Travellers holding an ordinary United States passport must obtain a visa to enter federal Iraq.
Follow these rules based on your destination and travel route:
- Passport validity. Your ordinary United States passport must be undamaged and remain valid for at least six months from the application date.
- Federal Iraq travel. For travel to federal destinations such as Baghdad, Basra, or Najaf, you can apply online through the official Iraqi Electronic Visa portal. The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C. confirms that this online portal removes the need to visit an embassy. Prepare your passport, a digital photograph with a white background, proof of residency, and an email address. Print your approved visa to present at border control. The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C. also notes that US passport holders can obtain an entry visa directly at Iraqi airports without prior approval. Travellers can also request a consular visa through the embassy, where a one-year multiple-entry tourist visa costs 150 USD under reciprocity rules. Keep a confirmed return or onward flight ticket to prevent boarding delays.
- Kurdistan Region travel. If your trip is only within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, you can apply through the regional government online portal or obtain a visa on arrival at regional entry points such as Erbil or Sulaymaniyah. Visas issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government allow travel only inside the Kurdistan Region and do not permit travel into federal Iraq.
- Consular assistance. Travellers who need consular help or have questions about dual nationality can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C.. Official entry conditions are established and enforced by Iraqi border authorities.
Checked on 2026-10-08.