Travel Documents: Iraqi Passport Requirements And Restrictions

The Iraqi passport is a travel document issued to citizens of the Republic of Iraq for international travel. The latest version, introduced in March 2023, is an electronic passport that meets the International Civil Aviation Organization's high-security standards. It is valid for eight years and offers advanced technological features for convenience and ease of travel. To obtain an Iraqi passport, citizens must go through a process that includes providing necessary documents, such as a national ID card and a certificate of Iraqi nationality, and paying the required fees. As of December 2024, the Iraqi passport ranks 194th globally on the VisaGuide Passport Index, with visa-free access to 16 countries and territories.

Iraqi passports are issued by the Directorate of Passports, Ministry of Interior, or its branches in provinces

The "A" series of passports has been issued since 1 October 2009, and they differ from the previous "G" series in that they contain text in Arabic, Kurdish, and English. The page containing personal data in the "G" series has a field for the passport holder's signature or fingerprints, while in the "A" series, this field has been replaced by a barcode. The page containing biometric data is laminated in both series. The passport holder's signature is on page 3 in both series. "A" series passports have 48 pages and are valid for eight years. The passport number is perforated through the bottom of each page starting from page 3, and pages 4–48 are visa pages. All "A" series passports are personal, and children must have their own passport.

There are four different types of Iraqi passports:

• Regular passport (dark blue cover): Issued to all citizens of the Republic of Iraq. It is valid for four or eight years depending on the age of the passport applicant/holder. These passports are not extendable or renewable, and a new one must be obtained once expired.
• Diplomatic passport (ruby cover): Issued to Iraqi diplomats accredited overseas and their eligible dependents, and to citizens who reside in the Republic of Iraq and travel abroad for diplomatic work. Title and function of the bearer (diplomat) are listed on the data page of the Diplomatic Passport in addition to the standard information. It is valid for five years.
• Service passport (dark red cover): Issued to citizen-employees of the Republic of Iraq assigned overseas, Iraqi Government employees working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at the Iraqi Diplomatic Mission assigned abroad. Official Passports can be issued to other government officials who are travelling abroad, with prior approval, as well as to their spouses and children living in the same household. Title and function of the bearer (official) are listed on the data page of the Official Passport in addition to the standard information. It is valid for five years.
• Special passport (dark green cover): Issued to an Iraqi Citizen who needs to come back into Iraq; when issued, it is valid for thirty days or until the return trip is completed, and can be issued at an Iraqi Diplomatic Mission.

The Iraqi passport is ranked 194th globally on the VisaGuide Passport Index

The Iraqi passport is a travel document issued to citizens of the Republic of Iraq for international travel. As of December 2024, the Iraqi passport is ranked 194th globally on the VisaGuide Passport Index, which ranks the passports of 199 countries and territories. This ranking indicates that Iraqi citizens can travel visa-free to a limited number of countries, with varying levels of mobility compared to other passports.

The Iraqi passport has gone through several iterations, with the latest being the third-generation electronic passport, approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization. This new passport aims to simplify travel by reducing paperwork and administrative procedures. However, as of December 2024, Iraqi passport holders only have visa-free access to 16 countries and territories, which is significantly fewer than other passports with higher rankings.

To visit other destinations, Iraqi citizens need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or apply for a visa online in advance. The process for obtaining an eVisa is similar to that of a traditional visa, but without the need to visit a visa application centre. The application can be completed online, including any necessary payments. Once approved, travellers will receive a confirmation email and a document to print and bring when crossing borders.

The Iraqi passport's ranking of 194th globally highlights the restricted mobility for Iraqi citizens when compared to other nationalities. While the new electronic passport simplifies the travel process, the limited number of visa-free countries available to Iraqi passport holders presents challenges for those wishing to travel extensively.

The Iraqi passport has a validity of eight years from the date of issuance

The Iraqi passport is a travel document issued to citizens of the Republic of Iraq for international travel. The passport is valid for eight years from the date of issuance and cannot be extended. It is important to note that this applies specifically to the A-series and electronic passports.

The A-series passports, which began circulating in February 2010, feature several updates from the previous G-series. These include text in Arabic, Kurdish, and English, the replacement of the passport holder's signature or fingerprint field with a barcode, and the inclusion of 48 pages. The A-series passports are also personalised, with each page from page 3 perforated with the passport number. Additionally, these passports are non-renewable, and a new one must be obtained once they expire.

The electronic passport, introduced in March 2023, offers enhanced security and convenience for travellers. It includes a smart chip that stores the passport holder's information and a laser-printed photo. This allows passport holders to utilise electronic gates at airports, streamlining their travel experience.

To obtain an Iraqi passport, citizens must follow specific procedures, including submitting the necessary documents, providing biometric data, and paying the associated fees. The application process can be completed through a smartphone application, and the passport can be issued within a day of the request.

The Iraqi passport includes a smart chip (SIM card) that stores the passport holder's information

The Iraqi passport is a travel document issued to citizens of the Republic of Iraq for international travel. The latest version, introduced in March 2023, is a third-generation electronic passport that adheres to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) high-security standards. This electronic passport includes a smart chip (SIM card) that stores the passport holder's information. The inclusion of this smart chip offers several benefits, enhancing both security and convenience for Iraqi citizens travelling abroad.

Firstly, the smart chip significantly improves the security of the passport. It enables the storage of personal and biometric data, such as fingerprints and eye scans, in a secure digital format. This makes it difficult for unauthorised individuals to access or tamper with the passport holder's information, thereby reducing the risk of identity theft and passport forgery.

Secondly, the smart chip adds convenience to the travel process. The laser-printed photo on the passport allows for easy verification and enables passport holders to utilise electronic gates at airports, eliminating the need to wait in long passport queues. Additionally, the electronic passport can be issued and printed for Iraqi citizens residing outside of Iraq, making it more accessible to the Iraqi community worldwide.

To obtain an electronic Iraqi passport, individuals must follow several steps. They need to download the electronic passport application on their smartphones and book an appointment by providing their general information, including their full name, phone number, and national ID number. At the appointed time, they must visit the electronic passport office, where their personal information will be entered, and their fingerprints and eye scans will be taken. The process also includes payment of legal and printing fees, amounting to 25,000 IQD and an additional 50 USD or its equivalent.

The Iraqi passport has undergone several iterations, with the latest electronic version offering increased security and convenience for travellers. The inclusion of the smart chip (SIM card) that stores the passport holder's information is a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and ease of travel for Iraqi citizens.

The Iraqi passport has a dark blue cover

The Iraqi passport is a travel document issued to citizens of the Republic of Iraq for international travel. The passport has undergone several iterations, with the latest being the third-generation electronic passport, approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization and introduced in March 2023. This version has a dark blue cover and is intended to make travel more accessible by reducing the amount of paperwork and administrative procedures.

The dark blue cover distinguishes it as a regular passport, which is issued to all citizens of the Republic of Iraq. The colour is indicative of its purpose and applicability. The Iraqi passport also has three other types: diplomatic, service, and special passports, each with distinct cover colours and intended for specific categories of individuals.

The regular Iraqi passport with its dark blue cover is valid for either four or eight years, depending on the age of the applicant or holder. It is important to highlight that these passports cannot be extended or renewed; once they expire, citizens must obtain a new one.

The electronic passport, despite being paper-based, incorporates a smart chip (similar to a SIM card) that securely stores the passport holder's information. This technology enhances convenience and ease of travel, allowing holders to utilise electronic gates at airports without enduring lengthy passport queues.

The process of obtaining an Iraqi passport with a dark blue cover involves several steps. Firstly, individuals need to download the electronic passport application on their smartphone and book an appointment. During the appointment, an officer will collect the necessary personal information and biometric data, including fingerprints and eye scans. Following this, individuals must pay the required legal and printing fees, totalling 25,000 IQD plus an additional 50 USD or its equivalent in Iraqi dinars. The passport can be issued and printed for Iraqi citizens residing outside of Iraq, and there is also a passport delivery service available for added convenience.

Frequently asked questions