Can I enter Iraq with a foreign passport if I was born in Iraq?

Being born in Iraq does not automatically grant entry without a visa on a foreign passport. Iraqi authorities determine entry rules from your passport nationality, legal citizenship status, and travel documents.

Review these official rules before you travel:

1. Consular rule and airline checks. Guidance from the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq states that persons born in Iraq who hold foreign passports do not require a visa to enter Iraq. However, commercial airlines check passport nationality before departure. Airlines often require travellers born in Iraq to carry an entry visa to prevent boarding refusal during transit.

2. Consular fee waiver. Foreign passport holders of Iraqi origin can obtain an entry visa before departure through an Iraqi embassy or consulate. Consular visa fees are waived when you submit proof of Iraqi origin, such as an identity card or nationality certificate from either parent. Your foreign passport must remain valid for at least six months from the application date.

3. Return on Iraqi documents. If you hold a valid Iraqi passport, enter on that document without a visa. If your Iraqi passport is expired or lost, apply for an official six-month transit document at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in London before booking travel.

4. Authority for uncertain status. Birthplace alone does not establish legal citizenship at border control. If your legal status is unclear, an Iraqi embassy consular section or the Directorate of Civil Status, Passports and Residency must confirm your case before you book flights.

5. Protect identity documents. Never send original national identity cards or certificates through unverified delivery services or give them to unauthorized third parties. Use official consular channels and keep secure digital copies.

Checked on 2026-10-07.