Kurdistan Regional Government denies visa on arrival policy changes

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior has refuted circulating social media rumors that suggest modifications to visa procedures. In an official statement, the KRG’s Directorate of Visas confirmed that no changes have been made.

“These rumors are completely false and have no basis in reality,” the statement said. “Visitors and tourists can still apply for a Kurdistan visa as usual through the official visit portal or by submitting a special application for entry.”

Rzgar Farzanda, director of the visa directorate at the KRG’s Ministry of Interior, told 964Media, “Some social media pages have claimed that obtaining a visa now for nationals under Category A requires pre-arrangement, but the process remains unchanged and does not require it.”

The ministry also affirmed that nationals from Category A countries can continue to obtain visas on arrival at airports and international border crossings. “There have been no changes to the visa process, and everything remains as it was before,” the Ministry of Interior stated.

Category A includes 53 countries whose citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival and receive an electronic visa upon entry. These nations include Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This policy applies solely to the Kurdistan Region and does not extend to other parts of Iraq. Travelers must also ensure their passports are valid for at least six months upon entry. Nationals under Category B are required to apply for an e-Visa through the official portal.