U.S. limits visa issuance in Iraq amid staff reductions

ERBIL, January 26 — The United States has temporarily suspended general public visa issuance in Iraq, currently granting entry only to high-level government delegations, diplomatic sources informed 964media.

This development follows a reduction in U.S. Embassy staff in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil, which has been in effect for the past three months.

These changes are a direct response to the recent upsurge in attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and the concurrent Gaza conflict. As a result, since October 22, 2023, the U.S. Department of State initiated an order of departure for secondary staff in Iraq. This order has led to a significant decrease in personnel at both the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil.

In the current scenario, visa services are being provided exclusively at these two locations and only under exceptional circumstances. The focus is on facilitating high-level government delegations, with regular citizens now required to seek visa services in other regional countries.