KRG waives fines for foreigners with expired residency and visas

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Interior announced a series of exemptions Tuesday for foreigners whose residency permits or visas expired during the regional conflict, waiving fines and easing travel procedures through April 30.

Foreigners whose residency expired after Feb. 28 and who were outside the region may return using their existing cards and renew without penalty before the deadline. Those whose permits expired while inside the region and who were unable to travel may obtain exit clearance and leave without fines. Tourists whose visas expired after Feb. 28 may also depart through airports and border crossings without penalty, and those seeking to convert a visa to residency may do so without fines under the same deadline.

The ministry said the measures aim to help foreigners “who were unable to travel due to war conditions” and noted that individuals who can prove passport processing was delayed by the conflict are also exempt from penalties. All applicants must visit relevant directorates before April 30 to complete their procedures.

Iraq’s airspace was closed for 38 days from Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, grounding commercial flights and stranding thousands of travelers before reopening on April 8 following the ceasefire.