Iraq travel guide

Everything to know before you travel to Iraq: the visa, the best time to go, getting there, etiquette at holy sites, and suggested routes through the highlights.

The visa

Visit visas for Iraq are issued online through the Ministry of Interior’s official platform, the single portal for all of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.

For many nationalities visa on arrival ended in March 2025, so apply a few days before you travel.
Iraqi health insurance is required and is bought on the same platform with your application.
You need a valid passport, a digital photo and an email address; fees are paid online.
The visa arrives by email. Print it and show it on arrival.

Apply for a visa ↗Step-by-step visa guide

Before you go

When to go: October to April, when the weather is mild. Summers are extremely hot and often pass 45°C.
Getting there: International airports in Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
At religious sites: Wear modest clothing covering arms and legs; women should cover their hair at shrines, and some inner areas may be restricted. Najaf and Karbala fill with millions of pilgrims in religious seasons, above all at Arbaeen.
Start at the museum: The Iraq Museum in Baghdad holds treasures from most of these sites, including the Warka Vase.
Permits and guides: Some remote sites need prior coordination with the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, or a local guide.
Safety: Read your government’s travel advice and check local conditions before travelling between provinces.
Respect the sites: Don’t climb ancient walls or take anything away, not even a pottery shard.