Iraq
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
- Ban on work.
- Ban on study.
- Ban on residence.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Iraq
We are aware of some official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to Iraq.
According to the US Department of State Iraq imposes HIV-related travel restrictions on all visitors and new residents.
According to UNAIDS, Iraq deports non-nationals on the basis of HIV status.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Iraq
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in Iraq.
UNAIDS reports that HIV testing is required for work and study permits.
Foreign travel advice provided by the government of the United Kingdom states that visitors to Iraq must have a blood test for HIV and hepatitis within 10 days of arrival and repeat it every 90 days while in Iraq. Guidance on where to go for the blood test is available at the airport.
Similarly, the ILO Position Paper on Mandatory HIV Testing in the Arab States reports that Iraq denies applications for entry by HIV positive people for stays beginning as short as 10 days and up to 90 days. The purposes of such short stays may include personal, business or professional reasons such as tourism, visiting family and/or friends, meetings, conferences or educational events.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Iraq
We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in Iraq.
UNAIDS reports that HIV testing is required for residency permits and that they are denied on the basis of HIV status.
ILO Position Paper reports that permits for long-term stays (over 90 days) and residence are denied on the basis of HIV status.
Treatment access in Iraq
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Iraq. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
IOM reports that migrants in Iraq, depending on their migratory status, have access to government‐funded healthcare services equal to that of Iraqi nationals, whereby treatment is available upon payment of medical fees.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Iraq page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
Share
If you want to refer to this page when travelling and may not have internet access, you can use your browser to Save or Print this page - how you do it will depend on the device and browser you are using.
This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
