Dear visitor, your commitment to the regulations and laws in force on the territory of the Republic of Iraq will avoid legal accountability before the competent authorities.



1- Entry Visa: Approval of the foreigner's entry into the territory of the Republic of Iraq shall be indicated in his passport or travel document.

2- Residence document: The document that includes the permission to reside in Iraq issued by the Directorate of Residence Affairs.

3- Deportation: The competent authority requests a foreigner lawfully residing in the Republic of Iraq to leave the country.

4- Expulsion: Return of a foreigner who illegally entered the territory of the Republic of Iraq outside the borders by a decision of the competent authority.

5- Departure visa: The approval of the competent authority for the foreigner's departure from the territory of the Republic of Iraq and shall be indicated in his passport.

6- Laissez-passer: Granted to a foreigner who lost or damaged his passport or travel document and his country did not have diplomatic representation within the territory of the Republic of Iraq.



For a foreigner to enter and exit the territory of the Republic of Iraq, the following conditions shall be met:

- To have a valid passport or travel document for a period of not less than (6) six months and valid for entering or leaving the Republic of Iraq.

- He must have a valid entry visa upon entry, marked in his passport or travel document with the entry stamp upon his arrival in the Republic of Iraq and with the exit stamp upon his departure.

- To follow the official border crossings in his entry and exit to and from the territory of the Republic of Iraq on his passport or travel document with the entry stamp upon his arrival in the Republic of Iraq and with the exit stamp upon his departure.

Entry visas to the Republic of Iraq are as follows:

A- Ordinary visa: entitles the holder to enter the territory of the Republic of Iraq once within (60) sixty days from the date of granting it and to reside in it for the said period.

B- Traffic Visa: Authorizes the holder to enter the territory of the Republic of Iraq once within (30) thirty days from the date of granting it and to stay in it for a period not exceeding (7) days.

C- Non-stop Passage Visa: Authorizes the holder to pass through the territory of the Republic of Iraq within (3) three days under the supervision of the competent authorities without stopping and for one time within (30) thirty days from the date of its grant.

D- Visit visa: The holder is entitled to enter the territory of the Republic of Iraq once within (90) ninety days from the date of granting it and to reside in it for a period of (30) thirty days, and the owner is not entitled to work anywhere in the Republic of Iraq, whether paid or unpaid.

E- Tourist visa: granted to visit tourist and religious areas and entitles the holder to enter the territory of the Republic of Iraq once within (60) sixty days from the date of granting and residence in it for a period of (30) thirty days and be sponsored by institutions, bodies and companies working in the field of tourism and the holder is not entitled to work anywhere in the Republic of Iraq, whether paid or unpaid, and sponsorship is not required if tourism is individually or family.

F- Special Visa: Granted by a decision of the Minister of Interior in coordination with the Minister of Foreign Affairs for considerations related to international courtesies, and the holder is entitled to stay in the Republic of Iraq for a period of (30) thirty days from the date of entry.

G- Emergency visa: granted by the residence officer to a foreigner who arrives in the territory of the Republic of Iraq intending to enter it and does not have an entry visa, provided that he informs the Director General directly.

H- Diplomatic visa: It is granted to persons holding diplomatic passports in accordance with instructions issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

I- Service Visa: Granted to persons holding service passports in accordance with instructions issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Interior or his authorized representative.



Multiple Visas types : -

1- Multiple-entry visa for a period of (3) three months.

2- Multiple-entry visa for a period of (6) six months.

3- Multiple-entry visa for a period of (1) one year.



To grant an entry visa, the following conditions are required:

- There is no impediment to his entry into the territory of the Republic of Iraq for reasons relating to public health, morals or public security or in coordination with the competent authorities;

- Not to be accused or convicted outside the Republic of Iraq of a felony.

- A decision to deport or remove him from the territory of the Republic of Iraq shall not have been issued until the reasons for his deportation or expulsion have ceased to exist.



The foreigner applying for a visa shall submit to the competent authority the following documents and data:

First: the purpose of entry.

Second: The party that will provide him with money in case he runs out.

Third: His address in the place where he will reside.

Fourth: Any information related to the granting of the visa requested by the competent authority.



- The sponsor stipulated in this law shall ensure the correctness of the information recorded in the application and to ensure that the sponsored person is brought or deported when necessary, or any other obligations imposed by the competent authority.

- The sponsored person is obligated not to work for non-sponsors, and the sponsor is obligated not to employ a foreigner who is not sponsored or sponsored by others.



- The sponsorship of a foreigner to work in the Republic of Iraq may be changed from one sponsor to another according to the following:

First: If the request for switching from state departments and the public sector to similar ones, the following conditions must be met:

A- Consent of the former guarantor and the subsequent guarantor.

B- Approval of the competent authority.

Second: If the request for switching from the private sector to the public sector shall be subject to the following conditions:

A- The consent of the former sponsor and the subsequent sponsor.

B- Approval of the competent authority.

C- The approval of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs if the sponsored person is one of the categories subject to the provisions of the Labor Law.



Third: If the request for replacement is from a private sector to work in another private sector, the following conditions are required:

A- Consent of the former guarantor and the subsequent guarantor.

B- The approval of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs if the sponsored person is one of the categories covered by the provisions of the Labor Law.

C- The sponsored person shall have a valid residence.



14. Persons responsible for the operation of any means of transport upon arrival in Iraqi territory shall submit to the residence officer a list of the names of passengers, their data and employees, as well as a list of the names of those who hold passports, travel documents or entry visas, or whose passports are suspected to be invalid.



15. First: A foreigner who has an employment contract or other obligations may not leave the Republic of Iraq until he obtains a departure visa from the competent authority, which must verify his clearance based on a document issued by the entity for which he works.



Second: The Minister or his authorized representative or the judicial authorities, when there are special reasons related to security or public order, may postpone the departure of a foreigner from the territory of the Republic of Iraq required by such reasons for a period not exceeding 30 (thirty) days.



Third: The foreigner shall be granted a departure visa valid for a period of (10) ten days, and the Director General shall have the authority to extend it for a period of (7) seven days if he is convinced of the reasons that prevented him from leaving within the said period.



16. The Minister or his authorized representative may decide to prevent the entry of a foreigner into the Republic of Iraq for reasons necessitated by the state of security or the public interest.



Residence of foreigners:

Anyone who employs a foreigner shall inform the residence officer within forty- eight (48) hours from the date of employing that foreigner or if he leaves the Republic of Iraq, and he must attach the foreigner's passport or labor card, if any, and the sponsor shall review the Directorate of Residence to finalize the procedures for canceling the residence of his sponsored person or changing his A- sponsorship.



Anyone who recruits a foreigner for the purpose of employment shall deposit financial security or a valid return card (travel ticket) to ensure the return of such B- foreigner.



19. First: A foreigner who wishes to stay in the Republic of Iraq for more than the period allowed in the ordinary visa shall, before the expiry of that period, obtain a residence card from the residence officer for a period not exceeding one (1) year, and he may, thirty (30) days before the date of its expiry, request its extension for another year, and this may be repeated several times as long as the justification for granting residence exists.

Second: The Director General of the Directorate of Public Residence may refuse to grant or extend residency to a foreigner if the public interest so requires, and the foreigner has the right to object to the rejection decision with the Minister within (15) fifteen days from the date of notification, provided that the objection is answered within a period not exceeding (30) thirty days from the date of submitting the objection.

Third: The Minister may, at any time, cancel the residence of foreigners before the expiry of its term for reasons of public interest.



Fourth: The resident whose residence period has expired must hand over the residence card granted to him by the residence officer when reviewing him to obtain the departure visa from the port.

Fifth: If the foreigner leaves the Republic of Iraq for a period exceeding (6) six months, the remaining period granted to him shall be canceled, and upon his return, he shall obtain a new residence document.



20- The foreigner who lost his passport, travel document or residence card must inform the residence officer within (3) three days from the date of loss according to the form prepared for that and announce this at his expense in two local newspapers and after the lapse of (15) fifteen days from the date of publication he shall be granted a residence document (lost allowance) and give him a letter to the embassy of his country through the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including residence data. The same measures shall be taken in case of damage, except for publication in local newspapers.



21. First: The Director General of the Directorate of Public Residence or his authorized representative may allow a foreigner to reside in the Republic of Iraq for a period of (3) three years for each time renewed upon request for the same period, provided that he provides a useful service to the country in one of the following cases:



A- A person born in the Republic of Iraq and continues to reside therein.

B- He continued to reside in the Republic of Iraq for a period of fifteen (15) years or more, and his entry was lawful.



- A foreigner who provides scientific, cultural or artistic works and services to the country and has been resident in the Republic of Iraq for three (3) years.



- A resident in the Republic of Iraq for a period of not less than (6) six years under an employment or employment contract with the government and wishes to reside after the expiry of his contract.



- Whoever obtained affiliation in one of the seminaries for the purpose of studying therein.



- Investors and businessmen who have investment or commercial business within the country.



Third: The Director General of the Directorate of Public Residence or his authorized representative may allow foreign women married to Iraqis to reside in the Republic of Iraq.



Fourth: The Director General or his authorized representative may allow a foreigner married to an Iraqi woman to reside in the Republic of Iraq for the stipulated period.



22. The Minister may decide to prohibit a foreigner absolutely, or with the restrictions he specifies, from passing, roaming or residing in the areas specified by him by a statement published in a local newspaper for reasons of security or public order.



23. The period spent by a foreigner in the Republic of Iraq from the period of applying for residence until obtaining a legal residence permit shall be considered after completing all the conditions stipulated in the law.



Deportation and expulsion of foreigners:

24. The Directorate of Public Residence, in accordance with its competence, shall follow up on foreigners who enter Iraqi territory on entry visas and do not leave it within the period authorized to them, as well as foreigners whose residence permit expires and do not take the initiative to extend it within the specified date and take legal action against them.



25. The Ministry shall carry out inspection campaigns to ensure that laws and decisions are not violated, and to follow the legal procedures prescribed for inspection and to arrest violators of the following categories:

First: Infiltrators and those who smuggle them and help them enter and stay in Iraqi territory.

Second: Those who employ are not sponsored.

Third: Those who do not employ their sponsors and leave them to work for others.

Fourth: Sponsored persons fleeing from their sponsors and those who work for others.

Fifth: Perpetrators of any other violation.



26. The Director-General or his authorized representative shall have the authority to remove a foreigner who has illegally entered the territory of the Republic of Iraq beyond the borders.



27. The Minister or his authorized representative may deport a foreigner who has entered Iraq legally if it is proved that he has not fulfilled any of the conditions stipulated in Article (8) of this Law or a resident who loses one of these conditions after his entry.



28. When it is not possible to deport or expel an alien or if he is stateless, the Minister or his authorized representative may determine his place of residence for a period specified in the decision until he is deported or expelled from Iraqi territory.



29. When it is not possible to deport or expel an alien from the Republic of Iraq and he is feared by the General Security, the Minister or whoever authorizes him may determine his place of residence for a temporary period until his deportation or expulsion.



30. The decision to deport an alien may include members of his family charged with supporting them, provided that they are mentioned in the deportation decision.



31. The Minister or his authorized representative may decide to deport an alien against whom a final court ruling has been issued recommending his deportation from the territory of the Republic of Iraq.



32. An alien who has previously been deported from the territory of the Republic of Iraq may not return to it except by a decision of the Minister and after the reasons for deportation have ceased to exist.



33. First: The expenses of deporting the foreigner and his family or removing him and his family from the Republic of Iraq shall be at his own expense or at the expense of his sponsor, and if he does not have sufficient money, it shall be at the expense of the State to which he belongs, otherwise the Ministry shall bear the expenses of deportation or expulsion, provided that he is prevented from entering the Republic of Iraq again.



Second: The Director General or his authorized representative may issue a laissez-passer that is not valid for return to a foreigner whose validity period has expired or whose passport or travel document has expired and whose country does not have diplomatic representation in the Republic of Iraq.



34. A foreigner whose deportation or expulsion order has been issued may request a period not exceeding sixty (60) days to liquidate his interests in Iraq under the guarantee of an Iraqi guarantor, and the Director-General or whoever is authorized to extend this period so that it does not exceed 60 (sixty) days.



35. The Director-General or whoever is authorized by him shall have the right to deport the foreigner whose residence has been refused and whose refusal decision has acquired the final degree.



Final provisions

49. The residency officer shall have the right to enter the places where foreigners are located inside Iraqi territory and in any means of transport, whether land, air or sea, for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act.



51.First: The Director-General or whoever he authorizes may express an opinion to the Personal Status Court on applications for approval of the marriage of a foreigner to an Iraqi woman in the following cases:



A- Has a legitimate entry into the Republic of Iraq.

B- Whoever works with an official contract in the state departments or the private sector or who entered Iraqi territory with one of the features mentioned in this law after the written consent of the woman wishing to marry and her guardian before the Directorate of Residence.

C- Has a means of subsistence that qualifies him to reside with his wife.

D- He must not be accused or convicted for reasons related to public order or morals.

E- Its safety from infectious and communicable diseases and acquired immunodeficiency.