IraqWork

Working in Iraq: work permit, visa and residence

Visa and residence for foreign workers (with a Ministry of Labour work permit)

In short

Foreigners may not work in Iraq without a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the Directorate of Residency Affairs grants no visa or residence permit to foreign workers who lack one. The employer arranges the permit; the worker then applies for the visa at an Iraqi mission and, for a longer stay, for residence in Iraq.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Validity: Entry visas for company staff: 30 days, or multiple entry for 3 months, 6 months or 1 year
Fee: Visa fees are set by the mission or shown on evisa.iq at payment (USD 50 for a single-entry visa at the Embassy in Washington). Work permit fees are set separately by the Ministry of Labour and were not available from an official source.
Processing time: Visas that need approval from Iraq: 15 business days at the Embassy in Washington
Work: Yes, once the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has issued the work permit
Where to apply: Through the employer, who obtains the work permit; visa at the Iraqi mission responsible for the worker's place of residence

The work permit comes first

Under a circular of the Directorate of Residency Affairs, cited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visas and residence permits are not granted to foreign workers unless they hold a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The Embassy in Washington repeats the rule: foreign workers may not work in Iraq without a work permit, whoever sponsors the project.

Some groups are exempt from the work permit condition: staff of international organisations, diplomatic missions and consulates accredited in Iraq; foreigners allowed to work under international agreements to which Iraq is party; foreigners working for the Iraqi government, who provide the Directorate with a letter confirming their contract with the ministry or department; and foreign workers rebuilding the holy shrines.

Rules for investment projects

Projects need an investor licence from the National Investment Commission or a provincial investment commission, and all parties must keep to the terms of their written contracts. The Embassy in Washington adds that the investor must hire local workers for no less than 50 percent of the total workforce of the project.

Foreign government employees with a special contract, foreign students admitted under cultural exchange agreements and foreign journalists (on a reciprocal basis) are, under the visa instructions published by Iraqi missions, exempt from both the visa and the visa fee.

Fees and timing

Visa fees are set by each mission or shown on evisa.iq at payment; the Embassy in Washington charges USD 50 for a single-entry visa and allows 15 business days for visas that need approval from Iraq. Work permit fees are set by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

After arrival

Holders of a normal visa, which allows a stay of up to three months, must report their arrival to the Residency Directorate within ten days of entering Iraq, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Longer stays are handled by the Directorate of Residency Affairs, which issues residence permits only to workers holding a valid work permit. Detailed residence permit fees and durations for workers were not available from an official Iraqi source when this guide was checked.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

Two photos and a completed visa form per worker

Work

Work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (unless exempt)
Passport valid for at least six months

Other

Full address in Iraq and a phone number

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Work

Investor licence from the National Investment Commission, for investment projects

How to apply, step by step

The employer arranges the work permit with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, or confirms that the worker falls under an exemption.
Prepare the passport, visa form, photos and any letter or contract the mission asks for.
Apply for the visa at the Iraqi mission responsible for your place of residence.
The mission forwards the file to Baghdad, where the Directorate of Residency Affairs decides.
After approval, travel to Iraq; longer stays go through the Directorate of Residency Affairs.

Frequently asked questions

Can a visit visa be used to start working in Iraq?

No. Visit and business visas do not authorise work, and residence permits for workers depend on a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Who is exempt from the work permit?

Staff of international organisations and accredited missions, foreigners allowed to work under international agreements, foreigners employed by the Iraqi government and workers rebuilding the holy shrines.

Must an investor hire local staff?

Yes. The Embassy in Washington states that local workers must make up at least 50 percent of the workforce required for the project.

Do I need to report after arrival?

Holders of a normal visa must report to the Residency Directorate within ten days of entering Iraq, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Official sources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq – visa types, requirements and fees · checked 24 October 2026
Embassy of Iraq in Ankara – requirements for entry visas and the e-visa for Turkish investors, business people and workers · checked 24 October 2026
Embassy of Iraq in Ankara – visa instructions, visa types and fee exemptions · checked 24 October 2026
Embassy of Iraq in Washington – visas to Iraq · checked 24 October 2026

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.