No. You cannot visit Baghdad or any part of federal Iraq with a Kurdistan Region entry permit. A visa or entry permit issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government is valid only within the Kurdistan Region, which covers Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. If you travel toward Baghdad on a Kurdistan permit, security checkpoints will stop you and turn you back.
Movement between regions
- From Kurdistan to federal Iraq. Internal checkpoints between the Kurdistan Region and federal territory inspect travel documents. Officials turn back travellers who lack a federal visa. Entering federal Iraq without a federal visa violates immigration law.
- From federal Iraq to Kurdistan. Travellers who enter federal Iraq on a valid federal visa can travel north into the Kurdistan Region by road or domestic flight. Regional security checkpoints inspect passports and federal visas before allowing entry.
Entry points
- Federal entry points. Baghdad International Airport, Basra International Airport, and Najaf International Airport require an approved federal visa. These airports do not accept Kurdistan regional permits. You can apply for a federal visa through the Iraqi Electronic Visa Portal or an Iraqi diplomatic post such as the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C..
- Kurdistan entry points. Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah International Airport accept Kurdistan regional permits. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office notes that regional permits remain valid for the Kurdistan Region only. If you land in Erbil or Sulaymaniyah and plan to visit Baghdad, obtain an approved federal Iraqi visa before attempting the journey.
Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity.
Checked on 2026-10-08.