Business Visa Services for Iraq
Last updated: September 2026
Iraq Business Visa Requirements & Application Support
A visa for Iraq and a visa for the Kurdistan Region are two separate systems. One doesn’t grant entry to the other, and getting this wrong at the border is a common, avoidable mistake for first-time business travelers.
Both regions require a sponsor for a work permit: your employer (or the company sponsoring you) carries the legal responsibility and submits a motivational letter, along with the required forms and employment contract, before the permit is issued. Work permits are typically valid for one year and renewable, with renewal paperwork due at least a month before expiry.
Federal Iraq
- Business e-visa application through Iraq's official e-Visa system, or on arrival for eligible nationalities
- Visitor visas valid up to 30 days; a work permit is required separately for employment
- Employer-sponsored work permit application, submitted before arrival
Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
- Separate e-visa system via the Kurdistan e-visa portal: some nationalities apply directly, others need a local guarantor
- Visa on arrival available at Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports for eligible nationalities (30 days)
- Residency card ("Kurdistan Residency Card") required for anyone staying for work or ordinary residence, sponsored by an Iraqi national or a KRI-registered company
- E-visas can be converted into a work visa after arrival, once a work permit is secured
Who This Is For
First-time business travelers to Iraq or the Kurdistan Region, employers sponsoring foreign staff, and investors who plan to stay for work. The two regions use separate visa systems, so it matters which one applies before you travel.
How It Works
1. Decide where you will work. Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are separate systems; a visa for one does not grant entry to the other.
2. Choose the entry route. Business e-visa or visa on arrival for eligible nationalities; in the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan e-visa portal or arrival at Erbil or Sulaymaniyah airports.
3. Secure the work permit. The employer or sponsoring company submits a motivational letter, the required forms and the employment contract. Permits are typically valid for one year and renewable, with renewal paperwork due at least a month before expiry.
4. Complete residency where required. In the Kurdistan Region, anyone staying for work needs the Kurdistan Residency Card. For company-side steps, see company registration in Iraq and legal services in Iraq.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The two visa systems are separate: a visa for Iraq does not grant entry into the Kurdistan Region, and vice versa.
The employer acts as sponsor and submits a motivational letter to the relevant authority, along with the employment contract and required forms, before the employee arrives.