Iraq visit visa for religious pilgrimage
holy shrines, e.g. Karbala and Najaf, Arbaeen
Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a visit visa for religious events or visits to holy sites, such as the shrines in Karbala and Najaf and the Arbaeen pilgrimage. It allows a single entry within one month of issue and a one-month stay. Pilgrims usually apply as groups through religious tourism companies approved by Iraq, or as individuals, and Iraq's Ministry of Interior now also runs an electronic visa (e-visa) portal valid for 30 days. Official pages are partly dated, so check current rules with your Iraqi embassy.
Visiting Iraq
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Life in Iraq
Money
3
Currency
Iraqi Dinar
IQD
Iraqi Dinar
Cost of living
42
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
3–15%
Income tax (national)
Federal Income Tax Law No. 113 of 1982: 3%, 5%, 10% and 15% (top rate on taxable income above IQD 1,000,000) after allowances; the Kurdistan Region applies its own regime (reported flat 5% on employment income).
Living
1
Happiness
#93 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
People who want to travel to Iraq to visit holy shrines or attend religious events, applying through an Iraqi embassy or consulate, an approved religious tourism company, or the Iraqi e-visa portal.
Eligibility
Purpose: religious visit
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a visit visa for religious events or visiting the holy sites, separate from the tourist visa for heritage sites.
Group applications through approved companiesGroup pilgrims
Group religious visas go through Iraq-approved religious tourism companies, with approval for a group of at least five people.
5 people
Group size · under one approval
- Approval comes from Iraq's Directorate of Residence Affairs
- Apply through a recognised tourism office or an agent in Iraq
- Source for group rule: Iraqi consulate in Los Angeles
Official wording
Group religious visas are issued through religious tourism companies approved by Iraq. The Iraqi consulate in Los Angeles says shrine visitors must get approval from Iraq's Directorate of Residence Affairs through a recognised tourism office or an agent in Iraq, as a group of at least five people under one approval.
Individual applicationsIndividual pilgrims
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs fee list includes a separate fee for individual religious visas, so individual applications are possible at missions that accept them.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementE-visa
- Document checklistPassport valid at least 6 months (colour copy for consulate applications)
- FeesReligious visit visa, group (through an approved religious tourism company)
The full requirements are for members
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- 5 more requirements
- 8 documents
- 4 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Iraq
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Official sources
Other routes to Iraq
All routes to Iraq →Visit & tourism in other countries
- IranTourist visa (Type B) via the MFA e-visa portal, including visa on arrival at international airports
- IcelandSchengen tourist & business visa
- ItalySchengen tourist & business visa
- JerseyJersey visit
- JamaicaVisitor stay and extension of stay
- JordanTourist visa (single-entry visa on arrival or e-visa), with Jordan Pass fee waiver
