Foreign travel advice

Iraq

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Iraq.
! Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Iraq.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
1426 January 2026
Updated:
1426 January 2026
Latest update:
ThereFCDO isnow aadvises heightenedagainst riskall travel to Jurf al-Sakr town in Babil province and within 5km of regionalfederal tension.Iraq’s Escalationborders couldwith leadIran (in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces); Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Baghdad province, excluding Sadr City, Basra province excluding 5km from the borders with Iran and Kuwait but including Highway 1, Highway 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border, and the road sections of Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah, and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil. FCDO continues to advise against all travel disruptionand all but essential travel to parts of Iraq. New information about landmines and otherland unanticipatedborder impactscrossings (‘Warnings('Warnings and insurance’insurance', page).'Safety and security' and 'Regional risks' pages).

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Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel  

Federal Iraq

FCDO advises against all travel to:

  • the parts of Anbar province which are west of, but not including Ramadi City

  • BasraDiyala province (exceptexcept for BasraBaqubah city)City

  • DiyalaKirkuk province except for Baqubah City

  • KirkukNinawa province

  • NinawaSalah al-Din province

  • SalahJurf al-Dinal-Sakr town in Babil province

  • Sadr City, part of Baghdad province

  • TheWithin parts5km of Baghdadareas provincethat whichborder areIran southin ofWasit, theMaysan Airportand RoadBasra provinces 

  • Within 30km5km of of federal Iraq’s borders with Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

FCDO advises against advises against all but essential travel to:to: 

  • TheThe remainder of remainderAl-Muthanna of Anbar provinceprovince 

  • TheAl-Qadasiyah province  

  • The remainder of remainderAnbar of Baghdad provinceprovince 

  • BasraBabil cityprovince (except Jurf al-Sakr town) 

  • KarbalaBaghdad Provinceprovince (except Sadr City) 

  • TheThe remainder of remainderBasra ofprovince, Najafincluding ProvinceHighways 1 and 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border crossing. 

  • Babil ProvinceDhi Qar Province 

  • Al-QadasiyahKarbala Province 

  • DhiThe remainder of QarMaysan Provinceprovince 

  • BaqubahThe remainder of City inNajaf Diyala provinceprovince 

  • TheThe remainder of remainder of Wasit Provinceprovince 

  • TheBaqubah City in remainderDiyala of Maysan Provinceprovince 

  • The remainderroad sections of Al-MuthannaHighway Province34 between Baghdad and Baqubah, and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil

Kurdistan Region of Iraq

FCDO advises against all travel to: 

  • 5KM from the border with Turkey, except for the town of Ibrahim Khalil and the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing accessed from the east via the Ibrahim Khalil road 

  • 5KM from Erbil (Arbil) Governate’s border with Iran in areas north of the Choman-Haji Omaran Rd 

  • The Amedi Mountains Region 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

  • The remainder of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Consular support

Consular support is severely limited in areas where FCDO advises against travel.

Regional risks

There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.

British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances. These include:

  • read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”

  • sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts

  • monitor local and international media for the latest information

  • sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities

  • stay away from areas around security or military facilities

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel despite FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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