Prepare your own departure plan, with a backup plan to shelter if travel becomes unsafe. Do not rely on a government evacuation. The FCDO warns that consular support is severely limited in areas where it advises against travel.
- Check your government's Iraq travel advisory and local authorities' instructions. Assess your actual location in federal Iraq or the Kurdistan Region, not Iraq as one uniform risk area. Keep family or friends informed of your plans.
- Keep your family's travel documents current and accessible. Before choosing a route, ask the relevant authorities about exit, transit and destination entry requirements for everyone's nationality and documents. This answer does not establish permission to cross a border.
- Confirm flights with the airline before travelling to an airport. Check the actual airport's official updates. Erbil Airport provides flight information for the Kurdistan Region; it does not confirm operations at Baghdad or other federal Iraqi airports. Do not assume a road escape to another airport or border is safe. FCDO describes road travel in Iraq as dangerous.
- Prepare a grab bag with documents and essential medicines. Keep food and water for several days where you stay. Arrange trusted transport and discuss available help with your insurer, travel provider and employer if applicable.
- If authorities advise sheltering, stay indoors or use the nearest safe building or designated shelter. Stay away from windows. Contact your own country's consular service if you need help.
No route, flight or evacuation is guaranteed by this answer.
Sources: FCDO Iraq advisory, FCDO crisis preparation, FCDO transport and security advice, Erbil International Airport.
Checked on 2026-10-25.