Iraq imposes new travel restrictions on Afghan and Pakistani citizens to Najaf and Baghdad

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Immigration Department of Najaf International Airport have imposed new restrictions on accepting passengers with Afghan and Pakistani citizenship on flights departing from Iran to Najaf and Baghdad.

Based on these restrictions, the admission of Afghan and Pakistani passengers has been banned until further notice unless their visa image has been officially approved by the immigration department at Najaf or Baghdad airports before the flight.

Reports indicate that family members of children and people over 50 years of age are exempt from this restriction; however, young, single men with Afghan or Pakistani citizenship will not be allowed to travel to Iraq, even if they have a valid visa.

Iraqi authorities have not yet released an official explanation for the reason for this decision.