RAHAL TRAVEL ADVISORY - MARCH 2026

The Iraqi Traveler's Guide for Exceptional Circumstances. Update: March 2026

The situation in the region is evolving quickly. Whether you're an Iraqi traveler stranded abroad or trying to make your way back to your family, this guide covers the most important steps to take right now. Rahal, Iraq's leading travel platform, is committed to supporting every Iraqi traveler through this period, including a free eSIM that keeps you connected at no cost.

Part One: For Iraqis Wanting to Leave Iraq

If you're inside Iraq and need to travel urgently, whether for security, medical, or family reasons, here are the most important things to keep in mind to protect your safety.

1. Travel corridors: finding a way out

With the unrest affecting the region broadly, the most important step is checking what's actually workable right now before making any plan. Don't rely on information that's more than a few hours old.

What to check:

• Contact Rahal directly for the latest picture of available routes. Our team monitors availability in real time and can advise on the best option based on your situation and destination, including regional and international airspace closures
• Check the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at mofa.gov.iq for official guidance on border and travel conditions
• Explore land travel options alongside air travel. Depending on your destination and location within Iraq, land corridors toward Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, or Iran may be available when other routes are closed
• Don't buy any ticket without confirming that the flight is actually available and the route is safe. Rahal can verify this before you book

2. Key contacts, embassies, and emergency numbers

Keep these contacts within reach at all times. Save them on your phone and write them down on paper as a backup.

The Rahal team: 24/7 support

• Available via WhatsApp and messaging around the clock for all Iraqi travelers
• Contact us at: 009647855509333
• Rahal can help with route changes, accommodation, eSIM activation, and connecting with the appropriate embassy contacts

Iraqi embassies and consulates:

If you need consular assistance, help with documents, or emergency travel guidance, you can contact the Iraqi diplomatic missions listed below.

Iraqi embassies: Middle East and North Africa

• Jordan: +962777888836 / +962771977711
• Lebanon: +96171515300 / +96170799002
• United Arab Emirates: +97124418022 / +97124418033
• Egypt: +20227358087 / +20237622731
• Tunisia: +21671962480 / +21671962449 / +21671961983
• Saudi Arabia: +966114806514 / +966114807496 / +966114806923
• Oman: +96824603642 / +96824695559
• Qatar: +97444216146 / +97444216730

Iraqi embassies: Europe

• Turkey (Ankara): +90 312 468 4834 / +90 312 468 7421
• United Kingdom (London): +44 20 7590 7650
• France (Paris): +33 1 45 53 77 00 / +33 1 45 53 33 70
• Denmark (Copenhagen): +45 39 45 02 70

Iraqi embassies: Asia

• Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur): +60 3 2148 0650 / +60 3 2148 0555
• Thailand (Bangkok): +66 2 278 5335 / +66 2 278 5337
• China (Beijing): +86 10 6532 3385 / +86 10 6532 1873

Emergency services

• Always call the local emergency number in whichever country you're in: 112 in EU countries, 999 in the UK, 911 in the United States
• UNHCR emergency link: unhcr.org/help
• International Ambulance for medical emergencies abroad: +44 20 8762 8008

3. Money, documents, and essentials before traveling

Before you move, take ten minutes to get the following in order. These steps reduce the risk of the most common and serious problems Iraqis run into when traveling during emergencies.

• Passport: make sure it's valid for at least six months. Check now, not at the border
• Backup copies: photograph your passport, ID, and all travel documents. Email them or send them via WhatsApp to yourself and a trusted family member
• Cash: keep a mix of US dollars and local currency. Access to bank cards can be unreliable and ATMs can run out. Keep enough to cover at least three days of accommodation and food

• Travel insurance: if you have it, activate it and keep the emergency claims number handy. If you don't, Rahal can connect you with suitable options
• Medications: keep at least a 30-day supply of any medication along with your doctor's prescription
• Emergency contacts: make sure at least three people in different locations know your travel plan
• Families traveling with young children: keep enough snacks and a change of clothes to cover situations where you might have to wait at the airport for long hours

4. Mental health support: ArabTherapy

Emergency travel situations are stressful, and it's completely normal to feel anxious, exhausted, or unsettled. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally during this period, ArabTherapy provides mental health support available in Arabic from qualified therapists who understand the cultural context.

• ArabTherapy connects you with licensed therapists offering sessions in Arabic online, on your schedule
• Sessions can be arranged quickly for those who need urgent psychological support
• Share this resource with family members worried about their traveling loved ones. Support is available to them too

Amid these circumstances, Rahal, in partnership with Digital Zone, has secured a 20% discount on therapy sessions, rising to 70% on your first purchase. You can buy the cards from Digital Zone at a discounted price using the code: RHCARE. After purchasing the voucher from Digital Zone, it can be activated through the Arab Therapy website at the following link: arabtherapy.com

5. Staying informed and following developments

Reliable, up-to-date information matters as much as logistics. Here are the sources to follow as the situation evolves.

• The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs at mofa.gov.iq for official travel guidance
• The IATA Travel Centre at iatatravelcentre.com for real-time route updates and entry requirements
• The Rahal platform and its social channels. We update information as the situation develops and communicate directly with travelers on our platform
• The foreign ministry website of your country of residence for guidance specific to your location

Part Two: For Iraqis Wanting to Return Home

If you're abroad and want to return to Iraq, the priorities are somewhat different. Here's what to confirm before and during your return journey.

1. Stay connected for free: Rahal's free eSIM

• Get a free eSIM for one week by contacting the Rahal team at: 009647855509333
• Especially useful during transit as you move between countries
• Rahal will not leave any Iraqi without a connection

2. Travel corridors to Iraq: finding a way back

Given the widespread regional unrest, don't assume any route is open — confirm before heading anywhere. The situation is constantly changing and the Rahal team monitors it continuously.

How to handle the situation:

• Contact Rahal before making any booking. We can tell you which routes are currently operating and which are closed, saving you from booking a flight that won't go through
• Consider all options, including land routes. Depending on your location, routes through Jordan via the Trebil crossing, Turkey via the Kurdistan Region, or the Gulf states via Kuwait or Saudi Arabia may be available
• Check the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs at mofa.gov.iq for the latest official guidance on entry
• Check entry requirements on the IATA Travel Centre website before confirming any booking

3. Extending your stay until the timing is right

If you're abroad and conditions in the region make returning home unsafe due to airspace closures, waiting and legally extending your stay is far better than rushing back into an unstable situation.

• Check your current visa's expiration date. Do it today
• Contact the immigration authority in your host country to ask about extension options before your visa expires
• The Iraqi embassy in your country can issue a supporting letter confirming your status
• Follow official statements from the Iraqi government and reliable news sources before setting a return date

4. Key contacts before you arrive in Iraq

Keep this information ready before starting your return journey.

Contacts inside Iraq to confirm before departure:

• A family member or trusted contact who can confirm conditions at your destination inside Iraq
• Confirmation that your accommodation is booked and available. Don't assume it
• Arrange transportation from your arrival point in advance. Rahal can help with transport bookings

Official Iraqi contacts:

• The Iraqi Ministry of Interior for any inquiries related to documents or re-entry: moi.gov.iq
• The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mofa.gov.iq
• The Rahal team, available 24/7 to coordinate travel, accommodation, and on-the-ground support

5. What to prepare before arrival

A quick checklist before starting your return journey:

• Make sure your passport is valid and matches your ticket exactly
• Keep cash in both US dollars and Iraqi dinars. ATM availability inside Iraq can be inconsistent during periods of unrest

• Make sure your accommodation is safe and that someone knows your arrival time
• Download maps of your destination for offline use. Don't rely on mobile data at points of arrival
• Fully charge all your devices before traveling
• Keep Rahal's WhatsApp number handy for immediate support upon arrival. You can always reach us at: 009647855509333

6. Mental health support: ArabTherapy

Returning home amid uncertainty carries its own emotional weight. Whether you're anxious about what you'll find, processing a difficult experience abroad, or simply exhausted by the uncertainty, that's a completely normal reaction. ArabTherapy provides mental health support in Arabic from qualified therapists who understand your context and circumstances.

• Online sessions in Arabic that can be booked quickly, without long waiting lists
• Available to travelers in transit as well as family members waiting back home

Amid these circumstances, Rahal, in partnership with Digital Zone, has secured a 20% discount on therapy sessions, rising to 70% on your first purchase. You can buy the cards from Digital Zone at a discounted price using the code: RHCARE. After purchasing the voucher from Digital Zone, it can be activated through the Arab Therapy website at the following link: arabtherapy.com

7. Keeping up with entry requirements

Entry requirements into Iraq can change quickly. Always check before you travel.

• The IATA Travel Centre for real-time entry requirements into Iraq: iatatravelcentre.com
• The FlightRadar24 app to track airspace activity and closures in real time
• The Iraqi embassy in your current country for the latest official guidance, using the contact information listed in this guide
• The Rahal platform. We continuously update entry requirement information as the situation develops

Rahal, hand in hand with you. Stay connected for free

• You'll get 7 days with 1GB of data, free, wherever you are in the world, so you can stay in constant touch with your family in Iraq
• 24/7 support through the Rahal platform and WhatsApp
• Help with route availability, accommodation, and transport
• Real-time monitoring and travel alerts