Deadline Extended and Noncompliance Penalties Amended for Multi-Entry-Exit Visa Formalities
December 7, 2017
Executive Summary
Effective immediately, foreign nationals who obtain an employment entry visa upon arrival based on an approved Letter of Invitation in Iraq on or after November 27, 2017 are subject to the below changes:
- They now have 15 business days after arrival to complete immigration formalities and obtain a multi-entry-exit visa; and
- They are subject to a revised penalty schedule if they do not complete this formality within 15 business days.
The situation
Foreign nationals who obtain an employment entry visa upon arrival in Iraq on or after November 27, 2017 must complete their post-arrival immigration formalities within 15 business days of arrival, instead of seven calendar days, as was previously required.
- Formality details. Foreign nationals who enter in the above manner must undergo a blood test and obtain a multi-entry-exit visa. Both procedures are typically completed in Iraq.
- Amended penalties for noncompliance. Affected foreign nationals who do not complete these procedures within the 15-day deadline must pay a fine of IQD 100,000, in addition to IQD 10,000 fee for each day of delay, capped at IQD 5,000,000.
- Former fee. Prior to this change, the fine was a flat IQD 500,000 per person.
- Impact. Affected foreign nationals should benefit from a longer timeframe to complete their immigration formalities, but may still be subject to a fine if they fail to do so by the statutory deadline.
Background
Foreign nationals seeking employment in Iraq must obtain an employment entry visa sponsored by an employer in Iraq.
Depending on the sponsoring entity’s business set up and contracts, foreign nationals may obtain their entry and multi-entry-exit visas at an Iraqi consular post abroad. These individuals are not affected by this change.
Those who cannot avail of the consular process are required to obtain an entry visa upon arrival in Iraq (based on an approved Letter of Invitation). Once these processes are completed, a multi-entry-exit visa is endorsed in their passport.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your Fragomen immigration professional or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Video
With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Blog post
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen is named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia and receives National and Regional Tier 1 rankings in Immigration Law.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses the broad application of a USCIS memo to adjustment of status applicants and notes that H- and L-visa holders may have a somewhat easier burden in demonstrating factors that support favorable discretion.
Blog post
Senior Manager Alice Spaull and Associate Stephanie Fitton examine the evolving UK immigration and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for athletes, their support teams and associated guests attending the Commonwealth Games 2026, highlighting key compliance risks and the importance of early travel planning.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses a recent USCIS memo that appears to signal greater caution in how adjudicators assess adjustment of status cases rather than establishing a new legal standard.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Video
With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Blog post
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen is named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia and receives National and Regional Tier 1 rankings in Immigration Law.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses the broad application of a USCIS memo to adjustment of status applicants and notes that H- and L-visa holders may have a somewhat easier burden in demonstrating factors that support favorable discretion.
Blog post
Senior Manager Alice Spaull and Associate Stephanie Fitton examine the evolving UK immigration and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for athletes, their support teams and associated guests attending the Commonwealth Games 2026, highlighting key compliance risks and the importance of early travel planning.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses a recent USCIS memo that appears to signal greater caution in how adjudicators assess adjustment of status cases rather than establishing a new legal standard.
