Yes. A federal Iraq eVisa covers the entire country, including the Kurdistan Region. If you enter Iraq through a federal point of entry such as Baghdad, Basra, or Najaf on an approved federal visa, you can travel north into Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok without obtaining a separate regional permit.
Movement between federal Iraq and Kurdistan
- 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 Kurdish checkpoints inspect passports and federal entry documentation before granting access.
- From Kurdistan to federal Iraq. A regional Kurdistan visa does not work in reverse. Visas issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government permit travel only within the northern governorates. Security checkpoints turn back travellers who attempt to enter federal territory without an approved federal entry document. Entering federal Iraq without a federal visa violates immigration law.
Points of entry and border control
- Federal entry points. Baghdad International Airport, Basra International Airport, and Najaf International Airport operate under federal immigration control. These airports require an approved federal visa obtained 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 operate under regional border administration. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirms that regional entry permits are valid for travel within the Kurdistan Region only. If you arrive from abroad directly into Erbil or Sulaymaniyah and intend to travel into federal Iraq, you must hold an approved federal Iraq visa before proceeding south.
Always carry physical paper printouts of your approved federal visa and entry stamps. Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity.