Articles
The US State Department's page on IRAQ may be found HERE.
Personal Safety
AUTHORITIES IN THE KURDISTAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT (KRG) HAVE ISSUED STRICTER MEASURES AS OF OCTOBER 26 TO CURB THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO WEAR FACEMASKS IN ALL PUBLIC PLACES AND VEHICLES WHEN THERE ARE OTHER PASSENGERS. AUTHORITIES HAVE BANNED LARGE GATHERINGS. ALL OUTBOUND AND INBOUND TRAVELERS AT AIRPORTS IN THE KRG MUST PROVE THAT THEY TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 48 HOURS BEFORE THEIR FLIGHT. ALL ARRIVALS ARE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS. TRAVELERS FLYING TO IRAQ HAVE TO TAKE A COVID-19 TEST NOT MORE THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE. AUTHORITIES COULD EASE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO COVID-19 OR IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, DEPENDING ON THE DISEASE ACTIVITY IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS.
THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A DO NOT TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR IRAN EFFECTIVE AUGUST 17, 2018 DUE TO TERRORISM AND ARMED CONFLICT. TRAVELERS TO IRAQ ARE URGED IN THE STRONGEST TERMS TO CONTACT RISK SERVICES AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO MAXIMIZE PERSONAL SAFETY.
Legal/Political
Family Circumstances: The U.S. Embassy is aware of cases in which U.S. citizens, especially female dual nationals of Iraq, have traveled to Iraq with family members and have been subject to threats, kidnappings, and extortion, including incidents of loss of custody of children or forced marriage. Women and children should pay particular attention to any warning signs, including husbands or other family members withholding money or travel documents after arrival in Iraq, and should also be aware that U.S. laws cannot protect U.S. citizens when they are outside of the United States. The Iraqi police and legal system may offer little protection.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
Property Disputes: Some U.S. citizens have been kidnapped, assaulted, or threatened by family members in response to family disputes over property. Land disputes are common in Iraq and are often difficult to resolve through legal channels. The U.S. Embassy cannot protect personal property and cannot take sides in a legal dispute. U.S. citizens wishing to purchase property should be aware of the risks, including not being physically present to oversee property. Those involved in a court dispute run the risk of having cases filed against them, and they may be arrested and jailed.
Special Circumstances: The ability of the Embassy to provide consular services to U.S. citizens is extremely limited given the security environment. Host government emergency services and support are limited.
Customs officers have the broad authority to search persons or vehicles at Iraqi ports of entry. Officers may confiscate any goods they deem may pose a threat to the peace, security, health, environment, or social order of Iraq. Antiquities or cultural items suspected of being illegally exported may also be confiscated, as with goods that are not declared. Visitors may also be ordered to return such goods, at their expense, to the jurisdiction from which they came.