{
  "_license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute SKETCH.WORLD (https://sketch.world) and link back if you use this data.",
  "_source": "https://sketch.world/iraq",
  "iso2": "IQ",
  "name": "Iraq",
  "slug": "iraq",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-12T18:42:47.438Z",
  "score": 39,
  "verdict": "nope",
  "confidence": "high",
  "subscores": {
    "advisoryConsensus": 22.222222222222218,
    "political": 20.068925765753114,
    "policeTrust": 22.836772,
    "health": 76,
    "crime": 81.07249565777032
  },
  "delta7d": 9,
  "advisories": {
    "disagreement": 2,
    "us": {
      "level": 4,
      "label": "Level 4: Do Not Travel",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/iraq-travel-advisory.html"
    },
    "uk": {
      "level": 2,
      "summary": "Normal precautions for most of the country; FCDO advises against travel to some regions.",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq"
    },
    "ca": {
      "level": 4,
      "label": "Avoid all travel",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iraq"
    }
  },
  "generated": true,
  "regionFlags": [],
  "health": {
    "notices": [
      {
        "title": "Global Measles",
        "level": 1
      }
    ],
    "vaccines": {
      "required": [],
      "recommended": []
    },
    "tapWater": "unknown"
  },
  "entry": {
    "visaNote": "",
    "passportValidityMonths": 0,
    "sources": []
  },
  "scams": [
    {
      "title": "Corrupt official solicitation",
      "body": "Foreigners attract the attention of corrupt police officers. Remain firm and polite to handle these interactions without escalating the situation.",
      "sources": [
        "wikivoyage"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "laws": [
    {
      "title": "Militia document inspections",
      "body": "Local militias set up road blocks on many highways to inspect your documents and question your purpose of visit.",
      "sources": [
        "wikivoyage"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "streetWisdom": {
    "summary": "Travelers report that Iraq is surprisingly safe for visitors, noting an absence of the aggressive touting or petty crime common in other regional tourist destinations. While official advisories label the country a no-travel zone, those who have visited describe a welcoming environment where locals are exceptionally friendly. Real dangers are limited to geopolitical tensions involving missiles or drones, which typically impact remote areas rather than urban centers. Navigating cities is straightforward using ride-sharing apps like Careem, but intercity travel via shared vans at hectic, disorganized transport garages is physically demanding and stressful. Checkpoints manned by various armed groups are frequent but generally involve only a quick passport check.",
    "quotes": [
      {
        "text": "Iraq is not a country like Morocco or Egypt were random people come to talk you trying to get something of you. In the whole time I’ve been there, not a single person has approached me trying to sell me anything or asking for money or whatever.",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1pcbh7f/one_week_in_iraq_november_2025/"
      },
      {
        "text": "Every single encounter with any of them has been smooth and friendly. In Babylon they let me enter Saddams palace, even though it was closed, and a soldier also walked for 10 minutes with me to help me find a taxi.",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1pcbh7f/one_week_in_iraq_november_2025/"
      },
      {
        "text": "Checkpoints run by Iran-backed Shia militias are common, but usually it's a quick flash of your passport. And you move on.",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1cbbdlr/my_experience_as_an_american_in_federal_iraq/"
      }
    ],
    "generatedAt": "2026-07-12"
  },
  "localKnowledge": {
    "staySafe": [
      {
        "text": "Although things are gradually getting better, the political and security situation remain very unstable."
      },
      {
        "label": "Emergency services",
        "text": "Due to years of warfare and destruction, emergency services are unreliable and inadequate."
      },
      {
        "label": "Corruption",
        "text": "Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries in the world."
      },
      {
        "text": "Brutality and corruption are rampant in Iraq's police force; such is the extent of corruption in the police force that it's common for officers to bribe political figures so that they can climb up the work ladder."
      },
      {
        "text": "Foreigners may attract the attention of corrupt police officers."
      },
      {
        "label": "Legal issues",
        "text": "The legal system in Iraq is slow, highly corrupt, and inefficient."
      }
    ],
    "stayHealthy": [
      {
        "text": "It is not safe for short term visitors to drink the water anywhere in Iraq."
      },
      {
        "text": "Those with experience in Iraq should use their discretion and past experience when purchasing drinks."
      },
      {
        "text": "Drinking the local tea (chai) can be safe for some people since it is brought to a boil before serving, but when in doubt, insist that bottled water be used."
      },
      {
        "text": "As a walk past an Iraqi butcher shop will demonstrate, food preparation standards are not the same as in Western countries, and consumption of local food can make a visitor ill."
      },
      {
        "text": "Should you find your body in the uncomfortable position of rejecting food and water due to something you shouldn't have drunk, immediately find someone who speaks Arabic and send them to a l…"
      }
    ],
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Iraq"
  },
  "recentHeadlines": [],
  "whatChanged": "Iraq’s safety score rose to 39, but US and Canadian advisories remain at level 4, capping your safety rating regardless of the math. Governments disagree by two levels, and a global measles notice is active.",
  "practical": {
    "plug": [
      "C",
      "D",
      "G"
    ],
    "voltage": 230,
    "drivingSide": "right",
    "emergency": {
      "police": "112 or 911",
      "ambulance": "112 or 911",
      "fire": "112 or 911"
    },
    "simAdvice": "",
    "cashVsCard": "",
    "tipping": ""
  },
  "lgbtqLegal": null,
  "receipts": [
    {
      "sourceId": "us-state",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/iraq-travel-advisory.html",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "uk-fcdo",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "ca-gac",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iraq",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-political",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_PV.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-policeTrust",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_RL.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "cdc-health",
      "url": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "wikivoyage",
      "url": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Iraq",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "reddit",
      "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "unodc",
      "url": "https://data.unodc.org/datareport/hom-victim",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "acled-hdx",
      "url": "https://data.humdata.org/organization/acled",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    }
  ]
}