Middle East and North Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to Baghdad and its surrounding area, the provinces of Basra, Maysan, Al Anbar, Salah Ad Din, Diyala, Wasit, Babil, Ninawa and At-Tamim (At-Tamim is often referred to as "Kirkuk Province"). We also advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Al Qadisiyah, Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala, and Dhi Qar. See the Terrorism/Security section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Although there has been a decrease in the level of violence throughout Iraq the situation remains highly dangerous with a continuing high threat of terrorism throughout the country (except in the Kurdish Region see next para). This includes violence and kidnapping targeting foreign nationals (including individuals of non-western appearance). You are advised to seek professional security advice and make arrangements for your security throughout your visit. Even those working with dedicated protection teams should exercise extreme caution.
  
  
• The risk of terrorism in the Kurdistan Regional Government controlled provinces of Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah (Note: this does not include Kirkuk) is markedly and statistically lower than in other parts of Iraq.  You should seek advice before travelling to the remote border areas with Turkey and Iran where there have been incidents of shelling.  See the Terrorism/Security (Kurdistan Region) section of this advice for more specific details regarding the unique security situation.
  
  
• There is currently no countrywide curfew in Iraq. They can be and are imposed at short notice often around religious holidays.  Large gatherings should be avoided. See the Terrorism/Security (Curfews) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Iraq have led to a small number of human fatalities.  The last fatality reported by the World Health Organisation was in 2006.  See the Health section of this advice and Avian & Pandemic Influenza
  
  
• 15 British nationals required consular assistance in Iraq in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (5 cases); hospitalisations (3 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (2 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (36 cases).  The British Embassy in Baghdad is able to offer only limited consular assistance.  The British Consulate in Basra and the British Embassy Office in Erbil do not currently offer consular services.  You should register your presence with LOCATE.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, that your policy covers you for medical assistance and repatriation, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.   See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel insurance for more details.