Iraq Visa for Indians: A Definitive Guide (2025)

Travelling to Iraq from India involves navigating some specific visa requirements, document approvals, and safety/regional considerations. This guide combines official policy, current practice, and best advice so you can plan smoothly.

Overview: Who needs a visa & which type

Indian passport holders must obtain a visa before travel to Iraq. There is no visa-on-arrival or purely tourist e-visa for most parts of Iraq under current regulations — especially for Indian nationals. Sherpa, Official Iraq Embassy Delhi, etc.

Here are the major visa types relevant:

Visa Type	Purpose	Issuing Authority
Business Visa	Meetings, conferences, commercial negotiations, exhibitions etc.	Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Delhi + Approval from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Interior.
Visit / Family / Host / Religious Visit	Visiting family or hosts, religious pilgrimage etc.	Embassy + Ministry approval. Note: Tourist/Visit visa has limitations (see below)
Transit / Other Special Visas	If passing through or special cases.	Embassy + relevant ministries.

Tourist / Visit Visa — What you need to know

From the official Embassy of Iraq in Delhi:

• A Visit or Tourist Visa allows a single entry into Iraq, valid for three months from the date of grant.
• However, there is some ambiguity in sources: some clarify that tourist visa is not issued for Indian nationals (in practice many sources say “Tourist Visa not issued” but the Embassy website indicates it is issued as “Visit or Tourism Visa”) depending on changing policy.

So, it is crucial before applying to confirm via the Embassy (Delhi) whether a tourist/visit visa is currently being granted for your specific purpose. Policy has changed over time.

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Key Requirements & Documents

Indian applicants must satisfy various criteria and produce specific documents. The process is not purely bureaucratic; approvals from Iraqi ministries are involved. Below are the essentials, plus what tends to delay applications.

Passport

• Valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Iraq.
• Must have at least blank pages for visa stamps. Usually 2-3 blank pages.

Photographs

• Recent passport-size coloured photos, white background. Usually 4 photographs.

Visa Application Form

• Typed or printed form (hand-written might not be accepted).
• Filled completely with accurate personal, travel and contact details.

Covering / Invitation Letter

• If you are going on business, you need an invitation from an Iraqi company or entity. That invitation must often include: name of inviting organization, address, names of persons, reason for visit etc.
• If going for visit/host, sometimes a sponsor or host in Iraq will need to send certain approvals.

Ministry Approval (Iraq)

• For business visas, and sometimes for “visit/hospitality /hosted stay” visas, one must secure approval from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Interior. The sponsor or inviting party in Iraq often initiates this. The applicant in India must then present the approval copy at the time of submitting at the Embassy.

Proof of Funds, Itinerary & Accommodation

• Bank statements (recent, typically last 3-6 months) showing you can cover your stay.
• Return flight tickets.
• Hotel reservations or address of the host.

Medical / Health Requirements

• Some sources say a medical fitness certificate is needed, including tests for HIV, hepatitis, etc.
• In some cases doctors’ reports / health certificates need to be sealed or attested.

Other Supporting Documents

• Employer’s NOC / leave letter if employed.
• If self-employed, company registration, business license, etc.
• Income tax returns etc. for proof of financial status.

Processing Time & Fee

Understanding this helps plan well and avoid last-minute issues.

Stage	Time Required / Notes
Ministry Approval (Iraq side)	For business / host-sponsored cases: 10-20 working days depending on complexity.
Embassy Processing	Once all documents + approvals are submitted, the local Embassy (Delhi) typically takes a few additional days (≈ 4-7 business days, sometimes more) to issue visa.
Total	Plan at least 3-5 weeks ahead for business visa; for visit visas, if issued, similar timelines to allow for approvals.

Fees:

• The visa fee depends on the visa type (single vs multiple entry), duration, and purpose. Official Embassy site will list specific fees.
• Some third-party agencies quote rates (including their service fees) of INR ~ 5,000 or more for business visa processing, but such quotations vary. These are not official Embassy fees.

Important Caveats & Regional Advice

Security / Regions to Avoid

• The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued travel advisories recommending that Indians avoid or be cautious when travelling to certain provinces in Iraq such as Nineveh (Mosul), Salahuddin, Anbar, Kirkuk, and Diyala due to security concerns.
• Even if your visa is approved, local authorities might restrict movement in sensitive areas. Be aware of recent notices before travel.

Tourist Visa Issues

• Some sources say that tourist/visit visas are not currently issued for Indian nationals. This appears in sites maintained by visa service providers.  For example, “Tourist visa not issued” in some listing of visa types for Indians.
• However, the Embassy website states that a Visit/Tourism Visa is a category offered. Because of conflicting information, always verify status with the Iraqi Embassy in Delhi at time of application.

Electronic / E-Visa

• As of now, Indian nationals do not generally have the option of applying via an e-Visa portal for the whole of Iraq through official channels. Most visa applications must go through embassy + ministry approvals. Sherpa and other intermediaries clarify that e-Visa is available only for the Kurdistan Region under certain conditions and with a guarantor.
• The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has some autonomy on visas; however, travelling to rest of Iraq still requires the standard Embassy route.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Here’s a checklist-style process to follow:

1. Decide visa type (Business, Visit/Host, etc.). Confirm whether Tourist/Visit visas are being issued at that time.
2. Obtain sponsor / invitation if required (Iraqi company, host, family etc.). The sponsor may need to apply to Iraqi ministries for approval.
3. Gather all documents: Passport, photos, forms, proof of funds, invitation s, etc. Make sure everything is up to date.
4. Medical check if required. Go to the prescribed medical facility.
5. Apply at Embassy of Iraq, Delhi: Submit all paperwork, Ministry approval (if needed), pay fee.
6. Track application (embassy may give receipt or file number).
7. Collect visa/passport once issued. Check visa sticker for correctness (dates, entries etc).
8. Travel planning: Ensure you carry all documents including invitation, passport, medical certificate etc. and are aware of internal security advisories.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Problem	How to Mitigate
Ministry approval delays	Begin that step early. Ensure your sponsor in Iraq is reliable & knows what documents the ministry demands. Follow up.
Mistakes in forms/photos	Use typed forms. Make sure photos meet size/background. No old or reused photos. Double-check names, spellings etc.
Insufficient proof of finances/accommodation	Provide recent bank statements, tax returns, confirmed tickets and bookings. Over-document rather than under.
Conflicting information about tourist visas	Directly contact Embassy of Iraq in Delhi. Avoid reliance solely on third-party visa agents or “visa service websites” without checking Embassy sources.
Traveling to risky zones	Stay updated via Indian MEA advisories. Register with local embassy/contact in Iraq. Plan your internal itinerary safely.

Cost & Approximate Estimates (2025)

Here is a rough-estimate of costs & time, to help budget and plan. These are indicative; Embassy may change fees.

Item	Estimate in INR / USD	Notes
Business Visa + Embassy fees	USD ~ 40 – 100+ depending on entry type / single vs multiple	plus cost to get approvals, invitation, sponsor work etc.
Service/Agent Fees (if using visa service)	INR ~ 2,000-7,000 extra depending on agent / speed	Many quotes show INR ~ 5,299 for business visa via agents.
Medical Certificate / Tests	Varies locally; expect several thousand INR depending on clinic & tests required	HIV, hepatitis etc or whatever embassy demands.
Time Buffer	At least 3-5 weeks for business / visit visa; more if unusual circumstances or if approvals delayed

Safety, Entry & Travel Tips Once Visa is Approved

• Always carry hard copies of invitation letters, sponsor contact info, funding proofs, medical certificates.
• Carry multiple passport‐size photos in case border authorities ask.
• Identify safe accommodation. Share your itinerary with someone back home.
• Respect cultural, religious and local laws. In some areas, restrictions, curfews may apply.
• Monitor travel advisories from Ministry of External Affairs (India) and local Iraq sources.

Recent Changes and Trends

• There has been a trend in Iraq towards electronic visas (e-Visas) or visa waivers for certain nationalities. But for Indian nationals, the policy remains relatively strict and tied to Embassy and ministry approvals.
• Security conditions remain fluid, especially in provinces like Nineveh, Anbar, Kirkuk, Salahuddin, Diyala; these regions often figure in advisories.
• The Embassy of Iraq in Delhi periodically updates its requirements (e.g. medical fitness, number of photos, approval requirements); applicants must rely on the latest version of information directly from the Embassy site.

Read More: Costa Rica Visa for Indians

Conclusion

For Indian passport holders, obtaining an Iraq visa demands advance planning, accurate documentation, and working through the multiple layers of approval—especially for business or host‐sponsored visits. Tourist/visit visas may be possible but are subject to official policy which can change; always verify with the Embassy. Starting early, ensuring completeness of documents, and being aware of safety and regional advisories help avoid delays or rejections.

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