U.S. Embassy & Consulate
in Iraq

Instructions for Applicants

The Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is processing limited numbers of nonimmigrant visas for citizens or residents of Iraq who wish to enter the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business meetings, study, participation in exchange programs, temporary employment, or other purposes.  See our Directory of Visa Categories to determine which visa category would be appropriate for your purpose of travel.

Please note that the number of available appointments is very limited.  Applicants may also try to schedule appointments at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil or at any U.S. embassy or consulate with available appointments.  Visit usvisas.state.gov for appointment availability at other U.S. missions not located in Iraq.

How to Apply

To apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Baghdad, please follow these steps:

1. Fill out the DS-160 application for each applicant (including children) at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/.
2. Obtain a visa appointment:

• For non-emergency appointments, schedule through our online appointment website. (Please note that due to limited capacity, at times there may be no appointment slots available.  New slots will open as our capacity allows.)
• If you believe your situation may qualify for an expedited appointment, please follow the instructions in the “Expedited Visa Appointments, Other Categories” section below.

3. Pay the nonimmigrant visa fee in U.S. dollars at any Bank of Baghdad branch for each applicant. The fee for visitor (B), student (F, M), exchange visitor (J), and other non-petition-based visas is $160. See the Department of State visa fee page for information on other categories, including petition-based visas.

4. Please bring the following to your visa interview:

• A passport valid for at least six months after your intended date of entry into the United States.
• The Bank of Baghdad visa fee receipt for each applicant.
• One 5 x 5 cm front-facing passport photo – with no eyeglasses – taken within the past six months for each applicant. Click here for more details on visa photo requirements.
• One prepaid DHL air waybill for your group.

Expedited Visa Appointments, Other Categories

 If your purpose of travel falls into one of the following categories, you may qualify for an expedited visa appointment:

1. 1. Emergency Travel for Medical Treatment or Death of a Family Member

   If you require a visitor (B) visa for emergency travel to receive medical treatment in the United States or due to the serious illness or death of a family member in the United States, please email BaghdadNIV@state.gov  or Erbilniv@state.gov with the subject line “Emergency Travel.” Include the following in your message:

   – A copy of each applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.

   – A copy of each applicant’s passport data page.  The passport must have at least six months of validity remaining after the planned date of entry into the United States.

   – For medical treatment in the United States:

   • A letter from the U.S. hospital or doctor stating why treatment in the United States is necessary, the planned date and duration of treatment, and the estimated cost; and
   • A letter from the applicant’s local doctor describing the diagnosis and explaining why sufficient treatment is unavailable in Iraq.

   – If your immediate family member in the United States is seriously ill, please send information about his or her diagnosis from a doctor in the United States.

   – If your immediate family member passed away in the United States, please provide a copy of the death certificate or other documentation.

2. Urgent Business for Citizens and Residents of Iraq

If you require a visitor (B) visa to conduct urgent business in the United States, please email BaghdadNIV@state.gov or ErbilNIV@state.gov with the subject line “Urgent Business.”  We will consider expediting appointments for travel related to significant U.S. investment, procurement, job creation or fulfillment of contracted services.  We cannot expedite appointments for most routine meetings, training, conferences or seminars.  Include the following in your message:

– A description of your urgent business travel with documents to support the claimed investment, procurement, job creation, or contract delivery.

– A copy of each applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.

– A copy of each applicant’s passport data page.  The passport must have at least six months of validity remaining after the planned date of entry.

3. Student (F/M) and Exchange Visitor (J) visas for Citizens and Residents of Iraq

If you are applying for one these visa categories, please email BaghdadNIV@state.gov with the subject line “F/M/J Visa.”  Include the following in your message:

– A copy of your Form I-20 (for students) or DS-2019 (for exchange visitors).

– A copy of each applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.

– A copy of each applicant’s passport data page.  The passport must have at least six months of validity remaining after your planned date of entry.

4. Temporary Employment Visas (H, L, O, P, Q)

If you are applying for one these visa categories, please email BaghdadNIV@state.gov with the subject line “Temporary Employment Visa.”  Include the following in your message:

– A copy of your approved Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797.

– A copy of each applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.

– A copy of each applicant’s passport data page.  The passport must have at least six months of validity remaining after your planned date of entry.

5. Travel for Non-Citizens and Non-Residents of Iraq

If you are not an Iraqi citizen and do not reside in Iraq but wish to schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, please email BaghdadNIV@state.gov with the subject line “Non-Citizen, Non-Resident Travel.”  Include the following in your message:

– An explanation of your purpose of travel.

– A copy of each applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.

– A copy of each applicant’s passport data page. The passport must have at least six months of validity remaining after your planned date of entry.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad will consider your request on a space-available basis. Please note that if you are not an Iraqi citizen and do not reside in Iraq, we will cancel any appointments you make through our online scheduling website and notify you of the cancelation by email.

Please note that the number of available appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is limited.  Applicants may try to schedule appointments at any U.S. embassy or consulate with available appointments. Visit usvisas.state.gov for information on applying at other U.S. missions.

6. Visas for Diplomats, Government Officials, and International Organization Officials

Anyone traveling to the United States on official business for a government or designated international organization must obtain an A or G visa.  A visas are required for anyone assigned to a foreign embassy or consulate in the United States, as well as government officials on a temporary assignment to the United States.  G visas are required for individuals representing their government or hired to work directly for certain international organizations located in the United States.  G visas are also required for employees of such organizations stationed abroad who are required to travel to the United States for temporary assignments.

Personal Appearance Normally Not Required:  Diplomats, government officials, and international organization representatives normally do not require a personal interview as part of the visa application process.  To apply for an A or G visa, please email BaghdadNIV@state.gov with the subject line “Official Visa Request from [government/organization you work for].”

Visa Fees:  Individuals who qualify for an official visa classification (A, G, C-3) are exempt from paying visa fees.

Required Items for Official Visa Submission Package:

1. A copy of each applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.  This may be printed after completing the online application at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/.

2. Diplomatic note.  This note should be from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your embassy in Iraq, or the international organization sponsoring you.  The diplomatic note should include:

• • Name and date of birth of each applicant
  • Position and title
  • Place of assignment or visit
  • Purpose of travel
  • Brief description of duties
  • Travel date
  • Anticipated length of stay or tour of duty in the United States
  • Names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the principal applicant

3.  A passport valid for at least six months after your intended date of entry into the United States.

4.  A 5 x 5 cm front-facing passport photo – with no eyeglasses – taken within the past six months. Click here for more details on visa photo requirements.