Iraq Announces Guidelines for Arbaeen Pilgrims’ Entry Visas
The ministry issued new guidelines aimed at facilitating the entry of Arab and foreign pilgrims to Iraq during the Arbaeen procession, which is one of the largest religious events in the world.
According to an order signed by the minister of interior and based on the powers granted under Article (4/1) of Law No. (20) of the Ministry of Interior passed in 2016, it was decided to facilitate the process of entry of foreign pilgrims by adopting uniform fees for entry visas throughout the Arbaeen season.
This decision stipulates that the types of entry visas (visit, tourist, regular) covered by National Security Council Resolution No. (1 of 2021) and (13 of 2025) will be subject to payment of the legal fee plus $5 as an electronic service fee only, without any additional fees.
The decision also allows tourist visas to be granted to other nationalities arriving as part of tourist groups, with the same legal fees, electronic service fees and tourism organization fees, without imposing any additional charges.
The implementation of the decision began on the first of Muharram and continues until the 20th of Safar 1447 AH (June 27 to July 25, 2025), as part of the ministry’s efforts to facilitate the entry of pilgrims and provide an appropriate environment for the provision of services and security in order to attend the Arbaeen rituals.
Iraq witnesses a large presence of pilgrims from Arab, Islamic, and foreign countries to participate in the Arbaeen procession every year, and in this regard, special security and service measures are taken by the competent authorities.
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Arbaeen is a religious event observed by Shia Muslims on the fortieth day after the Day of Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the third Shia imam.
It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with millions of Shia Muslims, as well as many Sunnis and followers of other religions, walking to Karbala from various cities in Iraq and neighboring countries. This year, the day of Arbaeen will fall on August 14.
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