Nope.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Iraq
The advisories disagree by 2 level(s) — read all four before you decide who to trust.
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Nope.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Corrupt Police Extortion
Foreigners often attract the attention of corrupt police officers seeking bribes. Remain firm and polite, and avoid losing your temper, as rude behavior will be met with rude behavior.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Militia Document Inspections
Local militias operate road blocks on many highways where they will inspect your documents and question your purpose for visiting.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
In accordance with Iraqi law, citizens of most countries require a visa to visit Iraq. However, visitors from certain countries are given a visa on arrival in select airports and certain countries are banned from entering Iraq.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Iraq. Attacks can occur throughout the country, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq, but are more frequent in areas where Daesh had a strong presence and capability. This includes parts of the provinces of: Anbar Diyala Ninewah Salah Al-Din Tam’mim (Kirkuk) Foreign nationals are high-value targets for terrorists, insurgents and criminals. Indiscriminate attacks against public places and Iraqi civilians also occur. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visiting by foreign nationals, such as: airports and public transport land border crossings markets, stores, hotels and restaurants government buildings, political offices, police stations and military establishments residential compounds maritime facilities and oil facilities religious sites and ceremonies political events, large crowds sports venues and stadiums fake vehicle checkpoints There is a heightened threat of attacks against western interests. While attacks can take place at any time, there’s a heightened threat during religious or public holidays. Militant groups opposed to a western presence pose a threat to UK and other interests in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. Methods of attack have included: large-scale co-ordinated bombings designed to cause mass casualties rockets and mortars shootings suicide bombs vehicle bombs
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
In July 2024, the Iraqi Parliament updated its Anti-Prostitution and Homosexuality Law which criminalises same-sex relationships, any promotion of same-sex relationships or behaviours, and bans people from changing gender. Under the amendment, same-sex relationships are now illegal and sexual acts could lead to a prison sentence between 10 to 15 years. If the Iraqi authorities consider your actions, clothing or other items to promote LGBT+ identities or prostitution, you could be imprisoned for up to seven years and fined between 10 to 15 million Iraqi dinars. Under the new law, it is illegal to have or perform gender changing surgery, unless you have approval from the courts. You could be imprisoned for up to three years. There is an increased risk of violence and threats (such as blackmail and intimidation) against anyone being thought to be part of the LGBT+ community or supporting their rights. There have been attacks against the LGBT+ community and its supporters. Read more advice
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Although things are gradually getting better, the political and security situation remain very unstable.
- •Emergency services: Due to years of warfare and destruction, emergency services are unreliable and inadequate.
- •Corruption: Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
- •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.
- •Foreigners may attract the attention of corrupt police officers.
- •Legal issues: The legal system in Iraq is slow, highly corrupt, and inefficient.
Staying healthy
- •It is not safe for short term visitors to drink the water anywhere in Iraq.
- •Those with experience in Iraq should use their discretion and past experience when purchasing drinks.
- •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.
- •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.
- •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…
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Real talk
What travelers actually say
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.
“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.
— r/travel
“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.
— r/travel
“Checkpoints run by Iran-backed Shia militias are common, but usually it's a quick flash of your passport. And you move on.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / D / G · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 112 or 911 / ambulance: 112 or 911 / fire: 112 or 911
Cash vs. Card
Iraqi currency is the Iraqi dinar, denoted by the symbol "د.ع" (ISO code: IQD). Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 dinars. Coins, and banknotes in denominations of 250- and 500-dinars are rarely used.
Zoom in
One Iraq city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09