Travel advisory · IraqGovernments advise against all travel to Iraq.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Kirkuk province · avoid all travel · France, Italy, UK
- Ninawa province · avoid all travel · Italy, UK
- Sadr City · avoid all travel · France, UK
- Salah al-Din province · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy, UK
- Syrian border area · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Anbar outside Ramadi and Fallujah · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Anbar province · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Babil province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Basra province · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy, UK
- Dhi Qar province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Diyala province · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Iranian border area · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Karbala province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Kurdistan Region · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Maysan province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Muthanna province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Qadisiyah province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Wasit province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
Also named by one government: 20 km strip along the Iranian border (France), 5 km strip along the Iranian border (UK), 5 km strip along the Kuwaiti border (UK), 5 km strip along the Saudi Arabian border (UK), Anbar west of Ramadi (UK), Areas near armed groups in northern Iraq (US), Babil west of the Baghdad–Karbala axis (France), Bayaa (France), Chamchamal–Darbandikhan road (France), Diyala north of the Baghdad–Iran border line (France), Diyala province outside Baqubah city (UK), Dohuk mountains east of Zakho (France), Gara massif (France), Jordanian border area (Italy), Jurf al Salam (France), Jurf al-Sakr town (UK), Kurdish coordination line (Erbil governorate) (France), Metina massif (France), Muthanna desert along the Saudi border (France), Najaf desert along the Saudi border (France), Ninawa province outside Mosul and the Nineveh Plain (France), North of Dokan Lake (France), Qandil massif (France), Saudi Arabian border area (Italy), Za'faraniya (France), Amedi town centre (France), Baghdad city outside outer districts (France), Baghdad province outside Sadr City (UK), Baqubah city (UK), Disputed areas near Kirkuk city (Spain), Dohuk–Amedi road (France), Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil (UK), Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah (UK), Mosul city (France), Najaf province (UK), Nasiriyah (Italy), Turkish border area (Spain), Zakho–Halabja zone (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Iraq for any reason | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: Vor Reisen nach Irak wird gewarnt (ganzes Land) | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Iraq
Mesopotamian ruins, mountain towns in the Kurdistan Region and the Shia holy city of Najaf are the reasons to visit Iraq. The trip needs more planning than most.
Iraq sits between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in the land of Mesopotamia, where some of the earliest cities grew. Baghdad, the capital, lies on the Tigris. South of it, the ruins of Babylon lie near Hillah, and the ancient city of Ur is a short trip from there. In the north, the Kurdistan Region has mountains, valleys and the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. In the south, Basra lies near the Gulf, and Najaf, a holy city for Shia Muslims, is home to the shrine of Imam Ali.
Plan around distance. The north and south are far apart, so a trip covering more than one region needs at least a week. Summers are very hot, so spring and autumn are the months to aim for. Entry rules and security conditions change, so check your government's current travel advice and visa requirements before you book.
Five things to know before Iraq
- Read the current travel advisory first
Governments including the UK and US advise against all travel to all or large parts of Iraq. Most travel insurance will not cover you where your government advises against travel. UK travel advice
- Apply for the e-Visa before you fly
Federal Iraq no longer issues visit visas on arrival to British citizens. Apply on the government e-visa portal at least 24 hours before travel and carry a return or onward ticket. Iraq e-visa portal
- Know that the Kurdistan Region has its own visa
The Kurdistan Regional Government issues its own e-visa and visa on arrival, valid only in the Kurdistan Region. It does not cover Baghdad or the rest of federal Iraq. Kurdistan Region e-visa
- Keep your passport on you at checkpoints
Road checkpoints are common between provinces and between federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Carry your passport and visa, and expect questions about your route.
- Check what your insurer will cover in writing
Standard policies usually exclude Iraq while the warnings stand. If you must travel, get written confirmation of medical and evacuation cover. Travel insurance
Iraq travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, to the west
Read the guideKuwaitKuwait City and the souq, to the south-east
Read the guideTürkiyeIstanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus, to the north
Read the guideVisas and entryFederal e-visa versus the Kurdistan Region visa
Read the guideTravel insuranceWhat insurers exclude while Iraq warnings stand
Read the guideAll of the Middle EastRegional guides with current entry rules
Read the guideTop places to visit in Iraq
See all attractions in Iraq
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°CoolJanuaryClear
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°MildFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°WarmMarchClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°HotAprilClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh38°Low25°Very hotMayClear
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh43°Low30°Extreme heatJuneClear
- High
- 43°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh46°Low33°HottestJulyClear
- High
- 46°
- Low
- 33°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh46°Low33°HottestAugustClear
- High
- 46°
- Low
- 33°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh42°Low29°Extreme heatSeptemberClear
- High
- 42°
- Low
- 29°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low23°HotOctoberClear
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°MildNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°CoolDecemberClear
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
Average daily high and low in Baghdad, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Iraq
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 36%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Baghdad
11:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°20°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue29°20°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed26°19°42%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Thu25°19°20%Thursday: Rain. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri20°18°71%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sat23°18°52%Saturday: Rain. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sun22°13°21%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 21%.
Updated 08:50 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,518 IQD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Iraq FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Iraq right now?
The UK and US governments advise against all travel to large parts of Iraq and against all but essential travel to the rest, including the Kurdistan Region. Read your own government's current advisory before making any plans.
Do I need a visa for Iraq?
Yes. For federal Iraq, apply for the e-visa online before you fly. The Kurdistan Region issues its own visa, which is valid only there.
Is the Kurdistan Region different from the rest of Iraq?
It has its own government, visa system and border checks. The UK advises against all but essential travel there, a lower level than for parts of federal Iraq.
Will my travel insurance cover Iraq?
Most standard policies exclude it while the warnings stand. Specialist cover exists, but check the exclusions in writing.
When will this guide cover places to visit in Iraq?
Once the UK and US advisories change. Until then this page stays limited to entry and safety basics.