Getting Iraq Visa at Iraq-Iraqi Kurdistan border?

[Bartosz Wyprawy4x4]

Yes. But for a short while it was possible to enter feb Iraq with a Kurdistan visa. Let's say it kinda fluid.

I'll send you a whatsapp number for a thrustworthy guide i've met which has helped me with several things (tickets/hotel). He is based in Mosul. Let me know, here or through dm, what was the outcome.

You could also just aquire the fed visa after trying your luck at the border. I've got it in just 6 hours, so you can go there next day.

I think that having only federal e-visa is ok for travel on Kurdish and federal territory
The problem is getting even with federal e-visa from Kurdistan territoty in to federal territory.
Especially when I will travel with my own car from Turkey.

Erikkk - can you send me whatsup number for your guide also??

[Jon D]

"You could also just acquire the fed visa after trying your luck at the border. I've got it in just 6 hours, so you can go there next day."

Erikkk, could you kindly explain a little more about this? It is not clear to me what exactly are the practical steps to do this. Thanks.

[Erikkkk]

What I mean is you could go and try to pass the border to fed Iraq from Kurdistan without the fed Iraq visa. I only had good experiences, but if they won't be able to let you in, you can apply for the visa and try again next day with the visa.

Could save some money, but could be a hassle.

[Jon D]

Thanks Errikkk - I understand. The problem that I have read about is that they don’t even accept the Federal evisa at Duhok-Mosul crossing if it has not been validated at another Federal entry site first (such as at Baghdad Airport).

[Erikkkk]

If I was you. Just buy both visa and make it easy. Iraq itself is also more expensive then you think, not the food but tickets, hotels and stuff.

[Jon D]

Yeah I'm happy to buy both visas but:

Despite a lot of research, I cannot find a clear answer for my specific travel route.

I wish to travel overland from Turkey into the Kurdistan region of Iraq and then fly to Baghdad from Erbil or, perhaps, travel overland to Mosul.

I understand that I need a Kurdish evisa to enter the Kurdistan region from Turkey. I also understand that I need a Federal evisa for the rest of Iraq. I realise that this means that I need to have both visas if I travel first to the Kurdistan region.

The main reason I ask is that I have read that a Federal evisa would not be accepted when I arrive in Federal Iraq (eg at Baghdad Airport) as I would already have a Kurdistan region Iraqi stamp in my passport. Does anyone know if this is true?

Several people, concerned about this, decided to change their route and instead fly to Baghdad first. That would be very inconvenient for me so it would be very helpful to know what is best to do.

[Erikkkk]

Why would a Kurdistan stamp be a problem? Can't image that would be the case. That's just the way it is currently. If you get lucky you could even enter Kurdistan with just a fed. Iraq visa. I guess you will never know for sure...

I don't really understand why you would fly to Baghdad if you do the rest of your trip overland? You not gonna skip Hatra are you? Or Ashur?

[Jon D]

It does indeed seem odd that there would be a problem with the Kurdistan stamp at the "internal border" but there are reports that this is the case - including people not being able to enter at Duhok-Mosul (as they are not able to validate a Federal evisa there) and not being able to enter at Baghdad airport when flying from Erbil (because they already have a Kurdistan stamp). Moreover, I've just received another negative, albeit generic, report on the Iraq Travel Community group on Facebook (so it seems something is going on). I've asked for more detail!

I don't want to fly to Baghdad but I'm trying to get to the bottom of what is feasible. The straightforward way seems to be to fly into Federal Iraq and travel afterwards to Kurdish Iraq. That's what quite a few people are doing, it seems, to get around the uncertainty. It would be inconvenient for me but possible. I realise that without a clear and recent report from someone who has direct experience it is impossible to know.

Generally, I don't want to find myself in the situation where I have entered the Kurdistan area of Iraq and then can't get to Federal Iraq - when I know there is no problem to travel first to Federal Iraq and then go the other way. In the end, if I don't get clarity, I'm minded to fly to Basra (with a Federal evisa) and make my way north - though I'd prefer to do it in the other direction! I have some time yet to try and obtain somewhat more definitive information and decide which route I will take.

In the meantime, I shall continue to monitor information received here (and on other platforms). Equally, if I get new information from elsewhere I will post it here as I'm not the only person asking this question.

[Jon D]

So, I have some new information. It seems that there is a new item on the Federal evisa application website. If you tick the box "visa and entry authority from the Kurdistan region of Iraq" , you can obtain a Federal evisa with ‘Republic of Iraq Ministry of Interior’ in the headline but it is issued by "Kurdistan Region of Iraq" - also stated on the evisa.

This seems to imply, and logic supports, that that this federal evisa will allow entry into Kurdistan region (as it is issued by Kurdistan Region and, presumably, avoids the need for a separate Kurdish evisa) from, say, Turkey and will also be valid for the rest of Federal Iraq (as it is a Federal evisa). If this is correct, it is very good news. And addresses all the questions I and I know some others have about what evisas are required to travel from Turkey into Iraqi Kurdistan and then into Federal Iraq - and even whether it is possible to follow this route at the moment.

I have seen a copy from someone who has obtained this Federal evisa. He is planning to enter Iraqi Kurdistan from Turkey sometime next week and has said he will inform me about his knowledge and experience after entering Kurdistan. And, as he says: to clarify this "information jungle".

Once I hear any news, I will post an update here. Fingers crossed this is the answer some folk, including me, want!

[chris498]

Any updates on this topic? Travelling to Kurdistan this november and debating whether to add Baghdad near the end of the trip. Ideally I would like to fly from Erbil to Baghdad, but the only flights I can find are flights via Jordan. However, using flight tracker and flight history it seems that there are direct flights from erbil to baghdad, but it seems I cant book them online. Anyone encountered this problem?

Anyone maybe got a number for a fixer or someone who can help with this flight ticket issue?