are civilians. Have mercy on us. You are killing children. You are not killing an army or fighters; you are killing children who were peacefully playing in the street."

Video shows him handing a young girl’s dead body to another man, both men crying out Quranic verses and sobbing. The man who receives her body is seen placing her on the ground, and covers her body with a jacket, telling CNN she is his daughter.

"This is my oldest daughter … her name is Lujain, she is 9-years-old. A strike hit them while they were playing out in the street. They are all just children,” he said.CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment but has not yet received a response.

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• International

April 14, 2024 - Iran's attack on Israel

By Jerome Taylor, Heather Chen , James Legge, Sophie Tanno, Emma Tucker , Kaanita Iyer , Paul LeBlanc , Catherine Nicholls, Maureen Chowdhury , Antoinette Radford and Eve Rothenberg, CNN

Our live coverage of Iran's attack on Israel has moved  here .

India calls on Iran to release 17 Indian crew members on board seized container ship 

From CNN's Sandi Sidhu in Hong Kong 

India has called on Iran to release 17 Indian crew members on board a container ship seized by Iran on Saturday. 

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that he spoke to his Iranian counterpart Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and "took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries."

Four Filipino seamen were also on board the ship, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers.

The department said it was working with its government, the ship owner, and the operator to release the captured seafarers.

On Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized an Israeli-linked container ship in a helicopter operation near the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported. 

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said there were 25 crew members on board.

Japanese prime minister condemns Iran's attack on Israel

From CNN's Junko Ogura in Tokyo 

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday said he "strongly condemns" Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel.

"(The attack) further aggravates the current situation in the Middle East. We are deeply concerned and strongly condemn such an escalation," Kishida told reporters.

Kishida said Japan would continue diplomatic efforts to "prevent the situation from worsening and to calm the situation down," and "respond in cooperation with other countries."

Blinken calls British and German counterparts following Iran's attack on Israel

From CNN's Philip Wang 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his counterparts from the United Kingdom and Germany on Sunday following Iran's attack on Israel, according to readouts from the State Department. 

All parties agreed "the importance of condemning Iran's attack in the strongest possible terms and preventing further escalation," the readout said. 

Blinken earlier held phone calls with his counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia , in which he emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation in the Middle East and of "a coordinated diplomatic response."

US forces destroyed more than 80 attack drones from Iran and Yemen, Central Command says

From CNN's Philip Wang

US forces intercepted more than 80 one-way attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles from Iran and Yemen during its attack on Israel, according to a statement from the Central Command.

The operation included destroying a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven drones on the ground in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, CENTCOM said. 

"Iran's continued unprecedented, malign, and reckless behavior endangers regional stability and the safety of U.S. and coalition forces," the statement added. 

Israeli and Iranian ambassadors trade accusations during UN Security Council session

From Abel Alvarado in Atlanta

Israel and Iran’s United Nations ambassadors condemned each other’s actions during Sunday’s UN Security Council emergency session called to address Iran’s attack on Israel.

Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan said Iran "must be stopped before it drives the world to a point of no return, to a regional war that can escalate to a world war." Erdan accused Iran of seeking world domination and that its attack proved that Tehran "cares nothing, nothing for Islam or Muslims" before pulling out a tablet to show a video of Israel intercepting Iranian drones above Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Erdan called on the UN Security Council to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror organization.

“Action must be taken now, not for Israel's sake, not for the region's sake, but for the world's sake. Stop Iran today."

Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said his country’s operation was "entirely in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense, as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and recognized by international law."

Iravani said:

"This concluded action was necessary and proportionate," adding that the operation was “precise and only targeted military objectives” to reduce the potential of escalation and to prevent civilian harm. “Iran is never seeking to contribute to the spillover of the conflict in the region, nor does it to escalate or spread the tension to the entire region," he said.

Tehran’s attack had been anticipated since  a suspected Israeli strike  on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria earlier this month.

Iravani added Iran has “no intention of engaging in conflict with the US in the region” but warned Iran will use its “inherent right to respond proportionately” should the US initiate a military operation against “Iran, its citizens or its security.”

Israeli war cabinet says it's ready to respond to Iran's attack but delays immediate action. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

The hours-long Israeli war cabinet meeting ended Sunday night without a decision on how Israel will respond to Iran’s missile and drone attack , an Israeli official said.

The cabinet is determined to respond — but has yet to decide on the timing and scope and the official said the military has been tasked with coming up with additional options for a response.

Separately, a senior Biden administration official told reporters that an Israeli official told the United States that it's not looking to significantly escalate the showdown with Iran.

CNN analyst Barak Ravid said Israeli ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot advocated for swift action, but US President Joe Biden's phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led to a decision to delay the response until the next day. 

Here are the latest headlines:

• Retaliation is over, Iran told US: Iran privately messaged the United States that its retaliation against Israel had concluded, echoing what Tehran said publicly, according to a senior administration official. Late Saturday, Iran said its attack on Israel is a response to Israel's strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, and "the matter can be deemed concluded." However, President Ebrahim Raisi said any “new aggression against the interests of the Iranian nation will be met with a heavier and regrettable response,” according to Iran’s state news channel IRIB. 
• United Nations response: UN Secretary-General António Guterres  called for a de-escalation of violence after Iran’s attack. Guterres said the United Nations and member countries have a “shared responsibility” to engage “all parties concerned to prevent further escalation.” He also called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. “Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” he said.
• G7 and others: Amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in response to Iran's attack, the G7 nations said they would work together to "stabilize the situation" in the Middle East, according to a statement from Biden. Also, Jordan summoned Iran's ambassador in Amman on Sunday after it intercepted Iranian drones over the country.
• Meanwhile in Gaza: As thousands of Palestinians were turned away from returning to their homes in northern Gaza on Sunday, a 5-year-old girl was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers, her mother said. Video showed a man carrying a 5-year-old girl named Sally Abu Laila, who was bleeding from her head, with people crowding around her in panic trying to cover her wound.

Also on Sunday:

• Israel decided to lift its restrictions on large gatherings and to reopen schools on Monday.
• The US Department of Homeland Security has not identified any “specific or credible threats” to the US since Iran attacked Israel.

Blinken calls Turkish, Egyptian, Jordanian and Saudi counterparts following Iran's attack 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday spoke with his counterparts in Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia following Iran's attacks in Israel, according to readouts from the State Department. 

During his phone calls, Blinken emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation in the region and the importance of "a coordinated diplomatic response."

In his conversation with Jordan and Egypt, Blinken also underlined the significance of achieving an "enduring end to the crisis in Gaza."

Iran will be held responsible if any action is taken against the US or Israel, deputy ambassador warns

From CNN’s Abel Alvarado

The United States warned Iran against taking any action against the US or Israel during the UN Security Council emergency session over Iran’s attack on Israel.

“Let me be clear, if Iran or its proxies take actions against the US or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible,” US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said Sunday.

The United States is “not seeking escalation, our actions have been purely defensive in nature,” adding that the “best way to prevent such escalation is an unambiguous condemnation of the council of Iran’s unprecedented large-scale attack,” he said.

The envoy reiterated US support for Israel and condemned Iran’s attack. “Iran’s intent was to cause significant damage and death in Israel,” Wood said.

Wood also said the UN Security Council had an “obligation to not let Iran’s actions go unanswered.”

“For far too long, Iran has flagrantly violated its international legal obligations,” he said before listing occasions Iran has violated UN Security Council resolutions and international law.

Wood accused Iran of being in a “broad sense complicit” of the October 7 attack on Israel by providing “significant funding and training for the military wing of Hamas.”

He added the US will explore "additional measures to hold Iran accountable here in the UN.”

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