***IRAQ VISA UPDATE – 8th February 2012***Iraqi Entry Visas are currently still on hold, it is unclear as to the full extent of foreign nationals and companies affected by the stoppage but Private Security Companies appear to be suffering heavily.
Several contractors today landed at Baghdad International Airport with apparently valid Entry Visas – only to be immediately deported to Jordan.
The delays are expected to last weeks and highlight a hardened stance by the government towards Private Security Companies and expats operating in Iraq.
Unconfirmed reporting indicates that Aegis are currently being issued Entry Visas due to their Department of Defence contract.
Iraqi Visas Explained for Security Professionals
This is a simple document designed to answer some of those questions for which you have no answer AND to give the operator deploying to Iraq (for the first time) a base knowledge of the Visa system regarding Private Security Companies and their employees.
As a precursor to the bullet pointed lists below it should be noted that any individual requiring entry to Iraq requires an Entry Visa and any individual needing to exit the country requires an Exit Visa if the Entry Visa has expired.
The Visa requirements for the time between the Entry and Exit are dependent upon the length of the stay in Iraq.
Public holidays/weekends may see a delay in visa applications’ standard turn-around of 24 hours.
ENTRY VISA
Visas are normally applied for by the employer. If this is not the case, refer to employer for direction.
On average visa applications are processed within 24 hours.
A copy is issued, never the original.
Visa copy and Iraq Immigration Application Form is sent to the traveller.
Traveller is to print out both pages of the Entry Visa and keep on their person for arrival at either Basra or Baghdad International airport (BIAP) ready for Immigration (always print two copies, one functions as a spare).
Fill out the Immigration Application prior to arriving, and keep it with you.
The Immigration Application form requires your address in Iraq; this should be provided by your employer along with a copy of the Entry Visa.
Fill out the form before departing your home country in order to save time at Immigration control (download the form here)
Please note you will be required to pay airport tax (however some people have not paid it, depending on the whim of the Immigration Officer). The sum is either $82 or $202 (single or multi entry). Ensure you have the correct amount of cash on entry, as there are no ATM facilities. If in doubt bring $202.
A receipt will be provided (if not – insist upon one); your company will reimburse you.
On the flight into Iraq you will also be given two Immigration Application cards to fill out, for which you by now should have the information as provided by your employer.
Entry visas are valid for a maximum of 3 months from date of issue (but note that this figure has been greatly reduced since the departure of US Forces. The Expiry date is printed on the entry visa, ensure you check it).
The expiry date may well be written in Arabic, in this case refer to the Arabic numbers at the end of this article, remember that although Arabic words read right to left, their numbers still read left to right, exactly the same as the English language.
This means the traveler needs to use it before the expiry date, or apply for a new entry visa.
This is a single entry visa and can only be used once.
Should a person arrive in Iraq on an entry visa, he does not require an exit visa if he departs within ten days from arrival (the day of arrival is counted as the first day).
EXIT VISA
Exit visa is to be applied for no later than five days before traveler intends to depart Iraq.
This allows for a fudge-factor should flights be delayed or changed.
Normally your passport is required, however of late exit visas can be applied for by using only a copy of your passport, together with a copy of your entry visa sticker (provided on day of arrival by Immigration).
Exit visa is normally arranged on the same day as application is submitted.
Exit visa is valid for ten days from date of issue (the first day being the issue date).
Should traveler’s dates change and fall outside the validity of the exit visa, the exit visa can be extended for another ten days.
After the second exit visa extension, should traveller again extend his departure date, the last exit visa is to be cancelled and a new exit visa is to be applied for.
VISA EXTENSION
Visas should be extended in country by your employer.
Days spent in country with no valid visa are technically illegal.
Failing to present a valid Visa to the authorities can result in arrest and further prosecution including incarceration.
ARABIC NUMBERS
