How to Extend Your Iraqi Visa – A Step-by-Step 2025 Guide

You’ve fallen in love with Iraq.

The morning chai in Sulaymaniyah’s çayxane, the golden light on Babylon’s bricks, the silent majesty of the Marshlands at dawn — it’s only just begun. But your 30-day tourist visa is running out.

Good news: Extending your Iraqi visa in 2025 is simpler, faster, and more transparent than ever — thanks to streamlined digital processes, dedicated tourist support desks, and clearer regulations.

This guide walks you through the exact steps, documents, fees, and timelines for extending your visa — whether you’re in Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, or the Kurdistan Region. No guesswork. No third-party risks. Just clear, up-to-date, official information.

Key 2025 Update: Iraq now allows single-entry tourist visas to be extended once for up to 30 additional days — no exit/re-entry required.

🔗 Planning your initial trip? Start with: How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Iraq

Part I: Who Can Extend — And Who Can’t?

Eligible for Extension

• Holders of a 30-day single-entry Tourist Visa (Type C) issued via embassy or e-Visa
• Visitors with no immigration violations (overstays, restricted zone entry, etc.)
• Those applying before visa expiry (ideally 5–7 days prior)

Not Eligible

• Holders of multiple-entry visas (must re-apply abroad)
• Visitors on visa-on-arrival (VOA) — VOA extensions are NOT permitted as of 2025
• Those with pending legal issues or banned entry status

Critical: If your visa expires before approval, you risk fines (IQD 10,000/day), deportation, or future entry bans. Apply early.

🔗 Safety & compliance: Is Iraq Safe for Tourists? A Detailed Overview

Part II: Where to Apply — By Region

1. In Federal Iraq (Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Karbala, etc.)

Authority: General Directorate of Residency (GDR) — Ministry of Interior
Locations:

• Baghdad: Al-Muthanna Residency Office (near Green Zone Gate 5)
• Basra: Basra Residency Directorate, Corniche Road
• Najaf/Karbala: Joint office at Kufa Bridge Roundabout

Hours: Sun–Thu, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (closed Fridays & Saturdays)
Appointment: Mandatory via Iraq Residency Portal (see Step 1 below)

🔗 City-specific prep: Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Baghdad | Basra — A Port City Full of History

2. In the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok)

Authority: Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Directorate of Foreigners’ Affairs
Locations:

• Erbil: Citizenship & Passports Building, Ankawa District
• Sulaymaniyah: KRG Residency Office, Qlyasan Roundabout
• Duhok: Directorate of Residence, near University

Hours: Sun–Thu, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Appointment: Book via KRG e-Residence Portal (krg.gov.krd/residence) or in person

KRG Advantage: Extensions often processed in 3–5 working days (vs. 5–10 in federal areas).

🔗 Regional context: Discovering Erbil — A Modern City with an Ancient Heart | A Guide to Mosul

Part III: Step-by-Step — Your 2025 Extension Checklist

Step 1: Prepare Documents (All Must Be Original + Photocopy)

Document	Notes
Valid Passport	Min. 6 months validity; copy of bio page & visa stamp
Current Iraqi Visa	Must be unexpired at time of application
Two Passport Photos	4×6 cm, white background, no glasses/headwear (unless religious)
Proof of Accommodation	Hotel booking or notarised host letter (see below)
Proof of Funds	Bank statement (last 3 months) or USD 500 cash (subject to verification)
Return Flight Itinerary	Confirmed outbound ticket within extended period
Health Insurance	Must cover Iraq (e.g., AXA, Allianz, or local Iraq Insurance Co.)

Host Letter Template (if staying with locals):
“I, [Host Name], ID [Number], resident of [Address], confirm [Guest Name] will reside with me from [Date] to [Date]. I assume full responsibility for their conduct.”
→ Must be notarised at a Notary Public Office (find via Iraq Notary Directory).

🔗 Accommodation planning: Best Hotels in Baghdad | Affordable Places to Stay in Iraq

Step 2: Submit Online Pre-Application

• Federal Iraq: Use the Iraq Residency e-Service Portal
  🔗 https://residency.gov.iq
  → Select “Tourist Visa Extension” → Upload documents → Pay IQD 50,000 fee online
• KRG: Use KRG e-Residence System
  🔗 https://eresidence.krg.org
  → Register → Upload → Pay IQD 45,000

Tip: Save your Application Reference Number — you’ll need it for tracking.

Step 3: Attend In-Person Appointment

• Bring all originals + copies
• Biometrics (fingerprints) will be taken
• Interview (5–10 mins): Basic questions — “Why extend?”, “Where will you stay?”
• Fee Payment: If not paid online, pay at cashier (cash only — IQD or USD)

Fee (2025)	Federal Iraq	Kurdistan Region
30-Day Extension	IQD 100,000 (~£55 / $70)	IQD 90,000 (~£50 / $63)
Express Service (2-day)	+IQD 50,000	+IQD 40,000

Step 4: Wait & Track

• Standard Processing: 5–10 working days (federal), 3–5 days (KRG)
• Track Online: Use your reference number on the portal
• SMS Alerts: Opt in during application for status updates

Step 5: Collect Your Passport

• You’ll be notified via SMS/email
• Collect in person (ID required)
• New visa stamp will show:
  • Type: “Extension – Tourist”
  • Valid Until: Original expiry + 30 days
  • No Re-Entry: Single-entry only — leaving Iraq = visa void

🔗 Transport tip: How to Travel Around Iraq — Transportation Guide

Part IV: Common Pitfalls — And How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Risk	2025 Fix
Applying after expiry	Fines, deportation risk	Apply at least 5 days before expiry
Using unlicensed agents	Scams, fake stamps	Use only official portals (links above)
Incomplete host letter	Rejection	Notarise + include ID copy of host
No health insurance	Delay	Buy local policy at Iraq Insurance Co. (offices in major hotels)
VOA holders applying	Automatic refusal	VOA cannot be extended — plan initial visa via embassy/e-Visa

Pro Tip: Register with your embassy (e.g., UK in Iraq) — they offer emergency support if issues arise.

🔗 Full safety net: How to Plan a Safe and Enjoyable Trip to Iraq

Part V: What If You Need More Than 30 Days?

The standard extension is +30 days only. For longer stays:

Option 1: Exit & Re-Apply

• Leave Iraq (e.g., fly to Erbil → Dubai → back to Baghdad)
• Apply for new 30-day visa at Iraqi embassy abroad
• Best for: Researchers, long-term volunteers

Option 2: Apply for a Special Permit

• Cultural/Research Visa: Via Ministry of Culture (requires Iraqi sponsor)
• Business Visa: Via Chamber of Commerce + company invitation
• Pilgrimage Visa: For Karbala/Najaf (up to 90 days; book via Shi’a Endowment Office)

🔗 Pilgrimage planning: Karbala — A Sacred City | Najaf — A Holy City

Part VI: Post-Extension — Staying Compliant

Once extended:
Carry passport + visa copy at all times (police may check)
Update hotel registration within 24 hours of moving
Avoid restricted areas (e.g., parts of Anbar, Kirkuk periphery — check KRG Travel Advisories)
Leave before new expiry — no second extension allowed

📱 Download: Iraq Residency Tracker app (iOS/Android) — scans QR code on visa stamp to show real-time validity.

🔗 Tech must-have: Top 5 Travel Apps for Iraq

Voices from the Front Desk

Officer Layla, Erbil Residency Office:
“In 2025, 92% of tourist extensions are approved within 5 days — if documents are complete. Come prepared, and we’ll get you back to exploring.”

Mark, UK Traveller (Extended Jan 2025):
“I applied online on Sunday, submitted docs Monday, collected my passport Thursday. The hardest part? Choosing which extra 30 days of Iraq to experience!”

Sarah, Australian Student:
“I stayed with a host family in Sulaymaniyah. Their notarised letter took 1 hour and cost IQD 5,000. Worth every dinar.”

Conclusion – Your Journey, Extended — Responsibly

Extending your Iraqi visa isn’t bureaucracy.

It’s an invitation — to linger longer in the çayxane, to hike deeper into the Zagros, to learn another verse of maqam, to say “shukran” one more time.

With 2025’s clearer rules and digital tools, the process is no longer a barrier — but a bridge.

So go ahead.
Apply early.
Stay longer.

Iraq has more stories to share.

Quick Reference – 2025 Visa Extension at a Glance

Item	Federal Iraq	Kurdistan Region
Max Extension	+30 days	+30 days
Fee	IQD 100,000	IQD 90,000
Processing	5–10 days	3–5 days
Apply Online?	Yes (residency.gov.iq)	Yes (eresidence.krg.org)
Key Office	Al-Muthanna, Baghdad	Ankawa, Erbil

Plan Your Extended Stay

• 🛂 Initial Visa Guide: How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Iraq
• ✈️ From the UK: Complete Guide to Travelling from the UK
• 📅 Best Time to Stay Longer: Best Time to Visit Iraq
• 🧭 Full Trip Planning: How to Plan a Safe & Enjoyable Trip
• 💷 Budgeting: Budget Travel in Iraq
• 🎒 Tours for Extended Stays: Best Tour Packages for Iraq

🔗 Your adventure continues: Travel2Iraq — Your Ultimate Guide to an Amazing Adventure

“A visa is not a limit. It’s a promise — to return, to remember, to respect.”
— Iraqi immigration officer, Baghdad, 2025