VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility
From→ToFind a corridor
EN
☰

Iraq

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
37,038
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
10,312
UK visas issued, 2025
16,111
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
33.3%
NationalityIQISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<IQIRAQ<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
IQ4<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Iraq need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Iraq move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany14,775
  2. Türkiye7,673
  3. United States3,690
  4. Canada2,335
  5. Netherlands1,354
  6. Sweden1,134
  7. Finland860
  8. Italy783
  9. Australia642
  10. France609
  11. Belgium600
  12. Hungary569
  13. Switzerland515
  14. Austria502
  15. Norway217

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

91k182k200020032006200920122015201820212023
91k182k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200037,921
200138,645
200235,399
200322,954
200416,273
200519,116
200628,671
200733,428
200837,239
200949,179
201050,769
201149,392
201245,027
201333,538
201443,836
2015122,210
2016181,600
2017172,223
2018169,358
2019122,656
202053,045
2021108,390
202252,128
202337,038
Share going to the top destination
39.9%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Iraq who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Türkiye403,670
  2. United States272,370
  3. Germany263,918
  4. Jordan219,163
  5. Syria209,390
  6. Sweden150,470
  7. Australia112,467
  8. United Kingdom99,203
  9. Canada98,416
  10. Israel77,676
  11. Libya77,265
  12. Iran55,516

Living abroad by year

1.35M2.7M19901995200020052010201520202024
1.35M2.7M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990598,492
1995647,345
2000825,369
20051,202,149
20102,697,913
20151,652,951
20202,282,773
20242,313,028
Living abroad, 2024
2,313,028
Change since 2000
+180.2%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
17.5%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Iraq by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B28,297
  2. A2491
  3. K1343
  4. J1311
  5. F1152
  6. A1141
  7. G298
  8. B283
  9. B177
  10. J258

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

5,15610k201720182019202020212022202320242025
5,15610k20172019202120232025
Data table
20176,494
201810,014
20199,747
20203,969
20211,493
20225,188
20237,909
20247,639
202510,312
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR51,012
  2. IR1673
  3. CR1209
  4. DV196
  5. IR2111
  6. FX105
  7. F480
  8. SQ379
Immigrant visas, FY2025
2,817
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
18
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Iraq who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Iraq with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

11k21k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
11k21k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201521,110
201618,900
201714,200
201814,350
20196,510
20202,270
20211,730
20222,800
20233,960
20244,040
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens2,210
  2. Refugees and asylees1,000
  3. Other classes320
  4. Diversity visa lottery210
  5. Family-sponsored preferences180
  6. Employment-based preferences120
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)250
  2. Spouses and children50
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)30
  4. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)20
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)10
  6. Other temporary workers10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Iraq)
4,040
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Iraq)
8,180
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
10,650
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Iraq (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Iraq (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor12,238
  2. Family2,537
  3. Study635
  4. Other474
  5. Work227

Visas issued by year

8,05616k201020122014201620182020202220242025
8,05616k201020132016201920222025
Data table
20106,895
20119,673
20129,996
201312,867
201411,463
20154,971
20164,573
20175,699
20186,249
20198,275
20203,430
20215,841
202210,452
202313,783
202415,821
202516,111
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
640
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Iraq, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025101751701,90510
2024402252201,66030
2023152603002,33525
202251702453,4800
20210652352,69515
20200301401,95015
20190701754,43520
20180452155,33525
20170251454,74040
20160501552,4200
20150301153,9800
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Iraq, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

18362005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
18362005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–069
2006–0726
2007–0836
2008–0925
2009–1022
2010–1118
2011–1220
2012–1326
2013–1412
2014–1514
2015–1616
2016–1722
2017–1817
2018–1919
2019–2012
2020–2112
2021–2218
2022–2323
2023–2431
2024–2522
2025–2615
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills10
  2. Specialist Skills4
  3. Labour Agreement1
Granted, 2025–26
15
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Iraq living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1132252012201420162018202220242025
1132252012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201278
201364
201478
201596
2016107
2017129
2018150
2019163
2022175
2023199
2024224
2025225
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Dependent59
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services46
  3. Designated Activities28
  4. Student25
  5. Long-Term Resident22
  6. Spouse or Child of Japanese National17
  7. Business Manager11
  8. Permanent Resident9
  9. Highly Skilled Professional4
  10. Professor1
Residents, December 2025
225
In work-related statuses
64
Share in work-related statuses
28.4%
Students
25
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Iraq

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Iraq, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France19,61710,9788,01040.8%
Germany19,50912,9396,06931.1%
Italy13,3319,6073,66927.5%
Greece3,8722,1241,64342.4%
Netherlands2,9722,08378526.4%
Spain2,0511,737834.0%
Czechia1,12081826924.0%
Hungary1,07040067062.6%
Poland1,03866936835.5%
Romania95963326727.8%
Croatia40525014335.3%

Applications by year

33k66k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
33k66k200920122015201820212024
Data table
20096,943
20109,655
201115,139
201215,428
201330,111
201436,278
201538,475
201646,455
201760,537
201864,726
201957,501
20209,722
202117,669
202248,536
202358,165
202465,944
Refusal rate, 2024
33.3%
Refusal rate, 2019
38.6%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Iraq in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons13,899
  2. Family8,324
  3. Education994
  4. Work774
First permits by country
  1. Germany15,480
  2. Italy1,415
  3. Netherlands986
  4. Sweden939
  5. Greece938
  6. Finland731
  7. France571
  8. Belgium475
  9. Austria426
  10. Spain377
  11. Hungary365
  12. Romania252
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card61
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)112
  3. Researchers37
  4. Other paid activities564
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
176
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
21,666
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
16,534
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
670
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
280,337
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
15,196
Changed status into work, 2025
471
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
3
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
5
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Iraq in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark2025180612572913
Sweden202572133644514889
Netherlands20252,39540251,34595530
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202550594411
Austria2025363420-57
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark61
  2. Sweden33
  3. Netherlands40
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Iraq living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. International law, humanitarian or political reasons110,810
  2. Permanent residence title35,155
  3. Application for a residence title pending31,960
  4. Family reasons21,150
  5. Tolerated stay (Duldung)18,985
  6. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure18,010
  7. Neither tolerated nor permitted11,075
  8. Special residence rights and national visas3,915
  9. Employment1,270
  10. Education and training1,080
  11. EU free movement640

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

142k285k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
142k285k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201488,731
2015136,399
2016227,195
2017237,365
2018247,800
2019255,050
2020259,500
2021276,925
2022284,595
2023281,340
2024268,785
2025254,065
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
254,055
With a residence title for employment
1,270
Permanent residence title
35,155
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Iraq, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

7471,4932016201720182019202020212022202320242025
7471,493201620182020202220242025
Data table
2016847
20171,493
20181,231
2019704
2020371
2021561
2022744
2023704
2024895
20251,090
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Asylum and protection729
  2. Family285
  3. Study47
  4. Other reasons16
  5. Work13
New permits, 2025
1,090
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
8,606
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
1,856
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Iraq

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Iraq, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Algeria1——
Armenia1——
Australia1——
Bahrain1——
Bangladesh1——
Brazil1——
China12—
Croatia1——
Czechia1——
Egypt1——
Finland1——
France11—
Germany11—
Greece1——
Hungary1——
India11—
Indonesia1——
Iran11—
Italy1——
Japan1——
Malaysia1——
Mauritania1——
Morocco1——
Netherlands1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine11—
Philippines1——
Poland11—
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sudan1——
Sweden1——
Syria1——
Tunisia1——
Türkiye14—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1—1
United States—1—
Countries
45
Missions
58
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Iraq, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

5811,16220052008201120142017202020232025
5811,162200520092013201720212025
Data table
2005711
2006389
20073
200871
2009152
2010177
2011223
2012271
2013727
2014729
20151,004
2016986
20171,088
2018742
2019859
2020644
2021840
20221,098
20231,162
2024696
2025757
Remittances received, 2025
US$757 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.3%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Iraq

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Iraq → Germany
  • Iraq → Türkiye
  • Iraq → France
  • Iraq → United States
  • Iraq → Italy
  • Iraq → Canada
  • Iraq → Netherlands
  • Iraq → Sweden
  • Iraq → Finland
  • Iraq → Greece
  • Iraq → Belgium
  • Iraq → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more