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International Restrictions:

The High Committee on Combating Coronavirus on 13/01/2021 and for the sake of protecting health security in Kurdistan Region have decided to issue this decree:

• FIRST: Preventing Iraqi Nationals’ travel via Kurdistan Region border points of entry to the following countries: (Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain, Brazil, USA, India, South Africa, Australia, Netherlands, Japan, and Zambia).

• SECOND: Preventing foreign nationals coming from the countries mentioned in the First Section above, except for United Nations organisations, International Organisations, Diplomats, and Official Delegations based on the health guidelines.

• THIRD: Iraqi Nationals returning from the countries mentioned in the First Section above must self-quarantine for (14) days according to the guidelines specified by Ministry of Health.

• FOURTH: Allowing travelers’ passage at the border points of entry (Haji Omran, Bashmakh, and Parwezkhan).

• FIFTH: The sections (Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth) of decree number 57 of the year 2020 will be implemented continuously.

• SIXTH: This Decree is effective from 12:00 mid-night on 15/01/2021.

Under new measures, the government decided to ban travel to Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran, Japan, and any other country that the Iraqi Ministry of Health would recommend. The council also banned the entry of foreign travelers to Iraq, except for Iraqi citizens, who must be quarantined for 14 days until they undergo PCR tests to prove that they are not infected with the virus. Ground border crossings are temporarily closed until further notice. Commercial flights are now operating to and from Iraq. All Iraqi airports are open. All inbound/outbound international passengers will need to have a certificate showing they have tested negative for COVID-19. Check with your airline for further information. Passengers on arrival must produce a negative COVID-19 test report obtained 72 hours prior to their flight. Otherwise, the traveller will be tested for COVID-19 at their own cost on arrival and will have to wait in isolation for 48 hours. If found positive, they will be transferred to a COVID-19 clinic. Transiting passengers will need a medical certificate indicating a negative COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours prior to departure. All people entering Iraq are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine and may be asked to provide proof of a hotel booking for quarantine purposes. Travellers arriving to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) must sign a pledge of accepting quarantine measures. A violation can lead to a fine of up to one million Iraqi dinars (approx 850 USD). The Iraqi CAA have medical teams deployed to all civil airports to screen travellers coming from affected countries when flights are in operation. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the Iraqi authorities. You may be required to quarantine on arrival. You should follow local authority instructions. *Entry rules in response to coronavirus: All inbound/outbound international passengers will need to have a certificate showing they have tested negative for COVID-19. Check with your airline for further information. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Health have introduced an online portal for inbound/bound passengers to register flight details and PCR test results. This does not apply to KRI.

*Screening: The Iraqi CAA have medical teams deployed to all civil airports to screen travellers coming from affected countries when flights are in operation. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the Iraqi authorities.

*Quarantine requirements: You may be required to quarantine on arrival. You should follow local authority instructions.

Internal Restrictions:

*Travel in Iraq: The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is subject to strict travel restrictions between provinces which are often introduced at short notice. These are published through local media and on www.moi.gov.krd. You should keep up to date with information from your sponsor or employer in Iraq and/or with your airline on the impact of any existing travel plans. If you need further information about entry requirements, contact the local immigration authorities or the nearest Iraqi Embassy.