Iraqi Kurdistan: Suspension of Exemptions to Mandatory Blood Test Requirement

Effective immediately, the Kurdistan Regional Government has suspended all exemptions to the blood test requirement, which is required for foreign nationals to obtain or renew their Residency card. Previously, males above 65 years of age and females above 50 years of age were exempt from the requirement. As a result, foreign nationals regardless of their age and gender must now undergo a blood test at the government laboratory in downtown Erbil as part of their initial or renewal application for a Residency card. Employers should prepare and schedule a blood test for their employees in order to avoid processing delays.