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Looking to fly to Iraq. Let the experts of Middle East Travel
plan your trip. The fastest way to book your tickets is to use Middle East Travel. Middle
East Travel books flights to Iraq using Royal Jordanian Airlines and will make sure all the details are taken
care of.
You can not book Airline tickets from the U.S. to Iraq on the
Internet.
Jordan Travel currently books for Many companies that travel to Iraq including The
American University in Iraq and Bennett Fouch Associates.
Call 1-866-780-1877 to Reserve
Open 6 Days a Week 9am -10pm Eastern
Travel Tips when flying to Iraq
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Passports valid for at least six
months and visas are required for most private American citizens. An Iraqi visa may be obtained through the
Iraqi Embassy in Washington, D.C. Travelers should not rely on obtaining a visa upon arrival at an airport
or port of entry in Iraq. Visitors to Iraq who plan to stay for more than 10 days must obtain a no-fee
residency stamp. In Baghdad, the stamps are available for all visitors at the main Residency Office near
the National Theater. Contractors in the International Zone may also obtain exit stamps at the Karadah
Mariam Police Station (available Sunday and Wednesday, 10:00-14:00.). There is a 10,000 Iraqi dinar (USD 8)
penalty for visitors who do not obtain the required residency stamp. In order to obtain a residency stamp,
applicants must produce valid credentials or proof of employment, two passport-sized photos, and HIV test
results. An American citizen who plans to stay longer than two months must apply at the Residency Office
for an extension. Americans traveling to Iraq for the purpose of employment should check with their
employers and with the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, D.C. for any special entry or exit requirements related to
employment. American citizens whose passports reflect travel to Israel may be refused entry into Iraq or
may be refused an Iraqi visa, although to date there are no reported cases of this occurring.
U.S. citizens who remain longer than 10 days must obtain an exit stamp at the main Residency Office before
departing the country. In Baghdad, they are available for all visitors at the main Residency Office near the
National Theater. Contractors in the International Zone may also obtain exit stamps at the Karadah Mariam
Police Station (available Sunday and Wednesday, 10:00-14:00). Exit stamp fees vary from USD 20 to USD 200,
depending on the length of stay, entry visa and other factors. Those staying fewer than 10 days do not need to
get an exit stamp before passing through Iraqi immigration at the airport. Visitors who arrive via military
aircraft but depart on commercial airlines must pay a USD 80 departure fee at the airport.
Note: For information on entry requirements for other countries, please go to the Entry/Exit Requirements
section in the Country Specific Information Sheet for the country you are interested in at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html. You
may also contact the U.S. embassy or consulate of that country for further information.
Visit the Iraqi Embassy web site at http://www.iraqiembassy.us for the
most current visa information. The Embassy is located at 1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; phone number
is 202-742-1600; the fax is 202-333-1129.
Information about click the following link for dual nationality. For further information
about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Basic modern medical care and medicines are not widely available in Iraq. The recent
conflict in Iraq has left some medical facilities non-operational and medical stocks and supplies severely
depleted. The facilities in operation do not meet U.S. standards, and the majority lack medicines,
equipment and supplies. Because the Baghdad International Airport has limited operations for security
reasons, it is unlikely that a private medical evacuation can be arranged.
Iraq does not allow visitors with HIV/AIDS to enter the country. At this time there is no waiver available for
this ineligibility. However, please inquire directly with the Embassy of Iraq at http://www.iraqiembassy.org before you travel for any changes.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite
protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health
Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
AVIAN INFLUENZA: The WHO and Iraqi authorities have confirmed human cases of the H5NI strain of avian
influenza, commonly known as the "bird flu." Travelers to Iraq and other countries affected by the virus are
cautioned to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be
contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. In addition, the CDC and WHO recommend eating only
fully cooked poultry and eggs. For the most current information and links on avian influenza, see the State
Department's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance
company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover
emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation as well as whether medical evacuation would be possible from
Iraq. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ
significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Iraq is provided for
general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
All vehicular travel in Iraq is extremely dangerous. There have been numerous attacks on civilian vehicles, as
well as military convoys. Attacks occur throughout the day, but travel at night is exceptionally dangerous and
should be avoided. There have been attacks on civilian vehicles as well as military convoys on Highways 1, 5,
10 and 15, even during daylight hours. Travelers are strongly urged to travel in convoys with at least four
vehicles in daylight hours only. Travel in or through Ramadi and Fallujah, in and between al-Hillah,
al-Basrah, Kirkuk, and Baghdad and between the International Zone and Baghdad International Airport, and from
Baghdad to Mosul is particularly dangerous. Occasionally, U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from
traveling to select areas depending on prevailing security conditions. There continues to be heavy use of
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and/or mines on roads, particularly in plastic bags, soda cans, and dead
animals. Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded
areas. Travel should be undertaken only when absolutely necessary and with the appropriate
security.
Buses run irregularly and frequently change routes. Poorly maintained city transit vehicles are often involved
in accidents. Long distance buses are available, but are often in poor condition and drive at unsafe
speeds. Jaywalking is common. Drivers usually do not yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and ignore
traffic lights (if available), traffic rules and regulations. Roads are congested. Driving at night is
extremely dangerous. Some cars do not use lights at night and urban street lights may not be
functioning. Some motorists drive at excessive speeds, tailgate and force other drivers to yield the right of
way. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by air carriers registered
in Iraq, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority for
compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more
information, travelers may visit the FAA web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
There is credible information that terrorists are targeting civil aviation. Military aircraft arriving and
departing from Baghdad International Airport (ORBI) have been subjected to small arms and missile
fire. Travelers choosing to utilize civilian aircraft to enter or depart Iraq should be aware that, although
there have been no recent attacks on civilian aircraft, the potential threat still exists. Official U.S.
Government (USG) personnel are strongly encouraged to use U.S. military or other USG aircraft when entering or
departing Iraq. All personnel serving in Iraq under Chief of Mission (COM) authority are prohibited from
entering or departing ORBI on commercial airlines unless they receive COM approval, which is granted on a
case-by-case basis for emergency purposes only. Other personnel not under COM authority must be guided by
their own agencies. Personnel under COM authority assigned to the Erbil and Sulaymaniyah areas are permitted
to use commercial flights in and out of Erbil on a case-by-case basis.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: As of September 21, 2006, Iraqi law prohibits adult Iraqis and foreigners from holding and
transporting more than U.S. $10,000 in cash out of Iraq. In addition, it permits adult Iraqi and
resident foreigners to hold and transport no more than 200,000 Iraqi dinars to cover travel
expenses. Iraqi law also prohibits taking more than 100 grams of gold out of the country. Iraqi
customs personnel are taking action to enforce these laws and may pose related questions to travelers during
immigration and customs exit procedures. (Civil customs personnel also will verify passport annotations
related to any items such as foreign currency, gold jewelry, or merchandise that were declared by passengers
upon entry into Iraq on Form-8.)
All U.S. citizens are reminded that it is their duty to respect Iraqi laws, including legal restrictions on the
transfer of currency outside of Iraq. If you are detained at the airport or at any other point of exit
regarding your attempt to transfer currency out of Iraq, you should contact – or ask that Iraqi authorities
immediately contact -- the American Embassy.
Transporting large amounts of currency is not advisable. Almost all of the international companies working in
Iraq have the capability to make payments to their employees and at least four Iraqi banks are also able to convert
cash into an international wire transfer directed to a bank account outside Iraq. Branches of the Credit Bank
of Iraq on Al-Sa’adoon St., Baghdad (creditbkiq@yahoo.com), Dar Es Salaam Bank (info@desiraq.com), Iraqi Middle East Investment Bank (coinvst@iraqimdlestbank.com) and Al-Warqaa Investment Bank (warkabank@hotmail.com) all have this capability. Please be aware that large wire transfers may require Central Bank
of Iraq approval because of measures in place to combat money laundering. Such approvals can be obtained
by the sending bank, if information on the origin of the funds and the reason for its transfer are
provided. Additional information on banking in Iraq is available at the Central Bank of Iraq web
site http://www.cbi.iq/.
Customs and MNF-I officers have the broad authority to search persons or vehicles at Iraq ports of
entry. Officers may confiscate any goods that may pose a threat to the peace, security, health, environment,
or good order of Iraq or any antiquities or cultural items suspected of being illegally exported. Goods that
are not declared may be confiscated by an officer. Persons may also be ordered to return such goods, at their
expense, to the jurisdiction from which they came. Please see our Customs Information.
The banking and financial infrastructure has been disrupted and is in the process of rebuilding. Hotels usually
require payment in foreign currency. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are extremely limited but the Trade Bank
of Iraq (TBI) provides ATM services in dinars and U.S. dollars at the TBI head office in central Baghdad and two
other locations (See http://www.tbiraq.com.)
Telecommunications are very poor. There is limited international phone service in Iraq at this
time. Local calls are often limited to a neighborhood network. There are no public telephones in the cities;
however, calls may be made from hotels, restaurants or shops. Limited cellular telephone service and Internet
service are available in Iraq.
Due to security conditions, the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is able to provide only limited emergency
services to U.S. citizens. Because police and civil structures are in the process of being rebuilt, emergency
service and support will be limited.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations,
which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections
available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in
the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Iraqi laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled,
arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Iraq are
severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual
conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime,
prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: The U.S. and international media have occasionally reported on the difficult situation faced
by Iraq's children, and it is completely understandable that some American citizens want to respond to such
stories by offering to open their homes and adopt these children in need. However Iraqi law does not
permit full adoptions as they are generally understood in the United States. It is not possible to adopt
Iraqi children at this time. For more information on this issue, please refer to our flyer Intercountry
Adoptions – Iraq.
Iraq is not party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, nor are there any
international or bilateral treaties in force between Iraq and the United States dealing with international parental child abduction. The security situation in Iraq limits consular access to children.
For more information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: The Travel Warning on Iraq urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Iraq. However,
Americans living or traveling in Iraq despite that Warning are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Iraq. Americans
without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of
emergency. U.S. citizens may also contact the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq located
in the International Zone via e-mail at baghdadacs@state.gov, via landline at 1-240-553-0581, extension 2413
(this number rings in Baghdad) or the U.S. Embassy's web site at http://iraq.usembassy.gov. The
after-hours number in case of extreme emergency is 011-964-770-443-2594 (from the US) or 964-0770-443-2594
(within Iraq.)
* * * * * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information for Iraq dated January 22, 2008, to update sections on Country
Description, Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Aviation Safety Oversight, and
Registration/Embassy Location.
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