FCO Travel Advice for - Iraq

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  • The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Iraq, except the Kurdistan region.

  • If you intend to travel to those parts of Iraq to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel, you should employ a professional security company and take all necessary security precautions. See Local travel.

  • You should avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. If you become aware of any nearby violence, leave the area immediately.

  • There is a high threat of terrorism including kidnapping. Terrorist incidents are less frequent in the Kurdistan region, but terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks across the Gulf region. See Terrorism.

  • Foreign journalists have been banned from entering al Anbar province unless they have specific approval from the relevant authorities (including, but not limited to, the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and the Anbar Operations Command Centre). International and local journalists have previously been detained in Iraq due to allegations of inadequate paperwork. Journalists should exercise extreme caution and take adequate security measures.

  • Seek local advice before travelling to the remote areas bordering Turkey and Iran, where there have been incidents of shelling, unexploded ordnance and mines. See Kurdistan Region.

  • The British Embassy in Baghdad and the British Consulate-General in Erbil are able to offer limited consular assistance only. See Consular assistance.

  • Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
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