Visit Iraq

Electrical Outlet / Power information
  • Voltage: 220-240 Volts (U.S./Canada are 110-120 Volts)
  • Primary Socket Types: Euro, British, Indian
  • Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.): Plug adapter
    Click socket type links to view adapter for that type
  • 110-120V electronics: Plug adapter + step-down transformer
  • Hair dryers, curling irons, etc.: Plug adapter + voltage converter
Business Hours
Government Offices 8:00 to 14:00 (Sat to Thu)
Banks 8:00 to 12:30 – to 12:00 Saturday
Shops & Malls 9:00 to 18:00 – to 17:00 in Summer
Private Sector 8:00 to 17:00 – with one or two hours lunch break
Note: during the holy month of Ramadan working hours are usually reduced.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport and a visa are required to enter Iraq. Visas are delivered by Iraqi diplomatic missions abroad.

Iraq has always known the freedom of money transfer, permitting any person to bring in or take out any capital of his/her choice at any time without restriction.

Note: No Israeli stamp or any crossing point with Israel stamp should be on your passport this includes Araba border, Sheikh Hussein border, Rafah border, and Taba border.
Currency & Exchange Facilities
The currency of Iraq is Iraqi Dinar (ID) – 1 US Dollar equals ID 1200 (May 21, 1999). One ID = 20 dirhams = 1000 fils.

Paper denominations are: 25, 50, 100, and 250 dinars.

Major credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, and American Express, are accepted in large establishments throughout the country. ATMs are becoming more numerous and many are located outside bank branches and in the business areas of major cities.
Climate
Iraq’s mainly continental climate brings a wide range of temperature, with hot summers, particularly in the south, and cold winters, especially on the higher ground.

In the mountainous region of the north, summers can be a little cooler and humidity is lower than in the south. During the winter months (October to April) snow often falls on the mountains.

In the central areas of Iraq, summers are much hotter, with temperatures in Baghdad rising to about 33.3oC (92 F) in July and August. It is not unknown for temperatures to soar as high as 50.6oC (123 F) in this region. Winter in Baghdad brings a mean temperature of about 9.4oC (49 F). Temperatures in Basra range from 37oC (98.6 F) in summer to 14oC (57.2 F) in winter. Dust storms are an unpleasant feature of the central plains region.

The southern area around the Gulf has extremely high humidity and some of the highest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world.

Rainfall is heaviest in the north-east and falls mostly between October and May. On the central plain, however, less than 152mm (about 6 inches) falls annually. Desert areas receive virtually no rainfall.
Holidays
New Year 1st January Army’s Day 6th January
Ramadan 14th Revolution Anniv. 8th February Spring Day (Nawrooz) 21st March
Labor Day 1st May Fao City Liberation Anniv. 17th April
Oil Companies Nationalization Anniv. 1st June 1958 Revolution Anniv. 14th July
1968 Revolution Anniv. 17th July 1988 Victory Day 8th August
Islamic holidays based on Hijri/Lunar calendar
Eid Al-Fiter 3 days marking end of Ramadan (fasting month)
Eid Al-Adha 3 days at the end of Hajj
Islamic New Year 1st of Moharram
Ashoura 10th of Moharram
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Birthday 12th Rabe’a El-Awwal

 

Tourist Information Offices
Board of Tourism +964 (1) 5372870/69
National Bureau of Tourism +964 (1) 5370454
Common Bureau of Tourism +964 (1) 5372522

 

Emergency Phone Numbers
Emergency 122 Police 104
Fire 115 Airport 8130000
Tipping
Tipping is a way of showing your satisfaction with a service rendered. Tips to your driver, guide and the hotel personnel are not included and left to your discretion.