To visit holy shrines in Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, or Samarra, you need a visa valid for Federal Iraq. A visa for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is not valid for these cities.
Your visa type depends on your citizenship, whether you travel alone or with an organised group, and your application route:
- Independent travellers with eligible citizenship. If your passport nationality qualifies for the self-service online visa, apply through the Iraqi Electronic Visa Portal. This electronic visa permits travel across Federal Iraq for up to 30 days to visit religious and cultural sites.
- Organised group pilgrimages. Pilgrims travelling with a registered tour group can receive a religious visit visa arranged by an authorised tour operator coordinating with licensed pilgrimage companies in Iraq, as regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq.
- Nationalities requiring embassy processing. If your passport country is not eligible for the electronic portal, you must apply for a visit visa at an Iraqi embassy or consulate before travel.
Key rules to follow:
- Passport validity. Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity.
- Citizenship. Entry rules depend solely on your passport nationality. Foreign residence permits, third-country visas, or your place of birth do not change your visa eligibility.
- Entry ports. Enter through a Federal Iraq airport, such as Najaf (NJF) or Baghdad (BGW), or an authorized federal border crossing.
- Non-standard documents. Refugee travel documents, emergency passports, and stateless travel documents cannot use the online portal and must apply through an embassy.
Checked on 2026-10-07.